View This Email In Your Browser
sponsored by
It’s not unusual for politicians to sit on one of the UNC System’s boards, but it typically comes as their careers as elected officials are coming to a close. That may change with this election.
The council of state races feature not one, but two UNC-Chapel Hill trustees: Dave Boliek is running for state auditor, and Brad Briner is running for treasurer. Both are the Republican nominees for the post.
With a growing focus on higher ed nationally, it seems notable that two are seeking office while governing the state’s flagship university.
Matt Hartman spoke with scholars, former leaders, and the candidates themselves about how they’ve discussed their trustee roles on the campaign trail, the partisan split among the UNC System’s board members, and whether it’s impacting the functioning of North Carolina’s public colleges and universities.
A Springboard for Trustees
Two UNC-Chapel Hill trustees are running for state office. Their campaigns are one more sign that the politics of public higher education are growing increasingly partisan.
“Historically, there’s always been politics,” said former UNC System President Tom Ross. “But the politics on the boards, at least in my experience, was much more around campus politics, supporting a particular campus, than it was around partisan politics.”
Have a news tip for our team? You can reach us at scoops@theassemblync.com.
The Young and the Tentless
When 21-year-old Jake Smith cast his ballot in Wilmington, he could barely believe what he’d just done. He still can’t.
“It sounds silly, but I still can’t believe it was real,” said the president of the UNC-Wilmington College Democrats. If casting a vote for Kamala Harris, the first Black female presidential candidate, wasn’t historic enough, it was the 21-year-old’s first time participating in a general election.
Smith is among an estimated 1 million new voters eligible to participate in the presidential election in North Carolina this year. People between the ages of 18 and 25 make up the highest share of these new registered voters, according to a data analysis by The Assembly, with Gen Z adding more than 434,000 potential voters to the rolls between November 2020 and May 2024. They also tend not to affiliate with either party at a much higher rate than older voters.
Democrats’ hope hinges on the theory that the state’s evolving demographics and preferences will bode in Harris’ favor. But as Johanna Still reports, it will take robust turnout from those young and unaffiliated voters for that to materialize.
Red, Purple & Blue: North Carolina’s Evolving Electorate
Democrats hope North Carolina’s shifting demographics will deliver Vice President Kamala Harris key electoral votes. It’ll take an impressive turnout to make that dream a reality.
What We’re Reading
Suburgatory: Politico has a dispatch from Davidson County that looks at why urban growth hasn’t offset the state’s Republican leanings.
Poll Sitting: A number of Democratic poll volunteers have accused state Rep. Erin Paré and her husband, Wayne, of harassment outside early voting sites, INDY Week reports.
Everyone’s Losing Their Minds: In Fayetteville, CityView reports on complaints about an Elon Musk fan seeking $47 voter bounties outside polling places, plus suspicions about free food for voters.
A Message from Our Sponsor, Robinson Bradshaw
Robinson Bradshaw is a trusted corporate law firm committed to providing clients with comprehensive legal services of the highest quality. Based in the Carolinas, we offer clients superior value by leveraging our position as a midsize firm with exceptional attorneys. Clients also appreciate our distinct collaborative structure, which enables us to approach legal matters differently from other law firms. We assemble the team that is best-positioned to efficiently and effectively handle a matter – across practices, if needed – and we focus on our clients’ best interest at every turn.
Our Recent Stories
Hurricane Helene Scrambles Early Voting at UNC-Asheville
Students who were evacuated due to the storm are starting to trickle back to campus as the end of early voting nears.
Sarah Taber’s Unconventional Campaign for Ag Commissioner
The first-time candidate touts her experience in alternatives to traditional farming. Her critics say she’s overstated her expertise.
Tricia Cotham’s Bargain
The former Democrat has paid a high personal price for switching parties. What did she get in return?
The Assembly is a digital magazine covering power and place in North Carolina. Sent this by a friend? Subscribe to our newsletter here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.