North Carolina

The Chronicle’s rundown on the 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial primary candidates

Published

2 years ago

February 19, 2024

The Chronicle’s rundown on the 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial primary candidates

North Carolina will hold its primary election on March 5, with the state’s gubernatorial seats at the top of the ballot.

The election will decide the Republican and Democratic candidates, who will advance to the Nov. 5 general election. The Chronicle has you covered with a guide on the candidates and the main issues at the forefront of voters’ minds.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates

The Democratic Party has five candidates vying for a ticket to the general gubernatorial election.

Gary Foxx, former police chief of Princeville, N.C., plans to increase funding for public schools, raise the minimum wage, attract new business and implement more rigorous gun control laws while protecting the rights of responsible owners.

Foxx’s platform also includes guaranteeing access to Medicare and Medicaid, promoting renewable energy sources and advocating for equality. Foxx “ranks school safety as a top priority once elected.”

Michael Morgan, former associate justice of the N.C. Supreme Court, emphasizes the importance of increasing funding for public education, developing the state’s economy, addressing the root causes of crime and increasing access to affordable healthcare, including prescription drugs.

Morgan’s platform also mentions promoting women’s rights, including access to affordable healthcare and abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, fighting climate change and defending democratic principles related to fair voting.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, the current frontrunner, is running on a platform focused on defending reproductive rights, enacting gun safety reform, defending children’s rights for an adequate public education and raising the minimum wage.

During a rally at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stein shared with the crowd his commitment to defending reproductive and voting rights and holding corporate wrongdoers and polluters accountable for their actions.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has endorsed Stein, noting that “he’s driven by a steadfast commitment to the people of our great state, [which is] why he’ll work to invest in students and public schools, quality health care for hardworking people, and better jobs that make life more affordable for the middle class.”

Attorney Marcus Williams previously ran for North Carolina Attorney General in 2016, but lost to Stein. If elected as governor, he says he would work towards enacting law enforcement reforms and adequately funding both the state’s court system and public school system, according to an interview with The News & Observer.

In an effort to bring new businesses and jobs to N.C., Williams shared that “high paying, clean industries” are necessary “so that the vibrancy of a robust economy can be felt [and] enjoyed throughout our urban and rural areas.”

Chrelle Booker, mayor pro tempore of Tyron, N.C., named job employment and supporting public education as hallmarks of her campaign.

Booker hopes to work towards keeping North Carolinian public schools up to pace with the “ever-evolving technological landscape” and strengthen the quality of K-12 education in the state, according to her website.

She believes that such strides can also be made through partnerships with N.C.’s higher learning institutions, as demonstrated by Carolina K-12, which “works to extend the resources of the University System to North Carolina’s K-12 educators.”

In terms of her economic development goals, she believes that “quality jobs, competitive wages and a high standard of living are essential for families who want their children to attend our schools and reside in secure neighborhoods.” This includes supporting local business and supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, paid internships and apprenticeship programs.

Republican gubernatorial candidates

There are three Republican candidates for governor.

Dale Folwell, a former garbage collector who worked his way up to serving as State Treasurer of North Carolina, hopes to lower healthcare costs, increase government transparency and accountability and fight crime. Folwell plans to re-enact the death penalty and create a task force to prevent fentanyl and other drugs from entering the state.

Bill Graham is a criminal prosecutor with blue-collar roots. If elected as governor, Graham has promised to reduce taxes, allow parents to approve school curricula and create a “North Carolina Family Values Commission” to celebrate community leaders in the spirit of Ronald Reagan’s legacy.

Graham plans to fight crime by approving a death penalty for fentanyl dealers and human traffickers and establishing a task force to combat gang violence and illegal drugs.

North Carolina Lieutenant Gov. Mark Robinson learned the value of hard work from his mother, who provided for his family after Robinson’s abusive father died.

Although Robinson does not mention his economic goals in his platform, his campaign website claims that he lost two jobs to the North American Free Trade Agreement, pushing him into bankruptcy.

Robinson’s platform centerpiece is education, and he hopes to inform parents on their children’s curricula, expand apprenticeship programs and ensure school safety.

Robinson has recently come under fire for homophobic statements, in which he stated that the LGBTQ+ community conflicted with his Christian faith. Robinson has also drawn criticism for previous antisemitic comments.

Zoe Spicer
| Staff Reporter

Zoe Spicer is a Trinity junior and a features managing editor of The Chronicle’s 119th volume.

Abby Spiller
| Editor-at-Large

Abby Spiller is a Trinity sophomore and an editor-at-large of The Chronicle’s 119th volume.

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North Carolina

These 4 Western NC towns are among WorldAtlas favorites for 2026

Published

20 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

These 4 Western NC towns are among WorldAtlas favorites for 2026

A new list from WorldAtlas named the publication’s top 10 favorite North Carolina towns of 2026, including several locations located in Western North Carolina.

Founded in 1994 by cartographer John Moen and his wife, Chris Woolwine-Moen, WorldAtlas publishes educational materials and articles on geography, sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics, and travel.

Previous Citizen Times articles have covered numerous mentions of Western North Carolina from WorldAtlas, including “idyllic” and “unpretentious” towns, scenic drives, a favorite downtown area, and more. In the new list, published March 9, WorldAtlas writers chose their all-time favorite North Carolina towns ― almost half of which were located in the western region of the state.

