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2014 is barely in the books and already we have polling for the 2016 election season. Host Donna Martinez talks with Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling about new poll results that show Sen. Richard Burr leading three theoretical Democratic opponents, and Gov. Pat McCrory holding a commanding 7-point lead over potential Democratic challenger Roy Cooper. Jensen also offers perspective on Republican and Democratic prospects for the 2016 cycle, predicting it will be a good year for the GOP. Then Martinez talks with a veteran of White House politics about what lies ahead for Sen. Elect Thom Tillis.  Bush administration political consultant Jonathan Felts discusses the dynamics of a new GOP majority and the national media profile that Tillis is already enjoying. That’s followed by a look at the rising influence and power of North Carolina’s congressional delegation. Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson talks with Martinez about the “whip” role to be taken by 10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry, the respect earned by Rep. Renee Ellmers with House leadership, the new chairmanship of the Congressional Black Caucus for Rep. G.K. Butterfield, and the high media profile of 11th District Congressman Mark Meadows

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Recounts! Election Night is nearly three weeks in the rear-view mirror, but about a dozen races are still unsettled. Most notably, we’re awaiting results of the statewide race for a seat on North Carolina’s Supreme Court. Incumbent Justice Cheri Beasley leads by about 5,000 votes over attorney Mike Robinson. Host Donna Martinez gets the details on the undecided races from Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson. The two also discuss comments made by Congressman-Elect Mark Walker about his priorities when he takes his 6th District seat in January, a new poll that shows Gov. Pat McCrory’s approval has jumped, and an announcement from Fayetteville Democrat Tim Dunn that he will seek the Attorney General’s office in 2016 if current AG Roy Cooper makes a run for governor. Henderson also looks at the leading candidates to replace House Speaker Thom Tillis as the leader of the North Carolina House of Representatives. Then Martinez provides an update on Patrick Cannon, who went to prison this week. The former Charlotte Mayor was once a rising star in the Democratic Party, but after taking bribes from undercover FBI agents, Cannon was sentenced to 44 months in prison. Martinez also looks at a recent Twitter debate between Republican Rep. Chuck McGrady and a liberal activist, as well as a new appointment for state Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson. And finally, we hear from Democratic state Rep. Rick Glazier, who told a Raleigh luncheon audience about his experiences in the legislature and his wish for a more bipartisan, civil debate.

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Political watchers say the growing block of Unaffiliated voters could determine who wins and who loses on November 4, so who are these people who are rejecting both Democrats and Republicans? Catawba College Professor of Politics and History, Michael Bitzer, tells host Donna Martinez what the typical Unaffiliated voter looks like and why many of them actually favor one party. Dr. Bitzer also discusses the state's absentee ballot program and what we can learn ahead of early voting about who has requested a ballot and who has returned it. Bitzer also weighs in on this week's Court of Appeals ruling that put a stay on two provisions of North Carolina's recent election reform law. Then Martinez talks with Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson about former president Bill Clinton's visit to the state this week on behalf of Sen. Kay Hagan. The Clinton visit occurred as Hagan's chief rival, Republican Thom Tillis, saw Sen. Rand Paul campaign for him this week and NASCAR's Richard Petty cut a pro-Tillis ad. Henderson and Martinez also discuss the latest dynamics of the 2nd District congressional race between Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers and Democratic challenger Clay Aiken. Aiken early on said he didn't want to be known for his run on American Idol, but has recently turned to Hollywood and two former American Idol champs for support. Ellmers, on the other hand, has been holding small events around the district, according to Henderson. The two also discuss why and how several statewide judicial candidates have teamed up with advertising. 
 

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It's he said/she said as the U.S. Senate race advertising wars gear up for the final weeks of the midterm campaign. Between outside groups and the campaigns themselves, it's hard to keep the charges and counter-charges straight. Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson joins host Donna Martinez with a look at the ad wars, as well as why Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan's campaign is scoring points with an allegation that Republican opponent Thom Tillis cut $300 million from the state's education budget. The two also discuss the help Tillis is getting from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and current Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Then the focus turns to the third candidate in the race, Libertarian Sean Haugh. Henderson gives Martinez the details of two Facebook dustups Haugh was caught up in this week in which he lashed out at a Tillis supporter and at Republicans in general. Then the subject turns to the 6th District congressional race, where Democratic candidate Laura Fjeld is capitalizing on a comment about Mexico made by her Republican opponent Mark Walker. Next is a look at the outside money that's flowing into North Carolina for the midterms, much of it to Democratic candidates. Matt Bales, research director for the North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation, details the numbers with Martinez and explains why he thinks Democrats are on the winning end of the outside money game. That's followed by a look at new voter registration numbers released by the state Board of Elections, and new data on the record-breaking number of early voting sites that will be operating beginning next month. And finally, Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling explains the consistency of polling from a variety of firms that keeping track of the Hagan/Tillis/Haugh Senate race.
 

