N.C. Senate Campaigns Coverage

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Old Jim Crow; New Jim Crow?

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Federal judge has tough questions for Black voters claiming racial gerrymandering in NC maps

Black voters in Northeastern North Carolina are suing to temporarily halt the elections for at least two state Senate districts, saying GOP leaders engaged in racial gerrymandering when they drew the districts. Republican leaders say they didn't use racial data to draw the districts.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC Senate candidate challenges opponent's residency

A state senator double bunked in the latest round of redistricting said she would move to avoid running for re-election against a colleague. Her potential opponent questions whether that disqualifies her to serve, or to run.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC political battle brewing over state senate Democrat's residency

State senate Republicans are calling on Democratic Senator Lisa Grafstein to resign her seat after she moved to a new address to accommodate new district lines drawn just weeks ago..

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

NC Republicans appear to grab Senate supermajority, just shy in House

North Carolina Republicans are hoping to gain a majority in the General Assembly strong enough to thwart vetoes by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

NC Republicans win Senate supermajority, but fall just shy in House

North Carolina Republicans were hoping to gain a majority in both houses of the General Assembly that would be strong enough to thwart vetoes by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Brian Murphy, WRAL News

DAMON CIRCOSTA: Keeping the trust so voting is accessible, secure and fair

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022 -- As we enter our season of democracy, I am asking you for help. As we go to vote this fall, I am asking for your patience, your grace, and your assistance to ensure that voting in elections remains the cornerstone of our democracy.

Cooper endorsement lifts Applewhite over deViere

The Cumberland County seat is expected to be competitive in November and has drawn attention because of Gov. Roy Cooper's involvement.

Laura Leslie and Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporters

Republican, Democratic strategists believe day-of voting should decide US Senate race

Republican strategist Carter Wrenn and Democratic strategist Brad Crone talked with WRAL's David Crabtree about the US Senate race between Sen. Thom Tillis and Cal Cunningham and what could make the difference in the race.

Forest supporters remain at event despite Cooper being re-elected as governor

WRAL's Aaron Thomas was in Johnston County with the campaign for governor for Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. Gov. Roy Cooper has been re-elected as governor, according to NBC News.

Political consultant on NC races 'It's a weird year'

WRAL's David Crabtree spoke with independent lobbyist and political consultant Theresa Kostrzewa about the key national and state races in North Carolina and what we may be able to expect as the polls close and the votes are counted.

Campaign spending has been heavy in Senate, state races

Political campaigns spend a lot of money trying to manipulate you. This cycle set a record: About $14 billion, roughly double what was spent on 2016, according to the folks at Open Secrets, a group that tracks campaign spending.

Tillis campaign feeling good it can close gap as Cunningham leads US Senate race

The US Senate race has been hot and heavy between Sen. Thom Tillis and Democrat Cal Cunningham. Both candidates were out Tuesday making last-minute pitches to voters.

Cunningham offers apology in recorded message

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham offered an apology in a recorded speech Wednesday that was part of the NCLCV Green Tie Awards virtual event.

Timeline of Tillis' events, travels before testing positive for the coronavirus

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis tested positive for coronavirus less than one day after President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's announcement that they also had COVID-19. But where did Tillis contract it?

Virus, texts complicate NC Senate race

With Thom Tillis testing positive for COVID-19 and Cal Cunningham apologizing for exchanging sexually suggestive text messages with a woman who's not his wife, the race for the NC Senate is complex this year.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Cleaning up campaigning

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Multiple names, but all one group behind attack ads

A dark money group is making buys on television and Facebook, kicking campaign season into gear ahead of November elections.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

GOP holds NC House, Senate super-majorities despite Wake losses

Wake County Republican Reps. Marilyn Avila and Gary Pendleton lost close races, but Republicans maintained an iron grip on the state House and state Senate.

Mark Binker

Barringer calls for HB2 repeal, faces criticism from re-election opponent

Sen. Tamara Barringer, R-Wake, says House Bill 2 has had "unintended consequences." Her Democratic opponent says Barringer "knew what she was doing" when she voted for the bill.

Mark Binker

Just a few seats could shift balance of power in NC

Will voters take out their frustrations on incumbents or return the Republicans to their super-majority in the state legislature?

Cullen Browder

Fact Check: Does average NC teacher really make $50,000?

Legislative candidates and Gov. Pat McCrory have been touting teacher salary increases in their campaign ads. But is it true that the average North Carolina teacher makes $50,000?

Mark Binker

USDA to reopen offices in NC, 4 other states after threats

The U.S. Agriculture Department said Tuesday it had closed offices in Raleigh and in four other states after receiving anonymous threats that it considered serious.

Local legislative incumbents weather primary challenges

Reps. Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, and David Lewis, R-Harnett, are among the incumbents who lead their challengers in primaries Tuesday night.

Mark Binker

Top lawmakers say special session on Charlotte bathrooms possible

Senate leaders criticized Attorney General Roy Cooper for not taking action to invalidate a Charlotte nondiscrimination ordinance. Meanwhile, House Speaker Tim Moore says more than three-fifths of his members have asked to return to Raleigh in order to invalidate the ordinance.

Mark Binker