(Photo: NCGA live stream))
State Rep. Nasif Majeed of Mecklenburg County announced Monday he is leaving the Democratic Party following his loss in last month’s primary, becoming the second to defect from the caucus in less than a week.
Majeed said in a press release that he is switching his party affiliation to unaffiliated out of concerns over political practices that are “inconsistent with the spirit of free elections,” though he did not specify what actions he intended to refer to.
“Our community deserves leadership that is honest, accountable, and respectful of the democratic process,” he said. “I cannot, in good conscience, remain aligned where those concerns are not adequately addressed.”
His decision to switch parties comes three days after his fellow Mecklenburg lawmaker, state Rep. Carla Cunningham, also changed her affiliation from the Democratic Party to unaffiliated. She, too, lost her primary in March.
Both Majeed’s and Cunningham’s defeats came after they joined multiple votes to override vetoes by Gov. Josh Stein in 2025. Both lost by wide margins to progressive-backed rivals.
Majeed told the New York Times in February that he was “running against the machine” after progressive advocacy groups paid for an avalanche of mailers and ads opposing him in the primary.
“What’s the difference between this and what Trump does?” he said. “If you don’t vote the way Trump tells you to vote, they intimidate you.”
NC Republican legislators have veto overrides on immigration, guns, DEI in their sights
The House has six outstanding veto override votes on its agenda Tuesday. To reach the supermajority needed for passage, those override votes will require at least one Democrat or unaffiliated member to join all Republicans.
Now that they no longer identify as Democrats, Majeed and Cunningham may be the most likely final votes for the remaining overrides.
“My focus remains unchanged — delivering results for working families, supporting economic opportunity, addressing public safety, and expanding access to affordable housing,” Majeed said. “As an Independent, I am free to evaluate each issue on its merits and advocate without constraint.”
Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper wrote in a post on social media that Majeed and Cunningham are the only North Carolina lawmakers he could identify to switch parties after losing a primary.
They are the first lawmakers to switch parties since 2023, when Rep. Tricia Cotham, also of Mecklenburg County, left the Democratic Party to join the Republican Party and gave the GOP a supermajority in the state House of Representatives.
House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) praised Majeed and Cunningham in a statement Monday afternoon “for putting their constituents first.”
“Today’s Democratic Party has no room for those who don’t toe the line of the far left’s agenda,” Hall said. “Both of these members have led with integrity, refusing to let political pressure dictate their convictions or undermine the interests of the people they were elected to serve, and North Carolina is better for it.”
House Democratic Leader Robert Reives (D-Chatham), who said last Wednesday that “nothing’s changed” in his relationship with the members who lost their primaries, expressed hope that Majeed and Cunningham will remain true to their values in a statement Monday.
“During their years in public office Representatives Majeed and Cunningham have voted on bills according to their values and I expect they will continue to do so,” Reives said. “I value their friendship and look forward to continuing to serve with them.”
Hence then, the article about nc rep nasif majeed leaves democratic party becoming second to do so after primary loss was published today ( ) and is available on NC news line ( 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 ( NC Rep. Nasif Majeed leaves Democratic Party, becoming second to do so after primary loss )
Also on site :
- This Iconic 1974 Dress Was Purchased Over 1 Million Times in Its First 2 Years—and It’s Still Popular Today
- ‘Minions & Monsters’ To Open Annecy Animation Film Festival
- British TV legend Nicola Walker's much-anticipated "messy" anti-romantic comedy confirms release date