N.C. Democrats tap David Young as new state chairman

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, offcials told WRAL.

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.