Brian Brock: Affirmative votes

Regarding the June 7 article “North Carolina GOP elects 1st black chairman”: I had the pleasure of being a delegate at the GOP convention where we elected Hasan Harnett and Michelle Nix as our chair and vice chair. Many are saying that the election was the result of an anti-establishment sentiment among grassroots Republicans or as a rebuke to other party leaders. I have no doubt there was some of that, but to say it was the primary reason doesn’t match with what I saw.

Nobody I spoke with voted against the other candidates – we voted for these two. The energy and excitement that Harnett was able to generate in that hall was amazing. Harnett and Nix both have proven track records as leaders, getting out our voters and raising funds.

I wonder whether the Rev. William Barber will congratulate Harnett for being elected as the first black chairman of the party or whether the Democratic Party will congratulate Michelle for being a strong female leader working to improve NC. Probably not.

This story was originally published June 8, 2015 at 5:58 PM with the headline "Brian Brock: Affirmative votes."