Topic

NC General Assembly

NC General Assembly coverage — House + Senate sessions, leadership, statewide bills, budget negotiations, GA-level political action. Distinguish from local Charlotte/Mecklenburg coverage (use Charlotte Politics tag).

elections

Charlotte's Veto-Override Votes Are Leaving the NC House

Carla Cunningham, Tricia Cotham and Nasif Majeed gave Republicans the votes to override Democratic governors. All three leave the House in January.

Jack Beckett·Nov 7, 2026

Card reading '3 members who helped override vetoes leave. Cotham lost Tuesday. Cunningham and Majeed lost in March. All three are out in January.' beside a photo of the N.C. State Legislative Building in Raleigh.

elections

Mecklenburg Election Results 2026: Every Race

Every race on Mecklenburg County's Nov. 3 ballot, from Congress to soil and water, with the state's unofficial count. Democrats won every race decided by Mecklenburg voters alone.

Jack Beckett·Nov 4, 2026

Card reading '58 contests on Mecklenburg’s ballot. Democrats won every race decided by Mecklenburg voters alone.' beside a photo of voters in line outside a Charlotte early voting site in 2008.

elections

Mecklenburg Rejected Photo ID Amendment That NC Passed

All three constitutional amendments passed statewide on Nov. 3, but Mecklenburg County voted against the photo ID amendment, one of six counties that did, in the state's unofficial count.

Jack Beckett·Nov 4, 2026

Card reading '51% of Mecklenburg voters said no to photo ID. The state passed it with 59.6 percent, and passed both tax amendments.' beside a photo of the N.C. State Legislative Building in Raleigh.

elections

Bradley Wins Rematch by 17,262 Votes; McCool Unseats Cotham

Sen. Woodson Bradley won her rematch with Stacie McGinn by more than 17,000 votes, and Democrat Ken McCool unseated Rep. Tricia Cotham, in the state's unofficial count.

Jack Beckett·Nov 4, 2026

Card reading '17,262 vote margin, after 209 in 2024. Woodson Bradley keeps her seat; Ken McCool unseats Tricia Cotham in House 105.' beside a photo of the N.C. State Legislative Building in Raleigh.

elections

Bradley, McGinn Rematch for NC Senate After a 209-Vote Race

Two years after 209 votes separated them, Democratic Sen. Woodson Bradley and Republican Stacie McGinn meet again for the state Senate seat in southeast Mecklenburg.

Jack Beckett·Oct 28, 2026

Card reading '209 votes decided it in 2024. Woodson Bradley and Stacie McGinn meet again.' beside a photo of the N.C. State Legislative Building in Raleigh.

government

SNAP Penalty Could Cost Mecklenburg Up to $42 Million a Year

A federal penalty tied to North Carolina's food-assistance error rate could take $30 million to $42 million a year out of Mecklenburg County's budget, and the county will owe a share of it even if…

Jack Beckett·Aug 7, 2026

An illustrated news graphic shows the Charlotte skyline, a highway and a calendar marked October 5 alongside text about an I-77 deadline to pay $64 million or halt progress.

government

NC Budget Framework: Most Workers' Raises Trail Inflation

Senate Pres. Pro Tem Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall announced a budget framework Tuesday afternoon, ending a ten-month standoff. Teachers get an 8 percent raise and a $48,000 starting floor.

Jack Beckett·May 13, 2026

Charlotte Mercury graphic. The words City government. in large white type on a dark navy background, above the line: What was voted on, who voted how, and what happens next.

elections

Berger Requests Recount in 23-Vote NC Senate Primary

A 23-vote margin in the NC Senate District 26 Republican primary has triggered a recount that could reshape leadership in Raleigh and ripple into Charlotte policy.

Jack Beckett·Mar 17, 2026

elections

Stein Endorses Challenger to Charlotte Rep. Carla Cunningham

Governor endorses challenger to 7-term Charlotte incumbent who votes with GOP 84% of time. March 3 primary will decide whether Democrats can restore veto power.

Jack Beckett·Jan 27, 2026

government

No Deal in Raleigh: Medicaid, Pay Raises, Tax Plans in Limbo

NC lawmakers end session with no budget deal, leaving Medicaid cuts, teacher raises, and tax plans in limbo as House and Senate trade blame and head home.

Jack Beckett·Oct 22, 2025

opinion

Rare Bipartisan Agreement in Raleigh: Brockman Should Resign

North Carolina's House finally found bipartisan harmony, in calling for one of its own to resign. A rare moment of agreement in a chamber better known for food fights.

Jack Beckett·Oct 21, 2025

Charlotte Mercury graphic. The words Our view. in large white type on a dark navy background, above the line: Opinion, set apart from the news. As it should be.

government

Stein Vetoes HB 96 Over Puppy-Mill Risk in Squatter Bill

Gov. Josh Stein vetoes HB 96 after a late addition of a pet-shop clause; lawmakers spar over squatter relief and concerns about puppy mills in a session one vote shy of gaining override power.

Jack Beckett·Jul 10, 2025