Senate District 3 A Wasted Creation LMBDAO Part 1

Senate District 3 was created to help send black representation to Raleigh NC. A black person has not been elected since the seat was created.

I did not take the election day off so I didn’t ride around to the polls. Since I don’t know how people are going to vote, I do not predict how the results are going to be. People will say they will vote for a certain candidate but they can say one thing but go in the booth and vote differently. So if I was going to trust a poll it would have to be a poll that is conducted after voters have gone in the booth and they are truthful about who they actually voted for.

If I want to play with numbers, I would find the following very interesting. Let’s look at the numbers in all 3 counties and then in individual counties.

The total votes in all 3 counties were Jenkins 50%, Bordeaux 38% and Armstrong 12%. If one of the black candidates got the total of the votes that Jenkins didn’t get that would have been 50%. If Bordeaux didn’t have the Cambridge controversy then what?

The total votes in Edgecombe County were Jenkins 47% Bordeaux 32% and Armstrong 21%. If one of the black candidates got the total of the votes that Jenkins didn’t get that would have been 53%. If Bordeaux didn’t have the Cambridge controversy then what?

The total votes in Martin County were Jenkins 56% Bordeaux 40% and Armstrong 5%. If one of the black candidates got the total of the votes that Jenkins didn’t get that would have been 45%. If Bordeaux didn’t have the Cambridge controversy then what?

The total votes in Pitt County were Jenkins 49% Bordeaux 43% and Armstrong 8%. If one of the black candidates got the total of the votes that Jenkins didn’t get that would have been 51%. If Bordeaux didn’t have the Cambridge controversy then what?

I recognize and understand that Jenkins could have gotten some of the votes that he didn’t get.

So looking at the numbers, is this something to really be proud of as the incumbent? I feel there is a message in the numbers but that is just my opinion. You go figure.

The money. Over the years Jenkins has spent $100,000 or more and his opponents well under $50,000. Jenkins didn’t have to spend over $100,000 this year because he recognized Bordeaux and Armstrong would split the votes. When he saw the major black leaders were all divided, it was easy to see where this race was headed. The cloud over Bordeaux with the papers reporting on Cambridge and the Boys and Girls Club was a plus for Jenkins.

I had much respect for Dr. Florence A. Armstrong however I take her comments as an insult to me as it relates to why the Senate District 3 seat was created. Armstrong comments that she feel proud of what she did and consider herself a winner is funny as hell to me. Proud of what and a winner of what? I am not proud of what you nor your campaign did especially when I have been involved in trying to get a black person elected in this seat since the seat was created to help send more black representation to Raleigh. I do not apologize for being a part of trying to make that happen.

Armstrong said the race was a vicious, ugly race. I beg the difference. Bordeaux raised issues about Jenkins record but no one questioned the issues that Bordeaux raised publicly but they do it all the time behind closed doors. Why in the hell run a campaign against someone and not point out what the incumbent has not done.

I beg the difference that Bordeaux was not focused on the issues when he pointed out what Jenkins had not done. If he was making up things and lying on the candidate then that is another thing but since no one questioned the issues, I guess no one knows if Bordeaux was lying or not. What should have taken place is a debate between Jenkins, Bordeaux and Armstrong and this would have made this race more educational. It would have been interesting if The Daily Southerner, and the 2 sister newspapers The Daily Reflector and The Rocky Mount Telegram had hosted it. Maybe the Martin County paper as well. And then again the black radio stations could have hosted it but actually anyone could have done it.

And lastly Armstrong said she didn’t have a professional consultant. Well that might would have made the difference because the consultant may could have directed in such a way that you may could have pulled it off. Armstrong said she spent the least amount of money and that explains why she got the least amount of votes.

I am looking at the numbers of how each precinct voted in Edgecombe County and that is very interesting. I am going to do a report on how individual precincts in Edgecombe County voted for Jenkins, Bordeaux and Armstrong. Inspite of all the newspapers articles in both The Daily Southerner and The Rocky Mount Telegram, in my opinion Bordeaux still did a good job. If he could have received all of Armstrong votes he would have done a damn good job.

I have been following the Senate District 3 election since the district was first created and has been actively engaged in electing someone to represent me however this time I didn’t get involved. I didn’t simply because it was too much division among the black leaders just in Edgecombe County alone and I was not going to waste my time and energy fighting within the black community which I recognized and understood would only help get Jenkins re-elected.

My opinions about the Senate District 3 seat is not a vicious attack on the incumbent Senator Clark Jenkins who I voted for in the last election however I supported Shelly Willingham the election before that. I voted for Frankie Bordeaux on last Saturday. I was willing to support a change and to yes see a black person in that seat. If Bordeaux didn’t do a good job of representing the people then I would have campaigned against him during the next election.

