Despite Elon Musk’s record-breaking $21 million investment and dramatic pronouncements framing the Wisconsin Supreme Court race as crucial to “the fate of Western civilization,” his chosen candidate lost to liberal appellate Judge Susan Crawford. Musk subsequently downplayed the defeat, emphasizing the passage of a voter ID amendment as the election’s most significant outcome, a claim echoed by President Trump. However, Wisconsin already had voter ID laws, and the amendment merely enshrined them constitutionally. The race’s actual consequence, as Musk himself acknowledged, lies in the upcoming redrawing of Wisconsin’s congressional districts, where a liberal majority on the court could impact future Republican control of the House.
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More than 900 people gathered to make their voices heard regarding their U.S. Representative, Andy Barr. The event, however, took on an unexpected tone as Representative Barr was absent. This absence, viewed by many as a deliberate snub, only served to amplify the message of the attendees. The sheer number of people present underscores the depth of feeling within the community.
The organizers of the event symbolically placed an empty chair on stage, adorned with a photograph of Mr. Barr, rubber chickens, and the words “missing” and “too scared to hold a town hall and respond to constituents’ concerns.” This powerful visual representation encapsulated the frustration and disillusionment felt by many present.… Continue reading
President Trump rescinded President Biden’s executive order that ensured the inclusion of all residents, regardless of immigration status, in the census count used for apportionment of House seats and Electoral College votes. This reversal reinstates the Trump administration’s attempt to exclude undocumented residents, a move previously blocked by the Supreme Court. The decision potentially paves the way for the creation of gerrymandered districts advantageous to Republicans, building on prior efforts to collect citizenship data at the neighborhood level. The implications of this action on the 2030 census remain to be seen, with ongoing debate surrounding the inclusion of non-citizens in apportionment counts.
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Republican Judge Jefferson Griffin’s lawsuit challenges the results of North Carolina’s Supreme Court election, where he lost to Justice Allison Riggs by a narrow margin. He seeks to invalidate tens of thousands of votes due to alleged registration irregularities, a move legal experts deem an attempt at mass disenfranchisement. This action, supported by the RNC, is seen as setting a dangerous precedent for future elections, potentially undermining faith in the democratic process. The case is currently before both the state Supreme Court and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, with significant implications for the integrity of elections nationwide.
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Republicans narrowly secured a House majority, with their 220-215 advantage (soon to be 217-215) hinging on three North Carolina seats gained through extreme gerrymandering. This partisan map manipulation, enabled by the Supreme Court’s refusal to address gerrymandering claims, significantly skewed the playing field in favor of the GOP, despite Democrats receiving a higher share of the national popular vote. The resulting House map, heavily gerrymandered in multiple states, does not accurately reflect the national popular will, rendering the national vote totals largely meaningless. Ultimately, control over state legislative map-drawing processes proved decisive in determining the outcome of the House elections.
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The GOP barely won the House, securing a razor-thin majority that has pundits and politicians alike buzzing. The victory, while technically a win, feels more like a squeaker, a near-miss for the Democrats, and a testament to the fragility of the Republican hold on power. The margin of victory is so slim, in fact, that it’s sparking intense debate about the role of gerrymandering and the true reflection of the national electorate’s will.
This narrow win has many questioning whether it represents a true mandate. The Republicans’ success hinges on a handful of districts, particularly in states like North Carolina, where aggressive gerrymandering is accused of artificially inflating the GOP’s representation.… Continue reading
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a bill deemed a “sham” designed to significantly weaken the power of Democrats within the state government. This action immediately sparked a firestorm of reactions, highlighting the deeply partisan nature of the legislation and the ongoing battle for control in North Carolina politics.
The bill itself, if passed, would have drastically altered the balance of power, effectively stripping Democrats of key influences within the state’s governing structure. This would have created a heavily skewed power dynamic, potentially leading to a considerable shift in policy decisions and legislative processes.
Governor Cooper’s veto was swiftly met with criticism from Republicans, who argued that the bill was necessary for effective governance and that it addressed legitimate concerns about the state’s current political climate.… Continue reading
Governor Cooper vetoed a $227 million hurricane relief bill due to its inclusion of politically motivated clauses that unconstitutionally shift power from incoming Democratic officials to Republicans. These clauses include transferring control over key appointments, such as the State Board of Elections, and interfering with the Attorney General’s duties. Critics contend the bill prioritized partisan politics over timely disaster aid, with much of the funding not immediately accessible. The bill’s future hinges on whether the Republican-led General Assembly can override the veto, despite prior internal opposition to the legislation. Hurricane Helene’s impact on North Carolina necessitates swift and effective relief efforts.
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NC’s next governor: Republicans are already taking away power from Democrat Josh Stein. The current Republican supermajority in the North Carolina legislature is actively stripping power from the incoming Democratic governor, Josh Stein, even before he takes office. This preemptive action highlights a pattern of partisan maneuvering, where Republicans aggressively seize control whenever possible, regardless of the consequences for the state’s citizens.
This isn’t a new tactic. Similar power grabs have occurred in other states, notably Wisconsin, where Republicans employed a similar strategy against Governor Tony Evers. The pattern reveals a larger strategy of consolidating power at every level of government, from federal to local, mirroring the actions of authoritarian regimes like Hungary under Viktor Orbán.… Continue reading
The North Carolina House passed a bill allocating $227 million in Hurricane Helene relief, but it also includes provisions significantly curtailing the power of incoming Democratic leaders. These unrelated provisions restrict the attorney general’s authority, alter the State Board of Elections’ composition, and eliminate several state commissions. The bill bypassed standard legislative processes, sparking criticism from Democrats who labeled it a partisan power grab. Despite some Republican dissent, the bill advanced, potentially facing a gubernatorial veto.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood