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Thomas Mills

@tmillsnc.bsky.social

Editor and publisher of PoliticsNC. Erstwhile Democratic political consultant with 30 years on the campaign battlefield. Now offering insight into North Carolina and national politics. Father, grandfather, dogfather. Tar Heel. https://politicsnc.com

1,450 Followers  |  1,003 Following  |  352 Posts  |  Joined: 02.01.2024  |  1.5035

Latest posts by tmillsnc.bsky.social on Bluesky


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To Morrow Michele Morrow may have run her course.

Have Republicans gotten their crazy under control? open.substack.com/pub/politics...

18.02.2026 14:38 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The generational primary The Democratic primary in in NC-04 has national implications.

The primary playing out in NC-04 has all the elements of the generational divide that’s pulling at the Democratic Party today. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

16.02.2026 16:39 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The GOP crime problem Michael Whatley needs to let us know where he stands on the pardoning sex abusers, selling pardons, and covering up the Epstein files.

Democrats need to flip the script on crime. The GOP is covering up a sex scandal, pardoning felons, and putting sex abusers back on the streets. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

13.02.2026 15:07 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Restless Natives NC, 2-12-2026 Bad Bunny, capitalism and other heady topics.

The latest podcast with Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and me delves into the Bad Bunny halftime show, problems with capitalism, and a DNC First in the nation update. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

12.02.2026 17:21 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Clayton as the heavy The party is instilling discipline, not purity tests. There's a difference.

Democrats are imposing discipline on elected officials, not requiring purity tests. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

11.02.2026 18:46 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Helping Berger out the door Berger falling in the primary could have a domino effect on the 2026 election.

If the top Democrat in the state was in a competitive primary, you can be sure Republicans would be helping their opponent. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

09.02.2026 15:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Wile E. Coyote politics? The GOP gerrymandering schemes pioneered in North Carolina might backfire this year.

Trump thought he could gerrymander a House majority but that effort might blow up in his face. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

06.02.2026 16:46 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The populism of the Epstein files Epstein has become the face of a system the protects some and not others.

The anger of the Tea Party, Occupy Wall Street, and MAGA are all found in the Epstein saga. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

05.02.2026 20:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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No permanent friends or enemies in politics Right now, Tillis is taking on Trump when the rest of his party won't.

Political pressure needs to come from within the tent. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

30.01.2026 17:15 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Tillis steps up again He's not going quietly into the night.

Tillis is becoming the voice of Republican Senators too scared to speak for themselves. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

28.01.2026 15:45 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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They are never going to deport them all Americans aren't going to tolerate ripping apart communities of law-abiding, hard-working people who have been here for decades.

For 20 years, Republicans have tanked every attempt at reforming our broken immigration system because their base insists on deporting everyone. It’s never going to happen. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

26.01.2026 17:06 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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In Minneapolis, Trump picked the wrong target The city is not going riot and it's not going to back down, either.

Trump wanted to make Minnesota an example. It's backfired. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

25.01.2026 17:59 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Restless Natives, Winter Storm edition Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and Thomas Mills talk primaries, the first-year anniversary of Trump's second term, and religion. Great show for the storm if you have power.

Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and I talk primaries, Trump, and religion. Great show if you have power. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

24.01.2026 17:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Don't discourage people from voting Democrats should be pushing a message about the power of voting more than focusing on the threat to democracy. The goal is to win the election, not just the argument.

I’ve been concerned that Democrats are becoming too pessimistic about the election actually happening and it could hamper turnout, especially among younger voters. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

23.01.2026 15:40 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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A swing state poll The political environment, including Trump's behavior and the economy, will probably determine the overall outcome.

North Carolina is a bit to the right of the country as a whole. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

21.01.2026 17:08 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The things that matter Trump's enablers stayed silent as he damaged our country, hoping for narrow political wins while sacrificing the trust of our allies and further dividing our nation.

Conservatives traded narrow political wins for chaotic governance that's left us isolated, weaker, and more divided. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

19.01.2026 18:03 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Deep and broad dissatisfaction with Trump A CNN poll shows indications of building wave.

The CNN poll says only 35% of the people believe Donald Trump is someone they can be proud to have as president. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

16.01.2026 16:14 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Cooper's haul and Berger's poll Roy Cooper increases his fundraising advantage while Phil Berger tries to convince donors he can win.

The Republican primaries in North Carolina have national implications. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

14.01.2026 16:42 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Jerome Powell's "Have you no decency" moment North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis stands with the Fed Chair against administration threats.

Tillis is finding his voice. It’s just a little bit late. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

12.01.2026 16:31 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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Restless Natives NC, New Year edition. Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain and Thomas Mills talk primaries, predictions, and a rough start to the year.

Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and I discuss primaries, predictions, and rough start to the year. Also, a great shot of the top of my head. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

11.01.2026 19:24 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The enforcer Governor Josh Stein is playing in Democratic primaries to strengthen his position in the last half of his term,

NC Governor Josh Stein is playing in Democratic primaries to strengthen his political hand. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

09.01.2026 15:36 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Don't let the response obscure the injustice If protesters don't hijack the narrative, most Americans are going to watch that video and believe the victim was killed unnecessarily.

I think Americans who aren’t invested in a side will watch the video and see an unjust killing. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

08.01.2026 16:23 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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January 6 was fork in the road We will always wonder what would have happened if Republicans had stood by their principles and the rule of law instead of Trump.

Republicans chose Trumpism over conservative principles.

open.substack.com/pub/politics...

07.01.2026 17:00 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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More grift and gaslighting Expect Trump and his friends to benefit most from the invasion. Expect MAGA to fall in line.

Trump has yet to define the national interest that justifies the invasion. I suspect its more personal interest. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

05.01.2026 16:48 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Reflections and predictions Let's hope 2026 is a better year.

I’m glad 2025 is over. Let’s hope 2026 is better. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

01.01.2026 19:13 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Governor Josh Stein, year one. Stein gives an enlightening interview on PBS.

Stein is cutting his own path as governor. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

30.12.2025 18:20 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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Michele Morrow's gift Bringing the crazy to the NC GOP Senate primary.

Bringing the crazy to the North Carolina Senate primary. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

22.12.2025 15:20 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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RIP, Governor It's hard to imagine one man having as much impact on a state as Jim Hunt did on North Carolina.

It’s hard to imagine a more influential governor than Jim Hunt. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

19.12.2025 16:05 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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NC House rankings The Civitas Partisan Index gives a clear picture of competitive state legislative races.

The Civitas Partisan Index offers a baseline for every legislative race and a way to think about the election. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

17.12.2025 17:37 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Correction: Brenden Jones misled the public North Carolina House Majority Leader implied inappropriate books are in the school libraries that aren't there.

The House Majority Leader fabricated accusations about books in the Chapel HIll-Carrboro schools. open.substack.com/pub/politics...

16.12.2025 15:07 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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