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
‘Infuriating, heartbreaking’: Raccoon recovering after getting caught in leg trap at Mecklenburg County park
The video above is a live stream of WBTV and affiliated programming, and may not be directly related to the article below.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A raccoon is fighting for its life after it got caught in a leg trap at a Mecklenburg County park this week.
North Carolina Wildlife Rehab said a group of children found the raccoon stuck in a leg trap at a Mecklenburg County park on Thursday, June 18, but did not specify which park.
“This is absurd, infuriating, and heartbreaking,” a spokesperson said. “Just think about how many animals may have already been harmed—and how many babies may have been orphaned because of this.”
Raccoon had heat stroke, front legs trapped
Wildlife Rehab said it’s unclear how long the raccoon was trapped, but both of his front legs were caught.
Thankfully, his legs were not broken; however, he suffered heat stroke and had a body temperature of 105.4 degrees.
“Please keep this sweet boy in your thoughts and prayers as he fights to recover,” a spokesperson said.
Multiple traps found on property
The children reportedly found the trap attached to a fence on an adjoining property, and investigators said officers found several more during their search.
“Thankfully, the kids did not attempt to free the raccoon themselves, though that easily could have happened,” a spokesperson said. “Instead, they immediately got their parents, who then contacted Animal Control.”
Officials said the raccoon was the second animal caught in a leg trap, and both incidents occurred at parks in Mecklenburg County.
Wildlife Rehab said the traps are illegal and cited animal cruelty. In North Carolina, however, foothold traps aren’t entirely illegal, but they’re strictly regulated by state law. They can be used in Mecklenburg County if they comply with state guidelines for trap size, jaw type, and proper tagging.
–> Also read: Trio stole donated blankets, beds from Cabarrus County animal shelter, director says
As of this writing, no arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed.
Copyright 2026 WBTV. All rights reserved.
CHARLOTTE, NC (WCNC) – North Carolina is becoming a leader in artificial intelligence adoption among businesses – ranking ninth in the nation, according to a new LendingTree report. Over 22% of businesses in the state already utilize AI, with many more planning to incorporate it in the near future.
“I’m not surprised at all that North Carolina ranks high on the list in part because it’s a tech-forward state,” said Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst with LendingTree. “There is a lot of financial institutions in that state and no one should be surprised that NC is on the cutting edge with using AI in businesses.”
The report also sheds light on the implications of AI for the workforce. Generative AI usage makes up around 85% of overall AI business usage. Most companies are using the technology for repetitive tasks such as summarizing information, analyzing data, drafting content, or assisting with customer service.
Large companies are leading the way in AI usage. Businesses with over 250 employees use AI at a rate of 37.3% while companies with fewer than five employees use AI at a rate of 19%.
Charles Gaddy was tuna fishing with his dad on Sunday, more than 40 miles northeast of Oregon Inlet, when he saw something he’d never seen before.
“I was just looking in the water, seeing if, you know, any birds or anything, and I see this big gray fish with white dots,” said Gaddy. “Just from reading books and watching movies as a kid, I was like, ‘that’s got to be a whale shark.’”
The 18-year-old said they circled it. He grabbed his GoPro camera and started recording.
“It’s just sitting there, swimming beside us. It really, truly was amazing,” said Gaddy.
Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish. They’re currently listed as endangered by the Union for the Conservation of Nature.
In the Western Atlantic, whale sharks are primarily found in the Gulf and throughout the Caribbean, according to Eric Hoffmayer, a research fishing biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service. He said they’ve seen numerous whale sharks make their way up the Gulf Stream, ending up in the New England area in late summer and early fall.
“We had an animal last year that we tagged off Tampa and within a month was off New York, and cruised right past North Carolina about this time of year,” said Hoffmayer. “It’s not unheard of, but it’s not real common either.”
Gaddy recognized how lucky he was to experience a sighting.
“To be able to see one in person, especially locally, it’s very truly amazing,” said Gaddy. “It’s no doubt a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m no doubt very blessed.”
If you do encounter a whale shark in the wild, Hoffmayer said, you need to be careful if you’re in a boat because they spend a lot of time at the surface. If you get in the water, keep a safe distance.
“Most people I’ve talked to who have encountered whale sharks, it’s like a life-changing experience,” said Hoffmayer. “It’s really cool to see an animal that large in the wild doing its thing.”
You can report whale shark sightings to the University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Fisheries Research and Development. If you’re able to capture a good picture of a whale shark, you can see if it matches one already in a database by uploading the photo and information about the sighting online.
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