The contrast was stark when the new Congress convened this month. The Republican side was monochromatic: white men in dark suits. The Democratic side was diverse, varied and colorful – in clothing and complexion, age and gender, background and life experience.

You’ll see the same contrast in the North Carolina General Assembly. You’ll see it in the 2020 Democratic primaries. Which are only 13 months away, by the way.

The Democratic Party’s candidates finally are mirroring its voters. For decades, the most Democratic loyal voters have been women, people of color and, especially, African-American women.

Already in the Presidential race we have Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, probably Cory Booker and – who am I forgetting? We have young candidates like maybe Beto O’Rourke. We have white guys like maybe Sherrod Brown. We have old white guys like maybe Joe Biden. We’ve even got a bald guy, John Delaney. (I purposefully omit Bernie Sanders. We don’t need him.)

We have Stacey Abrams giving the State of the Union response. And Nancy Pelosi giving Trump hell.

In North Carolina, look at the diversity of the new Democratic legislators. Look at Justice Anita Earls. Look at the candidates lining up for 2020 – Erica Smith, Terry Van Duyne, Yvonne Holley, Lucy Inman and surely many more to come.

It’s about time. It’s a good thing for the party, and it’s a good thing for North Carolina and for America.

As for my fellow old white guys, don’t worry. There’s still a place at the table for us. There’s a place for candidates like us (but not for billionaire ego-trip spoilers like the Starbucks guy). There’s especially a place for mentors, advisers, boosters, canvassers, donors and fundraisers for the new candidates.

It’s a new day, guys. It’s time to help the new faces rise and shine.