In our opinion: What's next?

As the wrap-up story in this issue of our newsletter reports, we ran a positive, peaceful and record-setting protest on October 18 against Donald Trump and his autocratic vision for the U.S. Now, the question is, “What’s next?”

Until November 4, BCDP will focus on the municipal elections, when 113 of our fellow citizens will be running to fill spots on the governing bodies of Brunswick County’s 19 cities and towns. But after these elections are decided, attention will pivot to the all-important midterm elections, slated for November 3, 2026, when voters across the country will have an opportunity to reject the Democracy-destroying policies of the Trump administration.

We have reason to feel confident that 2026 will be a good year for Brunswick County Democrats. BCDP has been fortunate to be the recipient of continuing interest in our party – a carryover from the 2024 campaign, when a majority of Brunswick County’s voters helped lead Governor Josh Stein and other statewide Democrats to victory over a MAGA Republican deeply encumbered by his own unforced missteps.

Former Governor and now U.S. Senate candidate Roy Cooper leads a list of Democrats facing another encumbered Republican in the race for the U.S. Senate seat held by the retiring Thom Tillis. And U.S. House of Representatives candidate Kimberly Hardy is leading an energetic, positive and joyful charge to replace backbencher David Rouzer in Washington.

BCDP officers, our precinct leaders, and a phalanx of intrepid volunteers have already been hard at work preparing for next November’s elections. Over the past year, we have, as you know, organized a series of ground-breaking rallies to protest the autocracy and aggrandizement of the MAGA collective in Raleigh and Washington.

At the same time, BCDP’s officers and key volunteers have been working behind the scenes to recruit a viable and exciting slate of candidates, primarily at the state and local levels. Those same individuals have also been working to strengthen alliances with public interest groups active in such important areas as over-development, economic justice, water and sewer access, and voters’ rights.

BCDP has just concluded a successful Community Heroes EXPO, where 20 charities demonstrated to the citizens of Brunswick County, and each other, the value of good works in the public interest. And over the past year, our volunteers have reached out by phone, mail and text to Democrats and unaffiliated residents, seeking their support and financial or in-kind contributions.

Working with the North Carolina Democratic Party, BCDP has contacted hundreds of citizens whose registrations needed updating to make sure their votes are counted during next year’s elections. And we’re working with our neighboring Democratic parties in all or parts of eight counties to coordinate our campaigns and elect Democrats who will represent all the voters of the Cape Fear region.

We have, as a result of our efforts, achieved remarkable success in attracting more members to the Democratic Party, reaching out to communities, and cementing our leadership status in Brunswick County.

We’re doing our best to represent the interests of forward-thinking voters – including unaffiliated voters – to preserve and protect our democracy. But we need your support to continue moving forward. In the coming year, consider how you can help the Democratic Party assume power in Washington, Raleigh and Brunswick County. Whether it’s as a volunteer or with financial support (or both), think about the contributions you could make to our vision.

BCDP needs YOU to be part of our grass-roots team. Now and in the long run, only you will decide “What’s next.”