When we launched the Long Leaf Pine Slate last year, we expected it to be a modest online effort. Instead, it blossomed into the top Democratic fundraiser in North Carolina for our legislature outside of the state party itself. In an election cycle marked by a lot of disappointment here in our state, the breakout success of “the Slate” was a silver lining. We believe in building on what works in our mission to halt and reverse the tide of corrupt right-wing extremism in Raleigh — and we’re very excited to share it with you now.
Today, we’re introducing Carolina Forward (CarolinaForward.org), the next generation of progressive activism for North Carolina.
We are pivoting the Long Leaf Pine Slate from a temporary fundraising vehicle to a permanent organization that will do the critical advocacy work needed to turn our state around. Carolina Forward is a progressive policy non-profit organization focused on winning progressive victories and competing in elections at every level of our government. Our all-volunteer board of ex-campaign staffers and activists, each of us natives or longtime residents of the state, is dedicated to building long-term progressive power again in North Carolina.
Let’s be clear: the 2010s were a disaster for North Carolina families, schools, workers, its environment, and (especially) vulnerable communities. It was also, by no coincidence, a disaster for Democrats. North Carolina Democrats begin 2021 having made virtually no progress in our state legislature since the crippling, hyperpartisan Republican gerrymander of 2011 - and holding even fewer statewide and judicial offices. In this era of GOP dominance, our state has gotten more unequal, more unjust, and far more corrupt. But Democrats are still playing by the old playbook, rolling the dice and hoping for different outcomes every cycle.
Enough is enough. It’s time for something different.
To fight back effectively against the organized far-right movement in North Carolina, we must focus on what works, and where we have asymmetric strategic advantages over the other side. The clear success of the Long Leaf Pine Slate is one such example. Not only did “the Slate'' direct a huge amount of resources to strong Democratic candidates, but we did it with almost zero overhead. That’s a bargain hard to match in politics.
Put simply, we need generational change in North Carolina politics. We need to develop a bench of younger leaders across the state who understand that the old rules of the game have changed and that partisan politics have evolved. We need new ideas, as well as better ways to distribute them to large, nontraditional audiences, both online and off. Carolina Forward will invest in these priorities so that when the next election cycle comes around, the dollars can go further in winning hearts, minds, and most importantly, votes. We must win the public argument that North Carolinians are in this together, and that core American values of justice, democracy, and shared prosperity are the best ways to build our state in the 21st century.
This will be a long fight, not a quick fix. The far right in our state has entrenched power, deep pockets, a willingness to play dirty and an internalized, highly organized understanding of power politics. Winning victories against these forces will take time. We may lose more races than we will win, at least in the interim. But rest assured - eventually, we will win.
Today, I’m asking you to join us. You can propel our movement by following us on social media (Facebook / Twitter) or sharing this post with friends. And you can become one of our first financial supporters. Consider a recurring contribution of $25/month to get our engine started. Make a contribution that is meaningful to you by midnight and become part of our Founders’ Community.
This will be a journey, and we’re glad to have you along with us. When we reach the other end, you’ll know you played a critical part in leading it toward a better future.
Let us begin.
In solidarity,
The Team at Carolina Forward