He’s risen to Chief Deputy Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, making 10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry one of the most influential Republicans on Capitol Hill. Host Donna Martinez sits down with Rep. McHenry to discuss his role in Congress, the divided GOP, presidential politics, and his views on key issues. Then we turn our attention to the election cycle. Democratic state Sen. Josh Stein says he want to be the next North Carolina Attorney General and Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey wants to the next U.S. senator. Martinez talks with Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson about the prospects for Democrats in the Senate race and statewide races. That’s followed by Martinez’ discussion with Dallas Woodhouse of Carolina Rising about his view of the legislative session and what it means for the campaign trail heading into 2016.