Erica Smith Coverage

Top 7 PolitiFact NC fact-checks of 2022

Local claims about crime and immigration were PolitiFact North Carolina's top-read stories of the year.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

The winner of North Carolina's primary elections? Big, outside money.

Political interest groups from outside of North Carolina offered an unprecedented level of financial support to candidates, including some who couldn't win without it.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government report

Don Davis, Sandy Smith advance to November election for Butterfield seat

The state's 1st Congressional District, which covers much of eastern North Carolina, leans Democratic but could become a competitive general election contest in November.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Abortion takes on heightened political importance as NC primary nears

Top candidates in competitive races shared their views on abortion in light of a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court indicating that it could overturn Roe v. Wade.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Butterfield backs moderate Democrat Davis in race for northeastern NC congressional district

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina endorsed state Sen. Don Davis' bid to take his seat in the 1st Congressional District. Former state Sen. Erica Smith is also running.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Primary battle to replace U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield becomes a barometer for NC Democrats

In the primary battle for the 1st Congressional District, state Sen. Don Davis and former state Sen. Erica Smith have competing visions. Davis wants to work with Republicans. Smith wants a more forceful Democratic Party.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Erica Smith Headshot

Former Democratic state Sen. Erica Smith is running in North Carolina's 1st Congressional District. (photo by Bryan Anderson)

Erica Smith v. Don Davis

Former state Sen. Erica Smith and current state Sen. Don Davis address Democratic voters at an April 2 forum in Pitt County. They are both seeking the Democratic Party nomination in North Carolina's 1st Congressional District. (photo by Bryan Anderson)

7 competitive North Carolina political races you should watch

North Carolinians who care about the balance of power in Washington and Raleigh now have a clearer picture of the state's most consequential races.

Paul Specht and Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporters

Fact check: Are corporate profits at record highs because companies are 'overcharging?'

Erica Smith, a Democrat running for North Carolina's newly-drawn 2nd Congressional District seat, tweeted: "Corporate profit margins are at their highest point in 70 years. ... They're overcharging us for gas, medicine, and groceries, and pocketing the difference." PolitiFact NC checks her claim.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Cheri Beasley says her support of filibuster reform has always been 'very clear'

At a campaign event, U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley said: "We need filibuster reform, and I've always been very clear about that." PolitiFact reviews her statements.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Democrat touts vote on police body camera law

A Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina says he was among a small group of legislators who opposed the so-called "body camera law" that permits a judge to shield footage of Andrew Brown Jr.'s death from the public.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

As expected, Jackson jumps into 2022 US Senate race for Democrats

Two Democrats are now in what may become a crowded field for U.S. Sen. Richard Burr's seat.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

More harassment accusations leveled against NC state senator

State Sen. Erica Smith says Sen. Toby Fitch invited her to perform oral sex on him as "practice."

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Sen. Erica Smith accuses colleagues of harassment

Sen. Erica Smith, D-Northampton, who ran this year for the U.S. Senate, said three fellow Democrats made disparaging or sexual comments and that one of them - Sen. Paul Lowe, D-Forsyth, - was seconds away from physically assaulting her last year before colleagues stepped in.

NC lawmaker accuses multiple senators of abusive behavior

"It's like being bullied on the playground," Sen. Erica Smith says, "and everybody else is turning a blind eye."

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Fact check: Rev. Barber says Democrats lose 'every time' Senate group overlooks black candidates

The Rev. Dr. William Barber says that every time the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has overlooked a black candidate in North Carolina's Senate primary, the endorsed candidate has gone on to lose. This year, the DSCC endorsed Cal Cunningham over Erica Smith.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Headed to the polls? Beware of deceptive voter guides

Undecided this election? Politicians and special interest groups are more than willing to tell you about their preferred candidate. The problem? Some campaign materials are deceptive, and their creators have questionable ties.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

GOP says Democrats funded similar ads in 2014 Senate primary

A political committee linked to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is funding ads and other campaign materials designed to meddle in North Carolina's Democratic Senate primary, the group acknowledged on Friday.

Ad in US Senate campaign causes uproar

The first significant ad buy for state Sen. Erica Smith, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, appears to be backed by Republicans.

Fact check: Erica Smith says she hasn't taken corporate PAC money 'since 2016'

It appears that Erica Smith hasn't taken corporate PAC money during her U.S. Senate campaign against Sen. Thom Tillis. But she did take corporate PAC money while running for state office.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Tillis says Cunningham, Smith support immigrant sanctuaries

Like many Republicans up for election, U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis is putting immigration at the forefront of his campaign. To contrast himself with his Democratic opponents, he's pointing to House Bill 370.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Is Democrat consistently outpolling Tillis 'out of the gate'?

State Sen. Erica Smith is running for U.S. Senate. Smith says she's not only beating other Democrats, but is also the first black, female Senate candidate to ever lead an incumbent "in every poll out of the gate." Is she really beating incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis?

Fact check: Is this black US Senate candidate 'making history?'

State Sen. Erica Smith is running for U.S. Senate. Smith says she's not only beating other Democrats, but is also the first black, female Senate candidate to ever lead an incumbent "in every poll out of the gate." Is she really beating incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis?

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Senate votes against policies to soften racial disparities in school discipline

Bill would require schools to do away with policies put in place during Obama era.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter