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What is motivating North Carolina voters as the fall general election nears? Joe Stewart and Matt Bales of the North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation talk about results of their analysis and explain the changing demographic trends in our state that are ushering in changes in long-standing voting behavior as well. Then host Donna Martinez gets the latest on the July 15 congressional runoff race in District 6 from Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson. He discusses the differences in the campaign tactics of Republicans Phil Berger Jr. and Mark Walker, who are vying for the GOP nomination for the seat held for decades by retiring Rep. Howard Coble. The two also discuss the latest from the Kay Hagan campaign in the senator's fight for re-election, which seems to be a focus on turning out single women as Hagan faces Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis and Libertarian Sean Haugh in the fall. Henderson also explains why a slew of Republicans are in the political crosshairs of opponents of hydraulic fracturing. Then Martinez focuses on the Democratic primary runoff in the 5th Congressional District. We revisit conversations with Democrats Gardenia Henley and Josh Brannon, both of whom are hoping to win the day on July 15 for the opportunity to face GOP congressional incumbent Virginia Foxx in November. Early voting in both congressional primary runoffs began July 3 and continues through July 12, with Election Day on Tuesday, July 15.

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He could be the spoiler candidate the prevents Democrat Kay Hagan from being re-elected to the U.S. Senate or Republican Thom Tillis from snatching the seat for Republicans. Host Donna Martinez talks with the third person on the fall Senate ballot -- Libertarian Sean Haugh. The two talk about domestic policy, the crisis in Iraq, and why Haugh believes "war" is the first thing he would cut from the federal budget. Then we turn to the battle underway in the 6th Congressional district as the GOP primary runoff nears. Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal tells Martinez about the fierce competition and interesting political dynamics at play between Phil Berger Jr. and Mark Walker -- the two men vying for the win on July 15. Then we turn to fireworks that went off this week for two state legislators. Henderson tells Martinez about eyebrow-raising comments made by Republican Rep. Paul Stam of Raleigh about the definition of sexual orientation. He also explains eyebrow raising news about high ranking Democratic legislator Michael Wray of Gaston, who up until very recently had failed to pay numerous tax bills. And finally, with early voting for the GOP's 6th District congressional runoff getting underway July 3, we take another look at the two candidates. Martinez recently talked with Phil Berger Jr. and Mark Walker. You'll hear parts of those conversations. 

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This week Gov. Beverly Perdue got political circles talking when, at a fundraiser for a group supporting Hillary Clinton for president, the former governor told the audience her husband, Bob Eaves, had attended one of the Moral Monday anti-GOP protests at the legislature. Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson tells host Donna Martinez about the story and the developing makeup of the Moral Monday gatherings. The two also discuss the situation with the campaign of Democrat Clay Aiken, the 2nd District congressional nominee who faces Republican Renee Ellmers in the fall. Aiken is reportedly advertising for campaign staff on a progressive blog and, when it comes to fundraising, is prepared to sing for donors. Then we turn to the aggressive advertising already underway in the U.S. Senate race between Kay Hagan, Thom Tillis, and Sean Haugh. People in Politics Special Correspondent Bruce Ferrell gets perspective from William Peace University political science professor David McLennan. That's followed by a discussion with Josh Brannon, one of two Democrats vying in the July runoff for their party's nomination for the 5th District seat in Congress. Martinez talks with Brannon about his ideology and his views on key issues. And finally, Martinez talks with Alex Johnson of General Opportunity about the role of young people on politics and why some 20-somethings are so concerned about economic issues. 

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A big surprise on Monday for the anti-Republican protesters as Senate Leader Phil Berger sat down and talked with them for more than an hour after they staged a sit-in outside his office. Host Donna Martinez gets reaction to the GOP's olive branch when she talks with Democratic political consultant Thomas Mills and conservative activist Francis DeLuca of the Civitas Institute. Both analysts weigh in on the politics of the move and give Berger high marks for talking with people who've leveled ugly attacks his way. Then DeLuca discusses the latest polling numbers for state legislators and Gov. Pat McCrory, and weighs in on the stunning defeat of the U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Virginia's GOP primary. Then we turn to the July runoff between Democrats seeking their party's nomination for North Carolina's 5th District seat in the U.S. Congress. Martinez talks with candidate Gardenia Henley about her views and why she wants to oust Republican incumbent Virginia Foxx. And finally, we take a look at the debate over debates in the U.S. Senate race. Martinez talks with Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson about Republican Thom Tillis' push for 10 debates with his Democratic rival Kay Hagan. 

