Chris Cooper

John Prine would have been 79 years old today.

Q&A: NC House Freedom Caucus chairman on gun bill, shrimping ban The 33-member Freedom Caucus in the state House notched some major policy victories this year, defeating a proposal from Senate leaders to ban shrimp trawling while getting a gun-rights bill to the go...

New podcast! After our recent episode with the House Progressive Caucus, I wanted to hear from the House Freedom Caucus too. GOP Rep. Keith Kidwell talked shrimping ban, guns, budget and more.

Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...

Highlights: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga

#ncpol #wncpol #nc11

BUT, anyone who is convicted of, or pleads guilty to a felony is disqualified from serving, according to the NC Constitution. How that would play out 🤷

Remember that filing for 2026 is in early December.

(4/4)

Last member of the General Assembly to be expelled was Thomas Wright in 2008.

Details on the history of disciplinary action in the #ncga:
sites.ncleg.gov/library/wp-c...

(3/4)

The one thing that is clear is what happens to a vacant seat—the incumbent candidate's party nominates someone to fill the unexpired term & the Governor approves it.

Same process if someone dies or resigns their position.
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To save #ncpol a few clicks this AM ⤵️

The #ncga does have the power to remove sitting legislators, but there is no set, clear process to governing the rules or the criteria.

Essentially, they create new rules every time they want to do it.

a 4 post 🧵

One week until we begin reviewing applications ⬇️.

3:3 load w/ manageable class size. If you're a junior Americanist who is excited about teaching Congress, Intro American, and the Presidency, doing research in a collaborative environment & living in the mountains, please apply.

#polisky

Surprised there's not a definitive book on the history of government shutdowns in the United States.*

This seems unlikely to be the last shutdown, so if somebody wants to be momentarily relevant at some future date, start typing now.

*If there is one and I've missed it, please LMK

Fascinating and fun piece about youth voting in Watauga county in the consistently fascinating and fun @ncrabbithole.com

#ncpol

ha! And, more importantly, separate classes ;) A well-placed comma does wonders to reinforce the point.

We (Western Carolina University) are hiring for an assistant professor in American politics (w/ focus on & willingness to teach the Presidency, & Congress). Review of applications begins Oct. 15.

jobs.wcu.edu/postings/31915

Good colleagues, good students, good views. Reach out w/ ?s.

#polisky

Democrats Are Losing Members in N.C. But Are the Republicans Gaining? Much has been made of the decline in registered Democrats. But who is benefiting from that shift, and why, is more complicated.

The number of registered Democrats in NC is declining. So is the number of registered Republicans rising? Find out in this @theassemblync.bsky.social piece by @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social, author of ANATOMY OF A PURPLE STATE 🗳️

www.theassemblync.com/politics/dem...

North Carolina voters say lawmakers retaliated over redistricting reform The plaintiffs claim the state’s General Assembly interfered in local elections by preventing voters from adopting alternative election districts.

Common Cause sued a North Carolina county board of elections in federal court Wednesday, claiming the state’s legislature passed discriminatory measures to impose new electoral districts. #nccourts #ncpol

@courthousenews.bsky.social

www.courthousenews.com/north-caroli...

Updated this flier that was run by a Thom Tillis affiliated PAC against Cawthorn in 2022 to reflect this ⬇️ news

Thanks! And, I agree completely. I’d you want to confirm your priors, I have a chapter about exactly that in anatomy of a purple state

Democrats Are Losing Members in N.C. But Are the Republicans Gaining? Much has been made of the decline in registered Democrats. But who is benefiting from that shift, and why, is more complicated.

Democrats are losing members in #ncpol. But are the Republicans gaining?

New piece by me in @theassemblync.bsky.social ⤵️

www.theassemblync.com/politics/dem...

Finished reading Pierce v. NCSBE referenced ⬇️.

TL;DR? in 126 pgs. Judge Dever argues:
- there is no racially polarized voting in #ncpol
- Robinson was a flawed candidate in 2024; his election doesn't inform knowledge of voting patterns in NC
- It's partisanship, not race that's determinative

How well do North Carolinians know the state's constitution? On this Charlotte Talks, we talk about our state constitution. Fewer than 1 in 10 North Carolinians say they are familiar with what our constitution outlines. One in 5 admits they are not at all famil...

Join @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social & @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social with former NC Court of Appeals judge @lucyinman.bsky.social on @wfae.bsky.social's Charlotte Talks about the recent @catawbacollege.bsky.social-YouGov survey on the NC state constitution.

www.wfae.org/show/charlot...

#ncpol

state politics, elections, mountain biking, unpopular music, and knowledge not of Moldovan elections, but rather of people who have knowledge of Moldovan elections--that's where I thrive.

Thur far, localizing the concepts has helped get them engaged in the material, apply what they're learning & see where policy entrepreneurs make a difference

It also has gotten them to practice reading local stories as part of their media diet

YMMV, of course, but thus far it's working

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Teaching State & Local politics this semester. It's always fun, but this semester I've added local case studies which has been a blast

We've examined residency challenges, local elections, battles over libraries & monuments & municipal incorporation-all taking place within 10 miles of campus

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Well, #ncpol got some attention this morning:

My Friend Was in the Valley From my front porch, the river banks of North Carolina’s mountains held. But not from his.

1 Year anniversary of #Helene feeling heavy around here.

Lots of good writing to mark the anniversary (see for ex. @theassemblync.bsky.social) but my mind keeps returning to this piece by Annette Clapsaddle in The Atlantic written a few weeks after the storm

www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...

"Top Republican North Carolina state Senator Phil Berger is expected to accept an endorsement from President Donald Trump in his 2026 primary challenge in exchange for redrawing congressional maps, several sources told CBS 17 on Thursday."

Story by Deana Harley. 🔗 ⬇️

#ncpol #redistricting

Beginning to think that shrinking the camcorder into the size of a sardine can and sticking one in everybody’s pocket might not reinforce the better angels of our nature.

Good mail day.

First day of Fall looking awful pretty on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Fascinating article about the unlikely connections between Thom Tillis, Phil Berger, Michael Whatley, President Trump, Medicaid, the Big Beautiful Bill, and [checks notes, scratches head. Yes, that's correct] Dr. Oz.

#ncpol

the “later this week” detail is interesting given NCEM says it typically takes an additional 30-90 days for the state agency to actually receive funds after obligation b/c there’s another federal approval process