The 2023 elections in North Carolina were strictly local. Abortion appeared to be the primary issue in other states. The 2024 elections will be more active. There are 2 Democratic candidates and 4 Republican candidates declared in the Governor’s race so far. Our Senators are not up for re-election in 2024. The situation in the U.S. Congress and the NC General Assembly is quite different, however, and maps for the 3 elections have been announced.
The maps in 2022 were redrawn following a lawsuit, but it is unlikely that the current maps will be challenged. A suit likely would end up in the NC Supreme Court, which has a Republican majority. Candidates for Congressional, NC Senate, and NC House Districts have just started announcing their races since the maps are new. Some have chosen not to run for re-election, and some have moved to another district. Speaker of the NC House in the General Assembly Tim Moore announced that he will not seek re-election and announced his intention to run for Congress.
I am vitally concerned about the state of democracy (little d) in this country, and particularly in North Carolina. I can’t recall a time when I felt that the right to vote, and that each vote counts, was in such jeopardy.
Two of my former Congressional representatives withdrew from office due to gerrymandering when their districts were redrawn in previous decades. I’m wondering how long it will take before you completely block me from voting. That’s a particular concern since I’m registered as an Independent. This type of governing builds a distrust of how our government works and whether it is done in the public interest or for partisan gain.
We went through this in the last round, and the gerrymandering was thrown out. I’m not sure what will happen this time. The process has not been transparent, which increases my concern about what goes on behind closed doors. The public has not been informed. I thought this process only occurred every ten years. Why now?
Trump continues not only to maintain a strangle hold on the Republican Party but also on the national news. Everyone was breathless over the fourth set of formal charges against a former President. One case has tentatively been set for a trial date. He ignored the GOP debates, which most people did also. He brags about these charges as badges of honor. He may feel differently when he lands in jail.
One judge has told him to keep his mouth shut so he would not intimidate potential witnesses or limit the search for potential jurors. She probably will formally go ahead and issue a gag order since he can’t keep his mouth shut.
He has lots of company with 18 co-conspirators in the Georgia case. They’re trying to break away from him and from the judge, but no luck so far. Of course, lots of people are speculating that he never will be convicted and will win the election. At this point he seems to be favored at least to win the GOP nomination. The other candidates with a show of hands indicated they would support him even if he is convicted. The debate over the application of the 14th Amendment continues.