Tricia Cotham

Here's a nice bit of news I just received by email:

CHAPEL HILL _ Representative Tricia Ann Cotham will receive the Outstanding Young Alumna Award on Saturday from the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rep. Cotham will formally accept the honor during a ceremony at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. The award recognizes a recent graduate who “has shown outstanding leadership and/or exceptional commitment to the education of children the recipient of this award will personify the mission of the School of Education by emphasizing the interconnectedness of homes, schools and communities through both professional and volunteer work.”

State House Rep. Tricia Ann Cotham just pulled off a great fundraiser at the home of Crandall Bowles. From the guest list to the Cabernet Sauvignon, it was certainly one of the best executed fundraisers I've seen in a long time. Guests included the Hon. June Atkinson, NC Speaker of the House Joe Hackney, Lt. Governor Candidate Walter Dalton, Larry Kissell, John Autry, Mecklenburg Commissioners Parks Helms and Chair Jennifer Roberts, Jerry Meek, and yours truly.

Late Tuesday night, The Southern Pines Pilot ran a story in which Joe Boylan called the rumors of his wild exploits baseless. The hard copy of the paper hit the stands on Wednesday. By Thursday, Joe had to issue retractions to two of his statements. Misrepresentations? Or Lies? Hmmm.....

I'm posting this to the front page. I don't think the headline makes it clear - this is a big deal. I think we can kiss the hairdresser goodbye. - RP

Hairdresser Joe Boylan goes public to deny rumors that he groped a fellow legislator.

I spent time at the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party convention yesterday and have decided to take a brief sabbatical from criticizing my local party. There is new leadership and an almost entirely new executive board. There were positive briefings from the state and city and a spirited talk from James Ferguson, a local civil rights leader. The only thing that seemed to be lacking was a good supply of Democrats.

Hello BlueNC!
I am Tricia Cotham, the newest and youngest member in the NC General Assembly. I am so honored to serve District 100 and to represent our great state in the NC General Assembly. In addition, I am proud to be the youngest member ever to serve. I am enjoying my new role very much and learning a lot from many of you and other great Democrats. The last several weeks have been amazing and humbling. I have enjoyed listening to some great and historical debate on the House Floor. I am truly fortunate to serve with so many outstanding Democratic Legislators from across our state. They are inspiring and great role models and mentors for me.

I know people were expecting a Draft Brad post from me tonight, but I was off being elected temporary chair of the Young Democrats of Mecklenburg County. Let’s say 6 am on that one, ok?

Anyway, I had a great time at our first MCYD meeting of the year, hosted in beautiful HD-100 by State Representative Tricia Cotham. Zack Hawkins (President-Elect, YDNC) and Melissa Price (VP-Elect, YDNC) came down from Wake County to help with the meeting, and 5 colleges in Mecklenburg County (Davidson, Queens, CPCC, UNCC, and Smith) were represented. We’re putting together an organization that’s going to get Dems elected across the county.

Working Families Win and ACORN held a kick-off rally Saturday, April 14, for their campaign to promote the implementation of an earned income tax credit in the state of North Carolina. Several elected officials were there to speak and between 20 and 30 enthusiastic supporters cheered them on.

Many of those supporters were at the Police Athletic League to take advantage of another service offered through ACORN. PAL had been chosen as a free tax preparation site by ACORN. Benita Little, the Executive Director of PAL was gracious in her welcome and thanked ACORN for choosing PAL as a site for the tax prep service. According to Little, the families that had taken advantage of the free tax service at PAL had collectively received almost $150,000 back through the federal EITC.

Find out more below the fold....

The Charlotte Observer has this little blurb.

Tricia is an assistant principal at East Mecklenburg High School. More later.

Update I:

Here's a bit that will clue you in to her personality[Sorry, forgot to link to the CO for the quote]:

In their sole joint appearance, the four Charlotte Democrats vying to replace former N.C. House Speaker Jim Black agreed on most things at a Monday night forum. They would all try to revitalize east Charlotte, stop gang violence and get more state money for schools and courts.

So they sought to differentiate themselves in other ways.

"Your vote should be based on experience living in and knowing the district," said Lloyd Scher, a former Mecklenburg County commissioner. He was alluding to rival Tricia Cotham, who just got a home in the district last week.