Without question, voters say they are sick and tired of partisan politics. Yet, Mr. Zenger voted to force partisan elections on the non-partisan towns of Clemmons, Lewisville, Tobaccoville, Rural Hall, Bethania, Walkertown and Kernersville (H1064) despite the objections of every Mayor in Forsyth County. (1)
Mr. Zenger didn’t even have the courtesy to ask if they wanted to be partisan or not. He just did it.
The mayors of those towns wrote to Mr. Zenger: “Recognizing that there is nothing partisan about fixing potholes, making sure the garbage is collected and keeping our neighborhoods safe, we strongly affirm that as nonpartisan bodies we are better able to serve our residents and make decisions based on the best interest of our residents.”
There are 552 municipalities in North Carolina and only 16 with partisan elections. Of those 16, Mr. Zenger’s vote forced partisan elections on 8 of them – all in Forsyth County.
And if you are registered as an unaffiliated independent, Mr. Zenger’s partisan elections make it almost impossible for you to get elected to local or any other office in the state.
Today, there are more unaffiliated voters than either of the two major parties in Forsyth County and throughout North Carolina. Yet, there are only two unaffiliated members among the 170-member general assembly – both from Charlotte.
The message to those who are unaffiliated wishing to run for office in the 74th District or in North Carolina to serve their communities…..forget it.
The message to those communities who don’t want partisan division in their towns….forget it.
Partisan elections and partisan politics only lead to more gridlock and divisiveness. So why would Mr. Zenger vote to force partisan elections on us?
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