ELECTIONS
Campaign Spotlight: House District 103
Rep. Rachel Hunt’s decision to run for Senate instead of re-election created an open contest in a corner of Mecklenburg County that makes for one of the blue county’s few remaining competitive districts.
Poll Watch: Tight Senate race numbers
A pair of new polls released Thursday both show an extremely tight U.S. Senate race between Democrat Cheri Beasley and Republican Ted Budd.
Reives attacks attack ads
House Democratic Leader Robert Reives says his opponent’s attack ads have gone too far, “dragging in” his family members as the campaign for his House seat in Chatham and Randolph counties heats up.
Poll Watch: High Point University survey
High Point University’s Survey Research Center released a new poll this week, and while this one didn’t assess the state of the U.S. Senate race or other top ballot contests, it did offer some interesting insights
More 501(c)4 groups playing big role in legislative races
Dark money 501(c)4 groups might be playing an even bigger role in legislative races this year, perhaps spending more than political party organizations, PACs and the campaigns themselves.
Dark money ads prompt Photoshopping complaints
Democrats are crying foul over a series of Photoshopped campaign mailers targeting incumbent legislators in highly competitive districts.
Campaign Spotlight: House District 24
Wilson County leans left, but not by much. So it’s no surprise that several legislative races in this area are considered competitive.
'Trusted Elections Tour' offers election process details
I recently got to serve as moderator for one of the “N.C. Trusted Elections Tour” events in Albemarle.
Campaign Spotlight: House District 62
House District 62 is one of the most competitive legislative districts in Guilford County, but it’s one where the incumbent Republican has weathered challenging campaigns before.
Follow The Money: Outside spending
Outside ad spending continues to pour into North Carolina, much of it coming from Republican-aligned groups backing U.S. Rep. Ted Budd for Senate and Bo Hines in the state’s most competitive congressional race.
Robinson's media blitz
WRAL reporter Bryan Anderson published a fascinating, highly detailed profile of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson over the weekend.
Poll Watch: Emerson College Polling
Emerson College Polling has a new survey out on the U.S. Senate race, and it’s got Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Budd with a slight lead over Democrat Cheri Beasley that remains within the poll’s margin of error. It shows a tighter race than the pollsters’ last survey back in May.
Campaign Spotlight: Senate District 24
Senate District 24 is one of only four “toss-up” Senate districts under the new maps, according to ratings by the conservative John Locke Foundation. But despite that, the race has gotten relatively little attention compared to other competitive contests.
Attack ad in one of the most competitive N.C. Senate races
One of the Triangle’s most competitive N.C. Senate races is getting negative. This week, District 18 Democratic candidate Mary Wills Bode launched a new TV ad attacking the business record of her Republican opponent, E.C. Sykes. The district includes northern Wake and Granville counties.