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Guilty. Former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon tells a U.S. magistrate he is guilty of public corruption and pleads guilty to a count of honest services fraud. Host Donna Martinez talks with Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson about the stunning revelations that could land the 47-year-old rising star of the Democratic Party a prison stint and a huge fine. This week Martinez also continues her look at one of five runoffs scheduled for the North Carolina ballot on July 15: the race for the GOP's nomination for the 6th District seat in Congress. Last week Martinez talked with candidate Mark Walker. This week she talks about key issues with candidate Phil Berger, Jr., and asks him what distinguishes him from his opponent. Then we look at reaction from supporters of the current General Assembly to continued "Moral Monday" protests against Republican legislators and Gov. Pat McCrory. Dallas Woodhouse of Carolina Rising tells Martinez why his group is telling protesters they've got plenty of good news to be happy about. Once the short legislative session comes to a close, will Republican legislators head home to an electorate that's pleased with them? Martinez gets the latest polling data from Public Policy Polling's Tom Jensen, who says voters are just as unhappy with Democrats as they are Republicans. Martinez and Jensen also discuss the U.S. Senate race and the potential spoiler role that may be played by Libertarian Sean Haugh, and whether the Democrats have a 2016 presidential bench should Hillary Clinton decline to seek the party's nomination. 
 

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Two North Carolina congressional candidates are still unsure of what the future holds, and they won't know until 6th Congressional district voters have their say in the July runoff for the Republican nomination. This week, host Donna Martinez talks with candidate Mark Walker about his background and views, and Walker discusses what distinguishes him from his GOP opponent, Phil Berger Jr. Then we turn to perspective on North Carolina's U.S. senate race -- the race can may determine whether Democrats retain control of the Senate. NC State political science professor Andy Taylor explains the dynamics of the race between Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan and her GOP opponent, N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis. That's followed by an update on the "Moral Monday" protest movement, which has returned to the General Assembly grounds to express members' disagreements with the Republican-led chambers. After repeated warnings by police, more than a dozen protesters were arrested for refusing to leave Speaker Tillis' office. You'll hear Gov. Pat McCrory's view of the incident in an interview with Henry Hinton of WTIB in Greenville. Next is an update on key N.C. Senate races to watch in November. Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal tells Martinez that several incumbents are facing tough challenges. The two also discuss the latest on Sen. Hagan's aggressive campaign against rival Tillis as the Speaker presides over House proceedings. 

 

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The legislature is hard at work, and so are the anti-Republican protesters, led for a second year by the North Carolina NAACP and other allied groups. But host Donna Martinez reports that this year, something is different with the protests. This year, Republican lawmakers are speaking out. You'll hear comments from state Reps. Paul Stam and Jim Fulgham of Wake County, and state Sen. Jim Davis of Macon County. As the session continues, scrutiny is most intense on House Speaker Thom Tillis, Republican of Mecklenburg County, as he juggles dual roles as House Speaker and U.S. Senate candidate. Matt Bales of the N.C. Free Enterprise Foundation talks with Martinez about Tillis' juggling act and why he's skating a fine line that could become fodder for his opponent's campaign. That's followed by comments about redrawing election districts with the leader of the Senate, Phil Berger of Rockingham County. Next is a look at developments in the 6th District GOP primary between Phil Berger, Jr. and Mark Walker. Endorsements and a difference in campaign style could determine the outcome, according to Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal. Henderson updates Martinez on the ad war in the U.S. Senate race as well. And finally, Democratic political consultant Thomas Mills tells Martinez what Tillis should expect from the Kay Hagan campaign, which enjoys the support of national independent groups and money.
 

