RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - A pitch for donations to the Democratic Party from former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm casts the new state budget as leaving North Carolina "ill-equipped to promote prosperity or even meet the most basic needs of its citizens - education, healthcare, and good paying jobs."

The email, signed by Granholm, invites recipients to the Democratic Party's Western Gala in Asheville on October 17. Granholm will be part of that event.

The email reads, in part, as follows:

"In January 2003, I was the first woman ever to be sworn in as governor of Michigan - the eighth largest state in the nation, home to America's auto industry with an economy bigger than that of Saudi Arabia or Greece.

And then reality struck - in the form of a tsunami of automotive industry bankruptcies, economic collapse and a resulting budget crisis. Michigan's economy shifted from one of the most prosperous to one of the toughest in the nation.  But it didn't stop us.  Through it all, we worked relentlessly, determinedly to retain jobs, attract international investment, improve education, and to train Michigan’s workers to promote the state’s long-term economic health.

I know that North Carolina has had some recent setbacks. It's no secret that the new Republican budget leaves the state ill-equipped to promote prosperity or even meet the most basic needs of its citizens - education, healthcare, and good paying jobs. The truth is that across America, the financial burden being carried by middle-class families has grown out of control.

But together, we can fight back. We can take back North Carolina. And we can take back our country.

That's why I'd like you to join me in Asheville on October 17th for the North Carolina Democratic Party's 55th Annual Western Gala.

Next year, North Carolina will be a battleground state in the race for President, have a top tier US Senate race, the most contested Governor’s race in the country, and battle to win the seats necessary to sustain a veto by the Governor in the Legislature. The NCDP has an amazing team in place that is working every day to ensure that North Carolina is ready for victory in 2016. But they need your help!

I hope you’ll join me in Asheville on October 17th. I'm honored to return to North Carolina and to be a part of this historic event.
 

Yours in democracy,

Governor Jennifer Granholm"