Michele Morrow, who previously called for the execution of prominent Democrats and urged Trump to use the military to stay in power, officially entered North Carolina's U.S. Senate race. She'll challenge Michael Whatley for the GOP nomination. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Excited to start a new role as The N&O’s Democracy Reporter! #ncpol I’ll continue to cover voting rights, power struggles and more in NC politics with a focus on how voters can make democracy work for them. Got tips? Send them to [email protected] www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NEW: A legislative committee requested the political affiliations and contribution records of the NC State Bar's employees and leaders. The Bar denied that request, saying the agency is apolitical and does not maintain such records. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Immigration agents expected to come to Raleigh, mayor says. Here’s what we know. Mayor Janet Cowell says Border Patrol agents will be in Raleigh on Tuesday after a weekend of arrests in Charlotte. (Via @annamroman.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ncpol #ralpol #wakepol

NEW: Cecil Brockman released on bond after judge sharply reduced his bail amount this week. He'll be kept on house arrest and banned from using a cell phone. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NEW: A judge reduced former NC Rep. Cecil Brockman's bail to $250k on Monday. Guilford's DA, who presented new details about the alleged sex crimes with a minor, argued against the reduction, calling Brockman a "flight risk." #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Federal judge rejects racial gerrymandering challenge to NC Senate map. The GOP-appointed judge rejected claims that Republican lawmakers had illegally drawn the districts to dilute the voting power of Black voters. (Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol #ncga

Sen. Terence Everitt has requested that the Wake DA open an investigation into Senate leader Phil Berger following disputed reports that he would redraw the state's congressional map in exchange for Trump's endorsement. #ncpol #ncga www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NC Auditor Dave Boliek hires Dallas Woodhouse, former GOP director, in new 'election integrity' oversight role #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NC's congressional maps are heavily skewed toward Republicans now. Senate leader Phil Berger says he'd be open to making them even more red. But he denies claims that he would push redistricting in exchange for a Donald Trump endorsement. @kyleingram.bsky.social story. #ncpol

Republican lawmakers have steadily allocated a variety of additional powers and resources to Boliek’s office since his election in November.

A Republican NC county election chair has resigned after being charged with attempting to drug his granddaughters’ ice cream. State Auditor Dave Boliek, who appointed the man in May, asked him to step down this morning. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has asked North Carolina election officials to run potentially millions of voters through a national citizenship verification system. (by @kyleingram.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... (gift link)

Over 100,000 NC voters must update their registrations or risk barriers to voting in future elections. Here's our analysis of the age, party, race and geography of the affected voters #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Guest-hosting the Due South NC news round-up this week with panelists @kyleingram.bsky.social, @samwalkerobxnews.com and Mary Helen Moore. Listen and catch up on everything from #ncga budget news to flounder fishing and Outer Banks dining: www.wunc.org/show/due-sou... #ncpol

Jefferson Griffin concedes NC Supreme Court race, ending unprecedented effort to overturn election. Griffin says he will not appeal a federal judge's ruling against him. Board of Elections will certify Allison Riggs as winner. (Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol

NEW: Federal judge rules against Jefferson Griffin's effort to overturn NC Supreme Court election, orders state to certify Riggs as winner. However, the order is stayed for 7 days so Griffin can appeal. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NC could change the rules after the election is over, and throw out enough ballots to change the outcome. There are several ways that’s unprecedented. #ncpol ✍️ A special report by @kyleingram.bsky.social www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NEW: In split decision, NC Court of Appeals rules in Republican Jefferson Griffin's favor in his challenge of 65,000 votes. However, they order a 15-day cure period, rather than immediately throwing out all ballots #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NC Republicans file sweeping bill targeting transgender rights to bathrooms, documents. It affects ability of trans people to use restrooms or get legal documents aligned to their gender identity.(Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #nced #ncpol #ncga

Will NC pass another HB 2? Nearly 10 years after the infamous "Bathroom Bill" was enacted, Senate Republicans introduced a similar bill this morning that also targets transgender people's access to updated legal documents #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NEW: Jefferson Griffin has repeatedly declined to comment on his challenge of 65,000 votes in the Supreme Court race — but he isn’t bringing the case alone. The N&O sat down with Jason Simmons, chair of the NC GOP, to ask why the party is fighting to overturn the election. #ncpol Watch here:

Black North Carolina lawmakers blast Republican effort to ban DEI in state government. Sen. Kandie Smith said at a news conference today that the bill means they could 'impeach me from office because I’m Black.' (Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol #ncga #nced

"It’s craven. He’s basically fearful of Trump." Marty Baron, former executive editor of the Washington Post, interprets what Jeff Bazos announced this morning. open.substack.com/pub/zeteo/p/...

