BRANFORD MARSALIS RADIO AD KICKS OFF DELLINGER’S
STATEWIDE ADVERTISING
Political Spot is First for NC-Based Jazz Star
Marsalis Impressed by Dellinger’s Anti-Poverty Initiatives

(March 2008)  Durham resident Branford Marsalis, a world-renowned saxophonist and three-time Grammy winner, has recorded a radio ad endorsing Hampton Dellinger, Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor. It is Marsalis’ first-ever political endorsement ad.

The ad is available here and will run on radio stations across the state in April.

“Hampton Dellinger is a good friend and great Democratic leader,” Marsalis said.  “I admire his commitment to greater economic and social justice, particularly lifting families out of poverty.”

In thanking the globe-touring musician for his endorsement and his time, Dellinger said, “North Carolina is lucky to have Branford Marsalis call the state home, and I feel very fortunate that he has taken the time to record a radio ad for my campaign.  Branford’s radio endorsement is literally music to my ears.”

Also appearing in the ad is acclaimed Grammy-award winning pianist Joey Calderazzo, who lives in Wake Forest.

Marsalis was born in New Orleans but has resided in Durham for several years. Since moving here, he has established a record label—Marsalis Music—and performed with the North Carolina symphony. He and Calderazzo are also artists-in-residence at North Carolina Central University.

Marsalis immersed himself in relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.  He is the honorary chair of New Orleans Habitat for Humanity, and together with his friend Harry Connick, Jr., came up with the idea for the Habitat Musicians’ Village currently under construction in the city’s historic Ninth Ward.

In the radio ad, Marsalis praises Dellinger’s commitment to reducing poverty and creating good jobs in every part of the state. 

In addition to the backing from Marsalis, Dellinger has received statements of support from Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Vice President Al Gore and famed historian Dr. John Hope Franklin. Dellinger has been endorsed by the NC AFL-CIO, NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Political Caucus.

Dellinger’s proposals to reduce poverty and create jobs in every county include:

• Pay government employees a basic living wage and require that vendors and contractors pay all employees a basic living wage in order to be eligible for government contracts;
• Affirmatively and actively work to grow historically disadvantaged businesses;
• Continue increasing the state minimum wage;
• Further expand the state Earned Income Tax Credit;
• Fund “green collar” job programs to help combat both poverty and environment degradation;
• Create voluntary pre-school programs for three year olds and raise the compulsory school age to 18 as part of a broader education plan to improve education and decrease the dropout rate;
• Support economic development policies that are strategic, forward-looking, and proactive, rather than reactive and focused on yesterday’s issues; and
• Build regional partnerships to deal with regional-level challenges like water conservation, energy allocation, and travel initiatives.

Dellinger has also called for “business incubators” and other mechanisms to help small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed, and the development of “clusters” of industrial and market strength, as part of an innovative and detailed government reform and economic development plan. The plan would also stimulate the economy by reducing improper influence over state contracts, giving all businesses a fair shake, and ensuring that government invests its energy and money in doing the jobs it should, instead of taking on financial risks better left to the private sector.

As Deputy Attorney General and the Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel, Dellinger stood up to powerful interests to ensure that: teen smoking was reduced; migrant workers had access to union and legal representatives; Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s conversion would not take place unless it established a charitable trust; and a rock quarry would not be allowed to operate adjacent to the Appalachian Trail.  As a private sector attorney, Dellinger sued state agencies who wasted taxpayer money and fought a state agency seeking to deny access to public records by copyrighting them without legal authority.

The full text of Marsalis’ statement is below.

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Text of Branford Marsalis’ Radio Ad for Hampton Dellinger

This is Branford Marsalis. 

I live in North Carolina, but grew up in New Orleans.  Hurricane Katrina was a vivid reminder of the poverty that persists in America.

There’s one candidate for Lt. Governor here in North Carolina that’s actually talking about poverty… how we finally lift families out of it – and create good jobs in every part of the state.  His name is Hampton Dellinger. 

As Deputy Attorney General and the Governor’s counsel, Hampton Dellinger has been a voice for those who too often aren’t heard in Raleigh. 

And that’s what he’ll do as Lt. Governor.

Now I’m not a political guy. But it’s not often I hear somebody talking about what really matters.  So join me, Branford Marsalis, in supporting Hampton Dellinger.

Thanks for listening.