RALEIGH, N.C.- The former mistress of John Edwards spent much of the day in a federal courthouse in Raleigh where a grand jury was meeting Thursday, at a time when federal investigators are examining the two-time presidential candidate’s finances.

Rielle Hunter walked into the building in the morning through a back entrance, holding a young child.

Edwards adamantly denied during a confessional interview with ABC News last summer that he had fathered a child with Hunter, and he welcomed a paternity test. His wife, Elizabeth, has said while promoting her book that she doesn’t know if her husband is the father.

Former Edwards aide Andrew Young, who made a similar courthouse visit while the grand jury was sitting last month, said in 2007 he was the child’s father. Hunter said around the same that Young was the father and the birth certificate does not list a father’s name.

Hunter’s attorney, Michael Critchley, said outside the courthouse he did not expect his client to comment when she emerges.

Edwards has admitted to an affair with Hunter that he says ended in 2006. That year, Edwards’ political action committee paid Hunter’s video production firm $100,000 for work. Then the committee paid another $14,086 on April 1, 2007.

Edwards, a North Carolina senator from 1998 until his vice presidential bid in 2004, acknowledged in May that federal investigators are looking into how he used campaign funds. Grand jury proceedings are secret, and the U.S. attorney’s office in Raleigh has declined to confirm or deny an investigation.

Young hasn’t spoken publicly since saying he was the father in 2007 and has repeatedly ignored reporter requests for interviews.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – On Saturday, March 21, the Young Democrats of North Carolina will hold their 51st statewide convention in Asheville.  The largest assembly of Young Democrats to take place this year, the convention will showcase the role that individuals under age 35 played in the 2008 general election and what their agenda will be approaching the 2010 midterms.

Featured speakers will include Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, Congressman Heath Shuler, Lt. Governor Walter Dalton, Charlotte City Councilman and mayoral candidate Anthony Fox, North Carolina Democratic Party Chair David Young, and numerous other officials — each of whom will be available for comment.

“Young people have become engaged in grassroots political activism with an energy and vigor unlike any seen in North Carolina for many years,” said President of the Young Democrats of North Carolina Zack Hawkins. “I am looking forward with great excitement to building on the momentum of 2008 and unveiling our plans for the future at our 51st statewide convention in Asheville, in the company of officials such as Governor Bredesen, Congressman Shuler, and many others.”    

WHAT:  Young Democrats of North Carolina Annual ConventioN
WHO: Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen
U.S. Representative Heath Shuler (NC-11)
Lt. Governor Walter Dalton
Charlotte City Councilman and Mayoral Candidate Anthony Foxx
Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy
N.C. Democratic Party Chair David Young
N.C. Rep. Tricia Cotham
N.C. Rep. Jane Whilden
N.C. Rep. Grier Martin
Fmr. N.C. Sen. Cal Cunnungham
Asheville City Councilman Brownie Newman
Watauga County Commissioner Tim Futrelle

WHEN: Saturday, March 21 – 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Marriot Renaissance Asheville Hotel, 31 Woodfin Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801

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. – Since the 1972 election, after the adoption of the 26th Amendment lowering the voting age to 21, we regularly hear that this will be the year that “young voters” will make the difference. And just as regularly, young voters fail to show up at the polls in the numbers predicted.