In an e-mail newsletter Friday, Former Congressman and Republican State Chairman Bill Cobey endorsed former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer for Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. 

Cobey, who served in Congress from 1985 until 1987, has long had a close working relationship with Fetzer “and is very familiar with Fetzer’s steadfast values and exceptional record of leadership,” the e-mail said.
 
“Tom Fetzer’s tenure as Mayor of Raleigh was the absolute best model of conservative principles being applied in a government leadership role that I have ever seen,” Cobey stated.  “Tom’s record of enacting the principles of limited government and low taxes into public policy is a direct reflection of his leadership, fundraising prowess and ability to effectively communicate our conservative message.  These are exactly the characteristics we need in our new NCGOP Chairman.”
 
According to the newsletter:

“Bill Cobey served as State Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party during its most successful years of the past decade, from mid-1999 until mid-2003.  During those years, two Republican U.S. Senators, Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr, were elected to open Senate seats and Republicans gained a brief 61-59 seat majority in the North Carolina House before being robbed of that majority by the corrupt dealings of former Democrat House Speaker Jim Black.
 
“Cobey previously served as Athletic Director at UNC-Chapel Hill and in the administration of former Governor Jim Martin, first as Deputy Secretary of Transportation and then as Secretary of Environment, Health and Natural Resources.  He is regarded as one of North Carolina’s staunchest social and fiscal conservatives.
 
“I welcome Bill Cobey’s support and look forward to his help on the campaign trail,” Fetzer said.  “Like Congressman Cobey, I will always stand up for our conservative values and will work hard to help elect Republicans at all levels of government.  I am honored to have his support.”

WILMINGTON, N.C. – One candidate for North Carolina Republican Party chairman has left the race and thrown his support behind a new candidate.

Former state senator and Wilmington attorney Woody White is withdrawing from the race and said he would support former Raleigh mayor Tom Fetzer.

White formally announced this bid about six weeks ago. His friend, David Benford, said Wednesday that White decided his family and professional life would be sacrificed too much if he won the job at the state GOP convention in June.

Fetzer told The News & Observer of Raleigh that if he won he would focus on the party’s conservative roots and improve fundraising efforts.

Other candidates include Wake County chairman David Robinson, former Guilford County chairman Marcus Kindley and former Lee County commissioner Chad Adams.

RALEIGH, N.C.  – A former Lee County commissioner said he’ll be an inspiring leader for GOP activists if elected North Carolina Republican Party chairman.

Chad Adams said Monday he’s decided to run for chairman at the state party convention in June.

He would join a crowded field for the job. Former state Sen. Woody White of Wilmington, Wake County chairman David Robinson and former Guilford County chairman Marcus Kindley already are candidates.

Adams works as a vice president at the conservative-leaning John Locke Foundation in Raleigh. He said he would quit his foundation job to work as chairman full-time.
 
Adams said he’s visited 96 of the state’s 100 counties in the past several years and knows people are frustrated with the Democrats’ control of state government.

WILMINGTON, N.C.- Former state senator Woody White says he can bring new energy and focus to the North Carolina Republican Party as its leader.

White wrote party activists and leaders over the weekend to announce his bid to get elected chairman at the GOP’s annual convention in June.

The Wilmington attorney served briefly in the Senate in 2004 and previously was the state GOP’s chief legal counsel and New Hanover County party chairman.

He said the GOP must begin working toward next year to re-elect U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and win a majority in the Legislature. Wake County party chairman David Robinson and former Guilford County chairman Marcus Kindley also are in the race to succeed departing chairwoman Linda Daves.

RALEIGH, N.C.  – The North Carolina Democratic Party chose former Buncombe County commissioner David Young as its new leader Saturday as the successor to outgoing state chairman Jerry Meek.

Young received a majority of votes on the first and only ballot. He defeated outgoing party first vice chairwoman Dannie Montgomery and 11th Congressional District Chairman Luke Hyde, party administration director Sallie Leslie said.

Hyde, who finished second in voting out of several hundred ballots cast, made a motion after the vote to elect Young by acclamation, according to another party official.

Young had won the backing of new Gov. Beverly Perdue, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, Meek and dozens of other elected and party officials. He also had statewide name recognition after running unsuccessfully last year for the Democratic nomination for state treasurer.
  
Young takes over for Meek, who served as chairman since 2005. Meek, after two terms, decided not to seek another two-year term.

During Meek’s tenure, state party candidates wrested two congressional seats from Republicans. Kay Hagan defeated U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, and Barack Obama won North Carolina’s electoral votes – a first for Democrats since 1976.

The executive committee, meeting at N.C. State University in Raleigh, also elected Stella Adams as first vice chairwoman and re-elected Delmas Parker as second vice chairman, Leslie said.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A former Buncombe County commissioner and state treasurer candidate may have the inside track to become North Carolina’s next Democratic Party chairman.

David Young announced his bid Thursday in an e-mail. Young said he’s received the endorsements of Gov. Beverly Perdue and departing chairman Jerry Meek. The state party’s executive committee will elect Meek’s successor Jan. 31 in Raleigh.

A spokesman for Perdue didn’t immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Young also listed county party leaders, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and State Treasurer Janet Cowell – who defeated Young in last May’s Democratic primary – among supporters.

Other announced candidates include vice chairwoman Dannie Montgomery, 11th Congressional District Chairman Luke Hyde and former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Neal.

WASHINGTON, N.C. – A former state legislator, Cabinet secretary and founder of WITN television in eastern North Carolina has died at the age of 90.

Bill Roberson Jr.’s funeral was slated for Monday afternoon at First Presbyterian Church in Washington, N.C. Paul Funeral Home said Roberson died Saturday at his home. A funeral home spokesman had no information on the cause of death.

Roberson helped put WITN on the air in 1955. He was the station’s chairman and chief executive for 30 years.

Roberson also served in the Legislature for eight years. Then-Gov. Jim Hunt appointed him as state transportation secretary in 1981. He served until 1985.

Survivors include his son, daughter, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

RALEIGH, N.C. – The head of the North Carolina Democratic Party has decided two terms is enough.

Jerry Meek said Tuesday he won’t seek a third two-year term leading the party following two successful election cycles. Democrats took two congressional and one U.S. Senate seat from the Republicans and earned the state’s electoral votes through Barack Obama for the first time since 1976.

The 38-year-old Meek said he’s stepping down in part because he’s getting married to state Rep. Tricia Cotham in December and will share time between Charlotte and Raleigh.

State Democrats will choose his successor on Jan. 31 in Raleigh.