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The November ballot will be full with an assortment of races for North Carolinians to decide, but some may not realize that four seats on the state Supreme Court are up for grabs. This week we look at the candidates seeking those four seats, which were the focus of a Triangle candidate forum moderated by People in Politics host Donna Martinez. First up is the race for the Chief Justice seat on the court. Current Chief Justice Mark Martin is seeking a full term and faces Superior Court Judge Ola Lewis. We hear Martin's discussion with Martinez, including his views on the key challenges facing the state's justice system. Judge Lewis had confirmed her attendance but cancelled in the hours before the event. Then Martinez talks with the two candidates for the seat now held by Justice Bob Hunter. Hunter and his opponent, Court of Appeals Judge Sam Ervin IV, discusses the differences and similarities in their qualifications. Next are comments from candidates Justice Robin Hudson and Superior Court Judge Eric Levinson. The two are vying for the seat now held by Hudson. They discuss their judicial philosophy and the impact of outside groups on judicial races. And finally, Martinez moderates the discussion between Justice Cheri Beasley and attorney Mike Robinson. Both are vying for the Supreme Court seat now held by Beasley. 
 

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Just days after facing House Speaker Thom Tillis in the first of three televised statewide U.S. Senate debates, Sen. Kay Hagan declines to participate in a televised debate sponsored by media powerhouses Time-Warner News, the Charlotte Observer, and the Raleigh News & Observer. Democratic political consultant Thomas Mills tells host Donna Martinez he's not surprised by Hagan's decision, despite a neck-and-neck race with Tillis that shows her with high disapproval ratings. Mills also explains why he thinks Tillis should apologize to Hagan for something he said in the first debate. Then we turn to the impact of unaffiliated voters on the fall races. Democratic political consultant Brad Crone believes they will decide the election. He also offers his prediction on who will win the Senate race, and which party will control the Senate after the election. That's followed by a look at two North Carolina brothers, both well known in political circles, who are the subject of a new film called "Woodhouse Divided." Martinez talks with one half of the family unit -- Dallas Woodhouse -- who, with brother Brad, are featured in the behind-the-scenes look at political hardball. The film chronicles the debate over passage of Obamacare and the 2012 presidential election as Dallas, a conservative who ran the North Carolina chapter of Americans for Prosperity, and his brother Brad, who was a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, butted heads in a raw conflict that Dallas believes is representative of many American families. Dallas also tells Martinez why he thinks Thom Tillis has a legitimate shot at beating Kay Hagan, and why he thinks critics of North Carolina's election law changes are engaged in legal folly. 

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This week, it was face to face intrigue in the U.S. Senate race. Host Donna Martinez takes listeners through highlights of the statewide debate between Democratic incumbent Sen. Kay Hagan and her Republican challenger, North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis. The candidates exchange views and refute claims on issues as wide ranging as education funding, President Obama's policy decisions, and access to contraceptives. The debate was sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Educational Foundation and moderated by Norah O'Donnell of CBS News. Then we hear from the third candidate in the race, Libertarian Sean Haugh. Martinez gives listeners another opportunity to hear her interview with Haugh. The two talked earlier this summer. Then Martinez provides some of the latest polling data on the Senate race, courtesy of Public Policy Polling. And finally, Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson tells Martinez about the a big endorsement in the race for seats on North Carolina's high court. 

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Nearly a dozen former legislators have made the list of the most influential lobbyists at the North Carolina General Assembly. Host Donna Martinez gets the details on who they are and who they represent from Paige Worsham, policy analyst and attorney for the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research. The two also discuss the increase in the number of women who lobby lawmakers. Then we turn to the friction over authority between the executive and legislative branches of North Carolina government. Tom Campbell, host of the public affairs TV show "NC Spin" talks about his recent interview with Gov. Pat McCrory, who commented on the topic. Next is a look at a constitutional amendment that will appear on the November ballot. Martinez talks with House Speaker Pro Tem Paul "Skip" Stam, R-Wake, about his support of the amendment, as well as his reaction to a recent legal ruling about North Carolina's election reform package. That's followed by perspective on President Obama's visit to Charlotte on Tuesday, where he spoke to the American Legion convention. The president was met on the Charlotte tarmac by Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan, who has criticized the president for scandals at the VA. Hagan is seeking re-election to her U.S. Senate seat, and her criticism was deemed to be election politics by Cash Michaels of the Carolinian. You'll hear his perspective, along with reaction from Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson. Martinez and Henderson also discuss more national attention that is being given to Democratic  candidate Clay Aiken in his race to defeat Republican incumbent Congresswoman Renee Ellmers for the 2nd District seat. 
 

