Republican Party Coverage

Thomas Farr, conservative lawyer behind decades of GOP political wins in North Carolina, dies at 69

Farr had been involved in North Carolina politics starting with the 1984 campaign for U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms and up until the present day, helping Republican leaders craft legal strategies -- and defending many of their most controversial new laws in court.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: National campaigns are going local for votes in North Carolina

Friday, March 29, 2024 -- Given the high stakes and emphasis the Republican and Democratic national campaigns have in North Carolina, even those candidates who may think they have a free ride won't be allowed to rest on their laurels.

Who is Michael Whatley? New head of the RNC is from NC

At the Republican National Committee's spring meeting here Friday, members elevated Trump's endorsed candidates - North Carolina GOP chairman Michael Whatley and the former president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump - to serve as the organization's new chair and co-chair, respectively.

NC GOP's Whatley, a Trump ally, named Republican National Committee chairman

Houston (CNN) -- Donald Trump wasted little time putting his imprint on the Republican Party just days after becoming its presumptive presidential nominee.

By Alayna Treene, Daniel Strauss and Aaron Pellish, CNN

NC GOP chairman, a possible candidate for RNC chair, parroted Trump's 2020 election lies

Former President Donald Trump and his allies are pushing to replace the chair of the Republican National Committee with North Carolina's party leader who promoted 2020 presidential election lies and supported using the courts to overturn the results.

By Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck, CNN

NBC Special Report: Donald Trump wins Iowa Republican Caucus

Former president Donald Trump, the presumed favorite for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, has won the Iowa Caucus, according to NBC News.

Trump wins Iowa Caucus; Haley, DeSantis battling for second

The first nominating contest of the 2024 GOP race is here. On Monday, the Iowa Caucus will set the stage. It will offer our first major insight into who will claim the Republican nomination.

Iowa poll: Trump surpasses 50% support ahead of first GOP contest

Former President Donald Trump has expanded his lead over his GOP rivals with five weeks until the first Republican presidential nominating contest, now earning more 51% first-choice support from likely caucusgoers, according to the latest NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll of Iowa.

Mark Murray and Alex Tabet

DeSantis, all-in on Iowa, finishes 99-county tour where he started: Far behind Trump in a critical state

Newton, Iowa (CNN) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will complete his tour of Iowa's 99 counties on Saturday, a milestone he has pursued with dogmatic zeal as his White House aspirations grew closely tied to his performance in the Republican Party's first presidential nominating contest.

By Steve Contorno and Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN

Republican leaders propose new NC Congressional districts, could strengthen GOP's power

The proposed congressional map would likely flip multiple U.S. House districts in North Carolina from Democrat to Republican in 2024. That could boost the national Republican Party's effort to retain or strengthen control of the chamber in Washington.

Republican leaders propose new NC congressional districts that could strengthen GOP's power

The proposed congressional map would likely flip multiple U.S. House districts in North Carolina from Democrat to Republican in 2024. That could boost the national Republican Party's effort to retain or strengthen control of the chamber in Washington.

Will Doran and Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporters

Eminem asks Ramaswamy to stop using his music after 'Lose Yourself' performance

(CNN) -- After performing his rendition of Eminem's "Lose Yourself" at the Iowa State Fair, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has been asked by the Real Slim Shady to stand down.

By Aaron Pellish and Anna-Maja Rappard, CNN

Fact-check: How accurate are 2024 Republican presidential candidates' attacks on one another?

Republican candidates for president have a short but weighty to-do list as they face-off in the first debate of the 2024 election Aug. 23: Grab voter attention. Erode former President Donald Trump's polling lead. And build a credible case for why they should be in the White House.

Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporter

Iowa poll shows GOP divide over Trump remaining party leader

41% of likely caucusgoers want Trump to continue as GOP leader, but more than half are open to another direction

Mark Murray and Alexandra Marquez, NBC News

Trump's GOP lead grows after latest indictment, poll finds; national NBC News poll shows party split over whether Trump should remain GOP leader

Former President Donald Trump has expanded his lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the rest of the Republican presidential field after Trump's latest indictment on federal criminal charges, according to a new national NBC News poll.

Defiant in face of federal indictments, Trump decries 'election interference' in NC GOP convention speech

Former President Donald Trump laughed off publicity about dozens of federal charges against him saying, "In a sick way, I kind of enjoy it," since he thinks the charges help his presidential campaign in polling and fundraising.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump and Mike Pence to speak at NC GOP Convention in Greensboro

The North Carolina GOP's annual convention in Greensboro aims to offer conservative voters and political observers the chance to see speeches by Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump and Mike Pence as they vie to take on Democratic President Joe Biden in 2024. The event comes amid news of Trump's indictment.

GOP Revolts Over Debt Limit Deal as Bill Moves Toward a House Vote

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan deal to suspend the federal debt ceiling advanced on Tuesday night toward a climactic House vote despite a rebellion by hard-right Republicans who said the party was squandering a chance to force fundamental changes in government spending.

Carl Hulse and Catie Edmondson, New York Times

Fact check: Did DeSantis exempt Disney from anti-discrimination law?

On NBC's "Meet the Press," Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law with a last-minute exception "for anyone who also operates a theme park more than 25 acres in the state of Florida."

Matthew Crowley and Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact reporter

'This country is in a lot of trouble': Mike Pence visits UNC, mum about potential presidential run in 2024

Mike Pence spoke Wednesday in Chapel Hill but did not say whether he planned to run for president in 2024.

Former Vice President Mike Pence visiting UNC Wednesday

This morning, big crowds are expected at UNC Chapel Hill during a visit from former Vice President Mike Pence. This visit comes as expectations rise for Pence to run for the 2024 GOP Presidential nominee.

Mike Pence speaks at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, mum about potential presidential run in 2024

Mike Pence spoke Wednesday in Chapel Hill but did not say whether he planned to run for president in 2024.

Nia Harden, WRAL reporter, Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Red carpet or perp walk?

Monday, April 3, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

How NC's multibillion-dollar Medicaid deal was reached -- and who it benefits

Rural North Carolina stands to benefit most from Medicaid expansion, and many rural lawmakers and health care leaders were the ones negotiating the final deal. Why one hospital executive calls it "an immediate shot in the arm."

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC lawmakers to propose new abortion limits as soon as next week, top Republican says

Republican lawmakers plan to file a new bill restricting abortion access. How far it should go is still up for debate among Republicans.

Travis Fain and Will Doran, WRAL state government reporters