North Carolina
North Carolina, why are we voting so blasted early? | Tom Campbell
Can you remember when elections were contests where candidates expressed their political philosophies, told us what they would do if elected and campaigns were civil? I can’t either.
It won’t be long until the March 5 primary election. Some have already voted early instead of having to walk through the gauntlet of political do-gooders handing us propaganda. Is it fair to ask why we are voting so dang early when the General Election isn’t until Nov. 5?
In attempting to solve one problem our legislature created a larger one. The problem, admittedly a big one, was that North Carolina had no real voice in selecting the presidential nominees. By the time we got around to our primary elections in May, the nominees had been decided. We had no voice and no choice. This was unacceptable. But the real problem was not the date of our vote but the selection process itself.
Not so many years ago, when political parties had a genuine reason for being, parties initiated the nomination process first at the county level, then at the state convention. State party conventions named delegates to the national convention, instructing them to back a “favorite son” candidate. The national conventions were great entertainment, often filled with suspense about who would win the presidential nomination. Surrogates for the candidates buttonholed delegates and met with state delegations, pleading for support. Impassioned orators made speeches on the convention floor, states cheered for their picks and roll call votes of the states sometimes lasted long into the night. We, the public, viewed on wall-to-wall television coverage. It felt like we were part of the process.
But there was always the accusation that nominees were chosen in smoke-filled rooms by party bosses. More transparency and open participation was demanded. What evolved is a “beauty contest” primary system, where early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire (no national bellwethers) had too much influence on picking nominees. This isn’t a good process either.
Our legislators’ solution to the problem was to move our primaries from their traditional first Tuesday in May to what is now ridiculously labeled “Super Tuesday.” We’ve barely digested our Thanksgiving dinner before candidates have to file in December to run in March. This is truly March madness.
So how’s that workin’ out for us? With the possible exceptions of Nikki Haley and that Kennedy guy, everyone else on planet earth knows the two presidential nominees will be Joe Biden for Democrats and Donald Trump for the cult. We aren’t even paying attention to elections in early March.
With the outcome at the top of the ticket already known, it remains to be seen how many voters will be motivated enough to vote. In the 2022 primary elections only 19.8 percent (1 in 5) registered voters did so in the off-year primary, compared to 31.9 percent in 2020. Just 51 percent showed up for the ’22 general election, a shameful comparison to the 75 percent who voted in 2020.
Whoever wins the primary has eight months before the Nov. 5 general election. There’s no way you can sustain momentum for that long, so campaigns go dormant, focusing instead on raising money. Consultants tell us that direct mail, TV and radio ad costs have risen to outrageous levels. It is estimated that our 2020 gubernatorial campaign cost some $70 million dollars total for the primary and general election. Projections are this year’s will exceed $100 million. That’s a lot of money to spend when half or less of our 7.3 million voters will likely participate – $14 or more per voter.
There is no United States Senate race this year, but all 14 congressional seats are up for election. Currently we have seven Republicans and seven Democrats in our delegation, but the latest round of redistricting was intentionally drawn by Republicans to produce a 10 to 4 plurality for their tribe. Five incumbents chose not to stand for re-election and the 6th, 8th, 10th, 13th, and 14th district seats will elect new representatives. Our elections could determine who controls Congress.
Of our 10 Council of State offices there are six open seats for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, auditor and labor commissioner. The remaining four will face election challenges.
There is one Supreme Court and one Court of Appeals seat up for election in 2024. All 120 members of the NC House of Representatives, which has a current ratio of 72 Republicans to 48 Democrats, and there are 17 open seats as a result of redistricting and retirements. In our 50-member Senate there are six open seats in a chamber that currently has 30 Republicans and 20 Democrats.
The point should be clear. Despite the early primary date, these elections are important. With so few expected to vote your voice could play a big role in our state’s future.
Go vote!
Tom Campbell is a Hall of Fame North Carolina Broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy issues since 1965. His weekly half-hour TV program, NC SPIN aired for 22 ½ years. Contact him at tomcamp@carolinabroadcasting.com.
North Carolina
North Carolina Democrats, Republicans share takes on deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina political leaders disagree heavily on what happened during a deadly-ICE involved shooting in Minnesota and what should happen next.
Several videos immediately circulated depicting the moment when Renee Good was shot in her vehicle by an ICE agent. Democrats and Republicans dispute what the video actually shows.
“I’m horrified and I’m disgusted,” Democratic state Sen. Sophia Chitlik said.
Chitlik represents Durham where immigration enforcement agents had a large presence a few weeks ago. She stated the video shows why she and some of her constituents don’t want the agents back.
“Get out,” she said. “We do not want ICE and CBP in our community. Not only do citizens and constituents not want them here, law enforcement doesn’t want them here. Our sheriff’s office, our police department, is very focused on keeping people safe, which is why crime is down. We manage public safety here.”
Matt Mercer, the communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party, stated the video shows the ICE agent acting in self-defense.
“I think what you see is the video speaks for itself,” Mercer said. “You had a federal agent acting in self-defense after potentially being rammed by someone in a vehicle, which is unfortunate. You just hate to see what happened.”
Chitlik disputes the notion that the ICE agent acted in self-defense, saying, “It’s not true. The video shows that it’s not true. [Good] was trying to back up, not move forward, trying to leave the situation. They aggressively pursued her.”
Republicans continue to back the federal agents in Minnesota and across the country, arguing it’s what millions of Americans voted for.
“It’s already shown a lot of progress,” Mercer said. “You’ve had over two million illegals deported or self-deported from our country, which is exactly what President [Donald] Trump campaigned on.”
Some Democrats say immigration enforcement agents don’t make communities safer and instead incite violence fear.