If I should offend someone as I use the Senate District 3 seat as an example of how divided the black community is, then so be it. A seat that was created to help us send a black person to Raleigh and the blacks work against each other instead of with each other to make it happen is ignant as hell. I don’t want to hear nothing from certain black folks who continue to hold us just where we are. I don’t hold it against Jenkins so don’t get it twisted.

Yes I am Laughing My Black Democratic Ass Off.

I have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies only permanent interest.

The above is in response to the following article but not limited to:

Jenkins wins all 3 counties

Leading up to Election Day, state Sen. Clark Jenkins of Tarboro thought the three-way battle between himself, Frankie Bordeaux and Florence Armstrong would be close. (Read more @ The Daily Southerner)

See related:

Senate District 3 Race

Black Folks And The Senate District 3 Race Is Further Dividing The Black Community As It Relates To Politics

In response to: Challengers exchange barbs in N.C. Senate District 3 race.

Well I know I am about to piss some folks off but it is better to be pissed off than pissed on. I am going to give my spill about where I stand on the Senate District 3 race.

I will not allow anyone to mislead folks as it relates to politics and what should be and/or not should be. Let’s be real!! After all I have been trying to educate folks in Edgecombe County and surrounding counties about what is really going on around them since the early 90’s via video, talk shows tv/radio and via newsletters. I have invested much time and resources in doing such sacrificing much especially time away from my family. But I recognize and understand that it is not only about my children but other folks children and also the elderly.

I guess someone will ask the question who am I? Well I am an active Negro who have been actively engaged in the Senate District 3 race since it was created. 

It is a damn shame that this race is about race, 2 black candidates Bordeaux and Armstrong whom neither are the incumbent.

It is my opinion that both Bordeaux and Armstrong are going to help Jenkins get re-elected.

I supported Patricia Ferguson a black female out of Bertie County when the district was first created knowing that she was going to be written out at the end of the first term. My theory was if we were to get a black person elected that it would be easy to elect a black person after the district was re-drawn.

Where in the hell was these folks who are so geared up trying to unseat Jenkins when the seat was open for us but now all of a damn sudden folks have awaken. Well I was not sleep then and I damn sure is not sleep now.

So what did black folks do? They voted Jenkins in. Some of the same folks who are now saying they are trying to unseat him are responsible for him being in the seat all these years.

I am not mad with Jenkins because I can’t get mad with him because black folks have voted him in all these years. I voted for him during the last election.

The issue of who recruited who should not be an issue and one of them should have not filed to run because they are going to split the votes. But because neither refused to back down this is where we are fighting each other over the seat that the white man is holding and has held since the early 2000’s.

So since both filed and this is where we are, okay this is where I am.

I am so glad I know why both Bordeaux and Armstrong are in the race. I have talked to both candidates and I have talked to some folks who are close to both campaigns. I have met with some folks from both campaigns and I have refused to join either campaign because I have been involved in the Senate District 3 race on a personal note since the district was created.

I am glad Armstrong wanted to set the record straight that she was not recruited by Jenkins. I  know that to be true. However she and Bordeaux are spoilers in the race if the citizens of the district feel they want change because it is a fact that they will both split the votes. This will help Jenkins.

I am unclear about the term trickery that Armstrong accused Bordeaux of. What I see Bordeaux doing is using all angles to defeat both Armstrong and Jenkins. This is nothing new and this should not be an issue.

I strongly agree with Bordeaux that it takes an organization and campaign resources to defeat Jenkins. I call it a political machine.

I disagree with Armstrong that her experience as an Edgecombe County commissioner, member of the Edgecombe County Board of Education and former Edgecombe County Democratic Party chairwoman make her a more qualified candidate for the Senate than Jenkins and Bordeaux.

Jenkins I would say has the experience because he has served in the seat since the early 2000’s. However any candidate that meets the criteria of the board of elections is qualified. I strongly feel that Armstrong and Bordeaux can go in and become experienced and serve just as good as Jenkins and/or better.

I strongly agree with Armstrong that money should not dictate a race however we all know it takes money to run a political machine. It is up to a candidate how much they are willing to invest in their campaign. The campaign finance reports shows just how much candidates spend during an election year and Jenkins report is online just like all candidates.

We have got to stop misleading folks with trickery words because we know that it should not be about who can raise the most money and it should be about the person who has the best ideas. But that is not the real world.

If a person has not held a particular seat or a similar seat in the legislature then he or she is not experienced. An example of that would be having served on the House side of the legislature but now wants to serve on the Senate side.

