An Evening with Cheri Beasley
Her whistle stop campaign comes through our town on her way to Washington
This week about 150 Democrats in my county gathered at the old train station for a whistle stop visit from our North Carolina Democratic candidate for the U. S. Senate, Cheri Beasley.
We were milling around outdoors as on a covered platform, excited to kick off the Mid-Term Election Season, anticipating the appearance of a candidate who had already achieved so much during 30 years in public service. I remember thinking it was old-fashioned getting together like this, almost pre-Zoom.
A few masks here and there and some cell phones held up for photos bring me back to the present. It’s 2022 and we’re meeting in the spirit of protecting American democracy. I stop at a table for a rack and card that says,
In 2019, [Cheri Beasley] made history when she became the first African American woman to lead the North Carolina Supreme Court as Chief Justice.
I pick up a large sign, “Women for Beasley” — with a star in the “a”! We are still waiting for the candidate to arrive.
At 5:55 p.m. Sam Edney, the Chair of our county party, takes up the mic and introduces the Reverend Dr. Pamela Holder. She remembers meeting Justice Beasley and being greatly impressed by her dedication to the people of North Carolina. You can see in the photo below how pleased the Reverend is to welcome Beasley to Transylvania County.
Cheri Beasley has gotten out of the car that has pulled up. She stands to the side, listening to the Reverend’s introduction. She is wearing a spring green shirt and shoes with hot pink laces.
To enthusiastic applause, the candidate takes the microphone. She tells us about the magnitude of this election in our state’s (and nation’s) history. She knows she can win this campaign that is based on the values she learned from her mother: hard work, faith, justice and integrity.
Justice Beasley talks about her goals as U. S. Senator. High quality health care, lower prescription drug costs, affordable housing are some of her issues. She says,
And I will fight for your right to vote. In a rural area like yours, gerrymandering dilutes your vote. I will protect the rights you deserve.
Then she describes how close she came to winning in 2020, but is not disheartened. It’s a process over time, she explains.
Everything happens in [its own] order. This election won’t be easy, but I’ve never backed down and I won’t back down in November.
Later, after the event, a friend of mine who was there will point out our own role as voters by saying, “She has won 2 statewide elections and lost in 2020 by 401 votes out of 5.5 million. She can and will win if we get out and vote!”
A mere 401 votes! If just 4 more voters had turned out for her in each of NC’s 100 counties, she would still be our NC Supreme Court Chief Justice.
But she didn’t back down. This year she won the NC Democratic Primary for U. S. Senate.
In conclusion Cheri Beasley tells the crowd,
Be [my] ambassadors. Make sure we right the ship for the next generation.
We are willing!
Then she invites questions from the audience.
Q: Justice Beasley, please address LGBTQ rights, and also guns.
Justice Beasley: Everyone deserves respect because of who they are.
And no child should be afraid to go to school. I will advocate for red flag laws, universal background checks, and for getting ghost guns and high-powered guns off our streets. We don’t need to conflate the 2nd Amendment with an individual’s right to own a gun.
Q: How can we stop the militia movement in our nation?
A: Everyone should be held accountable to be law abiding. I advocate gun safety, with law enforcement. Don’t let the gun lobby lead us on this issue.
Q: Where do you stand on the [U.S. Senate] filibuster?
A: We need to eliminate it. It’s a tool of gridlock.
Q: [by Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof] How can the federal government help us here with affordable, workforce housing?
A: I support tax credits for builders. Federal and state governments can partner. I will be your partner in this.
Q: What is your position on women’s reproductive freedom?
A: Roe guarantees a woman’s right to make these decisions without government interference. If the recently leaked Supreme Court opinion [weakening Roe v. Wade] becomes law, a Constitutional freedom will be taken away. And then other civil rights will be at risk.
Later that evening another friend who was there writes on social media, “Tonight we went to hear Cheri Beasley, our candidate for U.S. Senate. She is immensely qualified and a wonderful candidate. She is our former Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court. Support Cheri and vote in November!”
There is no other message we need to hear. Support Cheri Beasley now. Vote for her in November.
Democrats are pro-democracy. We just are.
How appripro (sp)
she came to our rebuilt train depot. Symbolic.
She seems to be right on. Practical and a fighter.
She's got my vote!
Thanks Deda