Longleaf Politics

26/06/2023

We may never get much more clarity on the whole situation than we have now. But the big question remains: What comes next?

But there's little chance he'll face any repercussions. We live in a coarser culture and more shameless political environment than even a decade ago.

19/06/2023

You can make a strong argument that Senate Bill 749 would improve trust in elections. But it's time for the General Assembly to drop the idea and move on.

13/06/2023

NEW: As his power wanes, Gov. Cooper is still winning the long game. His top policy priority has already been achieved, and his top political one is now in reach.

As his power wanes, Gov. Cooper is winning the long game. His top policy priority has already been achieved, and his top political one is in reach.

05/06/2023

If Dale Folwell is coming to the end of his political career, he still has some things to say.

As the State Treasurer nears the end of his political career, Folwell still has some things to say

30/05/2023

Analysis: Gov. Roy Cooper is hoping the last decade's education fight will still resonate in 2024. But Republicans believe that voters have moved on.

But the General Assembly is betting that North Carolina voters have moved on

24/05/2023

NEW: Sadly, Roy Cooper is rejecting any sort of reasonable dialogue. Instead, he dishonestly accuses Republicans of trying to destroy public education.

Sadly, Cooper rejects any sort of reasonable dialogue. Instead, he dishonestly accuses Republicans of trying to destroy public education.

22/05/2023

To cement his place in the race, Mark Walker said he'll need to show $1 million in the June 30 finance reports. That would still leave him far behind Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, but it might give Walker some momentum to keep raising money and give Robinson a real competitor in the race.

Former Congressman Mark Walker laid out a gubernatorial campaign Saturday that's light on policy and heavy on electability

15/05/2023

We chatted with former Sen. Bob Rucho to discuss the impact North Carolina's tax reforms have had in the 10 years since they went into law.

Former Sen. Bob Rucho talks to Longleaf Politics about the impact of the General Assembly's 2013 tax plan

08/05/2023

When the bill comes up for an override vote in the House, it will almost certainly be dramatic.

Swing district GOP members face unprecedented pressure campaign to change their votes

01/05/2023

The bill is about money, mostly. But it’s also about what role a homegrown nonprofit should play in our state.

It's about money: $4.6 billion in cash. But it's also about the role this company should play in our state.

24/04/2023

Mark Robinson's announcement for Governor in 2024 seemed to be less about making news than savoring the moment and his place in history.

But he did float a few trial balloons and preview the campaign to come. Here’s what we learned.

"Vision" will be a buzzword for his campaign, but Robinson has no answer yet to Democrats' most potent attacks

17/04/2023

North Carolina's medical ma*****na legislation might not be inevitable. A new last-minute lobbying push aims to kill the medical ma*****na bill in the state House.

North Carolina's medical ma*****na legislation might not be inevitable

10/04/2023

Last week, 's party switch gave us an unprecedented look inside the Democratic Party - and it was deeply unsettling.

Republicans now have a historic opportunity to set up a governing coalition that can last generations.

This unprecedented look inside the Democratic Party is deeply unsettling - and gives Republicans a historic opportunity

03/04/2023

North Carolina's new school choice bill is a decent step. But either the General Assembly doesn’t understand the concept of school choice, or they don’t believe in it enough to defend it.

Senate Republicans introduce a relatively weak version of the universal school choice bills enacted in other states

27/03/2023

To win, Dale Folwell must convince Republicans that competence and electability are more important than charisma and force of will.

To win, he must convince the Republican electorate that competence and electability are more important than charisma and force of will.

20/03/2023

Should all N.C. elections be partisan? As more municipal races change status, it's worth a serious discussion.

On balance, party labels give voters clearer choices in low-information, down-ballot races.

As more municipal races change status, it's worth a serious discussion

13/03/2023

In State of the State response, Mark Robinson foreshadows a deeply personal, populist campaign for governor — a throwback to a previous era.

Mark Robinson foreshadows a deeply personal, populist campaign for governor — a throwback to a previous era

06/03/2023

Ma*****na and gambling have taken a front seat in the new legislative session. That's disappointing under GOP leadership.

Ma*****na, gambling take a front seat in new legislative session. That's disappointing under GOP leadership

27/02/2023

It's leadership, not money that makes the biggest difference for failing schools.

