Do Politics Better Podcast

Sen. Michael Lee is a powerful Senate Education Committee Chair, a committee he leads with determination and humility.  The New Hanover County Republican talks about his early life in Dunn, NC, his four election losses, and what his son's health challenges have taught him about the education system in North Carolina.   Skye explains what's going on with the voter ID and Leandro cases before the NC Supreme Court and Brian talks about Lt. Governor Mark Robinson’s latest controversy, its timing, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall talks about growing up on a farm, how 4-H changed her life, her decision to go to law school, and run for the NC Senate.  The Harnett County Democrat also talks about her successful 1996 race against racing champion Richard Petty, which made her the first woman elected statewide in North Carolina.    Skye and Brian also talk about former Governor John Kasich's virtual visit to a Medicaid expansion committee, review the John Locke Foundation's Civitas Partisan Index, and discuss why unaffiliated voters are now the largest voting bloc in the state.  And, of course, they run down the #DoPoliticsBetter #NCGA Bracket Challenge.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Senate Appropriations Chair Brent Jackson (R-Duplin/Johnston/Sampson) talks about growing up in Sampson County, farming watermelons, his decision to run for the Senate in a Democratic leaning district in 2010, and what he thinks about the rumors that he is running for NC Agriculture Commissioner in the future.   Skye and Brian also unpack the news from this week, including an intra-party Senate showdown in Cumberland County, a veto override vote, the General Assembly adjourns until spring, Congressman Madison Cawthorn news,and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Former Rep. Rick Glazier was once one of the most powerful legislators in the General Assembly.  The Fayetteville Democrat, who now leads the NC Justice Center, made a point to include Republicans on his legislation, including a bill he considers his most important work: the creation of the NC Innocence Inquiry Commission, which continues to make news today.   Rick recounts his partnership on that bill with former Rep. Paul (Skip) Stam, a conservative stalwart, and how they worked past their differences to find common ground, and even friendship.   Skye and Brian run down a few notable House and Senate primary races, talk about a complicated veto override vote next week, and celebrate the podcast's one-year anniversary by sharing an early (and comical) draft of the show's format.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons is a bridge-builder at the General Assembly.  The Greensboro Democrat is often in the negotiating room on some of the state's most high profile education debates, works in partnership with her Republican colleagues on meaningful legislation, and is energized about getting more bipartisan work done in the future.  Skye and Brian break down the final election maps approved by the state courts on Wednesday night and the decisions a few candidates are facing in the aftermath.  Brian also recalls a scary surfing session from a couple weeks ago that may have included a shark. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

John Hood is an early pioneer in North Carolina’s conservative movement. He helped found found three major conservative institutions — the John Locke Foundation, Carolina Journal, and the Civitas Institute — at a time when NC's politics was dominated by Democrats.  John takes us back to 1989 when he was fresh out of UNC and Art Pope had an idea on building a conservative infrastructure in NC.  We also learn about John's life growing up in Mecklenburg County, his love of books and tap-dancing, and how in 2012 a media firestorm put him on the opposite side of many conservatives in the state.   Skye and Brian also update listeners on legislative map-drawing 2.0, give insightful analysis on deals and no-deals on maps, and recount a past intern at New Frame and a practical joke played on him.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.    

Veteran NC political reporter/anchor/podcaster Tim Boyum spends his days (and nights) covering state politics and interviewing political leaders for Spectrum News.   In this podcast, Tim is the interview subject and reveals how he goes about gathering news everyday, how he balances work and family, and gives his thoughts on the state of journalism and state politics.   Skye and Brian also unpack the NC Supreme Court's redistricting decision and lays out the General Assembly's timeline in the coming days, gubernatorial campaign fundraising numbers, General Assembly Bingo, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Sen. Deanna Ballard started her political career working for President George W. Bush.  By the age of 30, she had an office in the East Wing of the White House, was advising the President and the First Lady on important policy matters, and traveling the world on Air Force One.   In 2009, the Watauga County Republican returned to North Carolina to work for Samaritan's Purse, and in 2016 she became a North Carolina Senator and now co-chairs the powerful Senate Education Committee. Brian and Skye break down the redistricting hearing in front of the NC Supreme Court this past week, a new legislator is seated, another gubernatorial rumor, and the latest news about Congressman Madison Cawthorn.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.    

Rep. Marcia Morey was ranked #2 in the world in 1976 in swimming (breaststroke), the year she represented the USA in the Montreal Olympics.  However, systematic doping by the East German swim team denied the future state legislator the opportunity to win an Olympic medal.   The Durham Democrat opens up about how the scandal negatively affected her in the aftermath and how it continues to guide her policy work in North Carolina.   Brian and Skye also talk about a low-key week at the General Assembly, an independent expenditure ad campaign aimed at the NC Supreme Court, and rumors (and rumors of rumors) in North Carolina politics.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

André Béliveau is Senate Policy Advisor to Senator Paul Newton, one of the most powerful legislators in the General Assembly.  In this role, André is involved in some of the most high profile conservative legislation moving in state politics, including a landmark energy bill enacted last session.   While André is decidedly conservative, earlier in his formative years he wasn't always convinced he had a home in the Republican Party.  André talks about his political journey and how he found a home in the GOP.  He also discusses his work inside the General Assembly and his leadership outside of the building in the Log Cabin Republicans of NC.     Brian and Skye also break down the one vote this week in the General Assembly, discuss the importance of legislative oversight committees, and there's talk of snow in Raleigh. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.