Carter Wrenn
Gary Pearce
The six Governors seated in a pew at Jim Hunt’s funeral last month are of different parties, philosophies and personalities. But all of them battled the General Assembly over power. They were Josh Stein (2025-now), Roy Cooper (2017-2025), Pat McCrory (2013-2017), Bev Perdue (2009-2013), Mike Easley (2001-2009) and Jim Martin (1985-1993), whose two terms came…
He was a Raleigh boy who helped build today’s Raleigh. Tom Bradshaw, who died Tuesday at age 87, was the 33-year-old “Boy Mayor,” serving one term from 1971-1973. He was the Secretary of Transportation who got I-40 built from Raleigh to Wilmington. He was the real estate developer and consummate salesman who developed North Ridge…
The year 2025 gave us government based on hate, malice and cruelty. But, in politics, the pendulum always swings. As Scripture says, “and now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.” Here’s hoping that 2026 brings us a restoration of hope, civility and compassion. That’d be a good…
Rachel Hunt’s moving tribute at her father’s funeral Friday reflected a key to how he led so successfully. The Lieutenant Governor began by talking directly to – and about – the audience: “You are the people who helped make North Carolina the great place it is today.” That’s something Governor Jim Hunt routinely did in…
Along with the tributes from elected officials past and present, I’ve been moved by the reactions to Governor Jim Hunt’s death from educators, journalists and political adversaries. N.C. State University Chancellor Kevin Howell saluted him as “a proud NC State alumnus and one of the greatest ambassadors for education in our state’s history.” Howell added,…
Everybody, it seems, has a Jim Hunt story. “I remember when he called me about …” “I’ll never forget the note he wrote saying …” “He and Carolyn drove seven hours round-trip when I …” “He filled up his plate, walked to my table and asked if he could join me. He sat down and…
He’d call you first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Or he’d grab you by the elbow, or sit you down knee to knee and nose to nose, and fix you with that steely stare. “Now, looka here,” he’d say, “this is what we need to do.” And you’d walk through a…
Fifteen years ago, Phil Berger and Thom Tillis rode the Republican/Tea Party tide to power in Raleigh. Today, they’re mere pawns in Donald Trump’s Republican Party. They personify what the party has become Berger has stayed put as Senate president pro-tem, determined to outdo Marc Basnight’s long reign and undo the progressive legislation that Democrats…
I first heard of DG Martin in 1984, when Governor Jim Hunt was running against Jesse Helms for Senate and DG was an underdog Democrat running for Congress in the traditionally Republican district around Charlotte. With his million-megawatt smile and prematurely white hair, DG looked like the twin brother of comedian Steve Martin, who was…
How do you get your news? Our statewide poll asked North Carolina voters what their primary…
Thom Tillis and Phil Berger fed the MAGA alligator. Then it ate them. Thomas Mills wrote…
Exactly 80 years ago, in 1946, Republicans took control of Congress with a simple message: “Had…