“ICE is not here to keep us safe,” Chitlik said. “ICE is here to police us. ICE is here as an agent of fascism in our cities. They are not welcome here.”
Republicans say the immigration agents aren’t the ones raising tensions.
“Anytime you see people using an iPhone app and saying there’s ICE [in the area], it’s intentionally provoking and stoking tensions,” Mercer said. “You’d like to see people using their right to protest in a way that’s not obstructing the mission these hardworking officers are doing every day.”
CBS 17 has not heard of any plans for the immigration agents to return to North Carolina.
North Carolina
Current State of North Carolina’s Quarterback Room
This offseason has been a complete quarterback carousel for the North Carolina Tar Heels. Following the debacle of last season, it was obvious that North Carolina needed to make significant changes at quarterback.
In Bill Belichick’s first year as the head coach, the Tar Heels compiled a 4-8 record and failed to qualify for bowl eligibility for the first time since 2018. There were several factors that led to the lackluster season, but the production and effectiveness from the quarterback position may take the cake, in terms of who should be blamed the most for North Carolina’s failure of a season.
In 11 games, Gio Lopez threw for only 1,747 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions while attempting 6.7 yards per pass. If you don’t possess a quarterback who can operate at a competent level, it is virtually impossible to compete with that player leading the offense.
As mentioned, it was apparent that the front office had to venture out in the transfer portal to potentially find their next quarterback. The Tar Heels did land 2026 four-star quarterback recruit Travis Burgess, but it was not yet known that both Max Johnson and Bryce Baker would enter the transfer portal this offseason.
Not to mention, after recently announcing that he will return to Chapel Hill in 2026, Lopez became the latest quarterback to leave the program, making his intentions of entering the portal known on Monday. On Wednesday, Lopez officially signed with Wake Forest.
Here is what general manager Michael Lombardi and North Carolina’s front office orchestrated to add depth to the quarterback room, and how those moves affect that position.
Assessing the Tar Heels’ Quarterback Situation
With three total quarterbacks leaving the program, North Carolina needed to orchestrate multiple moves to improve the depth at the position. While the Tar Heels landed Billy Edwards Jr. and Miles O’Neill, those two additions do not instill a ton of confidence in a room lacking experience and proven production.
In four years, Edwards Jr. has one year of starting, while O’Neill has eight appearances over the last two seasons. The Texas A&M transfer possesses more potential than Edwards Jr., as he still has three years of eligibility remaining. There is more room to grow for O’Neill. We already know what Edwards Jr is: a backup quarterback who could play here and there as a starter.
Meanwhile, Au’Tori Newkirk played sparingly during his freshman season in 2025, and Burgess will be a true freshman in 2026. None of these quarterbacks provide both high potential and experience. They possess one or the other, which could become problematic if no one establishes themselves as the clear-cut starter.
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North Carolina
NC health officials urge vaccines amid measles and respiratory illness surge
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is responding to the most recent measles cases and a spike in respiratory illnesses in North Carolina.
In a meeting hosted by NCDHHS, health officials stressed the importance of staying up to date on vaccines.
Those officials were also asked about the vaccination status of the three kids who tested positive for measles in Buncombe County.
“The three cases in Buncombe County, all three of them, had at least one dose of MMR vaccine,” said Dr. Erica Wilson with NCDHHS.
News 13 reported on Tuesday that the three siblings contracted measles after visiting Spartanburg County, South Carolina, where there’s currently a large measles outbreak.
3 BUNCOMBE COUNTY CHILDREN CONTRACT MEASLES AFTER SOUTH CAROLINA VISIT, NCDHHS REPORTS
The Mission Hospital Emergency Department waiting room in Asheville was listed as a possible measles exposure location on Sunday, Jan. 4, between 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
Mission Health sent News 13 a statement, saying in part, “Our hospitals work with state and federal health officials on proactive preparedness, and we are following guidance provided by the CDC.”
The hospital provided state health officials with a list of 26 people who may have been exposed to measles on Jan. 4, according to Mission Health.
It’s not just Buncombe County that has reported measles in North Carolina recently.
“One in Polk County and three in Buncombe County. Additionally, there was a measles exposure alert we released in Gaston County. All are connected to an ongoing measles outbreak in Spartanburg County, South Carolina,” said Dr. Kelly Kimple with NCDHHS. “About 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed will become infected.”
POLK COUNTY CHILD CONTRACTS MEASLES AFTER SOUTH CAROLINA VISIT, NCDHHS REPORTS
In the meeting, health officials also addressed the increase in respiratory illnesses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and influenza.
“Whether it’s the childhood immunizations for things like measles, mumps, and rubella, or even the seasonal immunizations for things like RSV, COVID, and flu, vaccines are a critical and important part of remaining healthy and having healthy communities,” said NCDHHS secretary Dr. Devdutta Sangvai.
Additionally, as News 13 previously reported, there was a chickenpox outbreak in Buncombe County, with four cases confirmed at Fairview Elementary as of Jan. 6.
Health officials are reminding people that it’s not too late to get their seasonal vaccines. There are also additional preventative actions to protect oneself against respiratory viruses.
FLU CASES SURGE IN NC, STRAINING HOSPITALS AND INCREASING DEATH TOLL
“This includes regularly washing your hands with soap and water,” said Kimple.
Kimple suggests avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. She also said to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces that may be contaminated.
“Cover those coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly. Stay home when sick, except to seek medical care or testing, and take steps to avoid spreading infection to others in your home,” said Kimple.
NCDHHS also has helpful resources on its website, like a measles immunity checker, information about vaccines, and a program that helps eligible families get free vaccines.
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