For Immediate Release | Access Press Release PDF Here ->>
Durham, NC — The ADOS Advocacy Foundation’s North Carolina Chapter strongly condemns recent actions by the North Carolina Democratic Party against elected State Representative Carla Cunningham, actions that appear retaliatory and fundamentally hostile to the principles of representative democracy.
Following Rep. Cunningham’s public advocacy on behalf of her constituents, the party reportedly revoked her access to the democratically maintained VoteBuilder voter file — effectively undermining her ability to communicate with voters and compete fairly in her re-election campaign. These actions were detailed in the article “A Purity Test for North Carolina Democrats.”
The ADOS Advocacy Foundation views these measures as a dangerous precedent in which party infrastructure is used to discipline elected officials who prioritize constituent needs over party conformity.
The North Carolina Chapter is also deeply disappointed that Governor Josh Stein has chosen to endorse a primary challenger under these circumstances. Such an endorsement, while internal disputes remain unresolved, sends a troubling signal that independent representation may be met with institutional punishment rather than democratic debate.
“Voters elect representatives to speak for them—not to serve party leadership,” said Simeon Harris, North Carolina voter and ADOS Advocacy Foundation member. “When party leaders penalize an elected representative for speaking on behalf of her district, they compromise electoral integrity and deter honest, independent governance.”
“Elected officials must be free to govern based on the real needs of their constituents without fear of retaliation,” said Yvette Carnell, President of the ADOS Advocacy Foundation. “Using party resources to enforce ideological conformity undermines democracy and silences the very communities representatives are elected to serve.”
The ADOS Advocacy Foundation remains firmly opposed to any practice that stifles independent decision-making, weakens accountability to voters, or discourages elected officials from advocating forcefully for their constituents.