Charlotte elementary school shows more money is not the answer

20/02/2023

Education policy is a hot topic right now. It's worth spending some time on education governance, as well.

Empowering the superintendent would give voters the ability to hold leaders accountable on education policy

13/02/2023

The N.C. Democratic Party’s vote to oust its party chair weakens Roy Cooper’s grip on state politics.

N.C. Democrats oust their party chair over the weekend, weakening Gov. Roy Cooper's grip on state politics

06/02/2023

This bill would fundamentally change the dynamic between parents, children and the public school system — in a good way.

This bill would fundamentally change the dynamic between parents, children and the public school system — in a good way

30/01/2023

There’s little chance Wood's career survives this. The only question is whether she resigns quickly, or attempts to ride out the rest of her term.

Wood's reputation and widespread support have insulated her so far — but politics could soon intervene

23/01/2023

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Josh Stein is looking to fill the Cooper-Hunt-Easley lane in N.C. politics, but enters the race in a much weaker position than those three former governors.

But he still might win in 2024

16/01/2023

North Carolina isn’t crying out for lower taxes and less regulation, though we’re happy to have them.

We’re looking for leaders who will stand athwart the national morass and carve out an oasis of sanity and success.

In an anxious time, a rosy picture of North Carolina doesn't quite resonate

09/01/2023

The State Health Plan contract decision is more than just swapping out one big company for another. It may be Dale Folwell's biggest move yet.

What swapping Blue Cross for Aetna truly means for North Carolina

02/01/2023

Will anyone else enter the governor race? And will the state House have a 'working supermajority'?

26/12/2022

2024 will almost certainly be the most expensive governor's race in North Carolina history.

Robinson campaign gearing up for major fundraising effort

19/12/2022

As North Carolina's senior senator heads into retirement, how will the state remember Richard Burr?

As North Carolina's senior senator heads into retirement, how will the state remember him?

12/12/2022

Sen. Berger now favors Medicaid expansion because the landscape has changed. But reasons for opposition have changed, too.

Sen. Berger favors Medicaid expansion because the landscape has changed. But reasons for opposition have changed, too.

05/12/2022

Big money, big reforms will put competing philosophies on education improvement to the test in North Carolina.

Big money, big reforms will put competing philosophies on education improvement to the test

28/11/2022

There appears to be a huge unmet demand for charter schools in rural North Carolina. The General Assembly should consider facilities grants to help out.

General Assembly should consider facilities grants in rural areas

21/11/2022

Today's newsletter, including thoughts on U.S. Sen. Tillis dealing with Democrats, Trump's chances in North Carolina in 2024, and Gov. Cooper's toxic politics.

Plus thoughts on U.S. Sen. Tillis dealing with Democrats, Trump's chances in North Carolina in 2024, and Gov. Cooper's toxic politics

14/11/2022

Both sides in this legal case agree that diversity is a valid goal for a university. They’re simply arguing over how UNC should accomplish this.

UNC's admissions process is extremely unscientific, making conclusions difficult

09/11/2022

About last night: In any other year, you’d call the 2022 election a great one for Republicans. But with suburbs staying blue, divided government will continue in North Carolina.

But outside of Mecklenburg and Wake, blue outposts are drying up

07/11/2022

Tuesday night should be a good one for Republicans. The question is to what degree.

Polls, early voting bode well for Republicans — but red wave may not translate to supermajority in the General Assembly

31/10/2022

No, this case will not destroy democracy. Nor will it fix North Carolina’s broken redistricting process

No, this case will not end democracy in America

24/10/2022

Republicans must flip back the suburbs, do well in small cities, and win in northeastern North Carolina to regain more power in the General Assembly.

17/10/2022

New this morning: How ⁦‪Americans for Prosperity - North Carolina‬⁩ is targeting the base versus swing voters on behalf of ⁦‪Ted Budd.

Americans for Prosperity Action targets base with one message, while swing voters get a significantly different one

08/10/2022

What was your take on the debate? We think Budd won a forgettable debate on points, hammering home Beasley as "rubber stamp" for Biden administration.

Budd wins forgettable debate on points, hammering home Beasley as "rubber stamp" for Biden administration