7th Congressional District Leadership Meeting 5-31-25
Thanks to all the county leaders for making our 1st Leadership Meeting such a great success.
Each group developed action items that will make the 7th a stronger community
Up coming events in the 7th
Columbus County
Join NCDP Dr. Kim Hardy for an outstanding Women of Color Leadership Forum. Ms. April D. Ryan will be leading a fireside chat about her incredible book "Black Women Will Save the Worle" followed by a panel discussion, opportunities for networking and even a signature cocktail/mocktail. You can but your tickets on ActBlue.
Please share with your network and plan to join us for this outstanding event.
Cumberland County
Join with Floyd Wicker as he brings together people in our community for peaceful discussions about the challenges we have in the country. The group practices 3 mail principles of nonviolence; 1, Nonviolence is a way of life foe courageous people 2. The goal of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation and 3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat evil, not people.
Colleagues and Partners in the Struggle to Save Our Democracy and Build the Beloved Community.
2025 -2027 7th Congressional District Board
President
Tom Simmons - Brunswick County
Retired public school principal. Served as Treasurer, 2nd V-chair, 1st V-chair and currently as Chair of CD7. Enjoy working with the wonderful people across our district to elect Democrats in CD7.
Married to Janis for 58 years. Two sons and two Grandchildren. Avid Carolina
Panthers fan.
1st Vice Chair
Becky Bond - New Hanover County
I started my career in Democratic politics in the 1980s, working for the Democratic National Committee on the 1982 mid-term party conference, and for the Mondale-Ferraro Presidential campaign as a field organizer in 1984. I spent the remainder of my career working for non-profit organizations, including 18 years at a Congressionally funded national affordable housing non-profit based in Washington, DC where I served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2017-2021. Since moving to Wilmington in 2020, I have been actively involved in the community and the New Hanover county democratic party, where I have re-discovered my love of political organizing. I am an active member of my precinct and served as Precinct Chair in 2024. As First Vice-Chair of Congressional district 7, I will combine my passion for organizing, my love of numbers and data analysis, and my leadership skills to help achieve the mission of CD7.
2nd Vice Chair
Harfel Davis - Bladen County
3rd Vice Chair
Tre Ricanek - New Hanover
Tre' Ricanek brings over a decade of leadership experience in grassroots organizing, public affairs, and community empowerment to his role as 3rd Vice Chair of 7th Congressional District for NC Democratic Party. A committed advocate for DEI, youth engagement, and civic participation, Tre' has worked at the intersection of politics, international business, education, and nonprofit leadership—mobilizing voters, mentoring young leaders, and building coalitions that drive progressive change.Tre' has served in key roles across local, state, and national campaigns, including as a Regional Engagement Director for the Harris for President campaign, where he led voter outreach and volunteer coordination efforts across the Southeast. Along with his work in politics, Tre' serves as President & Executive Director of the only regional youth theatre organization on the East Coast that uses the arts to amplify underrepresented voices and inspire civic dialogue among the next generation. An experienced strategist and relationship builder, Tre' is deeply invested in expanding access to the democratic process, strengthening party infrastructure, and supporting candidates who reflect the values and diversity of the district.
Secretary
Martha Harris - Pender County
Martha graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Microbiology and went on to be the Director of Infection Control in both Virginia and California. Shortly after moving to NC in 2016, she became involved in the Democratic Women of Pender County where she served as president from 2018-2020 and 2023-2024. Martha also became the secretary of the 7th in 2019 and remains committed serving her community.
Treasurer
Lesa Crocker - New Hanover
Lesa Crocker comes to Wilmington after living in Charlotte and all over California. She
is a Steelers fan born in Pittsburgh.
She received her undergraduate degree in Economics and French from Auburn
University and her MBA concentrating in Accounting and Computer Sciences from
Emory University. After leaving Price Waterhouse CPA firm in Atlanta, she realized her
love is working with small closely held companies in helping them understand how their business works and how to run it well. She worked in multiple industries serving many small businesses in deep financial distress. In addition to being Controller and CFO for several corporations, she also owned a successful regional holistic fitness and
entertainment center that offered yoga, meditation, and Pilates classes and workshops, and produced concerts which included Krishna Das and Lama Surya Das. She also owned a nationally certified Yoga Teacher Training School and Pilates Teacher Training School.
She is a Buddhist and strong believer in everyone’s right to find their own path to
becoming a full, complete and compassionate human being.
After years of working for herself, she decided to step back into Corporate America as
an IT Financial Analyst working for two of the largest financial services corporations in
the United States.
Joyfully retirement came in 2022 and she wondered what she would do with her time.
In addition to developing a love for Contra Dancing in Wilmington, she knew she wanted to be around intelligent and concerned citizens. She jumped right into volunteering for the NHC Democratic Party and was invited to join the 7 th Congressional District in the 2023.
May favorite quote:
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room" The Dalai Lama
7th Congressional District
Our Mission
Democrats in the 7th Congressional District are committed to rebuilding a state that provides every person with fair access to improve their lives through good paying jobs affordable house in, quality education, universal and exceptional healthcare, racial justice and equal protection under the law. We will fight for our most vulnerable communities, confront the issues of systemic racism and gender discrimination. We are dedicated to making life better for all citizens.
Our 7 Goals
#1. Rebuild Our Brand
#2. Increase Democratic turn out for all ages
#3. Raise funds
#4. Persuade “unaffiliated” to vote democratic
#5. Retain the Seats we have
#6. Educate and Register Voters
#7. Elect More Democrats
Our People
The 7th Committe includes representatives from the following counties: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson.
We also have representatives from the following NC Caucuses: African American, Labor, Hispanic American , Democratic Women, and Young Democrats .