From the Office of Governor Roy Cooper: 

Legislative Republicans headed home last week without passing a budget or teacher pay raises and don’t plan to return until September 30th. Since June, Republican leaders have refused to negotiate a budget compromise, instead resorting to bribes, petty threats and outright lies to force ahead a budget that falls short on education funding and health care in favor of more corporate tax breaks.

“Republican leaders have made it clear that they prefer lies and bribes instead of compromise, and now they’ve left Raleigh without giving teachers a raise. North Carolina teachers deserve competitive pay raises and legislators should return to Raleigh, do their jobs and respond to my reasonable budget compromise offer,” said Governor Roy Cooper.

After refusing to negotiate or make a counteroffer to Governor Cooper’s compromise proposal, House Republicans forced through their budget by lying to House Democrats about when voting sessions would be held.

After GOP Rules Chair David Lewis, the chamber’s presiding officer at the time, told Democratic Leader Darren Jackson that no votes would be held the following morning, Speaker Tim Moore secretly gathered House Republicans on the morning of September 11th to pass the GOP budget. Amazingly, the Speaker then blamed the Democrats for “not showing up for work” even though he has now left Raleigh without a teacher pay raise or a budget compromise in place.

Until a budget is passed, North Carolina teachers are working without pay raises or annual step increases in salary. Legislative Republicans’ budget would give teachers an unacceptable 3.8% raise that is less than other state employees would receive and would make North Carolina less competitive with other states. Governor Cooper’s compromise proposed an 8.5% average teacher pay raise.

Leigh Brown, a longtime successful realtor, CEO and author, announced her candidacy for North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, which comprises all or parts of Mecklenburg, Union, Anson, Richmond, Bladen, Robeson, Cumberland and Scotland counties. Brown filed in the Republican Primary at the State Board of Elections today.

Brown, a wife and mother of two, owns RE/MAX Leigh Brown & Associates based in Concord, N.C., where she has helped people across the state -- including the 9th district -- buy and sell homes. With experience as a realtor and business owner, Brown knows what it takes for businesses and communities to thrive.

“As a realtor, there’s no better person to serve in an elective office than somebody like me who sits across the kitchen table from homeowners every single day and helps find solutions to their problems,” Brown said.

Primarily, Brown’s campaign is focused on implementing fiscally conservative leadership in Washington, while working with President Trump to create jobs, cut taxes and keep the economy on track by reducing regulatory overreach. Brown vows to always put North Carolina first and never back down from a fight.

A conservative outsider, Brown aims to bring a new perspective and business savvy to politics and change the way things are done in Washington. Brown will support President Trump and bring a strong pro-gun and pro-life mindset to the table.

Brown entered the real estate world in 2010, where she established one of the nation’s best real estate companies and served as an official for the National Association of REALTORS ®. Along with real estate, Brown ventured into writing where she became a bestselling author, including “Outrageous Authenticity™” and “The 7 Deadly Sins of Sales™.” She’s traveled the state and country giving inspirational speeches and helping audiences reach their goals.

Brown, born and raised in North Carolina, is a proud graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and currently raising her family in the state. She is the wife of Steve and mother of middle schoolers Cora and Timmy. Brown is no stranger to the 9th district, as most of her family is from Union and Anson counties. When time permits, Brown enjoys volunteering with Meals on Wheels.

“It’s about time we had somebody at the table who is willing to find solutions and do what it takes to get the job done. I am that person. I’m excited for the opportunity to serve the people of the 9th district.”

It’s a tie! New polling shows why North Carolina’s gubernatorial race is likely to be the most watched in the country. Public Policy Polling data shows Republican incumbent Pat McCrory is locked in a tie-game battle with his Democratic rival Roy Cooper. Host Donna Martinez looks at the race and the potential impact of House Bill 2 on the race with Rick Martinez, Vice President of News & Information for Curtis Media Group. The two also discuss Congresswoman Virginia Foxx’s role at the upcoming Republican National Convention and discuss bad news for Hillary Clinton this week in the in the form of an Inspector General report about her use of a private email server. Then People in Politics Special Correspondent Patrick Johnson talks with Lt. Gov. Dan Forest about the Trump nomination’s possible impact on Forest’s tight race against Democrat Linda Coleman. Forest also strikes back at critics of HB2 who say it’s hurting North Carolina. Then Martinez offers an in-depth look at North Carolina’s most heated congressional primary race. The June 7 primary ballot features a three-person battle among Republicans seeking the party’s nomination for the 2nd District seat. Incumbent Renee Ellmers is taking heat from her two opponents, current 13th District Congressman George Holding and Tea Party favorite Dr. Greg Brannon. You’ll hear all three in their own words.

McCrory. Cooper. Debates. This week, we learned the two major candidates for governor will take to the debate stage to woo votes in the most watched gubernatorial races in the country. Host Donna Martinez talks about the race dynamics – debates, House Bill 2, jobs and the economy, and the presidential candidates – with Rick Martinez, Vice President of News and Information for Curtis Media Group. They also discuss whether North Carolina’s election law changes favor either party. The appeal by the NAACP and other advocacy groups will be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals next month. At the heart of the criticism is the new requirement to present a photo I.D. to vote. The the panel also discusses the political activism of ice cream moguls Ben and Jerry, who were in North Carolina this week on a political trip. That’s followed by a look at Donald Trump’s strategy to unite Republicans by issuing a list of potential Supreme Court  picks, and the continued surge of Democrat Bernie Sanders. Finally, Martinez talks with an author who has identified Wake County, North Carolina as one of seven counties in the U.S. whose demographics make it a bellwether for which party will win the presidential election.

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He’s out! The state Republican Party gives the heave-ho to its chairman, Hasan Harnett, replacing him with former chairman Robin Hayes. The move comes after a year of tension and turmoil between the grassroots conservative wing of the party and the establishment types. Host Donna Martinez talks with Rick Martinez, vice president of news and information for Curtis Media Group about the dynamic of the insider versus the outsider and what comes next for state Republicans. Speaking of tug of war, it looks like Donald Trump will be the Republican presidential nominee following his trouncing of Ted Cruz in Indiana. Meantime, Bernie Sanders continues to beat Hillary Clinton, yet news media seem ho-hum about his growing strength within a party that has moved decidedly to the left following the election of Barack Obama. Donna and Rick discuss the implications of a Trump versus Clinton race. Then we turn to money in politics. The Federal Election Commission has ruled unanimously that North Carolina’s June 7 congressional primary election represents a completely new fundraising cycle, meaning donors who had maxed out previously can begin at zero leading up to June 7. The opinion had been sought by George Holding, who is one of three Republicans seeking the party’s nomination for the 2nd District seat in Congress, now held by Renee Ellmers. Martinez talks with the third person in the race, Dr. Greg Brannon, about his views on issues and the distinctions he seems between himself and Holding and Ellmers. Finally, Martinez reports on the gearing up the gubernatorial race as both governors associations weigh in with ads for and against Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican incumbent Pat McCrory.

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It’s here! Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 15. All eyes are on North Carolina and our impact on the presidential race, but big races also on the ballot include multiple Council of State races, key legislative primaries, and a $2 billion bond referendum. This week, we offer listeners once last chance to hear the Democratic and Republican primary candidates for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Richard Burr. You’ll  hear from Democrats Kevin Griffin, Ernest Reeves, Chris Rey, and Deborah Ross as they talk with host Donna Martinez about their background and what distinguishes them from their opponents. You’ll also hear comments from Republicans Larry Holmquist and Greg Brannon – two of the four Republicans on the ballot. Richard Burr and Paul Wright did not respond to our request for interviews. Then we turn to the fascinating race to replace outgoing state Treasurer Janet Cowell, a Democrat. We talked with the two Democrats seeking their party’s nomination – Dan Blue III and Ron Elmer – and you’ll hear excerpts from those interviews in which they talk about state spending on investment professionals. And finally, Martinez gets the latest on endorsements and ads in the Democratic primary for Lt. Governor, from Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal. The two also discuss fundraising numbers in the U.S. Senate race, presidential polling numbers in North Carolina, and two key legislative races that could portend the future of House Speaker Tim Moore.

