Now that Democrats have erased the GOP’s veto-proof majorities for the 2019 legislative session, Republican lawmakers could try to rush initiatives through a lame duck legislative session scheduled for Nov. 27, a top political observer says. Democrats gained ground by wiping out Republican legislative delegations in Wake and Mecklenburg counties. Jonathan Kappler, executive director of...
The race between Republican Mark Harris and Democrat Dan McCready for the 9th U.S. Congressional District is one to watch. Recent polls show a close, competitive race for the open seat between Harris, a pastor, and McCready, a veteran and businessman. Jonathan Kappler, executive director of the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation, said taking the district...
The Nov. 6 election will be a referendum on President Trump, who will cast a long shadow down the ballot, political pundits say. They expect an angry electorate to help Democrats cast out Republicans in significant numbers, but warn if Democrats take control of the U.S. House any attempts to impeach Trump would boomerang. Jonathan...
Lawmakers are galloping back to Raleigh just one month after the N.C. General Assembly closed the 2018 short session — this time to scrutinize a ballot language that may dramatically affect November elections. On Monday, July 23, House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, announced an extra session of the legislature,...
Republican House candidates on average spent 21 percent more than Democrats leading up to the May 8 primary contests But the total fundraising gap between the parties was small. That’s one takeaway from an analysis done for the Jan. 1 to April 21 period by the N.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation, which closely tracks state elections. “Despite...
The 2018 legislative primary, set for May 8, should provide more drama than usual. That’s the initial assessment of Jonathan Kappler, executive director of the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation, a nonpartisan group that tracks elections and campaigns. More than 500 candidates filed for the General Assembly, with Democrats and Republicans fielding hopefuls effectively in all...
It’s being called a historic milestone. But just because every state legislative seat will be contested in this year’s general election for the first time in memory doesn’t mean most races will be competitive. “Not every candidate is created equal, nor is every campaign created equal, though you have to have players on the field...
Wake County voters will have more choices in the 2018 state election.Thirteen Wake County Libertarians are running in 13 of 16 General Assembly districts. The Libertarian candidates are: Richard Haygood, Senate, 14; Brian Lewis, Senate, 15; Brian Irving, Senate, 16; Bruce Basson, Senate, 17; Brad Hessel, Senate, 18; Travis Groo, House, 11; Cap Hayes, House,...
Republicans consistently support issues vital to business and industry, while Democrats’ actions show lower enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, a survey of General Assembly members concluded. Republicans said the nonpartisan North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation’s 2017 Legislative Business Ratings report accurately portrays the GOP’s role in boosting the state’s economy. Democrats downplayed their low rankings. The survey examined a...
It was a homecoming for Raleigh native Jonathan Kappler in October when he became executive director of the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation. He previously worked there as research director, a role in which he won acclaim for his nonpartisan analysis of state politics. Most recently the summa cum laude graduate of Appalachian State University served...
Rick Henderson on legislative retirements & election matchups; Stephen Walters on helping cities revive their central cores; Jane Pinsky on limiting specific campaign donations; Heidi Ganahl on NC's regulatory burden; Terry Stoops on Common Core review
