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.

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.