6 days left to lobby the 4 Dems who will pick our next state senator. They want to hear from you at ncsenate23vacancy@gmail.com.

(If you've written to the commitee, I'd love to see your letters here as well regardless of what they say.)Dear executive selection committee,I am writing to express my strong endorsement of Mark Chilton for the N.C. Senate seat recently vacated by Ellie Kinnaird. Thank you so much for making this process public and taking the time to hear from the people of Orange and Chatham Counties about our concerns.I have lived here (in both southern Orange and northern Chatham) since 1973, and have been involved in local politics for more than two decades. In fact, I worked on both Mark and Ellie's campaigns in the past. I think Mayor Chilton is our best choice to fill this seat because he would bring a wealth of practical political skills, energy for civic engagement, and the same idealism and passion that made Senator Kinnaird the Conscience of the Senate.As a woman, I know that that Mayor Chilton will go to bat for my reproductive rights, as he has done for decades including working for NARAL-NC in their early days. As an environmentalist I know he will work to stop fracking and the many other assaults on NC's precious ecosystems. As a person concerned with human rights, I know he will work hard for better treatment of immigrants just as he has done for many Carrboro residents that are day laborers and residents of substandard housing. As a person against racism, I know he will continue to address persistent institutional racism as well as the GOP's unconscionable attacks on voting rights. As the father of two school-aged boys, I know he will take attacks on education personally. And I also know he will work hard for student enfranchisement as he is one of only a handful of people who has been both a student and an elected official in North Carolina at the same time.But I don't just support Mayor Chilton's appointment because of his strong support of the issues that I care about, I also think he will be an asset to our region and the entire state by being an energizing force that will help target vulnerable Republican districts, raise money for Democratic campaigns, and engage activists and potential candidates from across the state.I truly think that Mark Chilton is the very best person for this job, especially at this time. He is our best hope to take back seats in the General Assembly in 2014 and 2016. If you appoint him, it will send a powerful message that Democrats do not intend to take the past year of attacks on our state lying down. He will start the first wave of what will be a growing movement to reverse the retrograde agenda of Art Pope and the Tea Party Republicans currently in control of the General Assembly.Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Ruby Sinreich  

(My old colleague Adam Searing sent me a copy of his letter as he knows I have been following this. He gave me permission to post it here.)Dear Executive Committee:I appreciate your willingness to balance the competing interests in a district full of good candidates to fill our vacant Senate seat for the short session next year.  I don't envy your task!  Having both grown up in Chapel Hill and spending the last 16 years working in the public sphere for progressive change in Raleigh with a large nonprofit progressive issue advocacy organization, I hope you will consider a few thoughts I have on the vacancy.  These are simply from my personal viewpoint as a district resident (and for you Chatham folks, forgive my CH viewpoint although I've spent my share of time in the county) and don't reflect any special insights into any individual candidates. They also do not represent in any way the views of my employer and are mine alone.First, I have seen too many legislators come to Raleigh and do very little to make change happen.  These are often people who are very popular back home and keep returning year after year, but who either do not spend the time to be effective in Raleigh or don't have the skill to be effective as much as they enjoy being in the Capitol.  It would seem to go without saying that none of us would want someone like that as a representative, but I am amazed over the years as to how many legislators fall into this category.  As my reporter friend Jena Heath said many years ago [she had some male legislators in mind at the time], "Why would some of these guys ever want to go back home?  Here they have someone hanging on their every word and saying how smart they are.  Back in their hometown, their wives are telling them to take out the trash and mow the lawn.  Of course they'd rather be here!" Our new Senator should know important issues very well and be willing to put the time into learning those they don't.Second, I think that messaging about the actions of the Republican majority and Governor is an absolutely key part of the post in a way that it never was when the state was under Democratic control.  This includes a commitment to the time it takes to use social media, but also the ability to relate effectively and build relationships with reporters and editors, the ability to deliver timely and informative sound bites, the willingness to master policy areas enough to be seen by the press as a reliable source for an opposing viewpoint, and the ability to think fast when responding to an emerging story. Last session, almost every day, the majority in Raleigh provided an opportunity for an opposing viewpoint to be aired simply because of the radical nature of many of their actions.  While there are very effective public policy news and opinion operations in North Carolina,  these simply cannot replace the need for respected, smart and articulate Democratic leaders who know how to get their message out in all the various forms of media available.  This is one of the most pressing needs I believe at the moment and our new senator could lead the way in this along with leaders like Josh Stein and Rick Glazier.  While we may not retake the House or Senate for a while, showing the shallowness and hypocrisy of the majority's actions day after day will play a key role in winning back the Governorship, keeping our US Senate seat, and, eventually, more seats in the General Assembly.Third, a willingness to spend the time it takes to raise money for other good candidates around the state is another key attribute.  Again, this is an obvious one, but I think there is a special skill here as well needed for our new Senator.  The unique characteristics of our district, where many people live who are progressive and have plenty of ability to contribute to candidates, but who pay (or maybe at this point at least used to pay!) little attention to state politics presents a unique challenge and opportunity.  We all know people who spend much more time reading the NY Times than the N+O while they assume that state politics will "take care of itself." They also may have little faith in the state party and are much more focused on national races.  Being able to communicate to these district residents the importance and effectiveness of participation in the state political process and why they should care enough to write a big check involves being able to make an effective argument to people who are more politically active in a different area.  This requires an understanding of both national and state politics, the intersection between the two, and the ability to make a compelling argument for participation.Fourth and finally, I know that you will consider strong community connections as a important piece of the job. From my viewpoint this means someone who truly loves our communities, both rural and urban, here in the district.  I know that finding someone with deep connections to both Chapel Hill and Chatham is a big task.  To me though, this would be someone who cares about our land, our cities and our people enough to not only provide great constituent service, but also brings a passion to represent the interests of everyone in our district.Thanks for considering my input and again, I appreciate your hard work and commitment to our community. Sincerely,Adam