The real deal is how can one can defeat the money thing?  Name recognition, how good a candidate can sell themselves and the most important thing is how good those on the campaign team can sell the candidate.

Running an effective campaign is about race because many times people vote for folks who look like them, money which equals advertisement and paying of campaign workers and any other expenses and who likes who which means if I just like someone because I know them or know someone that knows them.

I admire Bordeaux for not waiting to the last minute to start campaigning. There was much discussion last year about how can Bordeaux put up billboards so early?

I am glad to see Armstrong finally bringing out something about Jenkins when she took aim at him about the budget crisis however maybe she has been challenging him but I just didn’t read about it.

I like the way the article ended “District 3 was drawn as a minority-majority district to favor black candidates, but Jenkins, who is white, has held the seat for four terms. Both Bordeaux and Armstrong are black.” I have been educating folks about the creation of the Senate District 3 challenging white folks who have a problem when a black candidate says they should be given a chance to represent folks that looks like them.

Jenkins has it going on and that is he can and should use every time he speak that he received a 100% rating from the NAACP and that he is the only white person to serve on the NC Black Legislative Caucus Board.

So again my question is, “Is Senator Jenkins really fighting for black issues in Raleigh?” If he is not then go figure.

There is so much more I could say however this is enough on this subject for right now.

I have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies only permanent interest. 

Curmilus Dancy II – DCN Publisher

See related:

Senate District 3 Race

Butterfield explains healthcare reform – Source: The Daily Southerner

TARBORO — Healthcare reform is still a highly debated topic and one that U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-1st District, offered clarification on during his visit Wednesday. (Read more @ The Daily Southerner)

Note: I must say Jamica Ashley did a great job on this article.

See related:

Senate District 3 Race

Jenkins or Bordeaux? – Source: The Daily Southerner Editor Terry Smith

TARBORO — Don’t look now, but we have a Primary Election coming up in less than four weeks on May 4.

With no disrespect to any of the other candidates, no race will be hotter than the battle between Democrats Florence Armstrong of Tarboro, Frankie Bordeaux of Greenville and incumbent Clark Jenkins of Tarboro for the District 3 seat in the state Senate. (Read more @ The Daily Southerner)

Note: I just love it. Jenkins or Bordeaux? This has been my point that this race is about them 2. While the other candidate is saying nothing, the incumbent Jenkins and the Bordeaux are getting all the attention in the news. If I didn’t know any better I would think that Bordeaux is the incumbent because not only are Jenkins and some of Armstrong’s supporters focusing on Bordeaux but just look at what the media is saying.

Terry Smith is making it clear by sending a message in support of Jenkins by attempting to justify any and everything that Bordeaux says about Jenkins.

I am so glad I know what has happened in the Democratic Party and do not have to rely on the editor of this paper to educate me. Now as it relates to your bringing up about Shelly Willingham endorsing Bordeaux, I found your comments somewhat comical.

Yes Willingham was appointed and I was the only one who attended the meeting during the appointment who protested it. I remember that Saturday morning in Wilson so well. But others who didn’t like him said nothing. The same that is going on with those who want to see Jenkins out of office but they are not saying anything publicly because they have integrity and whatever else that is not going to help bring about change.

I definitely find the following more comical as it relates to the endorsement : “An endorsement by Princeville Mayor Priscilla Everett-Oates might make more sense. She’s won two of three mayoral elections.” Smith is the same person who has set in meetings where Everett-Oates was present and while she was talking he has made outburst of comments whereby everyone just looked at him. But someone who didn’t know any better would thought that an endorsement from Everett-Oates would really mean something. She has more drama that what is being played out with the Jenkins and Bordeaux saga. At least she is a current elected official whereby Willingham is not. So in other words Smith is being sarcastic about the endorsement.

Smith says, “You know, the $4.2 million settlement the Bordeaux’s negotiated for more than $5 million in what the state Health and Human Services termed Medicaid overpayments. Now that the Raleigh newspaper has reported the same thing, I haven’t heard about that lately.” I am still hearing it. I am trying to figure out what you are trying to say because I don’t get it. I believe Bordeaux addresses the issue everytime it comes up. Why don’t you have a debate with him about the issue and print it in your paper? I bet if it was Jenkins you would do that.

I am glad Smith didn’t go into the unused vacation thingy so atleast he didn’t go there. You say, When asked to comment, “Bordeaux claims Jenkins must have leaked the information.” I do not think that Jenkins is responsible for all of this but I do some of Jenkins supporters are doing some things because I was told by a reliable resource.

