The North Carolina Democratic Party today announced new staff hires as the party expands ahead of the 2020 election cycle.With competitive races deciding control of the White House, the U.S. Senate, the Governor’s mansion, and the state legislature on the ballot; 2020 will be a battleground year for North Carolina. 

 

“Democrats in North Carolina are looking forward to incredible wins this November and our team is ready to hit the ground running to make that happen,” NCDP Chairman, Wayne Goodwin said.

 

“The party is very excited to be welcoming so many talented staff members,” NCDP Executive Director, Meredith Cuomo said. “As we head into one of the most important elections of our lifetime, our talented team will be able to put our party, and our individual candidates, in the best possible position to win this November.” 

 

The following staff have been hired ahead of the 2020 cycle: 

 

Carson Pfingston - Voter Registration Director

Carson Pfingston joins the NCDP team from the League of Conservation Voters where he served as the Director of Campaign Operations. He has also served in organizing positions since 2007, including serving as Campaign Manager and Field Director with various Democratic campaigns. This cycle, Carson will manage the party’s statewide voter registration efforts. 

 

Seth Morris - Voter Protection Director 

Seth Morris rejoins the NCDP team after spending time as a Legal Fellow at UNC Chapel Hill. In 2018, Morris served as NCDP’s Voter Protection Director as part of the party’s historic “Break the Majority” partnership with Governor Roy Cooper, which broke the Republican legislative supermajorities in both chambers. Seth holds a juris doctorate from the University of North Carolina School of Law, and will head the party’s expansive voter protection program to ensure every vote counts. 

 

Ian Shannon - Finance Director 

Ian Shannon joins the NCDP team from the Office of Senator Jay Chaudhuri (SD-15) where he served as a Legislative Assistant. In 2018, he managed Sen. Natasha Marcus’s race for State Senate, defeating three-term Republican incumbent Jeff Tarte. This cycle, Ian will manage the Party’s fundraising efforts. 

 

Lorenzo Pedro - Political Director

Lorenzo Pedro joins NCDP after most recently working as a Legislative Assistant in the office of Senator Kirk deViere (SD-19) and as the Deputy Finance Director for the Senate Democratic Caucus. Lorenzo serves as an Advisor on the Governor's Advisory Council on Hispanic & Latino Affairs. This cycle, Lorenzo will manage the party’s efforts to connect with local stakeholders, leaders, opinion makers and elected officials. 

 

Shawntay Anthony - Minority Affairs & Organizing Director

Shawntay Anthony, a Union County native, most recently served as Dan McCready’s Director of Community Engagement during the 2019 Ninth Congressional District Special Election. Previously, Shawntay has worked with progressive firms with a focus on organizing, and in other roles with various corporations and organizations. As Minority Affairs Director, she will focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in the party’s organizing efforts and making lasting connections with minority communities across the state. 

 

Brigid Godfrey - Deputy Communications Director

Brigid Godfrey joins the NCDP team from Virginia where she worked with the Virginia House Democratic Caucus, helping to flip the House of Delegates for the first time in two decades. She has previously worked as an organizer on races in Maryland, Virginia and California. Brigid will focus on highlighting the work of the party, in addition to supporting Democratic legislative candidates across the state.