Premium

What limited government actually means

Tillis reaches for the old conservative catchphrase, with hits and misses along the way.

Aug 22 •

I spent a month experimenting with AI video. Here's how smart campaigns will use it.

A month of trial and error shows where AI video can already give campaigns an edge — and where the hype still outpaces reality.

Aug 9 •

Gerrymandering just doesn’t hit like it used to

The redistricting wars made a lot of noise, raised a lot of money, and gave Democrats a message. That moment’s passed.

Aug 7 •

Brad Briner’s baby step on AI could spark a giant leap for N.C. government

AI won’t fix everything, but it can fix a lot of government busywork. The State Treasurer just proved it.

Aug 5 •

Michael Whatley has earned his shot for U.S. Senate

No one’s closer to the Trump operation in North Carolina — and now Whatley’s taking the message to the ballot.

Jul 24 •

The Senate race is stuck in neutral. Here's how Don Brown is soldiering on

Long-shot candidates built their pitch around opposing Tillis. Now they’re in limbo

Jul 18 •

Thom Tillis finally made his case — just not to North Carolina

The senator showed real fight in a CNN interview this week. Imagine if he’d brought that same energy back home.

Jul 10 •

There’s no way Josh Stein’s approval ratings stay this high

It’s quite a honeymoon: Stein is virtually break-even with Republicans

Jul 8 •

I made a shrimp ban attack ad in under two hours — here’s why that matters

AI-generated videos are getting cheaper, faster, and more convincing — and they’re about to change how local campaigns fight and win.

Jul 2 •

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The cost of a permanent campaign

Jeff Jackson’s new digital push isn’t groundbreaking — but it shows exactly what the off-cycle permanent campaign looks like, down to the dollar.

Jun 27 •

Shrimpers show 'how politics is supposed to work'

A modest protest over shrimp trawling just sank a Senate bill — and offered a reminder that in North Carolina politics, 100 well-timed voices still…

Jun 26 •

In a bizarro version of North Carolina politics

Both sides think they’re the underdog — and the hero — using the exact same language

Jun 17 •

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