UPDATED: NC Democratic Vice-Chair Resigns

By Chad Nance

 

Nina Szlosberg-Landis, the first vice chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, will resign from her post on Tuesday. In a heart-felt and blistering resignation letter, Szlosberg-Landis raised the same concerns that have been raised by other Democratic Party regulars such as Winston-Salem political consultant Frank Eaton. The departure of Szlosberg-Landis will mean that there are no longer any women on the NC Democratic Party Executive Committee which underlines the contention by many that party Chairman Randy Voller has issues with women- including reports of Voller bullying female employees of the state party.

The issues brought up about Voller in Szlosberg-Landis’ letter have been swirling around the embattled Chairman since he was elected following Eric Mansfield dropping out of the race for chair. Voller’s massive tax debt, his defaulted business loans on failed real estate projects, law suits against him for non-payment by suppliers to his business, and even the money he owed his father when the senior Voller died have raised concerns and hamstrung the NC Democratic Party’s ability to debate with Republicans on a party level. Voller has provided grist for national mockery based on his comments about “rape” (again raising the issue of Voller’s attitudes and relationships with women) and Randy Voller recently took an expensive trip to Vegas using the NC Democratic Party credit card.(He paid the money back after he got caught.) sources inside of the NC Dems tell CCD that donors are holding money and staying away unsure of Voller’s ability to lead.

Szlosberg-Landis wrote:

For those of you who are supporters, I am sincerely sorry. Please know, I write this with a very heavy heart and did not arrive at this conclusion easily. I had such enthusiasm and hope back in February that together we would rebuild the party and excite an expanded network of donors to support our rebuilding efforts. However it has become abundantly clear that donors are not comfortable with the actions of the current Chairman, and our Party will not have the support it needs under the current leadership.

For his part Voller has begun to only speak to the press through attorney’s or close allies while he and his supporters have waged an online cyber harassment campaig of anyone questioning Voller, his tactics, or his leadership . Voller has turned lawyers on Frank Eaton in order to try to silence his criticisms. These organized attacks look like something out of high school and reflect a swarm mentality among some party faithful who seem reluctant to admit that they may have gotten a lemon when Voller was elected chair. During none of these attacks, including a recent press release targeting Eaton, has Voller offered up a defense for his actions… he and his people merely hammer at his critics in hopes they will go away. It doesn’t look like will be happening any time soon.

Full text of letter:

 

Dear Members of the State Executive Committee:

It is with disappointment and regret I write to inform you of my resignation as First Vice-Chair of the NC Democratic Party effective today.

During the last 100 days, I have become increasingly less comfortable with the tone and practices of the leadership of the party. During the campaign, I committed to help raise resources to elect Democrats. Specifically, I promised to “work with the Chair to raise money, communicate our agenda, and create an environment of trust, transparency and accountability at the Goodwin House.” Despite my best efforts and the efforts of others to try to create some checks and balances, establish financial accountability that could be communicated clearly to the donor pool, and to publicly articulate a vision of shared leadership that would restore donor confidence, it has become clear to me, this is not the will of the Chairman.

For those of you who are supporters, I am sincerely sorry. Please know, I write this with a very heavy heart and did not arrive at this conclusion easily. I had such enthusiasm and hope back in February that together we would rebuild the party and excite an expanded network of donors to support our rebuilding efforts. However it has become abundantly clear that donors are not comfortable with the actions of the current Chairman, and our Party will not have the support it needs under the current leadership.

I remain committed to electing Democrats to offices at all levels in North Carolina and will continue to help raise the needed resources for Democratic candidates and organizations that can most effectively win elections. I have a very long history of helping Democrats, and have never sought a title to do so. I have simply acted from a deep and abiding sense of moral commitment to the values for which our party and our candidates stand. I will continue to do so. I also remain committed to helping any county party in North Carolina support a vision and plan to elect Democrats at all levels of government. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be helpful to you.

I wish you all well and I look forward to continuing to work to elect Democrats and to bring North Carolina back to the greatness we fought hard to achieve during decades of Democratic leadership. We must stop the extreme, mean-spirited and destructive policies of the regressive brand of Republicans we now have in Raleigh and through my resignation I believe in my heart, I am in a much better position to achieve that goal.

Democratically Yours,

Nina Szlosberg-Landis

 

UPDATE:

 

NC Democratic Chair Randy Voller released a statement on the resignation of Szlosberg-Landis.  The comments were vague and “magnanimous”, but in no way do they address the issues raised by Frank Eaton, Slzosberg-Landis, or others in the NC Democratic Party.

“We are better because of Nina’s service and commitment to this party. In her time as 1st Vice Chair, she has served our party with grace, distinction and competence. We know that she will continue this service, regardless of the role she assumes,” the statement reads in part. “The door to the Goodwin House will always be open to her and her steadfast dedication to the values we all hold dear as North Carolina Democrats.”

 

 

 

Winston-Salem’s Frank Eaton has released another video:

Our Brand is Integrity from The Bully Documentary Co on Vimeo.