While chair elections for county political parties are usually of interest to only the staunchest of activists, they seldom make headlines. That being said, there are exceptions to every rule. In April 2023, an ambitious 26-year-old politics enthusiast named Kromer was appointed head of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party. Despite his age, some long-time local party members hailed him as the solution to their election participation issues, which had been plaguing the county for years. Notably, Mecklenburg County houses more Democrats than any other county in the state, yet its voter turnout rates regularly fall short of both the statewide average and other Democrat-dominated regions.
As the November elections of 2023 approached, Kromer confidently declared that, ‘In a year and a half, we’ve built a juggernaut in Mecklenburg County.’ This claim was met with skepticism by some, especially as party-endorsed candidates swept the mayoral and town commissioner elections in Huntersville—a Charlotte suburb nestled in the county’s north. However, despite these positive reports, the broader election results brought a bitter pill to swallow for Kromer and his followers.
Despite high expectations, Mecklenburg County once again displayed disappointing turnout rates in the November election of 2024. Even more troubling, Kamala Harris secured fewer votes in the county than Joe Biden had four years ago—a statistic that raises significant concerns about the state of the Democratic Party in the region. These results suggest that Kamala’s promise and platform were poorly received by voters.
The tepid response to Harris and the lower-than-anticipated voter turnout cast shadows over Kromer’s supposed accomplishments as party chair. Consequently, Kromer, who was once hailed as a rising star within the party, now faces the challenging task of convincing Mecklenburg Democrats to extend his term at the party’s upcoming convention.
Wesley Harris, the previous year’s Democratic candidate for state treasurer, is now among Kromer’s fiercest competitors for the chair position. Further complicating the situation is the executive director’s resignation following the 2024 election loss. Director Monifa Drayton resigned, penning a letter to Kromer blaming the organization for appalling treatment, which she likened to the discriminatory treatment of Black women during the era of Jim Crow laws.
Given these circumstances, the Mecklenburg county party and Kromer were met with harsh criticism. The African American Caucus of the county party called for Kromer’s immediate resignation. Their grievances were multi-fold, the most grave of which was the claim that the party had neglected to engage with ethnic minority communities.
The chorus of disapproval echoed louder with three precinct chairs from the African American Caucus stating that the county party had disregarded majority-Black areas. S.Y. Mason-Watson, one of the chairs, specifically condemned the party’s decision to invest a colossal sum of $100,000 in an election night celebration which, given the results, seemed imprudent at best.
Further disputes arose over the county party’s candidate selection. The decision to choose Nicole Sidman, who is white, to run against Democrat-turned-Republican state Rep. Tricia Cotham left many dissatisfied. They had preferred Yolonda Holmes, Cotham’s former Democratic primary opponent and an African American woman. The dissatisfaction intensified after Cotham’s narrow victory.
This weekend’s election not only involves a potential change in county leadership, but it also serves as a test of the party’s structure and strategies. Those critical of Kromer are adamant about the need for a party overhaul, including the reassessment of campaign strategies and community outreach operations.
Critics argue that a revamped approach towards both these aspects is the only way to effectively increase voter participation in Mecklenburg County. They are particularly interested in fostering stronger relationships with minority organizations, particularly in Black neighborhoods, indicative of a shift in focus towards community engagement.
The thriving connection with the community and an apt ability to adapt according to the current socio-political landscape are the factors considered critical for improved voter turnout. However, in the critics’ view, Kromer and his ilk failed to recognize this pivotal truth.
Looking ahead, the Democratic Party will have to grapple with the many issues that this downfall in Mecklenburg County represents. While some may put the blame squarely on Kromer’s shoulders, others may use this situation as an opportunity to call for a broader reflection on the party’s values, priorities, and methods.
The party’s capacity to listen, understand, and react to the voices of constituents—especially those from underrrepresented groups—is absolutely crucial. Regrettably, in the eyes of many critics, the disregard and misreading of these voices has been a hallmark of Kromer’s leadership.
The upcoming convention will therefore serve as a testing ground for the party. As it enters into the next phase, it must be willing to learn from its past mistakes. Both Kromer and the Democratic Party must not only demonstrate empathy, but also the desire to make a more inclusive party—one that represents all demographics, including ethnic minorities.
At a time when critics are calling for systemic overhaul, one thing is clear: business as usual will not do. Will the party rise to the occasion and make the necessary changes or cling to outdated practices? These are the questions that will haunt the Democrats in the days to come.
As the convention approaches, all eyes in Mecklenburg County and beyond will watch closely to see how the party reacts. After all, the Democratic Party’s response in Mecklenburg will be indicative of its willingness to truly serve all constituents and focus on revamping its traditional approach to campaigning.