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Just 10 days to go and with early voting underway, the candidate endorsements are coming in and the advertisements are going on the air as the politicians craft their final messages to voters. Host Donna Martinez gets the latest campaign trail news from Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal. The two discuss the Winston-Salem Journal endorsement of Democrat Ken Spaulding in the Democratic primary for governor, as well as the TV ad being aired by Democratic Senatorial candidate Deborah Ross. Then Henderson explains why Charlotte’s new public accommodations ordinance might become an issue in the general election campaign for governor. Next is Martinez’ conversation with Jane Pinsky of the North Carolina Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform. With the state’s congressional districts caught in a legal fight over election fairness, Pinsky is calling for a new push to remove district drawing from state legislators. She tells Martinez how the process is working in Iowa, a state considered to be a leader in redistricting reform. That’s followed by Martinez’s discussion with Ernest Reeves, one of four Democrats seeking the party’s nomination for U.S. Senate. Reeves talks about his qualifications, his view on foreign policy and domestic issues, and why he thinks he is the best Democratic candidate to face the Republican nominee in November. He joins Deborah Ross, Kevin Griffin, and Chris Rey in that quest. On the Republican side, the candidates are incumbent Richard Burr, Larry Holmquist, Paul Wright, and Greg Brannon.

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This week, it’s a game of musical chairs as congressional candidates scramble to determine what to do in light of new district lines submitted to a federal court, along with a delayed primary election date. Host Donna Martinez gets the latest from the campaign trail from Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal. The two discuss the announcement by 13th District Congressman George Holding that he will challenge fellow Republican Congresswoman Renee Ellmers for the 2nd District seat in Congress. New map lines put Holding outside the new 13th District and within several miles of the 2nd. Henderson talks about Ellmers’ reaction, and word that state legislator Andrew Brock of Davie County has thrown his hat into the race for the new 13th District – which was moved about 100 miles west of its current location in the greater Triangle. Then Martinez asks Henderson about the Senate endorsement for Deborah Ross from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which typically does not endorse in the primary, and what’s at the heart of a complaint filed with the State Board of Elections by a liberal activist group about ads for the $2 billion bond referendum featuring video of Gov. Pat McCrory. Then Martinez gets the latest presidential polling data from Kenneth Fernandez of the Elon University Poll. He explains that on the Republican side, Trump still leads handily in North Carolina but Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are on the rise. He also discusses the challenge for Democrat Hillary Clinton, who is leading but still faces a stiff race with Bernie Sanders.

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The countdown to primary day has begun. With just five weeks until North Carolinians stream to the polls to cast ballots, the race for the U.S. Senate seat nominations has geared up. Host Donna Martinez talks with Democratic candidate Deborah Ross about her run for the party’s nomination, whether or not she will participate in televised debates, her background with the ACLU and her views on national security. Ross has been endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and faces Ernest Reeves, Kevin Griffin, and Chris Rey in the primary. Then we hear from key presidential candidates following the raucous Iowa caucuses. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wows his supporters following his razor thin  loss to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, while Clinton revs up her crowd after declaring victory. We also hear from the three key Republican finishers: winner Ted Cruz, senator from Texas, entrepreneur Donald Trump, who faded to second place, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who outperformed the polls and rode his strong finish out of Iowa and into New Hampshire. That’s followed by Martinez’ conversation with Catawba College Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer, who offers perspective on Iowa and what’s ahead as the candidates make their way to North Carolina.

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On this Christmas holiday weekend, we take a look at North Carolina's political past and at its political future. You'll  hear host Donna Martinez' recent conversation with former North Carolina Gov. Jim Martin, the first Republican in our state's history to hold the top job for two terms in a state dominated for many decades by Democrats. Martin tells Martinez about his political rise from a Mecklenburg County commissioner to U.S. Congressman and then to governor. They discuss his legacy, his approach to working with Democrats, and his impact on the rise of the GOP in North Carolina, where many of Martin's deputies now hold top positions in state politics and government. After looking at a key player in the state's political history, Martinez charts the 2016 election cycle with Tom Jensen of the Democratic polling firm Public Policy Polling. Jensen delves into his firm's latest data of North Carolina voters, who give incumbent Gov. Pat McCrory the edge over key Democratic rival Roy Cooper, the sitting Attorney General, in a race being watched by the nation. Jensen also discusses the Democratic Party's effort to unseat Republican U.S. Senator Richard Burr, as well as the unusual race for president in a cycle that is very friendly to
outsiders and very unfriendly to experienced politicians.