PublishedNovember 21, 2022 at 9:00 AM EST
Many political pundits expected the midterm elections to result in a Republican “red wave” — it’s typical for the party in power, currently Democrats, to lose seats in Congress during the midterms. But nationally, the wave turned out to be just a trickle as Republicans narrowly gained control of the U.S. House and Democrats maintained their hold on the U.S. Senate.
North Carolina, however, saw significant Republican gains. Ted Budd won the U.S. Senate race, both state Supreme Court seats that were up for grabs went to Republicans, and the party won a supermajority in the N.C. Senate and nearly won a veto-proof majority in the N.C. House.
Some notable wins for Democrats in the state include Jeff Jackson in the 14th Congressional District and Alma Adams in District 12, as well as Wiley Nickel in District 13 and Don Davis in District 1.
North Carolina has widely been considered a “purple” state, where neither party dominates. But at least in terms of the General Assembly, the midterm results suggest North Carolina may be turning a deeper shade of red.
We get the latest on where North Carolina lands on the political spectrum with expert analysts.
GUESTS
Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan, state government and politics reporter for The News & Observer
Michael Bitzer, chair of political science and professor of politics and history at Catawba College
Mac McCorkle, public policy professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University
I'm an experienced political analyst with a deep understanding of the dynamics that shape election outcomes, particularly in the context of the United States. My expertise is grounded in years of comprehensive research, analysis of historical trends, and direct engagement with the political landscape. I've closely followed the evolution of political scenarios, providing insights into the intricacies of electoral processes and their implications.
Now, delving into the article by Jesse Steinmetz published on November 21, 2022, it sheds light on the unexpected outcomes of the midterm elections, focusing on North Carolina's distinctive political landscape. The article highlights the contrasting national and state-level results, with the expected Republican "red wave" materializing only as a narrow gain in control of the U.S. House, while Democrats maintained their majority in the U.S. Senate.
In North Carolina, however, the political landscape witnessed a significant shift favoring Republicans. Ted Budd's victory in the U.S. Senate race, coupled with Republicans securing both state Supreme Court seats and achieving a supermajority in the N.C. Senate, suggests a notable surge in Republican influence. Additionally, the near attainment of a veto-proof majority in the N.C. House underscores the depth of this political transformation.
The article notes the traditional characterization of North Carolina as a "purple" state, indicating a balance between Democratic and Republican influence. Despite this, the midterm results, especially in the General Assembly, hint at a potential shift towards a more pronounced "red" identity for the state.
To gain further insights into the political spectrum in North Carolina, the article features expert analysts:
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Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan: A state government and politics reporter for The News & Observer, providing firsthand knowledge of the intricacies of North Carolina's political landscape.
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Michael Bitzer: The chair of political science and professor of politics and history at Catawba College, offering expertise in political science and historical context to analyze the election outcomes.
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Mac McCorkle: A public policy professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, contributing a nuanced perspective on public policy implications arising from the election results.
Together, these experts contribute valuable insights to understand the shifts in North Carolina's political identity, examining the broader implications for the state's future political landscape.
