Atkinson Gates forms ticket for black leadership

Adrienne Packer

Friday, Jan. 11, 2002 | 8:55 a.m.

Yvonne Atkinson Gates' term on the Clark County Commission isn't up for another three years, but she has been campaigning as aggressively as any of her colleagues who are seeking re-election or higher office.

The two-term commissioner hopes to be the next chairwoman of the National Democratic Committee's Black Caucus.

Atkinson Gates sought out Joel Ferguson, a Michigan State University trustee, to complete a ticket they hope will unseat Texas state Rep. Al Edwards for the four-year term.

"The key things we want to do are fund-raising and build an infrastructure in black communities state by state," Atkinson Gates said. "We want to get black voters registered, track them and get them to the polls."

If elected to chairwoman and vice-chairman, Atkinson Gates and Ferguson hope their work will result in a greater black turnout for the 2004 election. Their short-term goal is to register 1 million black voters to participate in the 2002 election.

"It could make a huge impact," she said.

Atkinson Gates said she has been disappointed in Edwards' leadership abilities and believes she will be a more effective communicator and fund-raiser.

She emphasized the importance of developing a national network of black donors and supporters of the Democratic National Committee to help pay for Black Caucus events and programs.

Ferguson, who in 1967 became the first black member of the Lansing, Mich., City Council, would like to develop more outreach programs.

The 93-member caucus works to get more black people involved in the political process, either by participating in elections or running for office. The election for chairman will be held Jan. 18.