Dave Boliek is poised to become the only state auditor in the country responsible for overseeing elections. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NC’s Mark Robinson drops lawsuit against CNN for reporting on graphic, racist comments. Robinson says it would be a ‘futile effort’ to continue the litigation. He says he doesn’t have plans to run again for elected office. (Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

The legal battle over NC's Supreme Court election has persisted for over 2 months and grows more complicated by the day. That's why we've put together an FAQ and timeline to help make sense of the fight and the 60,000 votes that are at stake #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NEW: The NC Supreme Court's Republican majority blocked the state from certifying Democrat Allison Riggs as the winner in her race for the high court. She leads her opponent, Jefferson Griffin, by 734 votes following 2 recounts of the results. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Federal judge sends Republican challenge of 60,000 ballots back to NC Supreme Court. The decision is a win for Jefferson Griffin. The Court’s GOP majority could now throw out the ballots to give Griffin win over Allison Riggs. (Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

With results certified, Democrats officially break NC GOP’s supermajority — by one seat. State Board of Elections certified Bryan Cohn’s 228-vote win over Rep. Frank Sossamon after dismissing GOP challenges. (Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) #ncpol #ncga www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Republican Jefferson Griffin has asked the NC Supreme Court to intervene in his challenge of over 60,000 ballots and stay certification of the election. Griffin trails Democrat Allison Riggs by 734 votes following two recounts. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NEW: Mark Robinson's campaign paid $35,000 in a settlement agreement with the NC State Board of Elections after an investigation found a string of campaign finance violations. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Stein and Cooper sue NC Republicans over changes to State Highway Patrol in powers bill. They called SB382 an “unconstitutional and dangerous power grab” but didn't go after other items in law such as elections changes. (Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) #ncpol #NCGA www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Breaking: NC Republicans overturn Cooper’s veto, taking power from Stein and other Democrats #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

The NC State Board of Elections voted to dismiss Republican Jefferson Griffin's challenge of over 60,000 ballots in the state Supreme Court race. The race may not be over yet, though. Griffin could appeal the ruling in court. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NC won't conduct a full hand recount in the state Supreme Court race after two initial reviews showed Democrat Allison Riggs maintaining her lead over Republican Jefferson Griffin #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

NEW: Black voters were twice as likely as white voters to have their ballots challenged in election protests filed by Republican Jefferson Griffin in the NC Supreme Court race #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Start your week in #ncpol #ncga with our Under the Dome podcast. Host @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social and reporters @kyleingram.bsky.social and @koriedean.bsky.social talk about the power in SB 382, which the House plans to override this week. www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Coming up on our new podcast dropping Monday, host @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social talks with @kyleingram.bsky.social and @koriedean.bsky.social about the Senate veto override of SB 382, the expected House override vote, the Supreme Court race, Dave Boliek and more. Plus our picks for Headliner. #ncpol

NC Democrats sue over GOP’s challenge of 60,000 ballots in Supreme Court race. Democrats say Jefferson Griffin's election protests could lead to “mass disenfranchisement” & violate North Carolinians’ fundamental right to vote. (Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

From politics to sports to education, follow The News & Observer's journalists to keep up with the latest in the Triangle, North Carolina and beyond. Check out our Starter Pack. ⤵️ go.bsky.app/NWqptGw

As protesters shout, NC Senate Republicans override Cooper veto of powers-stripping bill. The bill includes some Helene relief but mostly is about taking power from newly elected Democrats. (Via @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social & @kyleingram.bsky.social) #ncpol #ncga www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

I’m quoted in an article about path for appeals of election protests in NC (elections for executive, judicial and legislative elections have different state constitutional provisions on this issue) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol

Just before the election, I published a book, Anatomy of a Purple State: A NC Politics Primer Since the election, a few people have asked whether NC is still a purple state and, more generally, what happened in NC in 2024? Here are some answers, heavy on the graphs, in a long thread (1/19) #ncpol

Great reporting by Mary Helen Moore and @solomonlexib.bsky.social here:

Looking for my colleagues at The News & Observer? I started a starter pack. #ncpol go.bsky.app/4x89jaX

New from me: UNC Charlotte and UNC Wilmington received approval last week to remove references to diversity in their mission statements. One change was in the works for years. But the other came as a result of the UNC System’s DEI repeal: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/e...

“Republicans wrote the bill in secret. They released it to the public one hour before beginning debate in the House. And they put it forward in a form that could not be amended.”

Republican Jefferson Griffin is challenging over 60,000 ballots statewide as the NC Supreme Court race heads to a recount. Many of his protests rely on legal theories posited by GOP lawyers that have been rejected by state and federal courts #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...