ELIZABETHTOWN — Members of the Bladen County Democratic Party met for coffee and some political education on Saturday in the Powell-Melvin Agricultural Center Auditorium. Refreshments were provided by the local party executive officers, and presentations were given by two members of the North Carolina Democratic Party Executive Committee.
Bladen County is now divided between the 7th and 9th Congressional Districts. Francisco Rivas-Diaz, 7th Congressional District Democratic chairman, gave a PowerPoint presentation about the new district and its demographics. The 7th District includes eight counties and runs from Johnson County to Brunswick County and includes eastern Bladen County.
Currently, Republican David Rouzer holds the 7th Congressional seat. Kyle Horton has announced her plans to run as a Democrat for the office in the next election.
Cynthia Wallace is the 9th Congressional District Democratic chair. She gave a detailed presentation about the 9th District, which is made up of nine counties from Mecklenburg County to western Bladen County.
Republican Robert Pittenger of Charlotte is the current 9th District congressman. Democrat Christian Cano has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination, and at least three other candidates are considering running for the seat.
Bladen County Democratic Chairman Ben Snyder gave updates about local election issues for 2017 municipal elections and 2018 county and state elections. Special guest Brenda Diaz, secretary of the Democratic Women of North Carolina, was introduced and spoke briefly about the organization.
After the presentations were complete, attendees used the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments and suggestions about local and district issues. The North Carolina Democratic Party will be scheduling more events in Bladen County over the next several months.