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Ken Rudin, the Political JunkieKen Rudin has a problem: he is hooked on politics. The political junkie regularly joins The State of Things for Friday discussions about the political world in North Carolina. Ken’s experience spans three decades of political coverage, most recently at NPR.From the latest congressional news to behind-the-scenes views on the campaign trail, Ken offers political insight, historical analysis and trivia. More information, including his weekly scuttlebutton puzzle, can be found at his website.

The Political Junkie: Dan Versus Dan, New Legislative Maps And Another Dem Debate

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Andrew Yang speaking with attendees at the 2019 Iowa Democratic Wing Ding at Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.
Gage Skidmore/ Creative Commons

Two long-awaited special elections in North Carolina are just days away. On Tuesday, Sept. 10 voters will cast ballots in the 3rd and 9th Congressional Districts.

The battle of two Dans in the fraud-tainted 9th district has garnered plenty of national attention. President Donald Trump has been vocal in his support for Republican candidate Dan Bishop through Tweets and robocalls, while Democrat Dan McCready has raised far more money.

The Political Junkie Ken Rudin shares his analysis of the race with host Frank Stasio. Rudin also weighs in on the decision by North Carolina’s Republican legislative leaders not to appeal a recent court decision that deems the state’s legislative maps illegal partisan gerrymanders. What kind of precedent does the three-judge panel’s decision set for other states in the fight against partisan gerrymandering? Plus 10 candidates will squeeze on stage for the next Democratic showdown. How are the presidential hopefuls looking heading into the debate on Sept. 12? Rudin shares his rundown.

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Laura Pellicer is a digital reporter with WUNC’s small but intrepid digital news team.
Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.
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