PA PAC Press Release - Endorsements for March Primary and November General Elections 2026
PA PAC Endorsement Meeting Held Virtually - Over 580 members meet to decide - Nida Allam endorsed for U.S. House of Representatives, Sophia Chitlik endorsed for NC Senate District 22, Christine Walczyk endorsed for NC Court of Appeals Seat 03, Myra Griffin endorsed for Superior Court Judge District 16B 02, No Endorsement for District Court District Judge 16B Seat 02, Christy Hamilton Malott for NC District Court Judge District 16B Seat 05, Satana Deberry for Durham County District Attorney, Aminah Thompson for Durham County Clerk of Superior Court, Clarence Birkhead for Durham County Sheriff, Natalie Bent Kitaif for Durham County Board of Education District 1, Nadeen Bir for Durham County Board of Education District 2, Gabrielle Rivero for Durham County Board of Education District 3, and Xavier Cason for Durham County Board of Education District 4.
Also passing through the consent agenda - Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate, Anita Earls for NC Supreme Court, John Arrowood for NC Court of Appeals Seat 01, Tobias Hampson for NC Court of Appeals Seat 02, Natalie Murdock for NC Senate District 20, Ray Jeffers for NC House District 002, Vernetta Alston for NC House District 029, Marcia Morey for NC House District 030, Zack Hawkins for NC House District 031, Josephine Kerr Davis for NC Superior Court Judge District 16B Seat 03, Dave Hall for District Court Judge District 16 Seat 01, Kevin Jones for District Court Judge District 16 Seat 03, Dorothy Hairston Mitchell District Court Judge District 16B Seat 04, and Amanda Maris for District Court Judge District 16B Seat 06.
(Durham, N.C.) On Tuesday evening, January 13th, members of the People’s Alliance PAC in Durham met virtually to debate and decide which candidates running for office in 2026 would get the group’s endorsement. Over 580 members attended the meeting.
PA PAC is a political action committee that shares a common vision and membership with the progressive People’s Alliance in Durham. In recent years membership in the People’s Alliance has swelled and the PAC’s influence in elections has grown. In advance of this year’s endorsement meeting, the PAC solicited responses to questionnaires from candidates running in local, state, and national elections. PAC volunteers also interviewed candidates and then shared their recommendations at the endorsement meeting.
Endorsement decisions are made by the PAC membership at a meeting in advance of elections every year. At the meeting, PAC committees who have studied the candidates make recommendations, but ultimately the endorsement is decided by a vote of the members after rigorous debate. During Tuesday’s meeting, many members rose virtually to speak during the debate over these endorsements. The meeting ran late into the evening, with many members staying until the very last endorsement decision was made. Candidates value the PA PAC endorsement and work hard within transparent PAC rules to make sure their supporters in the organization get to the meeting. PAC members attend to persuade and be persuaded.
The People’s Alliance endorsements for the 2026 Primary are as follows:
Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate
Roy Cooper champions progressive values—protecting reproductive freedom, expanding healthcare, fighting climate change, advancing racial justice, strengthening workers’ rights, and building an economy that works for everyone in North Carolina.
Nida Allam for U.S. House
Nida Allam’s leadership as Durham County Commission Chair has raised wages, expanded housing support, improved benefits access, and championed immigrant services; she fought to protect our community and neighbors from ICE this fall and she will fight for Medicare for all, living wages, quality education, and justice in Congress.
Christine Walczyk for North Carolina Court of Appeals Seat 03
Christine Walczyk’s eighteen years as a respected Wake County trial judge, her leadership in family and civil courts, her law practice defending the underserved, and commitment to fair, principled justice make her a progressive and ideal candidate for the NC Court of Appeals.
Sophia Chitlik for North Carolina Senate District 22
Sophia Chitlik’s leadership–from grassroots organizing to the Obama administration– as well as her legislative focus on care-centered policy, maternal health, education equity, childcare access, and affordable housing shows her commitment to uplifting families and communities in North Carolina.
Myra Griffin for Superior Court Judge District 16B Seat 02
Myra Griffin has decades of legal experience as Assistant Attorney General and Vice-Chair of the NC Industrial Commission. She demonstrates her commitment to fairness, equity, and community in her personal and professional life and will bring integrity and compassion to the bench.
Christy Hamilton Malott for District Court Judge District 16B Seat 05
Christy Hamilton Malott advocates for children involved in abuse/neglect/ dependency courts and brings a trauma‑informed approach to her extensive courtroom experience. Her community leadership at local nonprofits give her the management experience and communication skills which will ensure she is an exceptional district court judge.
Satana Deberry for Durham County District Attorney
Satana DeBerry’s leadership brings fairness, community‑centered justice, and accountability; her commitment to humane prosecution, reducing racial disparities, supporting victims, and building trust between law enforcement and communities will create a safer, more just Durham where every voice matters.
Aminah Thompson for Durham County Clerk of Superior Clerk
Aminah Thompson oversaw Durham County’s adoption of online court filing. As clerk, she made the transition as smooth as possible and remained transparent and accessible to attorneys, plaintiffs, and defendants. As Clerk of Court, Aminah will continue to seek justice for all Durhamites.
Clarence Birkhead for Durham County Sheriff
Clarence Birkhead’s four decades of law enforcement leadership show his dedication to justice, safety, and community trust. As Sheriff, he achieved ‘triple crown’ accreditation, served on community advisory boards, led crime reduction efforts, and demonstrated a commitment to transparency in his communications with community groups.
Natalie Bent Kitaif for Durham County Board of Education District 1
Natalie is a Durham native who attended the same Durham public elementary school her children now attend. She is conversational in Spanish and has a public health background, bringing a deep commitment to every learner’s success. She is a champion for arts and literacy programs and will fight to ensure our children have access to supportive and comprehensive education.
Nadeen Bir for Durham County Board of Education District 2
Nadeen Bir champions equity‑driven policies, expanded mental health supports, culturally responsive teaching, greater counselor access, improved student safety statewide, and inclusive LGBTQ and immigrant protections. DAE-endorsed, she will fight for fair educator recruitment, retention, and school improvements for all Durham students.
Gabrielle Rivero for Durham County Board of Education District 3
Gabrielle Rivero champions equity, student mental health, and community engagement, advocating for inclusive classrooms, strong literacy programs, and family partnerships to ensure every Durham student has the resources and opportunities to thrive. Gabby will be an excellent liaison between teachers, staff, parents, and students on Durham BOE.
Xavier Cason for Durham County Board of Education District 4
Xavier Cason’s decades of educational leadership, service on the Durham Public Schools board, commitment to equity, student success, and community engagement bring thoughtful, experienced oversight to election administration in District 4. He brings practical experience and passionate vision to our education system and will lead our schools towards progressive change.
These progressive candidates and those endorsed who are only running in general election in November are the most qualified and best prepared to serve the people of Durham. PA PAC is dedicated to helping them win.
The PAC’s support of its slate of candidates only begins with the endorsement. PA PAC campaigns for its candidates with organizing, events, mailings, social media, canvassing and poll work. This work is managed by a committee of volunteer PAC coordinators elected by the membership. Members donate money to support the PAC campaign and volunteer for poll work and the many other tasks that are necessary to win elections.
PA PAC will prepare and distribute more information about the candidates as the elections draw nearer. Watch www.peoplesalliancepac.org for more information.
For more information about People’s Alliance and its vision, visit www.durhampa.org.
Contact: [email protected]
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