Carolina Forward

Hey y'all - you know what? It doesn't have to be like this. We can demand better from Raleigh and a better state for us all. If you've had enough and are ready to take action, join us. Fight back. We fight for North Carolina. 👇 secure.actblue.com/donate/carol...

Who will control the 2026 North Carolina state legislature - and what will the margins be? No one knows just yet - but now, you can see how the results of different races could change the balance of power in Raleigh. Try the new Legislature Simulator for yourself: carolinaforward.org/simulator/

In his new book (of course), Senator Thom Tillis says that top NC Republican leaders together told him directly that Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" would cost North Carolina almost $2 billion per year, every year, for a decade. Full story: www.wral.com/news/nccapit...

Sarah Stevens, the Republican candidate for North Carolina Supreme Court, has halted all public campaign events and gone into hiding. Meanwhile, Justice Anita Earls at Cats Cradle last night:

Some good news to share: Of all the Moms For Loonytoons chapters that were started across North Carolin aback in 2023/2024, fewer than a third remain only two years later. 🚮

Here's what happened this week in North Carolina politics. [October 23, 2026] It's going to be a big can of whoopass. Mike Causey should apologize - and then resign.

People sometimes ask what industry special interests actually *get* in exchange for donating money to politicians. One example: In exchange for taking special interest money, the NC REALTOR political action committee brags to its own members that they control Wake County Republican Erin Pare.

Incredible, but true: Donald Trump threatened to block medical claims for U.S. military veterans stemming from toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune if Republicans don't hold control of the House and Senate in this year's elections. Full story: www.military.com/trump-says-n...

In the October edition of the Carolina Forward Poll, Democrats lead Republicans on the state legislative generic ballot among every group of voters except for men over 50. Full results: carolinaforward.org/news/the-oct...

Here's a full clip of Kevin Crutchfield, the local MAGA candidate for the North Carolina state senate in Cabarrus county, saying that he doesn't believe "reproductive healthcare" is a real thing. Carolina Forward is proud to endorse Crutchfield's opponent, April Cook.

By more than a 2-to-1 margin, North Carolina voters oppose Flock camera surveillance, according to the October edition of the Carolina Forward Poll. Full results: carolinaforward.org/news/the-oct...

[NEW] The Forgotten, Expensive Lessons of 2009 The 2008-2009 Great Recession is 17 years ago now, and the lessons it imparted might be forgotten today as North Carolina considers a proposed constitutional amendment on its income tax. More: carolinaforward.org/news/the-for...

What we're fighting for this year in North Carolina is the restoration of democracy in Raleigh, and a state legislature of, by and for the people - not the crooked politicos who have hijacked it today.

North Carolina's budget-strained school districts have yet a new stressor to deal with: the skyrocketing price of diesel fuel. More: carolinapublicpress.org/82516/diesel...

A brutal new inflation report landed on Thursday that showed wholesale prices surging higher again in the biggest increase since 2022. Full report (gift link): www.wsj.com/economy/cent...

Did you know that North Carolina has the 10th highest state gas tax in the country? taxfoundation.org/data/all/sta...

That's a mighty fine looking sign. And whatever you do, don't skip John Arrowood, Toby Hampson and Christine Walczyk for the NC Court of Appeals! Find your 2026 sample ballot: carolinaforward.org/2026/

In this year's state budget, Republican leaders in the North Carolina state legislature authorized a massive expansion of Flock camera surveillance on all highways and roads statewide. Learn more: www.wral.com/news/nccapit...

Here's what happened this week in North Carolina politics. [October 16, 2026] It's stupid season on the campaign trail. Grab a voter guide and go VOTE. 🗳️

In North Carolina's U.S. Senate race, former Governor Roy Cooper leads Michael Whatley by 13 points among NC natives, but tightens to just a 5-point lead among voters who were born outside the state. Full results: carolinaforward.org/news/the-oct...

TODAY'S THE DAY. 🗳️ Early in-person voting starts TODAY all across North Carolina, and runs until October 31. Go get em, y'all. Go check out the ballot in YOUR county, and make sure to share with the people in your life: carolinaforward.org/news/the-202...

They'd like you to forget all about it, but back in 2022, Republican State Rep. Erin Paré held joint events with her friend Mark "Minisoldr" Robinson after he proposed eliminating all science and history education in North Carolina K-5 classrooms. (Yes, really.) indyweek.com/news/mark-ro...

The October edition of the Carolina Forward Poll is in! In this edition of the Carolina Forward Poll, we also asked about voters' views of the Trump administration's tariffs and automated license plate readers (ex. Flock cameras). Let's dive in. Full results: carolinaforward.org/news/the-oct...

The whole reason we have elections is to decide on what policies we want - for North Carolina, and for America as a whole. We know what policies our state government puts into place now. But most people never hear about the policy alternatives that are offered instead.

North Carolina is home to more than 130,000 American Indians representing eight state-recognized tribes: Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of Saponi, Sappony, and Waccamaw Siouan. Today, we honor their living traditions and leadership.

