9 potential governors Republicans should invest in

The time is now to build a statewide presence for candidates to compete in 2032. Here's what I'd do.

There’s an old adage that goes something like this: The best time to plant a political operation is 20 years ago. The second-best time is right now.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve written about why why Democrats have maintained control of the top executive positions in North Carolina politics. After this month’s election, Republicans are now likely shut out for at least another decade. Now let’s talk about what to do about it.

Obviously, the best time to start this effort would have been 20 to 30 years ago. With the right organization and a little foresight, Republicans could have started building their own Council of State-level political infrastructure in the 1990s and secured control of the North Carolina governor’s mansion by the early 2000s. That’s basically what the GOP did in other Southern states, like Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

But that ship has obviously sailed. So the second-best time to start building this infrastructure is right now. To have any shot at competing in 2032 and beyond, Republican leaders should start cultivating future governors today. Not all of them will pan out, of course, but it’s worth the time and effort to develop and vet them.

Building a bench

There’s two primary steps in building a bench of talented candidates for future higher office: Identifying the right people and building their résumés.

The first part is clearly the hardest. Right now, there’s a strong anti-establishment and anti-incumbent sentiment in the Republican electorate. This leads to candidates who perform well in primaries but fall short in a general election. This environment could change, but you have to take it into account at this stage.

That means the ideal candidates to build around must have the stability and competence to appeal to suburban swing voters while also maintaining the conservative values and authenticity that excite Republican primary voters.

Then comes the résumé building. Looking at the past century’s worth of North Carolina governors, there are only a few paths to take to reach the Executive Mansion.

Counting Gov.-elect Josh Stein, six out of the last 12 governors have spent time in the General Assembly. Of the six who didn’t, three started as lieutenant governor, one was in Congress (Jim Martin) and one was attorney general (Mike Easley). Only Gov. Pat McCrory breaks the mold, serving as Charlotte mayor before becoming governor. With North Carolina cities now solidly blue, this is no longer a viable option for Republican candidates.

The path to the governorship used to be shorter. It was easier to go from a General Assembly member right to the Executive Mansion — and that’s exactly what Govs. Jim Holshouser, Dan Moore and Terry Sanford did. As the state has grown, though, candidates have required to take incremental steps to build name ID and a statewide platform and donor base.

Potential future governors

With all that in mind, here are nine people I believe could be future governors and what their next steps should be.

Erin Paré

Republicans are now a rare breed in Wake and Mecklenburg County, and Rep. Paré (age 46) is the strongest of the bunch. She has strong grassroots support and can build a campaign around a smart, reasonable approach to education. She briefly considered a run for Congress before, and should take another look in the next cycle.

Next step: Congress

Deanna Ballard

I was really bummed to see former Sen. Ballard double-bunked with Ralph Hise in the 2022 redistricting of their Watauga County districts. They both ran in a collegial primary, which Ballard lost by about 350 votes. She then came in a close third in the crowded 2024 lieutenant governor primary, narrowly missing the run-off.

Ballard (also age 46) has bona fides in education and in emergency response by virtue of her work at Samaritan’s Purse, plus the beginnings of a statewide organization from the LG campaign. I’d love to see her run for lieutenant governor again.

Next step: Lieutenant Governor

Allen Chesser

Nash County is the new bellwether of statewide races, and Chesser (age 39) managed to hold on to his N.C. House seat there despite it going for Gov.-elect Josh Stein by a substantial margin. A combat veteran and former law enforcement officer, Chesser’s biography is tailor-made for a statewide campaign. His ability to win in a competitive district demonstrates his crossover appeal, and he could use a lieutenant governor run to build statewide name recognition.

Next step: Lieutenant Governor

Jonathan Almond

Almond represents the kind of fresh energy Republicans need. A 38-year-old Cabarrus County resident, Almond entered politics during the COVID-19 era driven by a passion for protecting kids’ education. Now newly elected to the state House, Almond has an inspiring personal story and strong roots in a metro-adjacent area critical to Republican success. With time and mentorship, Almond could become a compelling voice for the party on education and parental rights.

