Q-vote 2008

Mike Nelson, popular openly-gay Mayor, County Commissioner announces ‘08 run for NC Senate

by Matt Comer, August 23, 2007, 11:59 am

In InterstateQ.com’s first post in its Q-vote 2008 initiative, I am glad to give some very exciting news for the LGBT community of North Carolina.

Mike Nelson, currently an Orange County Commissioner and former Mayor of Carrboro, has announced his intention to run for the North Carolina Senate in 2008, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.

Nelson, who is openly gay, is widely respected in the Triangle area as a popular, intelligent and experienced community leader and politician. Nelson currently works as a lobbyist for the Conservation Council of North Carolina at the General Assembly.

From the N&O:

Orange County Commissioner Mike Nelson has sent a letter to supporters indicating he plans to run for the state Senate seat now held by Ellie Kinnaird.

Kinnaird told Nelson last winter she would not be running for re-election, according to the letter.

“The state legislature is the battleground for many of the issues I care about: the environment, quality schools, equal treatment under the law for lesbians and gay men, and health care reform,” Nelson said in the letter. “Legislative seats don’t open up very often, I decided, and if I sincerely wish to impact those and other issues then there was no choice but to get in the race.”

Nelson will face opposition from Moses Carey, the current Chairman of the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

Mike Nelson was endorsed during my Q-vote 2006 initiative at InterstateQ.com, in his run for the Orange County Board of Commissioners. The endorsement read:

Nelson, an openly gay and community-minded individual, has served his community for years. Nelson, a Democrat, is a great choice to help lead Orange County.

I wish Mike the best of luck as he pursues his campaign. If elected to the NC Senate, Nelson would be only the second openly gay member of the North Carolina General Assembly. The first, and only, openly gay member elected and currently serving is Senator Julia Boseman of New Hanover County and Wilmington, NC.

Q-vote 2008 is an online initiative of InterstateQ.com and Matt Comer, in order to increase voter education and awareness of candidates and issues of importance to the LGBT community of North Carolina. The purpose of InterstateQ.com’s Q-vote is to raise the public’s awareness of LGBT issues while also promoting and raising the awareness of LGBT inclusive, positive and supportive candidates and politicians running for offices in the 2008 Election season. Learn more.

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    About the Author: Matt Comer
    Matt Comer, 24, is an LGBT journalist, blogger and activist currently living and working in Charlotte, N.C., where he serves as editor of QNotes, the LGBT news, arts and entertainment publication of the Carolinas. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Matt attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is still continuing to pursue his bachelors degree. He is the owner & editor of InterstateQ.com and has been active in LGBT advocacy work since the age of 14. Learn more about Matt, read his extended bio and see press clippings at MattComer.net.

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