Far-right activist Michele Morrow enters NC’s GOP primary for Senate vs. Whatley She previously called for the execution of high-profile Democrats, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden

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
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Meet our democracy reporter, covering how NC votes — and whether votes count Kyle Ingram is The News & Observer’s democracy reporter.

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 kingram@newsobserver.com
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NC legislative committee demands personal political records from State Bar The Bar’s executive director denied the committee’s request, saying that the agency is apolitical and does not maintain such records.

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
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Immigration agents expected to come to Raleigh, mayor says. Here’s what we know U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents descended on Charlotte over the weekend.

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

Cecil Brockman, facing sex crime charges, released on bail — but with conditions Brockman, who resigned from the legislature last week, will be held on house arrest and banned from using a cellphone until his trial.

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
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New details emerge in Cecil Brockman’s case as judge reduces his bail Brockman appeared in court Monday, three days after resigning from the legislature.

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
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Federal judge rejects racial gerrymandering challenge to NC Senate map The judge said he declined to direct the legislature to “engage in the odious practice of sorting voters by race in order to create a majority-Black Senate district.”

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

Berger denies making map deal with Trump, but an NC lawmaker wants an investigation Senate leader Phil Berger said he was open to redrawing NC’s political map to further benefit Republicans.

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
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NC auditor hires former GOP director in new ‘election integrity’ oversight role Dallas Woodhouse, who led the state GOP from 2015 to 2019, will serve as the election liaison in Auditor Dave Boliek’s office.

NC Auditor Dave Boliek hires Dallas Woodhouse, former GOP director, in new 'election integrity' oversight role #ncpol
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Top NC Republican floats redrawing congressional map to help GOP He also rebutted claims that the redistricting effort would be part of a deal to secure President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

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

NC’s auditor is typically a quiet role. Under Dave Boliek, that’s changing Republican lawmakers have steadily allocated a variety of additional powers and resources to Boliek’s office since his election in November.

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

Accused of drugging ice cream, a Republican NC elections official resigns State Auditor Dave Boliek, who appointed the county elections chair, asked for his resignation following charges of drugging granddaughters’ ice cream.

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
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Homeland Security asks NC to feed voter list into citizenship verification system The program has drawn criticism — both nationally and in North Carolina — for using unreliable or outdated information that could incorrectly identify people as noncitizens.

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)

#ncpol

Who are the 100,000 NC voters with incomplete registrations? What our analysis shows These voters must provide updated registration information before the next election or risk barriers to making their ballots count.

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
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NC News Roundup: Trump administration files suit over NC voter registrations; disagreement over ferry tolls on the coast The Trump administration is joining the battle over voter registrations in NC.

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

Griffin concedes NC Supreme Court race, ending unprecedented effort to overturn election Griffin’s concession puts to bed a contentious and chaotic saga in NC politics, one that has raised substantial questions about democracy and may impact the state’s elections for years to come.

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

Federal judge orders NC to certify Riggs as winner in Supreme Court election The decision could bring an end to nearly six months of legal battles over the Republican candidate’s attempt to overturn his loss.

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
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In contested Supreme Court race, NC Republicans test their ability to overturn an election 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.

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

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NC Court of Appeals gives 65,000 challenged voters 15 days to prove eligibility The majority wrote that, even though they have the authority to completely throw out the contested ballots, they decided to instead mandate a cure period for most of the challenged voters.

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
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NC Republicans file sweeping bill targeting transgender rights to bathrooms, documents The bill reignites a contentious debate over transgender bathroom access that roiled the state in 2016 following the passage of HB2.

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

NC Republicans file sweeping bill targeting transgender rights to bathrooms, documents The bill reignites a contentious debate over transgender bathroom access that roiled the state in 2016 following the passage of HB2.

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
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Hey Billy! In concurring opinions earlier in the case several Supreme Court justices wrote that they expected the matter would eventually come before them. I’d also assume whichever party loses at the Court of Appeals will quickly appeal that ruling.

Interview: NC GOP chair defends challenge of 65,000 votes in Supreme Court election While Judge Jefferson Griffin has declined to comment on his effort to overturn the election results, the chair of the NC GOP, which has joined in his lawsuit, sat down for an interview with The N&O.

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 NC lawmakers blast Republican effort to ban DEI in state government Sen. Kandie Smith said the bill could make it possible to “impeach me from office because I’m Black.”

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/...

‘A sleeping giant.’ Republican NC auditor talks DMV, DEI and new election powers Dave Boliek is poised to become the only state auditor in the country responsible for overseeing elections.

Dave Boliek is poised to become the only state auditor in the country responsible for overseeing elections. #ncpol

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NC’s Mark Robinson drops lawsuit against CNN for reporting on graphic, racist comments The defamation lawsuit came after CNN published a story linking the North Carolina Republican to a series of racist and sexually graphic online comments.

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...

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