Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Keynoted by DNC Chair Tim Kaine Sells Out

RALEIGH, NC – Building on the enthusiasm and electoral gains of the 2008 election campaign, the North Carolina Democratic Party has sold out its annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner for the second year in a row. The dinner, scheduled for this Saturday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m., will draw more than 600 Democrats from across the state to the Durham Marriott Convention Center to hear a keynote address by Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.

“We saw tremendous energy and excitement leading up to the 2008 presidential election. Now, one hundred days into the Obama Administration, that energy remains high. Having every ticket sold for the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner days in advance is proof of that,” said state Democratic Party Chair David Young.

North Carolina has become one of the most important political battleground states in the nation in recent years, with Democrats making significant gains. The 2008 election saw Democrats carry the state for the party’s presidential nominee for the first time in a generation, in addition to electing a Democratic Governor and a new U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative.

“North Carolina has been trending blue for several election cycles, and Democrats are poised to make gains in municipal elections this year and in the 2010 mid-term elections. North Carolina has become the epicenter of Democratic politics in the United States,” Young continued.

President Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden have made several trips to the Tar Heel State since their inauguration, and having a leading figure like Kaine keynote this year’s event is a strong demonstration of North Carolina’s national importance.

“I’m so glad to be joining David Young and the North Carolina Democratic Party at their annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner this Saturday,” said Governor Kaine. “This year North Carolina Democrats have many things to celebrate. Democrats in the Tar Heel State made great strides in the past few years, culminating in 2008 by electing a new Democratic U.S. Senator, Governor, and U.S. House Member, retaining strong majorities in the state legislature, and delivering North Carolina for President Barack Obama. Now we must to get to work on the important mission of supporting the President’s agenda as he delivers in concrete terms the change people voted for this past November.”