Rep. Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford) took heat for missing the veto override vote of Senate Bill 382. And he’s unamused by the reactions he is receiving.
That bill contains Hurricane Helene funding as well as a long list of elections, judicial, educational, and other changes. One agency appointment change has resulted in a lawsuit filed by Governor Cooper and Governor-elect Josh Stein.
In a post on X, Brockman explained he has a health issue that took priority and that the override was pretty much a done deal.
In that post, he called out the NC Democratic Party for the heat he has taken from his own party over missing the vote.
“The depravity of the establishment within the NC Democratic Party knows no bounds,” wrote Brockman. “After gathering the strength to share with the world about my struggle with mental health, the party has sent angry mobs after me.”
He also called out the attempts to unseat him in recent elections.
“Even after wasting more than half a million dollars on a failed Democratic primary to defeat me, the state Democratic Party clearly still does not respect the will of the voters in District 60, who made their voices clear about who they want to be their representative,” wrote Brockman.
Here’s the statement he posted:
"Last Wednesday I was sick and I had gotten word that the vote was likely to be unanimous, so I prioritized my health.
The depravity of the establishment within the NC Democratic Party knows no bounds. After gathering the strength to share with the world about my struggle with mental health, the party has sent angry mobs after me.
Even after wasting more than half a million dollars on a failed Democratic primary to defeat me, the state Democratic Party clearly still does not respect the will of the voters in District 60, who made their voices clear about who they want to be their representative.
I simply ask the party to respect the will of the voters.
Meanwhile, as the party continues to prioritize attacking me and spreading lies within my community, the NC Senate continues to maintain its supermajority and the NC House is just one vote shy of the supermajority. I genuinely question the strategy of the Democratic establishment who prefer to scapegoat a member of their own party to shift the heat off themselves for an outcome they failed to change.
For my voters, they need to know that this is a coordinated strategy from within my party and it will continue over the next two years. If I do not bend my knee to the establishment, I will continue to be portrayed as a villain. They'd rather convince my community that I am a villain to be scapegoated instead of acknowledging the reality that things are rarely black and white.
Often times, I find myself negotiating for what may seem like small but necessary changes that help make legislation less problematic. I have even brought back millions in state funds to a poor Black community that has never seen that before. To some within the party that claims to care about Black people, that isn't enough. In fact, the party would rather have a seat warmer who does nothing, sacrificing their own community's needs for the desires of the wealthy and white Democratic elite.
For those in our party who desire to keep my name in their mouths, let me make it plain and clear for you: Over these next two years, you need me. I do not need you. It is not easy to forgive or forget the vile, disgusting lies you all have peddled. Watch your mouth when talking about me, and remember your neighbors are watching and listening, especially those in the African-American community."
Brockman is among a handful of Democrats who have seen attempts to unseat them for perceived party agenda disloyalty under the tenure of outgoing Governor Roy Cooper.
Taken as a whole, Brockman’s statement seems like a pretty clear warning that he’s been pushed too far, but especially telling is the line “…you need me. I do not need you.”
Brockman has already voted with Republicans on a number of occasions on major items, such as House Bill 10, but will he jump parties like Tricia Cotham did? Time will tell.