Next step: Lieutenant Governor

Jake Johnson

At just 29, Johnson is already a seasoned politician. The Polk County native was the youngest county commission chair in state history and is now entering his fourth term in the General Assembly. Johnson has a natural gift for campaign messaging and connects well with voters. His rural background, coupled with his political instincts, positions him to step into a larger role, potentially in Congress, where he could further hone his statewide credentials.

Next step: Congress

Kyle Hall

Kyle Hall’s district blends urban and rural communities, giving him a unique perspective and ability to connect with a broad range of voters. As a rising star in House leadership, Hall is well-positioned to build a statewide platform. Unlike most on this list, Hall could realistically use his General Assembly experience as a springboard for higher office, much like U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis did. At age 34, he’s got a long runway to work with.

Next step: State House leadership

Danny Britt

Few Republicans have the kind of bipartisan appeal that Britt enjoys. Representing Robeson County — one of the state’s most diverse — Britt (age 45) wins by wide margins in a district that doesn’t naturally lean Republican. His background as a National Guardsman and prosecutor and his reputation for pragmatism make him an overwhelmingly strong contender for state attorney general. While he could realistically run for governor now, a successful AG campaign would give him the name ID and platform to make an even stronger bid in the future.

Next step: Attorney General

Travis Page

As Gaston County’s district attorney, Page has made a name for himself by focusing on issues like fentanyl and public safety, earning positive media coverage in the process. His tough-on-crime approach and ability to dominate local headlines make him a natural fit for a statewide campaign. An attorney general race would allow Page (age 40) to build a platform and broaden his appeal while staying focused on the issues he’s most passionate about.

Next step: Attorney General

Destin Hall

I honestly know very little about our incoming House Speaker, but he’s about to get a much larger platform — and he’s only 37. Hall’s ability to steer legislative priorities and deliver results will be critical to his future. Six or eight years of policy wins would put him in a good position for higher office.

Next step: U.S. Senate

Honorable Mention: Andrew Murray

Murray is the epitome of law and order, and has enough stories to spin campaign yarns for days. The former Mecklenburg County DA is now DA out west after a stint as a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney. He’s the oldest person on this list at 62, so his time is running short. I could see him giving Jeff Jackson a run for his money in 2028.

How to invest in these potential future candidates

Becoming a contender for statewide office doesn’t happen by accident — it takes consistent effort, strategic planning, and a willingness to build your brand well before you’re on the ballot. If I were on this list and serious about running for higher office, here’s exactly what I’d do to start laying the groundwork today.

• Keep communication going. General Assembly members have the bad habit of only sending emails when election time rolls around. If you’re interested in higher office, the “permanent campaign” starts now. A weekly email is the bare minimum for a future governor, and it can’t just be a fundraising letter — though you should raise more money because of it, as well. Share updates, showcase your accomplishments, refine your message and offer a glimpse of your vision for the future.

• Start publishing videos. Get in the habit of putting out a weekly 90-second, face-to-the-camera video talking about whatever’s important in your purview at the moment. These are gold for building authenticity and name recognition while crafting soundbites that resonate statewide. But “action” videos are a must, as well. Write stump speeches with the 20-second sound-bite in mind, and hire somebody to clip candid videos to distribute on social media wherever possible.

• Build relationships with media outlets. The mainstream media is declining in influence, but remains a great way to spread your message without spending money. Get a call-in spot on a radio program or three, get friendly with political reporters, and offer up quotes whenever something important happens. The idea is to get yourself out there as much as possible to build name ID. Be the first to offer insight on breaking news, and always stay quotable. Over time, this builds a reputation as a go-to leader and expands your visibility beyond your current district.

