Charlotte Black Political Caucus-endorsed candidates win all but one race

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Members of the Charlotte Black Political Caucus said they are celebrating the midterm election results after the group endorsed 18 candidates and all but one won their races.

BPC Chair Jocelyn Nolley said she wanted to use the day after the election to celebrate the wins. She said she knows the winning candidates must soon start work on improving voters’ lives.

About the Black Political Caucus

The Black Political Caucus has been around for nearly 60 years. During that time, the group has engaged, educated, and empowered the community about the candidates that members should support.

Many candidates seek the group’s endorsement - thinking it will help them win.

Calls for action and accountability

“I know this will happen – that they are going to roll up their sleeves and get it done for the citizens of Mecklenburg County,” Nolley said. “I am hoping that these new groups of elected understand that our community deserves way more than the promises – we deserve action. We deserve transparency, and again we deserve the results that make a difference in our folk’s lives – in our people’s lives.”

The Charlotte NAACP also helped get out the vote. Chapter President Rev. Corine Mack said that because the election turned out the way some people wanted, that does not necessarily mean things will change for the better.

Mack said the chapter will continue to educate voters and hold elected leaders accountable.

Adams wins another term

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat, won another term representing North Carolina’s 12th District, which includes Mecklenburg County. She won with more than 80% of the vote.

Adams said Democrats cannot afford to get comfortable after election night.

“We have an opportunity to make things right, and not only do we have an opportunity – we have a responsibility to do that – people have suffered long enough,” Adams said.

Adams said she is pleased Democrats are taking over the House and Senate. She said she has received calls from people who want revenge because of the power shift. She said the callers told her it is time to investigate and look to impeach President Donald Trump.

Adams said making life better for people should be front and center and on politicians’ minds. She said ending the war and tariffs would be a start. She called the election results a “blue tsunami” and said she is excited about the next chapter.

Adams on voter expectations

Sen. Chuck Schumer told voters that relief is on the way because of the election results.

“I agree with Sen. Schumer there and I think voters should expect that and we should deliver that absolutely,” Adams said. “And so, when we don’t deliver – if we don’t deliver then they should deliver us back into our district somewhere.”

Adams said she is looking forward to Hakeem Jeffries becoming the new Speaker of the House. She said politicians should never forget the voters who put them in office.

“It’s a mandate given to us, and we have a responsibility to respond and to respond effectively, timely, quickly – you know they talk about all the time the first 100 days, let’s look at the first 100 hours,” Adams said.

Adams and her colleagues return to work Monday. She said her party is not waiting until January ,when the shift happens, to develop a strategy - they will start when they return to Washington.

Adams said she hopes the change in power will cause politicians from both parties to work together for the good of voters.