After being turned down by not one, but two potential recruits, the DSCC announced today that they’re giving up recruitment efforts and endorsing former State Representative and ACLU lobbyist Deborah Ross in North Carolina. Ross was also endorsed by the liberal Washington-based EMILY’s List last week.
As Ross cozies up to the Washington establishment, it’s worth noting that Ross has already been deemed, “the most liberal NC Democratic nominee in history.” In fact, the DSCC’s desperate embrace of Ross is already being called out for what it is:
The DSCC’s endorsement of former state Rep. Deborah Ross in North Carolina shows just how much the party has curtailed its ambition in what should be a battleground Senate race. For the last year, Democrats tried — and failed — to recruit everyone from former Sen. Kay Hagan, state Treasurer Janet Cowell, and former Rep. Heath Shuler. Now, they’re forced to back a candidate described by many in her own party as too liberal to win. — Alex Roarty
As a registered lobbyist for nearly ten years, Deborah Ross fought for some of ACLU’s most radical policies. Her work earned her recognition among “the top 50 most influential North Carolina lobbyists” – a superlative she embraced stating, “I am truly grateful for this recognition.”
Ross’s tenure with ACLU, and also her stint as a big-time special interest lobbyist, is mentioned nowhere on her website, biography, or in her announcement video.
Deborah Ross knows that her support of radical ACLU policies and her reputation as “the most liberal” is going to be very hard to defend.
BACKGROUND:
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Ross Was A Registered Lobbyist In North Carolina From 1995 Until 2002. (North Carolina Secretary Of State’s Website, www.secretary.state.nc.us, Accessed 9/2/15)
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Ross Was Ranked Among The Top 50 Most Influential North Carolina Lobbyists. “Deborah Ross, the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, was ranked number 22 among the top lobbyists for the 1999-2000 legislative session. Ms. Ross moved up from number 37 in the 1997-98 session. For the 1999 legislative session there were 492 registered lobbyists and 328 legislative liaisons attempting to influence policy at the General Assembly. The North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research is responsible for the survey. Results are compiled in The 50 Most Influential Lobbyists; Rankings in the 1999 North Carolina General Assembly.” (North Carolina ACLU, “ACLU Lobbyist Ranks Among The 50 Most Influential Lobbyists In The 1999 NC General Assembly,” Press Release, 8/2/00)
- ROSS: “I Am Truly Grateful For This Recognition. … Lobbying Is Not Easy Work, Especially On The Range Of Controversial Constitutional And Policy Issues The ACLU Tackles.” (North Carolina ACLU, “ACLU Lobbyist Ranks Among The 50 Most Influential Lobbyists In The 1999 NC General Assembly,” Press Release, 8/2/00)