Tillis and Budd support new nominees

the Republican-led General Assembly passed the Relief at the Pump Act, which suspended North Carolina’s 41-cent gas tax through November 30^th. The legislation is designed to provide immediate relief North Carolinians by lowering the costs at the pump. 

In the final weeks of the Senate race, Whatley and his allies are renewing scrutiny on Cooper’s record during his final weeks in office. “I think it is laughable if Roy Cooper even tries to make hurricane recovery an issue in this campaign after how badly he fumbled not only Helene, but eastern North Carolina,” State Representative Jake Johnson told the Reporter in an interview. “He is trying to run from anything that reminds anyone of how bad he has handled natural disasters in this state.”

Additionally, under Cooper the situation deteriorated. On-time delivery fell from 98% in 2021 to 91% for 2022 through 2024, below the federal standard of 95%, and counties including Wake and Mecklenburg issued 20 to 25% of payments late.

Vape Sale ban goes into effect

North Carolina gas tax

the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund announced $51.2 million in grants to help protect farmland in 44 counties across North Carolina.  

Grants were awarded to farms and projects in Alamance, Anson, Avery, Bladen, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Camden, Chatham, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Davie, Duplin, Franklin, Guilford, Harnett, Haywood, Iredell, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mitchell, Onslow, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Surry, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Union, Wake, Watauga, Wayne and Wilkes counties. 

This week, the North Carolina State Board of Elections reminded North Carolinians that Eligible individuals who want to cast their ballot by mail or on Election Day, Nov. 3, must register to vote by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. 

State Treasurer Brad Briner and Labor Commissioner Luke Farley announced three new appointments to the board of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). Briner has appointed Ray Starling and Farley has appointed Mike Verlander and Zeb Hadley.

“Michael Whatley knows that the best way to lift up North Carolinians—to lift their wages, expand their opportunities, make the future brighter for their children—is through a growing economy fueled by free enterprise. Michael will support the policies that will drive economic growth and improve quality of life for North Carolinians. Michael supports the policies that will enable job creators to do what they do best: serve people, solve problems, and strengthen this state. On behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, it is my privilege to stand with you today and endorse your candidacy for U.S. Senate,” said Courtney Felts of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

, United States Senator Ted Budd (R- North Carolina) filed an amicus brief encouraging the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court’s decision, which wrongly ruled that homeschool independent-study programs are public school programs. The brief defends homeschooling parents’ rights by reinforcing a common-sense principle: parents are not state actors. It also makes clear that neutral government programs can support parents’ choice of faith-based curriculum while remaining consistent with the Constitution and our nation’s history.

“Roy Cooper abandoned our families in favor of the woke mob. He stood for men in girls sports, supported transgender mutilation of our kids, and vetoed the Parents Bill of Rights. Why? Cooper is a disgrace. As your next Senator, I will always put our FAMILIES FIRST and protect our kids from the radical far-left policies of extremists like Roy Cooper,” said Michael Whatley. 

Democrat hypocrisy on full display

New Hanover Democrat faces legal exposure due to false ads

Sen. Ted Budd completes second 100 county tour

Within hours, North Carolinians mobilized to help. Michael Whatley, then serving as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), joined forces with Samaritan’s Purse to help Watauga County — where Whatley grew up — to help deliver supplies to those in need. Whatley also called President Donald Trump during his 2024 campaign to assist those who were suffering. Whatley was the “number one advocate” for Helene recovery, according to Trump. “The Democrats didn’t do a damned thing,” Trump said.

Six years ago this week, two polls showed Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) struggling to reach 40 percent in a North Carolina Senate race he would go on to win by just under two points. In this year’s race, Republican Michael Whatley is already polling ahead of Tillis’s numbers against former Gov. Roy Cooper (D., N.C.), according to a Washington Reporter analysis of North Carolina’s polling trends.

"Seniors are the backbone of the American electorate, and they deserve elected officials who deliver for them," said SMFA Senior Advisor Sean Spicer. "The Champion for America's Seniors Award lets our seniors know that they can count on SMFA to watch, keep score, and honor those who fight for them." 

“This marks a big year for the N.C. State Fair and completing some much-needed improvements on the fairgrounds,” said Kent Yelverton, State Fair director. “The State Fairgrounds at its present location will mark 100 years in 2028 and with these investments we are preparing for the next 100 years.”

“Roy Cooper has spent 40 years turning North Carolina into a revolving door for murderers, rapists, and violent career criminals to terrorize innocent people and dodge accountability for their heinous crimes. Cooper treated public safety like a joke, and no one trusts him to change.” - RNC Spokeswoman Emma Hall