Durham Sen. Sophia Chitlik is urging local Democrats not to appoint Jonah Garson to the state Senate seat vacated this week by Graig Meyer. In interviews published Friday, Chitlik and other Democrats said Garson would bring instability to the caucus as Orange, Person, and Caswell county party leaders prepare to choose Meyer's replacement.
Meyer resigned Tuesday to lead the North Carolina Justice Center. The person selected this weekend will fill his Senate seat and take his place on the November ballot. In a district that votes safely Democratic, that choice could keep someone in office through 2028.
- Chitlik, whose Durham County district borders Meyer's, said allegations surrounding Garson are "not a risk we can take" and endorsed state Rep. Allen Buansi. She said she would also support state Rep. Renée Price.
- Three Senate Democrats and two other officials told the publication they were concerned about Garson's conduct, including past personal interactions and other allegations Garson denies.
- Garson said he has never used cocaine and said he was removed from a Chapel Hill bar after confronting a bartender he believed had served an underage student. He pointed to endorsements and called himself a collaborative party leader.
What's next: Orange, Person, and Caswell Democratic leaders are expected to vote this weekend on Meyer's replacement. Chitlik said the caucus needs someone who can step in on Day 1 without adding another internal fight in Raleigh.