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Races for seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court take the spotlight this week as Gov. Pat McCrory appoints two candidates to open seats, in effect making them the incumbents in the races. You'll hear Gov. McCrory's comments about why he's elevating sitting Justice Mark Martin to the Chief Justice seat being vacated by retiring Chief Justice Sarah Parker. You'll also hear other high-profile endorsers of Justice Martin, who also spoke at the appointment ceremony: former Chief Justice Burley Mitchell and current Justice Barbara Parker. Then host Donna Martinez delves into the politics of the appointment of Martin, as well as the subsequent appointment of Bob Hunter to fill Martin's empty seat, with Carolina Journal's Rick Henderson. The two discuss reaction from Martin's political opponent for the seat, Ola Lewis, as well as whether the "nonpartisan" approach to judicial elections is real considering that both major political parties endorse a slate of candidates. Then we turn to the latest developments in the U.S. Senate race, with both Kay Hagan and Thom Tillis up on the air with advertising. Martinez also talks with Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling about new data showing Hagan still leads Tillis but her margin is shrinking. Tillis' big problem, says Jensen, is Libertarian Sean Haugh who is pulling 8 percent of the vote, though most of the Haugh voters say their second choice is Tillis. And finally, we hear from 4th District Democratic Congressman David Price, who speaks about illegal immigration and why he thinks House Republicans have shirked their responsibility to pass a comprehensive reform plan. 
 

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The fall ballot will be jammed with races for U.S. Senate, Congress, and state legislature, but voters will also be asked to give a thumbs up or thumbs down to a constitutional amendment. Host Donna Martinez talks with N.C. House Speaker Pro Tem Paul "Skip" Stam, R-Wake, about his support for the amendment which, if passed, would also defendants to waive a jury trial. Stam, an attorney, explains why he thinks the change will help the efficiency of the justice system and make it more just. Then Martinez and Stam discuss last week's ruling by a federal judge that North Carolina's election reform law is enforceable. The law has been the subject of vocal criticism from the N.C. NAACP and Attorney General Eric Holder. Stam also offers his view on the newly passed state budget, including the hotly debated issue of offering tax credits to the film and TV industry. Then 4th District Democratic Congressman David Price explains why he is critical of moves by the Republican in the legislature when it comes to the election law changes and the decision to exit the federal extended unemployment benefits program. That's followed by perspective on the U.S. Senate race from political analyst Doug Raymond, who says the Kay Hagan campaign is about to make a mistake following months of good campaign decisions. The barrage of advertising set to run over the next few weeks on behalf of Democrat Hagan and her Republican challenger, House Speaker Thom Tillis, are then scrutinized by Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal. In the weekly "On the Trail" segment, Henderson updates Martinez on messaging from the two major candidates, polls that show the race a dead heat, and why the Hagan camp is choosing to go after Tillis on education. The two also discuss a national publication's profile of Democrat Clay Aiken, who is running in the 2nd congressional district against Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers, and the debate schedule for Republican Mark Walker and Democrat Laura Fjeld in the 6th District congressional race. 

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After months of debate, discussion, and and more debate, we have a new state budget. And it includes provisions close to the heart of Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who's been touting education reform since his days on the campaign trail. Host Donna Martinez talks with Forest about a new education endowment, pay raises for teachers, the state of the North Carolina economy, the future of fracking, and the impact of illegal immigrant children who have made their way into North Carolina as part of the recent wave across the U.S. border. Then Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson tells Martinez that our state's 2nd District congressional race is drawing even more national attention. This week political analyst Charlie Cook moved his rating of the race between Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers and Democratic challenger Clay Aiken from "Likely Republican" to "Solid Republican." The change comes in the wake of HBO host Bill Maher's campaign to get his viewers to elect Aiken over Ellmers. Then Henderson updates Martinez on recent eye surgery for Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan. Next is a look at a move by state legislators to increase the transparency of campaign donations to state campaigns. Martinez gets the details from Jane Pinsky of the North Carolina Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform. Pinsky also talks about her continuing push to reform the redistricting process in North Carolina. Then Joe Stewart of the North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation analyzes the state's elective seats on the judiciary. And finally, we look back at North Carolina's connection to the Watergate investigation as the country marks the 40th anniversary of the resignation of Richard Nixon. People in Politics Special Correspondent Patrick Johnson talked earlier this year with Rufus Edmisten, who worked for N.C. Sen Sam Ervin, the man who led the Senate investigation into Watergate and Nixon. Edmisten became North Carolina's Secretary of State and Attorney General. He talks about Nixon and serving the subpoena on the White House. 

