News
Cooper and Whatley win US Senate primaries
Cooper and Whatley will head to the general election, where the contest is expected to become one of the most closely watched and nationally covered Senate races in the country.
Opinion
Border control sets stage for reform
Immigration is a complex matter with many moving parts. A gradualist approach is better than a quixotic quest for perfection.
Opinion
Tillis was right on process, but Trump’s pro-housing initiatives will help NC
The recent passage of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” carries weight and opportunities for NC real estate investors and developers who are on the frontlines of this housing crisis.
News
Michael Whatley expected to launch US Senate campaign
Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee and a key figure in North Carolina GOP politics, is reportedly preparing to enter the 2026 U.S. Senate race. Whatley is reportedly going to formally announce his candidacy within the next ten days, setting the stage for a nationally watched contest to succeed outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis.
Opinion
Tillis doubles down on ‘institutional’ support
North Carolina's senior senator embraces a label that ties him to the federal government establishment.
Opinion
On trust, MAGA, and the Epstein saga
It's not clear to me exactly what the facts are with regard to Epstein — whether he killed himself or not, whether he was part of a much bigger plot or not. But to maintain the trust of his supporters, Trump may be forced to reverse course and reveal more.
Opinion
Sen. Tillis needs to pull the plug on public broadcasting
Let NPR and PBS compete in the free market like everyone else. If their content is so indispensable, they’ll survive on donations and subscriptions.
Opinion
Tillis departure bodes ill for government checks and balances
A Congress full of Democrats and Republicans who yield at all times to party bosses will weaken the American constitutional system.
Video
Locke’s Mitch Kokai discusses Thom Tillis and federal government checks and balances
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the pending retirement of US Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and the importance of federal government checks and balances. Kokai offered these comments during a July 5, 2025, interview on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal.”
Video
Locke’s Mitch Kokai assesses Sen. Tillis’ retirement announcement
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses Sen. Thom Tillis’ decision not to run for a third term in 2026. Kokai offered these comments during a July 1, 2025, interview with One America News Network.
Video
Carolina Journal’s King, Kokai analyze Sen. Thom Tillis’ retirement announcement
Carolina Journal’s Donna King and Mitch Kokai discuss US Sen. Thom Tillis’ June 29, 2025, announcement that he will not seek re-election in North Carolina in 2026.
Opinion
Requiring work for benefits is wise
Surveys show that 81% of Americans agree with work requirements for able-bodied recipients of Medicaid and two-thirds favor them for nutrition assistance.
