Staff Reports
In a tale of two elections, North Carolina Democrats managed to snag a few victories amid the Republican wave that rolled over the nation, carrying with it President-elect Donald Trump. On November 5, Trump not only claimed the state yet again, winning by over three percentage points, but he also solidified his status as a local favorite, scoring there for the third time in a row. Despite Trump’s triumph, however, a Democratic leash was still found, as they somehow managed to capture several statewide offices, including the coveted governor’s mansion.
Democrats celebrated their wins in several key positions, such as governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and even the state superintendent of public instruction. They credit their success to what they call “quality candidates.” This notion raises a few eyebrows, considering that the Republican challenger, Mark Robinson, was less of a polished candidate and more of a political piñata, especially after a bombshell CNN article highlighted his past self-identification as a “black Nazi” and other eyebrow-raising escapades on unsavory websites. One can only wonder how that oversight slipped through the cracks of campaign strategy.
The North Carolina Democratic Party, under the watchful eye of Chairwoman Anderson Clayton, is now reportedly contemplating how to retool their strategy to avoid potential midterm and 2028 disasters. It’s a tough pill for them to swallow, knowing that while they can snag a few local victories, the national party’s branding of Republicans as extremists is falling flat in the Tar Heel State. A political science professor at Davidson College pointed out that Robinson simply couldn’t inspire voters like Trump does, which surely isn’t music to Democrats’ ears.
North Carolina Democrats buck national trends to see statewide success https://t.co/78gpqxuxTf
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 18, 2024
Republicans have long held sway in North Carolina, boasting a significant upper hand with 11 of the last 12 presidential elections under their belts. In stark contrast, Democrats have claimed eight out of the last nine gubernatorial races. The state may lean blue in certain local races, but its residents still show a clear preference for Republican ideals at the national level. This makes it a tricky game for Democrats trying to woo voters who feel their national party has drifted too far left while hoping to support local candidates who masquerade as moderates.
Political professors suggest that North Carolinians are disillusioned with the federal government but are not yet ready to throw caution to the wind at the state level. The dissonance between national and state politics emphasizes a particular preference for moderation among local candidates. This reality appears to be a bittersweet reminder for Democrats that while they can celebrate minor wins, the overall tide is still very much red in North Carolina. For the time being, the Democratic playbook may require more than just a few quality candidates to flip the script in a fundamentally Republican-friendly environment.
