“Viewpoints” is a place on Chapelboro where local people are encouraged to share their unique perspectives on issues affecting our community. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work, reporting or approval of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com. If you’d like to contribute a column on an issue you’re concerned about, interesting happenings around town, reflections on local life — or anything else — send a submission to viewpoints@wchl.com.
The Bigger Picture: North Carolina’s Place in National Politics
A perspective from Tom Jensen
Here are some bigger picture thoughts I have about North Carolina’s place in national politics after Tuesday:
-There’s been an endless debate over the last decade about whether North Carolina is a purple state or a red state. The correct answer has been that it’s a purple state, but one that in an average election year will vote R+2 which is why Republicans have held most of the power despite the state being so closely divided.
I think we will look back and see that Tuesday ushered in a new era where we are still a purple state, but one that in an average election year will vote D+2. There will still be years we win and years we lose but I think in the normal years we will come out ahead.
That’s basically where Georgia has been for the last half a decade. I think North Carolina is now where Georgia was in 2020. And Georgia is now Virginia was in 2012. Hopefully that transition will roll right along and we will fulfill our aspired destiny of being the new Virginia sometime in the next decade!
-I believe North Carolina may be the state that determines the 2028 Presidential race. We have consistently been one of the closest states in the country going back to 2008. But we’ve always been sort of an icing on the cake state for Democrats. If they won here that meant the election was a landslide, it was never part of the path to 270 electoral votes.
Although the results on Tuesday were great in places like Michigan and Wisconsin, they didn’t see nearly the movement to the left that places like North Carolina and Georgia did. It’s pretty easy for me to see a world now where North Carolina and Georgia are the most straight forward path to 270 electoral votes for Democrats rather than the midwestern states.
-Republicans have always won in North Carolina by making up for Democrats’ huge leads in the large urban counties with their own huge leads in the ‘next county over.’
But on Tuesday Democrats completely dominated Cabarrus and Alamance Counties, won Franklin, Harnett, Lee, and Johnston Counties, and came awfully close in Gaston and Union Counties. Roy Cooper may very well win Gaston after the remaining ballots get counted.
This is not just a one off occurrence, it’s a trend. Overall in 2024 North Carolina voted 2 points more Republican than it did in 2012. But Cabarrus moved 12 points to the left, Johnston moved 7 points to the left, Alamance County moved 6 points to the left, and Union County moved 5 points to the left between those two elections.
Tuesday accelerated a trend that was already occurring in those exurban counties. If Democrats can compete in those places they’re going to win statewide more often than not.
Add a US Senate race where the Democrat defeating Ted Budd could pretty well lock in Senate control until 2032 and North Carolina will be the center of attention in 2028!
“Viewpoints” on Chapelboro is a recurring series of community-submitted opinion columns. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work or reporting of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com.
Viewpoints: North Carolina’s Place in National Politics Chapelboro.com.
Hence then, the article about viewpoints north carolina s place in national politics was published today ( ) and is available on chapelboro ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Viewpoints: North Carolina’s Place in National Politics )
Also on site :
- What channel is Plymouth Parkway v Berkhamsted FA Cup match on? TV coverage, live stream and kick-off time
- Chipotle Is Bringing Back Its Record-Breaking BOGO Deal on Friday the 13th—With a Limited-Edition Wiz Khalifa Bag—And You Don’t Even Need a Real Tattoo
- ‘Love Is Blind’ Reunion Goes Off the Rails for Michaella Giorgio With Stage Fall, Explosive Fight and Mushrooms Confession