Down-ballot Democrats struggled in North Carolina’s 2020 elections. While Gov. Roy Cooper garnered a hefty lead over his challenger, Republicans furthered their control over the council of state and general assembly. While there is expected friction between Cooper and the GOP legislature over the usual issues like Medicaid expansion and public school funding, the party lines are drawn differently in the council of state.
The incumbent state treasurer and insurance commissioner have often stood apart from party allies. Plus, there are multiple statewide races that remain too close to call, as of Nov. 11. Why the razor-thin margins in the races for attorney general and chief justice? Host Frank Stasio discusses the expected political negotiations and stalemates with Chris Cooper, political science professor and department head at Western Carolina University.
