Fact Check: "The last Republican chair in Durham was appointed in 2018."
What We Know
The claim that "the last Republican chair in Durham was appointed in 2018" is misleading. The current political landscape in Durham, North Carolina, has seen significant changes, particularly with the recent appointments to the Durham County Board of Elections. As of July 2023, the board has a Republican majority, with David Boone appointed as the chair, a position previously held by a Democrat, Dawn Baxton (Durham County Board of Elections Flips to Majority). This indicates that the Republican presence in local governance has been revitalized more recently than 2018.
Additionally, the Durham City Council, which operates independently from the county elections board, has members from various political affiliations, but the claim specifically refers to the chair position, which is not directly related to the City Council's composition (Meet the Durham City Council Members).
Analysis
The assertion that the last Republican chair was appointed in 2018 overlooks the recent developments in the Durham County Board of Elections. David Boone's appointment as chair in 2023 marks a significant shift in the political dynamics of the board, which had been predominantly Democratic prior to this change (Durham County Board of Elections Flips to Majority).
The source of the claim lacks specificity regarding which "chair" is being referenced—whether it pertains to the City Council, the Board of Elections, or another entity. The City Council has had a diverse representation, but the context of the claim seems to focus on the Board of Elections, where the Republican influence has been re-established only recently.
Furthermore, the reliability of the sources used to support the claim is crucial. The information from the Durham City Council's official website is credible and provides accurate details about current council members and their terms (Meet the Durham City Council Members). In contrast, the claim itself does not cite any specific source, making it less reliable.
Conclusion
The claim that "the last Republican chair in Durham was appointed in 2018" is False. While it may have been true at one point, the political landscape has changed significantly with the appointment of a Republican chair in 2023. This development indicates that the Republican Party has regained a position of influence in local governance, contradicting the claim.