NEW: newly revealed posts show that NC Republican Rep. Mike Schietzelt of northern Wake County promoted the "stop the steal" conspiracy theory and was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump's attempt to overthrow the 2020 election. More: cardinalpine.com/news/wake-co...

North Carolina's state legislature, as currently constituted, is totally illegitimate and completely unrepresentative of our state's actual voters. The Carolina Forward Voter Guide drops next week. Stay tuned.

Here's what happened this week in North Carolina politics. [October 9, 2026] The guys who couldn't pass a state budget for a year and a half all rushed to Raleigh to pass a temporary suspension of the gas tax... that lasts right through the election. Will it work? 🤔

There's one big under-discussed element of North Carolina lawmakers suspending the state gas tax: the finances are wildly irresponsible. More on this: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Want to stay informed on what's happening in North Carolina? Sign up for the Carolina Forward email list. Our twice-weekly emails offer the latest policy research, top stories, and upcoming events all in one place. Sign up here: secure.everyaction.com/OTQ83wqlLUGg...

One of these men took PFAS water contamination seriously. The other didn’t. And if North Carolina had different leadership in its state legislature, PFAS water contamination might’ve been addressed years ago.

This fall, Carolina Forward is endorsing 19 candidates for local office all across North Carolina. Help build a better state for everyone! Full endorsements: carolinaforward.org/news/carolin...

IT'S HERE: The 2026 Carolina Forward Voter Guide launches today. The Carolina Forward Voter Guide is here to help you navigate your ballot in any of North Carolina's 100 counties. Find out who's running in your community: carolinaforward.org/news/the-202...

Early voting begins NEXT WEEK in North Carolina, and the Carolina Forward team is launching our official 2026 Voter Guide. Make an informed choice when you go vote this year! Check out the guide at carolinaforward.org/2026

A strong democracy depends on participation, and participation starts with being registered to vote. Making sure your registration is up to date is one of the simplest ways to ensure your voice can be heard this election. Check your registration today: vt.ncsbe.gov/reglkup/

More people move to North Carolina from Florida than any other state - and by a pretty big margin. The next 3 states, in order: South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.

Paul "Skip" Stam, the former Republican Majority Leader of the NC House, is officially coming out AGAINST this year's proposed state constitutional amendment to cap the income tax rate. "I will vote NO on November 3, 2026." ncnewsline.com/2026/09/28/w...

Jess Rivera over in Wilson County is running one of the most audacious campaigns this year in the North Carolina state legislature, and more folks should listen to what she's saying. Jess Rivera's got a fight on her hands - but she's used to that. We've got her back.

Here's what happened this week in North Carolina politics. [October 2, 2026] How are the "blood soaked killing fields" in your backyard today? 🙄

Hey, Mecklenburg - this rich retiree lady from New York is trying to buy her way into the North Carolina state senate down in Matthews. She keeps pouring her personal fortune into trying to tear down Woodson Bradley, who's doing a terrific job. Tell her to go pound sand. Senator Bradley, get her!

According to Duke Energy's own planning, datacenters alone make up 80% of all new electricity demand in their pipeline for North Carolina. More: carolinaforward.org/news/duke-en...

Republican leaders in the North Carolina state legislature formed a special committee that vowed to investigate and "hold accountable" former Governor Cooper over a 2021 prison settlement. But the committee has done... nothing. Full story: www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...

There are three proposed amendments to our North Carolina state constitution on the ballot this year, and this week, we're talking about each of them. Today is Part 3: the income tax amendment. Our recommendation: vote against all 3. 🙅‍♂️

Question: do you know who your representatives are in the North Carolina state legislature? Most people - almost 80%, in fact - don't. That's why we created a source where anyone can find basic information about how our state legislature works. carolinaforward.org/legislature

There are three proposed amendments to our North Carolina state constitution on the ballot this year, and this week, we're talking about each of them. Today is Part 2: the property tax amendment. Our recommendation: vote against all 3. 🙅‍♂️

There are three proposed amendments to our North Carolina state constitution on the ballot this year, and this week, we're talking about each of them. Today is Part 1: the voter ID amendment. Our recommendation: vote against all 3. 🙅‍♂️

The Wall Street Journal profiled the Paris of the Piedmont this week, and how this gem of Appalachia has rebuilt - slowly - since Hurricane Helene. Full story: www.wsj.com/business/how...

Two years ago today, Hurricane Helene devastated communities across WNC. The work of rebuilding continues.

Public records show that as Donald Trump's "Recovery Czar" for Hurricane Helene, Michael Whatley held a grand total of 5 phone calls, totaling 38 minutes in all. Full story: www.citizen-times.com/story/news/l...

Here's something weird: Sarah Stevens, the Republican state house representative who's now running for the NC Supreme Court, doesn't seem to know Iryna Zarutska's name. She keeps talking about "Aray-na Zarinsky" instead. Vote Justice Anita Earls!

Here's what happened this week in North Carolina politics. [September 25, 2026] Seriously, go check out the new tool - you'll probably learn something new.