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North Carolina's voter-approved marriage amendment is in the legal and political crosshairs following a ruling on Virginia's similar ban on gay marriage that has been ruled unconstitutional. You'll hear about the ruling and reaction from all angles, including Attorney General Roy Cooper, who says his office will stop defending the state against legal challenges to the amendment, which passed with overwhelming support at the polls in 2012. Then we hear from Chris Brook of the North Carolina ACLU about his organization's support of gay marriage and from Tami Fitzgerald of the N.C. Values Coalition about her group's opposition to gay marriage. Then host Donna Martinez delves into polling on the highly charged issue with Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling. That's followed by Jensen's data on the U.S. Senate race and why the Kay Hagan campaign is smiling right now, as well as new numbers that show both Democrats and Republicans in North Carolina's General Assembly are extremely unpopular with voters. Then Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson tells Martinez why HBO host Bill Maher is paying such close attention to the 2nd district congressional race between Republican Renee Ellmers and Democrat Clay Aiken. The two also discuss Kay Hagan's latest ad, which positions her as a centrist interested in bi-partisan solutions.

 

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Kay Hagan's campaign strategy catches the attention of the New York Times, which notes that Hagan is bypassing the state Democratic Party and running her campaign out of the Wake County party offices. Host Donna Martinez talks about the story with Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson, who explains that the very public problems with the party structure and leadership are the source of the move by Hagan. Martinez and Henderson also discuss new polling that shows Hagan has expanded her lead over Republican rival Thom Tillis and that Libertarian candidate Sean Haugh continues to pull 8 percent of the vote. Henderson also provides an update on judicial campaigns, where colleagues but campaign rivals are vowing to keep a civilized tone as the election nears. Discussion also turns to Democratic Congressman G.K. Butterfield's effort, along with three dozen House Democrats, to convince governors who chose not to create state exchanges for the Affordable Care Act, to change their minds. Gov. Pat McCrory is among those who declined to start a state exchange. Thirty-six states did not. Then we continue our look at the judicial campaigns by focusing on fundraising totals for the candidates. Joe Stewart of the N.C. Free Enterprise Foundation analyzes the numbers and the races. And finally, we turn to comments made by former President Bill Clinton about the possible presidential candidacy of wife Hillary, and fundraising totals for the congressional campaign committees. Recent totals show national Democrats out-raising national Republicans. 

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Political stunner in the 6th Congressional District Republican runoff as newcomer Mark Walker trounces the race favorite, Phil Berger Jr, 60 to 40 percent. Berger had won the initial primary in May. Host Donna Martinez talks with Walker about his win and what he expects to talk about going into the general election. Then Martinez discusses the dynamics of the race with Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson. The two also discuss reaction to Walker's win from his Democratic opponent, Laura Fjeld, who on election night lashed out at Walker and called him an "extremist." Also of discussion is the runoff result in the 5th Congressional district, where Democrat Josh Brannon defeated fellow Democrat Gardenia Henley for the opportunity to challenge Republican incumbent Virginia Foxx in the general election. Martinez and Henderson also discuss the debate over debates in the U.S. Senate race. Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan wants very few debates, while her Republican challenger, House Speaker Thom Tillis, is proposing 10. Then we turn our attention to the impending 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on same-sex marriage. Pastors in North Carolina who oppose gay marriage are concerned that the ruling, which is expected anytime, could imperil North Carolina's constitutional ban on gay marriage. You'll hear comments from Pastor Dave Kistler of the North Carolina Pastor Network. And finally, the National Governors Association has named Gov. Pat McCrory to its Executive Committee, while the Republican Governors Association has released a video of McCrory discussing his priorities for North Carolina. You'll hear the governor in his own words.

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It's down to the wire for primary runoff candidates as Election Day looms on Tuesday, July 15. Host Donna Martinez gets the latest on last minute campaigning in the 6th District congressional runoff from Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson. The two discuss the frenzied battle between Republicans Phil Berger Jr. and Mark Walker, their varying endorsements, and their different campaign styles. Henderson also analyzes comments made on the trail by 2nd District Democratic congressional candidate Clay Aiken about what kind of congressman he'd be if elected. Aiken is challenging Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers in November. Then we turn to a conversation with Gov. Pat McCrory, who this week talked about his economic vision for the state, particularly its smaller towns, with Don Curtis of Carolina Newsmakers. That's followed by a look at the legal challenge to North Carolina's election reform law - particularly the provision to begin requiring a photo I.D. to vote. This week a District Court judge in the Triad heard from critics who are seeking an injunction to keep provisions of the law from taking effect. We hear from Allison Riggs of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, who gave opening statements in the case. Her group opposes the law. We also hear from Susan Myrick of the Civitas Institute, who also was in the courtroom. Myrick's organization supports the law. As of People in Politics production deadline, the judge had not yet ruled. And finally, we look at the money trail for the U.S. Senate race, where multi-millions have already poured in to support Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan and her Republican challenger Thom Tillis. Matt Bales of the North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation analyzes the numbers for Martinez. The two also talk about rumors that key North Carolina Democrats are planning to step up their game in order to try and unseat Republican legislators in the fall.