After the midterms, can North Carolina still be considered a ‘purple’ state?

Many political pundits anticipated the midterm elections to lead to a Republican “pink wave” — it’s typical for the celebration in energy, at present Democrats, to lose seats in Congress through the midterms. However nationally, the wave turned out to be only a trickle as Republicans narrowly gained management of the U.S. Home and Democrats maintained their maintain on the U.S. Senate.

North Carolina, nevertheless, noticed vital Republican features. Ted Budd gained the U.S. Senate race, each state Supreme Court docket seats that have been up for grabs went to Republicans, and the celebration gained a supermajority within the N.C. Senate and practically gained a veto-proof majority within the N.C. Home.

Some notable wins for Democrats within the state embody Jeff Jackson within the 14th Congressional District and Alma Adams in District 12, in addition to Wiley Nickel in District 13 and Don Davis in District 1.

North Carolina has broadly been thought of a “purple” state, the place neither celebration dominates. However a minimum of by way of the Basic Meeting, the midterm outcomes recommend North Carolina could also be turning a deeper shade of pink.

We get the newest on the place North Carolina lands on the political spectrum with professional analysts.

GUESTS

Daybreak Baumgartner Vaughan, state authorities and politics reporter for The Information & Observer

Michael Bitzer, chair of political science and professor of politics and historical past at Catawba Faculty

Mac McCorkle, public coverage professor on the Sanford College of Public Coverage at Duke College