North Carolina
Enthusiasm greets VP Kamala Harris in a post-debate North Carolina campaign trip • NC Newsline
Vice President Kamala Harris made two stops in the battleground state of North Carolina, drawing thousands of cheering supporters to rallies in Charlotte and Greensboro in her first campaign events following a debate that that most observers say she won.
She sprinkled anecdotes from Tuesday’s presidential debate into her speech Thursday evening at the Greensboro Coliseum.
As she talked about keeping the Affordable Care Act, she had people laughing when she asked them to remember President Donald Trump’s response at the debate that he has “concepts of a plan” for health insurance.
“That means no plan,” she said.
Often, cheers from about 20,000 people packing the coliseum were so loud that the roar competed with the building’s sound system.
“Donald Trump refused to say he would veto a national abortion ban,” she said, recalling a sequence of debate answers. “When Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as President of the United States, I will…” Harris said at past events she will proudly sign that bill into law. On Thursday, the crowd’s cheering made the line nearly inaudible in some sections of the building.
Both Harris and Trump campaigned in toss up states Thursday. Trump was in Tucson, Ariz.
At about the time that Harris was in North Carolina calling for another presidential debate, Trump was in Tucson saying he wouldn’t do one.
“Because we’ve done two debates and because they were successful, there will be no third debate,” Trump told an Arizona audience.
Trump and President Joe Biden debated in June. Biden dropped out of the race about three weeks after his shaky debate performance and endorsed Harris.
Trump maintains he won the debate with Harris, but polls say otherwise.
An average of three national polls compiled by 538 had Harris winning the debate 57% to 34%. One of three was a Republican-sponsored poll.
Trump said in Tucson that he looked angry during the debate because he is angry about illegal immigration.
The North Carolina Republican Party on Thursday released a statement blaming Harris for illegal border crossings.
Democratic presidential candidates have zeroed in on North Carolina for years, but for the last three elections the state has been a just-out-of-reach prize.
Barack Obama in 2008 was the last Democratic presidential candidate to win the state. Former President Donald Trump won North Carolina in 2020 by fewer than 75,000 votes out of more than 5.5 million cast.
Rally-goers Thursday sensed a shift in Democrats’ direction.
Tonya McDaniel of Forsyth County said Harris can win unaffiliated voters.
“I think that they will realize that she actually does have a plan and not a concept,” McDaniel said.
Brian Carter made the trip to Greensboro from Wake Forest to see if all the excitement about Harris that he was hearing about was real before he got his hopes up.
“It feels real,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting.”
He’s looking forward to the enthusiasm and energy surrounding Harris leading to a victory in November.
In a race that appears so close, campaigns are scrapping for every vote.
Gov. Roy Cooper introduces Harris at her North Carolina rallies. On Thursday, he sounded like a coach readying a team before a big game as he talked to the audience.
“Are we going to knock on doors? Are we going to make phone calls? Are we going to talk to our neighbors and friends?”
The crowd shouted ‘yes’ in response to every question.
“Let’s go get ‘em guys,” Cooper said before he exited the stage.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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