Do Politics Better Podcast

NC State Board of Election Sam Hayes joins the podcast for an inside look at how elections work, including his role leading and he offers a candid assessment of how the primaries went, what lessons were learned, and what it takes to run secure, accurate, and efficient elections at scale. We also look ahead to November, as Hayes discusses how his team is preparing for the high-stakes midterm elections and the continued effort to build voter confidence across the state. Plus, Brian and Skye talk about the political earthquake and aftershock of Sen. Phil Berger conceding a primary, an optimistic economic report, a new Carolina Journal poll, and mounting basketball troubles at UNC and NC State. 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, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

North Carolina’s government structure can be…complicated. And sometimes, that complexity shows up in ways that raise more questions than answers. UNC Law School Professor Rick Su is a leading expert on local government and he breaks down a curious exchange between a state House member and Sheriff Garry McFadden that exposed a surprising level of confusion about a basic question: what branch of government do sheriffs actually belong to? The conversation highlights a bigger issue about North Carolina’s uniquely structured executive branch, where power is fragmented, roles can blur, and even experienced officials can get tripped up. If you’ve ever wondered who’s really in charge in North Carolina government, this episode is your crash course in the state’s “funky” separation of powers and why it matters more than you think. Skye and Brian also break down the latest in Berger v. Page, a constitutional amendment on property taxes, Mark Robinson is back, Rep. Mike Clampitt dies, a Senate Pro Tem rumor is unsubstantiated, TOTW, and welcome to March Madness.   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.

Before the primary election, the News & Observer's Danielle Battaglia stopped by to talk about her move back from Washington DC to Raleigh while remaining on the congressional beat.   What does this shift mean for political coverage in the state? How might reporting from Raleigh — rather than Washington — change the way stories about North Carolina’s members of Congress are told? And what does it say about how news organizations are approaching state and federal political coverage heading into the next election cycle? Skye and Brian also update listeners on Berger v Page, Governor Stein's proposed spending plan, agreement on teachers, Trump endorses in CD1, and a webinar open to all.  Plus, #TOTW, protein bars, and basketball.   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.  

Note:  The Do Politics Better podcast was recorded and distributed on March 5, but mysteriously was not uploaded to Apple Podcasts.  We are resending this podcast.   Primary night delivered clarity in most contested races in North Carolina, but not for the most important #ncpol race most of us were watching:  Senator Phil Berger v Sheriff Sam Page in Rockingham and Guilford Counties. In this episode, Skye and Brian break down the key results from across the state, what they tell us about the mood of the electorate, and which surprises matter heading into November. But we start with the main event: Berger v. Page, a contest that isn’t finished and may be headed for a prolonged overtime.  What does the margin look like? Where are the outstanding votes? And what happens next — legally, politically, and strategically? 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.

Primary night delivered clarity in most contested races in North Carolina, but not for the most important #ncpol race most of us were watching:  Senator Phil Berger v Sheriff Sam Page in Rockingham and Guilford Counties. In this episode, Skye and Brian break down the key results from across the state, what they tell us about the mood of the electorate, and which surprises matter heading into November. But we start with the main event: Berger v. Page, a contest that isn’t finished and may be headed for a prolonged overtime.  What does the margin look like? Where are the outstanding votes? And what happens next — legally, politically, and strategically? 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.

Alex Baltzegar, Executive Director of NC FreeEnterprise Foundation, talks with Skye and Brian about Tuesday's #NCPOL primary elections. From US Senate race to key legislative battlegrounds, we break down the races as Toss-Up, Lean, or Safe and explain what the data, fundraising, and political environment are telling us. If you want a clear-eyed, numbers-driven look at what to watch, who has momentum, and where the surprises could come from, this is your primary primer. 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.

In this episode of Do Politics Better, Brian sits down with John Hood for a candid conversation about the growing divide within conservatism — and what it could mean for the future of American elections. They explore the tension between traditional free-market conservatism and the rise of populist, nationalist currents on the right. Is this a temporary fracture, or a lasting realignment? And how will these competing visions shape candidate recruitment, voter turnout, and party strategy in the cycles ahead? It’s a thoughtful, forward-looking discussion about ideology, coalition building, and whether the Republican Party can hold together a movement that increasingly disagrees on what it stands for. Then Skye and Brian unpack a busy week in North Carolina politics — diving into early voting numbers, an impressive fundraising haul by Speaker Hall, the latest Catawba College poll, key endorsements, the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, our “Tweet of the Week,” and plenty 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.

Sen. Todd Johnson and his wife Amanda join the podcast for a special conversation about love, partnership, and public service. From meeting in high school band to navigating college courtship, a proposal, marriage, and raising two boys, the Johnsons share the story of building a life together — including one that now includes North Carolina politics.  Plus, Rep. Grant Campbell returns to the podcast as a guest host as helps Skye and Brian break down a busy week at the General Assembly. They unpack an oversight clash, a civics lesson, State Board of Elections dustups, the Berger v. Page fundraising battle and New York Times coverage, a new poll in the 1st Congressional District, and, of course, Valentine’s Day. Love and politics — all in one episode.

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.

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.