In the past four years, North Carolina has seen a mix of victories and losses for the Democratic Party. While Donald Trump narrowly won the state in the 2016 presidential election, Democratic Governor Roy Cooper was reelected and has been a strong check on the Republican-controlled legislature. With the upcoming presidential election, both Trump and Kamala Harris have been actively campaigning in North Carolina, indicating a closely split race in the state. Meanwhile, the race to succeed Cooper, led by Democratic nominee Josh Stein, seems to be leaning in favor of the Democrats due to Stein’s strong campaign and significant lead in recent polls.
Despite early polling showing Stein with a considerable lead over his Republican opponent, Mark Robinson, both parties are aware of the history of close elections in North Carolina and recognize the potential for the race to tighten. Robinson’s focus on parental rights in schools has garnered support among conservatives, while Stein’s centrist and economy-focused campaign aims to win over a broader base of voters. Republicans believe that their core support will stabilize as the election draws nearer, as has been the case in past elections.
North Carolina has a history of favoring ticket-splitting in elections, with presidential outcomes differing from gubernatorial results. While polls show Stein leading Robinson in the gubernatorial race, the presidential race remains unclear. Stein has heavily invested in TV ads, particularly highlighting Robinson’s controversial remarks on abortion. In response, Robinson’s campaign has spent a significant amount on ads attacking Stein’s law enforcement record. Robinson has garnered support from Trump, who has endorsed him and campaigned alongside him, emphasizing policy over personalities in their campaign.
The governor’s race may ultimately come down to how Robinson’s past remarks and inflammatory comments have affected moderate and independent voters. While Stein has focused on his record as attorney general and promoted a message of unity and progress, Robinson has emphasized his experiences growing up in poverty and his focus on economic and education policies. Both candidates have taken contrasting approaches in their campaigns, with Stein highlighting the importance of issues over divisiveness while Robinson aims to address economic concerns and overhaul public education in the state.
Despite the negative ads and controversies surrounding both candidates, voters in North Carolina are looking to make informed decisions based on policies and issues that matter to them. While some voters are willing to overlook Robinson’s contentious remarks, others are more focused on his proposed changes to education policy. With the election approaching, voters like Heather Horak are prioritizing policy over emotions and personal opinions, emphasizing the importance of looking at the facts when deciding on a candidate. As the race continues, both candidates will need to navigate these contrasting styles and appeal to a diverse range of voters in North Carolina.
