A recent editorial from WRAL, owned by Capital Broadcasting Company, suggests that the 2024 election results demonstrate that North Carolinians want a government focused on quality of life. At Carolina Journal and its publisher, the John Locke Foundation, we could not agree more. Where we part though, is that WRAL assumes that increased government intervention is the solution to provide that higher quality of life.
While voters do care deeply about their families’ well-being and their communities, they also value freedom from excessive state control. If 2020 through 2024 showed us anything, it was that voters are acutely aware of government creep into their businesses, schools, and lives. November’s election was a rejection of messages and policies that advocate for that creep.
Besides what one can only hope is an editorial error in listing “John F Kennedy Jr.” as an influential political “operative” in the 2024 elections, WRAL’s article misses a few other takeaways from voters’ decisions:
The editorial points out that Democratic candidate for governor, Josh Stein, got more votes than Donald Trump in North Carolina; yet Republican candidate for North Carolina superintendent of public instruction, Michelle Morrow, also got more votes than Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Voters in North Carolina voted for candidates, not ideology — something that should give North Carolinians a sense of pride.
North Carolina’s economic success over the last 12 years, and the innovation and quality of life that it has brought, are driven by policies that support economic freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government — not by expansive regulations or top-down mandates. North Carolinians seek effective governance, not more government.
Since Republicans gained legislative control in 2010, North Carolina has adopted fiscally conservative policies — lower taxes and limited spending — that have yielded clear benefits. For example, between 2013 and 2018, North Carolina saw one of the fastest-growing economies in the United States, largely due to tax reforms that promoted business growth and attracted new residents. This turnaround transformed North Carolina from one of the nation’s worst-performing states (2008–2013) to a regional leader in economic growth by 2018. Our success is largely attributed to a focus on restrained spending and low tax burdens, allowing individuals to retain more of their income and stimulate greater economic activity.
Additionally, North Carolina has wisely built financial reserves, positioning the state to weather the economic downturn of COVID and its state government-mandated shutdowns without drastic cutbacks. The state’s approach, including tax reforms that lowered corporate and personal income tax rates, has saved North Carolinians billions while maintaining stable revenue for essential programs. North Carolina’s model of balance has improved the standard of living by prioritizing economic freedom and fiscal health.
School choice further empowers North Carolina families and resonates across political and demographic lines. Education is a product, like anything else, and families who are used to choice in every aspect of their consumption regardless of income level or neighborhood, expect it when it comes to their children’s education.
Recent polling shows strong support for school choice, particularly among black and Hispanic families, who may view it as a way to gain access to educational opportunities through programs like the Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) and charter schools. A 2023 poll found that 70% of black respondents and 77% of Hispanic respondents agreed that parents should decide where their children go to school, reflecting broad bipartisan support for educational flexibility.
School choice fosters innovation and accountability in both public and private schools, creating a competitive environment that encourages quality education. For parents, participating in these school options is a legacy that benefits their families for generations to come. It aligns with the principles of individual responsibility and advocates for educational diversity — rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all system.
WRAL’s claims of “big money” influence and “ideological agendas” only targets conservative viewpoints, rather than checking their own left-leaning bias that misrepresents the values of the majority of North Carolinians living outside of their capital city media market. Capital Broadcasting’s own CEO, Jim Goodmon, has unabashedly advocated for the North Carolina Democratic Party and made impressive donations to Democratic candidates like Josh Stein, Allison Riggs, and Rachel Hunt. At a minimum, WRAL should require that the author of such editorials put their name to them, rather than simply putting the byline, “CBC Editorial.”
The John Locke Foundation, publisher of Carolina Journal, openly advocates for policies that reduce government control and empower individuals, believing that true economic opportunity is achieved by removing barriers to personal and financial independence. That opportunity builds a more resilient society, cultivates a thriving economy, where success depends on personal effort and innovation — not on government programs or subsidies.
While responsible environmental and public safety policies are essential, they should not stifle economic growth or unnecessarily expand government oversight. For example, the John Locke Foundation has advocated for an energy strategy focused on reliable sources like nuclear power, rather than expensive, land-intensive renewable sources that would drive up utility costs and hinder economic development.
Limited government and conservative policies best address the true needs of North Carolinians by fostering an environment that prioritizes economic growth, personal freedom, and individual responsibility. Real responsiveness to voters means staying true to these enduring principles — not giving in to short-term agendas that sacrifice sustainable growth and freedom for political gain.