Unaffiliated NC voters surge early + Trump threatens to nix Camp Lejeune settlements + Ager, Balkcom vie for WNC seat

By Lynn Bonner

Early voting stats don’t predict Election Day winners, but the first few days of voting in North Carolina have produced a surprise – the eagerness among unaffiliated voters in North Carolina to cast ballots in a midterm election. 

Turnout among unaffiliated voters in the first five days of early voting has risen even faster than their share of the electorate.  In raw numbers, their votes increased 88%, from 133,683 in the first five days of 2022 early voting to 251,891 this year, according to the Center for NC Politics substack run by Catawba College political science professor Michael Bitzer.  

By Trevon Spencer

GREENVILLE, N.C. — President Donald Trump told a crowd of supporters Tuesday that his administration would direct the U.S. Department of Justice to settle remaining claims from veterans and family members sickened by contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, but would do so only if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate in November. 

“I am directing the Department of Justice to settle all remaining legitimate claims as soon as possible and get it off the books and get it finished,” Trump said at the rally at the Pitt-Greenville Airport. 

“If we don’t win, there’s no money,” Trump said. “If we do win, you’re getting it.” 

By Christine Zhu

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — About 3,000 people gathered at Asheville Yards last week for a concert rally with Jamie Ager, who’s running against GOP state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom to represent North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. The contest could play a pivotal role in the control of the U.S. House. 

Wearing trucker hats, shirts, or buttons in the campaign’s signature kelly green saying “Ager for U.S. Congress,” attendees encouraged each other to knock on doors and work the polls. Others waved signs claiming, “I’m a mountain Democrat and proud of it.”

The Cook Political Report rates the seat as “toss up,” and Democrats see Ager as their best chance to win in the district, which has been reliably red for most of the past 35 years.

By Lynn Bonner

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Hundreds of NC A&T State University students filled Greensboro streets Thursday for a 40-minute walk from their campus to an early voting site, partly to do their civic duty and partly as a show of strength.

It was the second Greensboro student voter march this month, following an event last week that drew national attention.

Earlier this year, state and local elections officials denied students’ petitions for an early voting site on campus for this year’s primary and general elections. Students decided to show the power of their numbers with a march to cast their ballots.

A federal judge lets North Carolina’s new absentee ballot rules stand | Lynn Bonner

Cooper rallies support one week into North Carolina’s early voting| Christine Zhu

Durham, NC one of 30 cities chosen for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new housing supply initiative| Greg Childress

‘I wanted him to be the guy’: Trump stumps for Whatley, GOP slate as voting in NC gets underway | Trevon Spencer

NC state rep calls state’s new curbside voting warning signs ‘intimidating’ | Greg Childress

Democrats outraise opponents in NC’s most contentious congressional races | Christine Zhu

Trump heads to Greenville as NC Republicans struggle with early voter turnout | Trevon Spencer

Vance touts $858M in Helene relief funding for Western North Carolina | Christine Zhu

From protest to the polls, No Kings organizers make push for early voting in NC | Trevon Spencer

Stein says NC counties will shoulder costs of new Medicaid rules, urges Congress to reverse cuts | Trevon Spencer

Commentaries:
A bluer NC could be in the offing | Rob Schofield

New treasurer, same State Health Plan mistakes | Kim Mackey

3 ballot amendments would cost everyday North Carolinians dearly | Jenn Frye

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