Do Politics Better Podcast

Reps. Destin Hall, John Bell, Jason Saine, & Brenden Jones on the Speaker Deal

A deal for NC House Speaker has been reached by Reps. Destin Hall, John Bell, Jason Saine, and Brenden Jones.  The four Republican legislators talk to Skye and Brian about why an agreement was reached, the timing of the announcement, and details of what a House leadership team will look like in 2025.  

The podcast also unpacks a week of political news: General Assembly adjournment, redistricting, campaign announcements, #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. 

Israel’s War Hits Home for Lobbyist Bruce Mildwurf

Most of the world looked in horror as Hamas attacked Israel with brutal terrorism on October 7.  When General Assembly lobbyist Bruce Mildwurf heard the news, he immediately thought of his daughter who is serving in the Israeli Army.  One day later, Israel formally declared war against Hamas.  

The NC School Boards Association lead lobbyist opens up about his daughter's decision to enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces after graduating from high school, how his family is processing the Israeli War, and he shares his own story of growing up Jewish and raising a family.  

Skye and Brian also break down the redistricting maps, rumors, a gubernatorial campaign announced, #TOTW, a car mishap, 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. 

Rep. Jarrod Lowery’s Love of Home, Family, & Lumbee Heritage

Rep. Jarrod Lowery loves Robeson County.  It's where his Lumbee people have lived for thousands of years, it's where he grew up, and it's where he met his wife and is raising a family.  

The freshman Republican talks about life in his home county and how he's been working for most of his life to improve it, honor and celebrate it, and now represent it in the General Assembly.

Skye and Brian also cover the veto overrides, a resolution supporting Israel gets political, redistricting votes scheduled, an adjournment announcement, campaign announcements, #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. 

 

Behind the Lines: Redistricting 101 with Dan Crawford

Dan Crawford has been on all sides of redistricting.  In 2001, he worked for a Democratic Senate Redistricting Committee Chair, who oversaw the gerrymandering of congressional and legislative districts that year.  

Two decades later, Dan found himself on the U.S. Supreme Court steps holding a press conference about the lawsuit his organization was bringing against Speaker Tim Moore and the General Assembly's 2021 districts.  

The political operative takes Skye and Brian behind the lines as they discuss the Redistricting Committee process, lawsuits, and his hope for improving the redistricting process in North Carolina.  

Also, Speaker Tim Moore is not running for re-election to the House, Governor Cooper issues a veto, redistricting votes on Oct 9, #TOTW, and Brian is riding his bike across North Carolina this week. 

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. 

Professor Chris Cooper: #NCPOL Class Is In Session

Dr. Chris Cooper is a regular contributor to #ncpol.  His commentary and political insights can be found on X (Twitter) and in NC and national media outlets.  

The Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Western Carolina University visited Raleigh to talk about his easy-to-understand public engagement, and his teaching and scholarly work.  Dr. Cooper also gives insightful political analysis, historical perspective, and shares his magic wand wish for NC politics.  

Skye and Brian also cover the announced Medicaid expansion rollout, redistricting, a Democrat spat, a pair of polls, an unsubstantiated rumor, #TOTW, and a candy debate. 

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. 

Casinos Fold & Budget Rolls: In the Room with Rep Allen Chesser

Rep. Allen Chesser was in the room on Tuesday afternoon when the news came down that casino legislation in the state budget was dead, including the one planned for his Nash County district.   

The freshman Republican takes us behind the scenes of this epic political drama, his work over the last nine months to bring casinos to his district, and why he thinks the issue is far from dead.  

Skye and Brian also talk about two election bills pending, the 'Reg-Reform' bill, U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth dies, #TOTW, sticking it to lobbyists, and an awkward situation with Sen. Paul Lowe.  

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. 

Senate Doubles Down on Casinos, House Plays Against the Odds

It was an epic week at the General Assembly as casino politics took center stage and threw a state budget vote off track this week.  In this special edition of the podcast, Skye and Brian give a rundown of what happened (and what's likely to happen)from their vantage point just outside the Senate GOP Caucus room.  

They also discuss Mark Harris' re-entry into NC politics, Josh Stein gets a Democratic challenger in Mike Morgan, a new GOP gubernatorial poll, and the three GOP contenders for governor debate.  Plus, a consensus #TOTW at a time when few can agree on much.  

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. 

NC’s Capitol Hill Reporter Danielle Battaglia: ‘You Don’t Want Me Digging’

Danielle Battaglia is the NC Congressional Correspondent for the News & Observer and Charlotte Observer and covers North Carolina's 16 members of Congress and reports on NC news from the White House.    

Danielle's reporting career started in Rockingham County in 2011, the year Sen. Phil Berger ascended to the President Pro Tem position.  She talks about her journalism career, falling in love with political reporting, and how she transitioned to covering state politics full-time.  She also opens up about her challenges with POTS and managing the disease with such a physically demanding job.   

Skye and Brian also talk about about the odds on casinos, its effect on the budget, an alcohol bill on the move, a delayed election bill, #TOTW, and Skye's birthday.  

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. 

Rep. Ken Fontenot: A New Look for the Grand Old Party

Rep. Ken Fontenot is known for his fiery floor speeches, dramatic committee presentations, and his constant reminder to his legislative colleagues that he was elected to bring resources and change to his majority Black district in Wilson.  

The first term Black Republican talks about his dynamic legislative and political style, his life and careers, and his decision to run for office in an area of the state with strong Democratic Party ties.  

Skye and Brian also discuss the UNC tragedy, Rep. Marvin Lucas recovering, a NC Supreme Court justice files a lawsuit, Hurricane Idalia, two more congressional candidates emerge, DGA ad, Governor Cooper endorses, #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. 

 

Rep. Cecil Brockman’s Balancing Act as a Swing Vote

Rep. Cecil Brockman is one of a handful of Democrats who is considered a swing vote in the General Assembly.  The 5-term legislator talks about how he balances getting needed resources for his High Point district in the budget while holding to his values as a self-described progressive.  

Rep. Brockman also talks about his transition from serving as a legislative assistant to serving as a Representative, his evolving views on school choice, and his enduring friendship with Rep. Tricia Cotham.  

Skye and Brian also unpack the week of news including Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of the election bill, a Democratic legislator complains to Wake DA about Speaker Moore, GOP Lt. Governor’s race gets another candidate, Freedom Park opens, NC Supreme Court Justice to step down, new polling from John Locke Foundation, an Unsubstantiated Rumor circulating, #TOTW, and the politics of college football.  

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