NC Democrat Who Lost Primary Stays With Party Despite Colleagues’ Defections
Rep. Shelly Willingham breaks from two colleagues who left the Democratic Party after primary losses, saying his allegiances remain unchanged.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Democratic Rep. Shelly Willingham announced Tuesday he will remain with the Democratic Party despite losing his primary election, choosing not to follow two colleagues who switched their party affiliations after similar defeats.
“Changing party affiliation won’t change me,” said Willingham, who represents District 23 and lives in Edgecombe County. “I’m going to be the same person. I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing. And also, my philosophy and my allegiances are where they were before.”
Two Democrats Drop Party Affiliation
Willingham’s decision comes as two former Democratic representatives from Mecklenburg County districts, Reps. Nasif Majeed and Carla Cunningham, dropped their party affiliation within the past week. All three lawmakers lost their primary elections this year.
“The Democratic Party, they left me, and I just had come to the conclusion that I had to be unaffiliated,” Majeed said Tuesday. He cited the Democratic Party blocking him from using voter outreach software as evidence that the party had turned against him.
Veto Override Votes Created Primary Challenges
Cunningham, Majeed and Willingham all voted during the previous session with Republicans to override some vetoes from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Those votes contributed to their primary losses, according to NC Newsline.
The House has not yet acted on vetoed bills concerning immigration, guns, and diversity, equity and inclusion bans in the current legislative session. Willingham voted against those bills and said he remains opposed to them.
Majeed indicated he plans to maintain his previous positions regarding veto overrides. He also voted against those bills.
“I have to research things and come to conclusions,” Majeed said. “When I come to that conclusion based on my research, you’ll know I stand convicted in my decision.”
Cunningham’s Future Votes Unclear
Cunningham has not announced her decisions regarding future veto override votes. The three lawmakers’ positions on potential override attempts could prove significant as the legislature continues its current session.
The party affiliation changes reduce Democratic representation in the North Carolina House, though the specific impact on legislative dynamics will depend on how the now-unaffiliated members vote on key issues moving forward.