I love the way Smith ended the editorial, “Who are you going to vote for?” That is a good question however I don’t need an answer just go to the polls and vote. But on the way to the polls I hope you have all the information you need to make the best choice. C. Dancy II – The DCN Publisher

See related:

Senate District 3 Race

Candidate sues Boys & Girls Club for backpay – Source: The Rocky Mount Telegram

A Democratic candidate for the N.C. Senate is suing a Rocky Mount youth organization, accusing the nonprofit of refusing to pay him thousands of dollars in unused vacation time. (The Rocky Mount Telegram)

Note: Been trying to stay silent on this issue waiting on the report that some feel is an investigation of some sort.

However I received a phone call from someone today asking me was there a recent article about Frankie Bordeaux and I said I had not seen anything. This person is not into all of this but someone had just questioned them. We had a discussion about what was going on with Frankie and during our discussion we came to the conclusion that we felt that the only thing the Attorney General Office probably will do is manage the pay back of the monies.

Tonight I received a call asking me had I seen the article about Frankie suing the Boys & Girls Club. Damn I couldn’t wait to get home to see this article. Now that I have read it, what is the damn problem? The man earned the time so why didn’t the Boys & Girls pay him? A couple of things that stuck with me is Jenkins said if Frankie loves the Boys & Girls Club why did he sue them? The average person would sue their employee to collect monies that is owed to them.

The other thing is I think Frankie need to stop blaming Jenkins for everything that comes out because I have received phone calls from from some folks who say that Frankie employees and/or former employees have some issues with him. I have heard some folks say Frankie is arrogant, heck I can say that about many, many candidates however that is a matter of opinion.

Law & Order why is it you act as if this mess with Frankie is something new? Not!! This is politics at it’s best however the thing I tell people is don’t let a lie be the truth. What is funny as hell to me is I have heard several folks say they want Jenkins out but obviously they don’t know what they want. If they did they would be talking about what Jenkins ain’t doing but again Frankie is saying what they are saying behind closed doors but the focus is on Frankie.

Keep the focus on Bordeaux and help keep Jenkins in.

See related:

Senate District 3 Race

Under the Dome

Florence Arnold Armstrong Is Asking For Your Vote – Submitted by Florence A. Armstrong For Senate District 3

Submitted: By Florence A. Armstrong Candidate

See related:

Senate District 3 Race

Sen. Clark Jenkins and campaign consultants – Source: The Rocky Mount Telegram (Challenger Frankie Bordeaux)

During an interview with N.C. Sen. Clark Jenkins Wednesday, the lawmaker took a shot at his challenger Frankie Bordeaux for his use of a Raleigh-based campaign consultant. (Read more @ The Rocky Mount Telegram)

Note: I don’t know if Mike is still working for Jenkins now but I do know he did in the past because I received a call from him.

See related:

Senate District 3 Race

N.C. Senate seat attracts another challenger – Source: The Rocky Mount Telegram

A second challenger has stepped forward to run against N.C. Sen. Clark Jenkins in the 2010 Democratic primary election.

Florence Armstrong, a former Edgecombe County commissioner, announced her plans this week to run for the N.C. Senate seat held by Jenkins, D-Edgecombe. (Read more @ The Rocky Mount Telegram)

See related:

Senate District 3 Race

Sources Say Dennis Mitchell Will Not Be Challenging Clark Jenkins For The Senate District 3 Seat

Earlier it was reported here on The DCN that Dr. Florence Arnold Armstrong Edgecombe County, Dennis Mitchell Pitt County and Frankie Bordeaux Pitt County were going to challenge Clark Jenkins.

Sources reported to The DCN today that Mitchell will not be a challenger.

See related:

Senate District 3 2010 Election

Some Of The Article Content About The Senate District 3 Race In The Rocky Mount Telegram Came From The DCN

I find it so funny how the Rocky Mount Telegram, the Dave Perkins Morning Show FM 99.3 which comes on daily from 7 AM – 9 AM and some others who read my blog and get viable information but try to make it appear otherwise.

Last week I got a message from a Rocky Mount Telegram reporter that they were going to do a story on the Senate District 3 because Frankie Bordeaux had official announced earlier that day that he was going to challenge Clark Jenkins in 2010. The reporter said they had read a post on my blog about 2 other candidates possibly entering into the race.

The reporter asked me did I have some contact information for the 2 candidates that I mentioned in my post. I gave the reporter contact information for one of the potential candidates.

See related:

History of The District 3 Seat Coming Soon And The Role The DCN Played

Rocky Mount Telegram Report

Senate District 3 2010 Election

David Perkins Morning Show