Election

Tillis Begins 'Invisible Primary' For U.S. Senate

Michael Bitzer — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:09:01 +0000

North Carolina’s 2014 U.S. Senate race is starting to shape up as most had expected—one of the closest fought in the nation. And when early punditry call it “a close fight,” voters can usually expect an ugly, knock-down drag out battle.

Sore Losers? GOP Proposals Would Change Rules Of Election Game

Michael Bitzer — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:44:13 +0000

The theme of the recent Republican National Committee’s winter meeting in Charlotte was “Renew, Grow and Win.” But it was more about the party of older, white males trying to learn 2012’s electoral lessons in order to face a changing electorate.

While the national GOP sought ways to revitalize the party, other Republicans were plotting ways of “winning” without really renewing or growing. Instead, they want to change the rules of the game.

McCrory Appoints Millionaire GOP Fundraiser Art Pope To Head Budget

Ben Bradford — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:17:37 +0000

At a press conference Thursday morning, Governor-elect Pat McCrory appointed millionaire, conservative activist Art Pope to be his deputy budget director--the governor's top aide on budget issues. Pope is an experienced legislator, but the appointment is likely to be a lightning rod.

High Voter Turnout For Republicans And African-Americans

Tasnim Shamma — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:30:39 +0000

Republicans increased their numbers at the poll by more than 60,000 this year, while the number of Democrats decreased by 53,000. And the four groups with the highest voter turnout in the state were Republicans, African Americans, women and senior citizens. That's according to Democracy North Carolina, a voting rights group that analyzed the voter turnout data released by the State Board of Elections last week.

Haley Appoints Congressman Tim Scott To Fill DeMint's Seat

Michael Tomsic and Mark Rumsey — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:35:33 +0000

South Carolina Congressman Tim Scott will become the first African-American senator from the state. Governor Nikki Haley chose him Monday to replace Senator Jim DeMint, who is resigning to run a conservative think tank. WFAE’s Michael Tomsic was at the announcement in Columbia. Here’s a transcript of his segment with WFAE’s Mark Rumsey:

Gov. Nikki Haley Has Picked U.S. Rep. Tim Scott As SC's Next Senator

The Associated Press — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:50:08 +0000

Scott is the only black Republican in Congress. The decision announced Monday makes him the South's first black Republican senator since Reconstruction and only the fourth black Republican ever in the U.S. Senate.

He takes over for Jim DeMint, who announced earlier this month he would forgo the remaining four years of this term to take the helm of The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. His resignation takes effect Jan. 1.

County Commission Must Decide How To Address Meck Revaluation Flaws

David Boraks — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 15:07:48 +0000

How Mecklenburg County responds to complaints about flaws in the 2011 property revaluation is now up to county commissioners. An outside consultant who reviewed the revaluation delivered a final report to the county Friday, and it’s on the agenda for Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.

Expect North Carolina To Remain A Battleground State

Michael Bitzer — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 04:15:56 +0000

The 2012 Election: It’s a New North Carolina

Now that the dust has settled in the and we have all (hopefully) survived the general election, some thoughts on the aftermath of the 2012 election.

First, North Carolina is more like Virginia than South Carolina.

McCrory Set To Make Transition Announcements

Lisa Miller — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:31:30 +0000

Pat McCrory says he’s moving quickly in preparations to take over the governor’s office. He plans to announce his transition team tomorrow.

North Carolina will soon have a Republican governor and Republican majorities in the state house and senate.

At a press conference Wednesday, McCrory said he’ll reach out to leaders of both parties.

Obama Loss In NC A Blow To Local Democrats

Julie Rose — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 08:04:46 +0000

President Barack Obama was re-elected to a second term last night in race that see-sawed back and forth late into the night. This time four years ago, it was still unclear which way North Carolina had gone in the presidential race. Not so today. Republican Mitt Romney won the state by 96,000 votes – dealing a blow to local Democrats.