• Show up statewide. Winning a statewide race means building support outside your backyard. Start making connections with county GOP organizations across North Carolina. Put every county’s GOP events on your calendar and attend whenever you can, support local candidates, and coordinate your visits with local representatives to amplify your impact. These connections will pay off when it comes time to build an on-the-ground campaign team and fundraise outside your region.

If you’re on this list (or not) and serious about higher office, the time to start investing in the team is now. Success in 2032 begins with the decisions you make today. And if you need help putting it all together, you know where to find me.

Important reads

• NC continued to struggle with making initial unemployment payments on time, audit finds (Charlotte Observer, or read the audit report)

• Why Thom Tillis is the nation's 'most vulnerable' GOP senator (WRAL)

• ‘We were not watching closely,’ Cooper’s staff admits as NCORR deficit grows to $221 million (Carolina Journal)

• Meet one of the country's worst sheriffs [Mecklenburg County's Garry McFadden] (The Gun Writer)

• Rep. Tricia Cotham’s speech defending Opportunity Scholarships (X)

Key takeaways from Jim Blaine's podcast interview

I’ve never met Jim Blaine in person, but there are few people in N.C. politics that I look up to more. He’s got a wealth of knowledge and data skills, and I love the Differentiators brand.

Last week, Blaine sat down to record a podcast with Spectrum News’s Tim Boyum, and it was a fascinating listen. You can listen to the full thing here. I took pages of notes, but here are just a few of the highlights.

On Mark Robinson’s loss

Blaine said the governor’s race was essentially over in June when the Stein campaign put out the “skirts” ad. He said he started to see polling and focus group results that indicated a sharp reaction to it.

“Women were suddenly extremely aware of Mark Robinson, regardless of party,” Blaine said. “They had an enormous problem, not necessarily with his position on abortion, but with the comment that women ought to keep their skirts down and the implied misogyny in that comment and the idea that there are not two parties that bear some culpability in an unwanted pregnancy. That ad was just devastating.”

On the GOP’s problem winning governor’s races

“Republicans haven't had a strong governor in 30-plus years. McCrory ... bless his heart, is the nicest thing I can say. He did not build any infrastructure, did not have a long-term vision for party building,” Blaine said. “Roy Cooper and Jim Hunt, maybe to a lesser extent Beverly Perdue — they all understood the value of the party and worked to make sure the infrastructure was robust. Just having a strong leader like that allows discipline to be enforced, donor networks to be developed.”

On the 2026 U.S. Senate race

Blaine said he actually doesn’t believe Cooper will run. “I don’t know why he would do it,” Blaine said. And he also thinks U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis is a stronger candidate in a potential Republican primary than people give him credit for. One big reason? Blaine expects Tillis to have $50 million to $100 million to spend on a primary election.

“Tillis is a real survivor in politics,” Blaine said. He also noted that the business and donor community is now more likely to weigh in on primaries.

The General Assembly is once again horrible for Republican brand 

At the national level, there’s an ongoing debate about how aggressive political parties should be during their fleeting moments of power. Should Republicans eliminate the filibuster to push through sweeping legislation? Should Democrats stack the judiciary while they can? The idea is simple: When your time is short, make the most of it.

But in North Carolina, the dynamics are entirely different. Thanks to the state’s geographic polarization, Democrats have little chance of taking power anytime soon. Republicans, on the other hand, have room to think long-term. They don’t have to govern in a frantic rush. Instead, they can focus on building their brand and cultivating leaders who can step into the governor’s mansion and other top offices.

Unfortunately, the General Assembly’s recent actions show they aren’t taking this approach. Their insistence on wielding power like a battering ram does real damage to the Republican brand. Case in point: GOP leaders recently turned what should have been a straightforward Hurricane Helene Part 3 recovery bill into a 130-page monster designed to strip even more power away from the governor and attorney general.

It’s a short-sighted move. It doesn’t appeal to voters outside the Republican base, and it makes the party look petty and combative. Thankfully, three mountain-region Republicans saw the problem and voted against the bill. Good for them. This type of politics just isn’t worth it.

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