Weekend reads: Political fundraising in full force, swing-state visits, and a win for NC consumers
NC State Capitol (Photo: Clayton Henkel)
Stein, Robinson raise millions in NC governor’s race as Democrat holds fundraising lead
The election for governor in North Carolina is garnering millions in donations and spending — but in recent months, Attorney General Josh Stein has hauled in significantly more money than Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in one of the most closely-watched races this cycle.
Fundraising is happening in full force down the ballot, too, as well-financed contests develop for lieutenant governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction and more.
Stein, a Democrat, raised $13,792,245 in the quarter spanning February 18 through June 30. That’s by far the most of any North Carolina state-level candidate in that time, as Democrats aim to maintain control of the office. [Read more...]
US Rep. Don Davis outraises challenger in NC’s most competitive congressional race
More money is flowing into the campaign coffers of candidates in North Carolina’s first district than any other congressional contest in the state.
It’s the state’s most competitive congressional election. The district covers much of the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Davis was the only congressional candidate to break into seven figures for fundraising in the second quarter, taking in slightly more than $1 million. He’s seeking his second term in office. [Read more…]
In Fayetteville, Harris warns Trump will usher in a period of “chaos, fear and hate”
By Ahmed Jallow
Vice President links GOP nominees to Project 2025, makes no mention of controversy surrounding Biden’s status
An upbeat Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a forceful speech in Fayetteville on Thursday, even as President Joe Biden struggles to assuage concerns among Democrats about his fitness and ability to defeat Donald Trump in the fall election.
This marks the vice president’s 15th trip to North Carolina, a crucial battleground state where Democrats are intensifying efforts to win. [Read more…]
Bonus reads:
* Biden-Harris campaign ad on Black maternal health and abortion rights to run in NC
* Nancy Pelosi to NC Democrats: ‘What comes next is very important for our country’
Trump describes assassination attempt in speech accepting GOP presidential nomination
By Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray
MILWAUKEE — Donald Trump in an unusual speech accepting the GOP presidential nomination Thursday at the fourth and final night of the Republican National Convention gave a detailed account about the attempt on his life last weekend when a gunman shot at him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
“I will tell you exactly what happened. And you’ll never hear it from me a second time because it’s actually too painful to tell,” Trump said in his first public remarks about the shooting that killed one rally goer and injured two others. The gunman was killed by law enforcement at the scene.[Read more...]
NC elections board approves a new party, allowing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the ballot
By Lynn Bonner
The state Board of Elections voted to authorize the alternative We the People party, allowing presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to appear on North Carolina ballots in November.
The Board rejected with a 3-2 vote along party lines the Justice for All party, Cornel West’s alternative party. Democrats rejected the Justice for All attempt to become a recognized party in part over questions about signatures on its petitions. [Read more...]
Bonus read: Justice for All party says it will sue the NC elections board
North Carolina ranks 33rd in new national scorecard on women’s health, reproductive care
the Commonwealth Fund reveals mounting disparities in women’s
health and reproductive care. (Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images)
A new state-by-state scorecard of women’s health released this week by the Commonwealth Fund raises concerns over the care women receive and the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The “2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care” is based on 32 measures of state health systems and examines how state policy actions are changing the way women can access and use health care.
“Based on the evidence and data, one thing is absolutely clear, women’s health is in a very fragile state,” said Dr. Joseph Betancourt, president of the Commonwealth Fund, during a briefing with reporters on Wednesday. [Read more…]
North Carolina consumers score court win against one of nation’s largest debt-buyers
The North Carolina Justice Center has received final court approval for a $5.75 million settlement of a class action lawsuit brought against one of the nation’s largest debt buyers, Portfolio Recovery Associations (PRA).
The lawsuit, which was filed in 2016, alleged that PRA violated North Carolina debt collection law by obtaining default judgments against debtors without filing “sufficient evidence to substantiate the debts claimed to be owed.” [Read more…]
Pennsylvania shooting should be a wake-up call for the next three-plus months (commentary)
As with all such horrific acts of political violence throughout American history, this past weekend’s attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump has prompted an array of immediate and widely varying responses.
And this reality has, of course, been only enhanced by the tumultuous politics of the present moment.
Now, add in the frequently toxic ingredient of social media platforms that provide a vehicle for the voicing of people’s darkest emotions and instincts and the recipe for a descent into a destructive cycle of violence is clearly present. [Read more…]