Here’s what WorldAtlas had to say about mountain North Carolina towns, plus the full list and more.

What to do in Banner Elk, N.C.

WorldAtlas noted the range of activities offered in Banner Elk throughout the year. The town sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains between the Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain ski resorts. Writers highlighted the following locations and activities in Banner Elk:

Wildcat Lake, which has a lifeguarded white-sand beach and is used for swimming, non-motorized boating and fishing for largemouth bass, trout, and bluegill
Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum, a museum located at Grandfather Mountain
The Mile High Swinging Bridge, the highest suspension footbridge in the United States, which visitors can cross on foot

What to do in Blowing Rock, N.C.

Also included on the WorldAtlas list, Blowing Rock takes its name from a rock formation where the wind appears to blow upward. The list highlighted the following locations and activities in Blowing Rock:

The town’s namesake, “Blowing Rock,” is a rock formation known for views of Johns River Gorge and the surrounding forest
Fishing, spelunking and rock climbing opportunities in the area
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, also known locally as “Cone Park,” which has hiking trails and is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Memorial Park on Main Street, where town events and concerts often take place

What to do in Brevard, N.C.

Brevard, also known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” is home to more than 200 waterfalls located across Transylvania County. WorldAtlas highlighted the following locations and activities in Brevard:

Museums, trails, rock climbing and the surrounding area’s many waterfalls
Guided Jeep and hiking tours to view waterfalls throughout Transylvania County
Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, a museum displaying artifacts from U.S. military conflicts
Transylvania Heritage Museum, a museum focused on local history and genealogy

What to do in Hot Springs, N.C.

Hot Springs’ name comes from the natural springs that attract visitors from across the state and region. The springs are commonly visited by hikers seeking relief after traveling along the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the town. WorldAtlas highlighted the following activities and events:

Kayaking on the French Broad River
Trailfest, a celebration of hiking typically held in April
French Broad River Festival, a celebration of the French Broad River held each year on the first weekend of May
White-water rafting and ziplining opportunities in the area
Fishing, skiing, sport shooting, golf, disc golf, biking and horseback riding opportunities throughout the area
A range of accommodations including campgrounds, privately owned cabins, apartments, suites and cottages, with options from basic to luxury experiences

WorldAtlas’s best towns in North Carolina

The full list of WorldAtlas’s favorite North Carolina towns of 2026 included:

Banner Elk
Beaufort
Blowing Rock
Brevard
Davidson
Edenton
Hot Springs
Seagrove
Manteo
Wrightsville Beach

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

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North Carolina

‘It was dire’: NC State professor returns from Qatar after being trapped during Iran war

Published

12 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

‘It was dire’: NC State professor returns from Qatar after being trapped during Iran war

An North Carolina State University professor is back home Monday night after he was trapped in the Middle East as war with Iran broke out.

Rich Spontak was stuck in Qatar while traveling from Bangkok to Spain and was forced to stay in the country for about a week. Several travelers were trapped for days in the Middle East after Iran’s
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several defense leaders were
killed in joint strikes by the United States and Israel.

Spontak, like many travelers, found himself stranded in the Middle East after the initial attacks, which quickly entangled more surrounding countries, including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where seven U.S. service members were killed in retaliatory attacks from Iran.

Spontak said there were times he thought he wouldn’t make it out.

“I would just keep looking out and looking for the missiles,” Spontak said. “Some people that I met along the way were hit by shrapnel from the missles. It was dire.”

Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait and Syria remained closed, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24. Azerbaijan also shut the southern sector of its airspace on Thursday after accusing Iran of a drone attack that injured four civilians and damaged an airport building.

Lilia Austin, a Chapel Hill woman who was part of a group of 100 women who went to Israel for a trip the day before Khamenei was killed, also returned home on Sunday after she left Israel through Egypt.

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North Carolina

Gov. Stein proposes $1.4B ‘critical needs’ budget for North Carolina

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Gov. Stein proposes .4B ‘critical needs’ budget for North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — With North Carolina still without a new state budget, Gov. Josh Stein is urging state lawmakers to approve a $1.4 billion “Critical Needs Budget.” Stein says this budget will address the state’s most urgent priorities while the General Assembly works on a full spending plan.

“North Carolina has gone nearly two and a half years without passing a new state budget – the only state in the country to finish 2025 without one[…]This budget invests in critical public safety, education and health care services for the people of North Carolina that cannot wait,” Gov. Stein said in a press release Monday.

A major part of Stein’s proposal is $319 million to fully fund Medicaid, which provides health coverage to over three million North Carolinians. This program also supports rural hospitals, nursing homes and statewide health care providers, per the release.

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The “Critical Needs Budget” would target public safety staffing and pay. According to the governor’s office, North Carolina currently ranks 49th in starting salaries for state troopers and correctional officers, and low pay has contributed to staffing shortages and vacancy rates. This budget would bring pay raises to correctional officers, law enforcement officers, probation and parole officers and more.

Stein’s proposed budget calls for raising starting and average teacher pay, as well as increasing pay for senior teachers and other education staff. The governor’s office said the state remains in the bottom 10 nationally in average teacher pay.

The budget proposal also includes pay increases for state employees and a cost-of-living adjustment for retired state employees, citing rising inflation costs and increasing health care premiums. Stein’s plan also includes targeted funding to maintain essential services, such as support for child care access and affordability.

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