Local Democratic party comments on Wright

NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- The State Board of Elections probe of State Representative Thomas Wright's campaign finances is having some impact. Monday Wright stepped down from leadership positions in the legislature. The local Democratic Party Chair says Wright's decision to step down from his leadership appointments was a good one. Less than a week after a State Board of Elections investigation into his campaign finances became a criminal case, State Representative Thomas Wright stepped down as the chair of two house committees. "The choices he makes are his, and we don't tell them what to say or what to do," Helen Worthy, the Chair of the New Hanover County Democratic Party, said. Worthy hasn't spoken to Wright about his decision to step down as head of the Health Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee. Worthy says she thinks it's a responsible one. "That's probably a choice that anyone who cared about an organization would make," Worthy said. Wright sent his announcement in an email to House Speaker Joe Hackney. Wright said he didn't want to cast a cloud on the Democratic Party as the Elections Board investigates his campaign finances. Worthy says whatever happens won't affect the reputation of the Democratic party. "I think we would be in really bad shape as a party, if one or two persons could destroy the party," Worthy said. Worthy also says it's important to remember that Wright hasn't been found guilty of anything. She says she's known him to be an honest and reliable politician. "He has been more supportive as an elected official than most of them have," Worthy said. If the investigation in to Wright's campaign finance reports proves he knowingly filed false paperwork, he could face perjury charges. We called Wright for his comment, once again, he did not return the call.