Do Politics Better Podcast

Rep. Zack Hawkins on His Tragic Loss & Finding a 'Sole' Purpose

Rep. Zack Hawkins is back and a lot has changed since his last visit.

The Durham Democrat joins us to catch up on what he’s been working on at the General Assembly, including the pivotal role he played in getting sports gambling over the finish line.  

Rep. Hawkins also opens up about the devastating personal loss of his oldest son and how that grief has been transformed into a "sole" purpose. Listeners can be part of that mission by supporting the Zachari Hawkins Memorial Fund.

Plus, Skye and Brian dig into the latest campaign finance numbers, talk about an expedited lawsuit involving the State Board of Elections, and has anyone ever seen a Doppler Radar that is supposed to predict weather?  (The answer is no.)  And, as always, a little more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Rep. Tim Longest with the Shortest #NCPOL Commute + Sen Benton Sawrey Guest Hosts

Guest host Sen. Benton Sawrey, a Johnston Co Republican, and co-host Brian Lewis team up to break down a wintry week in #ncpol. From icy politics to the Governor making yet another budget pitch, the latest John Locke Foundation poll, fresh primary chatter, a heartbreaking tragedy in Cabarrus County, House oversight fireworks, #TOTW, and more.

The episode also features a conversation with Rep. Tim Longest, a Raleigh Democrat with possibly the shortest commute to the General Assembly. Longest talks about his unique path to being appointed to the House, the lasting influence of former Governors Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford, and why he believes getting more young people involved is essential to the future of politics in North Carolina.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

What #NCPOL Professors Chris Cooper & Michael Bitzer are Watching in '26

Political science professors Chris Cooper (Western Carolina University) and Michael Bitzer (Catawba College) break down the emerging landscape of 2026, from the Trump factor and how it’s still rearranging political gravity, to affordability as a defining issue for voters.  

The professors connect national dynamics to North Carolina’s uniquely complicated terrain, including the U.S. Senate race, Congressional Districts 1 and 11, and legislative primaries (Page v Berger, Hager v Johnson, Sadler v Cunningham, and Wray v Pierce).     

Skye and Brian also unpack a social media dustup over the children’s hospital, new polling, Buckout fundraising, and the epic winter storm prediction for North Carolina.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Sens Danny Britt & Mike Woodard's Take on '26 Elections, Session, & More

Sen. Danny Britt, a Robeson County Republican, and former Sen. Mike Woodard, a Durham Democrat, look ahead to 2026, breaking down what’s coming with insight, honesty, disagreement, and plenty of laughs. The conversation covers the looming primary elections, the dynamics of the legislative short session, and whether lawmakers are headed toward a big budget, a mini-budget, or no budget at all.

The duo also size up the November elections, talk winners and losers, and prove that bipartisan conversations can still be candid, sharp, and entertaining.

Skye and Brian also dig into legislative oversight and select committee hearings, Governor Josh Stein’s trip to Capitol Hill, Cooper v. Whatley fundraising, a tough decision by the NC State Board of Elections, #TOTW, and is Brian morphing into Skye?  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Sen Ted Budd: A Life-Changing USSR Trip, Unlikely Friendships, & Listening

U.S. Senator Ted Budd talks about life before Washington, including his family roots in New Jersey and with the New York Knicks.  How a trip to the U.S.S.R. while at Appalachian State University changed his life and family forever and informs how he approaches public service today.

Sen. Budd also discusses life in the Senate, his unlikely across-the-aisle friendship with Sen. John Fetterman, and why he believes listening matters in politics.  The conversation offers a deeper look at the man who will be NC's senior senator in less than a year.  

Skye and Brian also break down #ncpol's first week of the New Year, including House oversight hearings, Governor Josh Stein’s latest endorsement, Republicans finding reasons to celebrate, and the passing of a former Speaker whose legacy shaped state politics today.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

That’s a Wrap, 2025 — Featuring Lucille Sherman & Bryan Anderson

As 2025 comes to a close, the podcast takes a wide-angle look back at the year in North Carolina politics.  Skye and Brian are joined by Lucille Sherman, founder of Birdseye Strategies (and former Axios reporter), and Bryan Anderson, politics reporter at The Assembly, for a insightful and fun conversation about the biggest #ncpol developments that shaped NC this year.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Army-Navy Game Meets #NCPOL with Sens Daniel & Brinson & Rep. Ager

The storied Army–Navy Football Game is Saturday afternoon and Sens. Warren Daniel and Bob Brinson, both West Point graduates, and Rep. Eric Ager, a proud Naval Academy alum, are featured guests on this week's pod.  

Together, they talk about the traditions of the game, what makes the rivalry and the military academies so special, and they manage to talk a little friendly trash ahead of the big game. It’s a fun, insightful, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about football, camaraderie that transcends politics, and a college football rivalry like no other.

Skye and Brian also break down the growing list of primaries piling up midway through candidate filing, Sen. Berger’s Trump endorsement, Governor Stein backs away from Medicaid cuts, the latest High Point University poll, and the passing of D.G. Martin at age 85. Plus, Skye recaps the gossip from her neighborhood Christmas party.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association

 

Candidate Filing Season Arrives, Sen. Chris Measmer Joins the Pod

In this latest installment of the pod's #MeetTheFreshman series, Skye and Brian sit down with Sen. Chris Measmer, who was appointed to the Senate following former Majority Leader Paul Newton’s resignation earlier this year.

A multi-generation Cabarrus County native, Sen. Measmer talks about growing up in a community with deep family roots, the path that took him to George Washington University, and his early political experience working for Congressman Robin Hayes on Capitol Hill.

At just 22 years old, the young Republican returned home, won a seat on the Cabarrus County Commission, and served there for more than a decade before joining the NC Senate.

The podcast also unpacks the first few days of candidate filing, take a look at some new laws now in effect, #TOTW, and an update on the unexpected and increasingly bold world of Skye’s foot-fetish fans.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association

Influence NC's Hannah Preston: Giving #NCPOL the Gen Z Glow-Up

Hannah Preston is using her voice and platform at Influence NC to inspire young voters to get involved in the political process.  Hannah talks about what motivated her to found Influence NC, what she's doing to reach young voters through social media, and how she wants to include conservative voices in her work.    

Skye and Brian also unpack the week in NC politics, including the non-session, a new legislator appointed, ICE in the state, a legislative retirement, a death, TOTW, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

John Locke’s Andy Jackson Maps Assembly Districts & Forecasts a Bumpy 2026

With candidate filing for the 2026 elections just weeks away, Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation joins us to unpack the newly updated Civitas Partisan Index — a key measure of how North Carolina’s legislative and congressional districts lean politically.

Andy explains how the CPI works, what makes a district “toss-up,” “lean,” “likely,” or “safe,” and what the numbers suggest about which party could hold power after 2026. We talk about past election surprises, how candidate quality and wave elections can flip districts, and why 2026 could be a bumpy ride for #NCPOL with Republicans on defense and Democrats seeing opportunity.

Plus, Skye and Brian break down a busy week in North Carolina politics — from Governor Stein calling for a special session, to Republican legislators visiting the White House, to new polls, political rumors, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.