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Shock and sorrow this week as politicians react to the sudden death of 2nd District Democratic congressional candidate Keith Crisco. Host Donna Martinez talks with Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson about Crisco's untimely passing, reaction from the political world on both sides of the aisle, and the ramifications for the general election. They also discuss the July runoff in the 6th congressional district as Republican Phil Berger Jr. faces off against Rev. Mark Walker, and the advertising that's already begun in the race for the U.S. Senate between Republican Thom Tillis, Democrat Kay Hagan, and Libertarian Sean Haugh. Then we turn to the state legislature, which reconvened this week in Raleigh. You'll hear comments from the leaders of both chambers, Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Thom Tillis. Next is a discussion with former Democratic Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker about his involvement in a new effort to push for redistricting reform. Martinez also asks Meeker if the rumors are true that he's interested in running for governor in 2016. And finally, Gov. Pat McCrory has announced a new initiative to combat substance abuse. You'll hear the governor's comments made at East Carolina University this week.
 

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North Carolina voters had their say Tuesday night, and now we know the field for most races in the fall general election. At least one congressional race will head to a July runoff, however, and a second congressional race is still undecided. But the major race of the night -- the fight for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate -- ended with a comfortablae win for North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis, who vanquished seven challengers. You'll hear Tillis' comments to his supporters following his win. Then host Donna Martinez gets reaction to the Tillis win from Democratic political consultant Thomas Mills, who blogs at politicsnc.com. Mills lays out the challenge for Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan and the role President Obama may play in the race. Then we turn to results for the congressional races with Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson. Martinez and Henderson discuss the question mark over who has won the 2nd District Democratic primary between Clay Aiken and Crisco, and why Phil Berger Jr. will be part of a July runoff in the 6th congressional district. The two also discuss the tough fight that faced 3rd District Congressman Walter Jones, who survived his primary challenge. And finally, Martinez and Henderson go over key legislative primary races, where at least three lawmakers were ousted by their own party. 
 

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Primary Election Day is just around  the corner and thousands of North Carolinians have already taken advantage of early voting. This week, host Donna Martinez talks with two Republicans engaged in a heated fight for the GOP nomination for the 7th District seat in Congress -- the seat being vacated by Democrat Mike McIntyre. Former Johnston County state Sen. David Rouzer and New Hanover County Commissioner Woody White have been locked in a verbal and advertising battle over which man would better represent the district, which leans Republican despite McIntyre's long representation. Martinez talks with Rouzer about his strategy of calling out White for being a trial attorney, and she talks with White about his claim that Rouzer represents the Washington establishment that has failed to represent Republican values. Martinez talks with the third Republican in the race last week, Chris Andrade. Then we turn to the race that some folks don't even realize is on the primary ballot: the race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. This week Martinez revisits her conversations with all three candidates: Justice Robin Hudson, attorney Jeanette Doran, and Judge Eric Levinson. All three talk about their background and why they want to sit on the state's highest court. Voters can choose only one candidate on May 6, but the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in the fall. Hudson, a Democrat, is the incumbent in the nonpartisan race. Doran and Levinson are Republicans. 

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Last time around, the 7th District congressional race garnered national attention for the fight between Democrat Mike McIntyre and state Sen. David Rouzer. McIntyre won by just 650 votes. But with McIntyre retiring, the Republicans are salivating over snagging the seat, and te fight has moved to the GOP primary, where Rouzer faces a stiff challenge from New Hanover County Commissioner Woody White. This week host Donna Martinez talks with the third person in the race, Chris Andrade, a man who tells Martinez he's staying out of the Rouzer-White tug-if-war and focusing on his own message to voters. Then we turn to the impact of this week's televised debates between the leading Republican candidates for U.S. Senate. In this week's "On the Trail" segment, Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson gives Martinez his analysis of House Speaker Thom Tillis, who joined three of his rivals in what is one of the first instances of the Speaker engaging on a statewide basis. Henderson also details the recent legal settlement made by Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper over an he ran in the closing days of his 2000 campaign for the office. The settlement has Cooper apologizing to his opponent, Dan Boyce, and others, for the ad, which attacked their character. Cooper has also agreed to pay roughly $75,000 in legal fees to end the 14-year legal battle. Henderson analyzes the potential impact of the settlement on Cooper's possible run for governor in 2016. Then we turn to the contentious GOP primary in the 3rd congressional district, where incumbent Walter Jones is facing his stiffest challenge ever from Taylor Griffin. People in Politics Special Correspondent Patrick Johnson talks about the race with Greenville-area talk show host Tom Lamprecht. That's followed by a look inside a new organization that has joined the state's policy and political debate. Dallas Woodhouse tells Martinez about the group called Carolina Rising. And finally, the State Employees Association of North Carolina has released an investigative audit of the state's $87 billion pension fund investments, which concludes that Treasurer Janet Cowell is making "secret deals" with Wall Street investment firms. Cowell denies the allegation and says the group's report is wrong. Martinez talks with the forensic investigator hired by the employees' group, Edward Siedle, about his findings. 

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This week, host Donna Martinez continues her "Candidate Conversations" with Toni Morris, one of three Democrats seeking their party's nomination for the 2nd District seat in the U.S. Congress. They talk about why she's running, her view of the key issues in the district, and her views on ObamaCare and same-sex marriage. Morris faces Keith Crisco and Clay Aiken in the May 6 primary, with the winner taking on the Republican nominee in the fall -- either GOP incumbent Renee Ellmers or her primary challenger, investment counselor Frank Roche. Then we turn to the fight for North Carolina's U.S. Senate seat. Just days ago, seven of the eight Republicans in the race were part of a debate hosted by the East Wake Republican Club, which asked Martinez to moderate. This week we bring you part of that debate. You'll hear the seven candidates tell the 500 in attendance why they deserve the GOP nomination, their view of ObamaCare, and the economic challenges faced by North Carolinians. The seven candidates in attendance: Ted Alexander, Alex Bradshaw, Greg Brannon, Heather Grant, Mark Harris, Ed Kryn, and Jim Snyder. Thom Tillis was invited but did not participate. The winner of the May 6 primary -- assuming one of the candidates receives more than 40 percent of the vote -- will face the winner of the Democratic Party primary. Incumbent Sen. Kay Hagan is seeking re-election but first must get past her primary challengers, Ernest Reeves and Will Stewart.
 

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He's one of three people seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for the 2nd District seat in Congress. This week, host Donna Martinez talks with Keith Crisco about his run, what distinguishes him from his opposition, his view of the Affordable Care Act, and the key issue in the district. Crisco faces Clay Aiken and Toni Morris on the May 6 ballot. The winner will advance to the general election and battle the winner of the Republican primary: either incumbent Renee Ellmers or financial counselor Frank Roche. Then we turn to comments about North Carolina's election reform law, made this week by Vice President Biden in a video from the Democratic National Committee. Biden pans our state's election reform laws and says they're part of an attempt to keep people from the polls. Becki Gray of the John Locke Foundation reacts, saying Biden is wrong and that the election law changes put North Carolina in the mainstream of state law. Next is a look at the 2014 election season from Democratic political strategist Brad Crone. At an election panel held this week in Raleigh, Crone told the audience which Republican candidate he thinks can defeat Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan, and he discussed the voting blocs he believes will determine the outcome of the races. And finally, in this week's installment of "On the Trail," Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson tells Martinez about a feisty election forum in the 12th District race for the Democratic nomination when one candidate expressed support for school vouchers. The two also discuss new polling data that show Sen. Hagan continues to face a tough re-election bid, and the appointment of a new Charlotte Mayor, former state Sen. Dan Clodfelter. 

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He’s made it official via a web video. American Idol star Clay Aiken says he will seek the Democratic nomination for the 2nd district seat in Congress – the seat now held by Republican Renee Ellmers. You’ll hear Aiken talk about his foray into politics and why he believes Ellmers should be replaced. Meantime, another Democrat may as well be in the race for governor. You’ll hear Attorney General Roy Cooper lament Republican leadership of North Carolina and ask North Carolinians to help take the state back. His comments come in a video that all but asks people to vote for him for governor. Host Donna Martinez gets reaction to both Aiken and Cooper from Democratic political consultant Thomas Mills, who says state Democrats are looking at a potential generation change of leadership within the party. Aiken’s candidacy is already drawing scrutiny from national websites. In this week’s edition of “On the Trail,” Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson tells Martinez about a tweet Aiken made during the 2012 Republican National Convention that mocks the GOP for failing to attract more African-Americans. The two also discuss the latest endorsements in the U.S. Senate race and two key congressional races, as well as fundraising totals for some of the candidates – including N.C. Senate Leader Phil Berger, Republican of Rockingham County. 

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