Common Cause, one of NC’s oldest voting rights groups, names a new leader
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Common Cause NC names Sailor Jones executive director, replacing Bob Phillips.
- Jones has extensive organizing experience at civic and voting rights groups.
- Under Phillips, Common Cause NC grew into the network’s largest state office.
Good morning,
I’m Kyle Ingram, this week’s host of your Under the Dome newsletter.
One of North Carolina’s oldest and most impactful advocacy organizations has a new face after nearly 25 years.
Common Cause NC announced this week that Sailor Jones would replace longtime Executive Director Bob Phillips, who retired this year, as the leader of the pro-democracy group.
Jones, who most recently served as deputy director of Common Cause, is a lifelong activist who has previously worked for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Democracy North Carolina, Equality NC and more.
For decades, Common Cause has been deeply involved with North Carolina’s ongoing battles over press freedom, gerrymandering and voting rights.
And when Republican Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin attempted to throw out 65,000 ballots after narrowly losing the 2024 election, Common Cause mobilized on the issue, hosting rallies across the state in opposition to his legal campaign.
Throughout his tenure, Phillips built Common Cause NC into the largest office of the organization’s national network, which spans over two dozen states.
“It thrills me to pass the torch to Sailor Jones,” Phillips said in a press release. “... As I move on from this phase of my career, I’m so pleased to know Common Cause North Carolina is in Sailor’s immensely capable hands. I can’t wait to see the extraordinary things he and this dynamic team will achieve for our state.”
Despite retiring, Phillips will remain a member of Common Cause NC as Jones takes over.
“I’m deeply appreciative of Bob for his incredible leadership and all he has done for our state,” Jones said in a press release. “... I know that when we unite for a shared purpose, we can do anything. Our state deserves a thriving, multiracial democracy where everyone has a seat at the table. We’ll keep fighting each day to reach that promise for all people in North Carolina.”
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