November Meeting Press Release

𝗠𝗰𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

McDowell County, NC - November 26, 2023 - The McDowell Democratic Party held its monthly meeting on Monday, November 26th, with a focus on local candidates running for seats on the North Carolina Council of State in 2024. The meeting also featured a compelling presentation on the urgent need to address climate change.

The meeting was graced by the presence of two esteemed local candidates, David Wheeler and Luis Toledo, who shared their visions for a better North Carolina. David Wheeler, a Mitchell County native, is running for Commissioner of Insurance, while Luis Toledo, a proud McDowell High School graduate, is running for NC Auditor.

During his address, candidate Wheeler emphasized the Democratic Party’s commitment to financial responsibility. He highlighted the troubling financial histories of certain Republican figures, including the former president with six bankruptcies and the leading gubernatorial candidate with four. Wheeler also pointed out that the incumbent Commissioner of Insurance has faced two bankruptcies. He pledged to bring change to the office and fight for lower insurance rates for North Carolinians, stating, “No one in Raleigh is fighting to keep the rates down, and the current Commissioner is dependent upon insurance industry campaign cash. I will change that on my first day in office.”

Luis Toledo, a US Air Force veteran and certified auditor, spoke passionately about his career and his desire to serve as the State Auditor. Drawing on his extensive experience at the federal and state levels, Toledo emphasized the need for impartial audit findings and the importance of addressing high-risk government programs. Luis led the groundbreaking audit of the most expensive contract and largest IT project in North Carolina’s history: the $484 million State’s Medicaid Billing System. He expressed his commitment to providing value to all North Carolinians through comprehensive audits that prioritize the well-being of the state’s residents.

In addition to the inspiring speeches by the candidates, Cheryl Swofford delivered a captivating PowerPoint presentation on the global devastation caused by climate change. Her presentation shed light on the current and potential future impacts of climate change, urging attendees to take action to mitigate its effects. Swofford emphasized the importance of reversing the damage caused by climate change and highlighted potential solutions to address this pressing issue.

The McDowell Democratic Party monthly meeting served as a platform for local candidates to share their visions for a better North Carolina and for community members to engage in important discussions about the challenges facing our state. The meeting showcased the party’s commitment to financial responsibility, transparency, and addressing critical issues such as climate change.

Marty Elliott, Chair
McDowell Democratic Party