CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Monifa Drayton, the executive director for the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party, says she's resigning from her position effectively immediately, alleging a racist and toxic work environment.
In a letter sent to party leaders, Drayton claimed she was stripped of her responsibilities and that false allegations were made to create a negative portrayal of her work performance. Drayton's resignation is immediate and comes after Democrats struggled in Mecklenburg County despite a strategy local leaders, including Chair Drew Kromer, felt would help turn North Carolina blue. Instead, Vice President Kamala Harris failed to earn as many votes as President Joe Biden in 2020. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump increased his voter share in the Democratic stronghold.
The results were a major blow for a party that made record investments, increasing volunteers by the thousands and raising roughly $2.7 million in Mecklenburg County alone.
"Within two weeks of employment the gross negligence of governance, accountability, spending controls, basic employment practices and subjugation to a persistent hostile environment was realized and became progressively worse each month which has been unconscionable and intolerable," Drayton wrote.
The letter goes on to accuse the organization of limiting her to only work with Black, brown and LGBTQ+ communities after stripping away her power. Drayton claimed she learned about losing her duties in a staff memo that was shared by her colleagues.
"It was shared by multiple staff that they were instructed to not speak to me moving forward, which was obvious while I was in the office, making the environment hostile and unbearable," the letter says.
Drayton said in the letter she wants the organization to be intentional about the inclusivity of people from all backgrounds to reflect Mecklenburg County and says the party should "hire experienced staff with proven wins versus nepotism."
"These are all changes that will help to ensure that we never repeat the election outcome that we are experiencing," Drayton wrote.
A spokesperson for MeckDems issued the following statement to WCNC Charlotte:
"MeckDems as a matter of principle does not comment publicly on personnel matters. What we can say is that our organization, like our fundamental party beliefs, remains steadfastly committed to the principles of a diverse workforce and opportunity for all people."