County Party Officers
Meet our elected leadership
Emerson Kirby
Emerson was elected in April 2025. Outside of party leadership, she is an Account Executive for Inex One, working to drive US growth for the tech company.
Davit Melikian
1st Vice Chair
Davit was elected in April 2025. In addition to his party work, Davit is the founder of Heal Tree LLC, a hemp-based wellness brand, and Ark Homes LLC, a licensed custom home building company.
Graham Oberland
2nd Vice Chair
Graham was elected in April 2025. He works as Director of Systems Innovation & Policy for Rural Opportunity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty and trauma in Eastern North Carolina.
Jake Baldridge
Elizabeth Hoane
Charlotte McGee
3rd Vice Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Jake was elected in April 2025. He is the founder of Nacho Industries, where he works as an market researcher and brand strategist.
Elizabeth was appointed in June 2025. She is supported by Assistant Treasurers Marty Belin ( ta1@durhamdemocrats.org) and Lanier Blum ( ta2@durhamdemocrats.org).
Charlotte was elected in February 2025.
Team Leaders
If there’s a particular area you are interested in, contact the leaders below.
GOTV Support
Rae Dawson
Precinct Organizing
Precinct Engagement
Andrew Richards
Volunteer Care and Coordination
Margaret Levin
Outreach
TBD
Elections / Board of Elections
Susan Sewell and Susan Pochapsky
Fundraising
Felecia Robinson and Tim McKeown
Events
Gina Santore
Social Media
Emerson Kirby
VoteBuilder
Diane Pahl
Analytics
Tim McKeown and Michael Jokich
Auxiliary Organizations
The North Carolina Democratic Party charters local chapters of auxiliary organizations within the party system, which operated independently but in support of the goals and priorities of the county party.
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS
President Ryan Wang, durhamprogressivedemocrats@gmail.com
African American Caucus
President Nikki Liles, president.aacdcdp@gmail.com
jewish caucus
President Steven Abrams, abramss@gmail.com
Senior Dems Caucus
President Brenda Pollard, brendahpollard@aol.com
Young Dems Caucus
President Josiah Gouker, durhamyoungdems@gmail.com
durham teen dems
Durham Democratic women
President Sara Kelly, durhamdemwomen@gmail.com
Durham Democratic men
President Nelson Kerr-Ritchie, durhamdemwomen@gmail.com
labor caucus
President Ryan Jenkins, covingtongrey@gmail.com