Three of the biggest NC government and politics storylines of 2024 — and what they mean for 2025

An aerial view of people standing near destroyed and damaged buildings in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene flooding on Oct. 8, 2024 in Bat Cave, North Carolina. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

by Galen Bacharier, NC Newsline
December 27, 2024

When it came to important stories for North Carolina politics and government, this year rarely let up.

So as 2024 comes to a close, we wanted to look back at some of those that stuck out the most — in particular, those that will continue to impact North Carolinians into the new year and beyond.

We’ll continue to cover government, politics and policy in 2025 — with a long legislative session, a new executive branch and more.

Hurricane Helene — and how a new administration will respond

The most deadly and damaging storm in state history left much of western North Carolina in tatters. Recovery is underway — and will continue for years.

State and federal officials mobilized resources to respond to a region not prepared for widespread flooding, while private groups and nonprofits also swarmed to provide aid. Lawmakers convened to approve more than $900 million in aid.

Now, a new governor and his administration will be tasked with overseeing western North Carolina’s rebuild.

Governor-elect Josh Stein has indicated it will be his Number One priority. He’s retained key cabinet officials that have been involved in relief efforts, and has hired staff specifically assigned to Helene recovery.

But it won’t be without challenges. Republicans in the legislature have signaled they are open to working with Stein — but haven’t been afraid to blast Gov. Roy Cooper for what they view as failures in his response.

And Stein will continue to look toward Capitol Hill, pushing for federal aid.

Too many people in western North Carolina are hurting and in need of real support. Congress needs to stop playing games with funding disaster relief. It is past time to act. Folks cannot accept more delay.

— Josh Stein (@JoshStein_) December 19, 2024

2024’s election — and the first moves of the midterm cycle

This past election cycle brought North Carolina an expensive and controversial governor’s race; constant visits by presidential candidates; and a Supreme Court contest that is still technically ongoing as of late December.

Like it or not, the modern election calendar is almost constant. That means sooner rather than later, we’ll begin seeing the first signs of midterm politicking. What are we watching for?

Democratic incumbent Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs and her Republican challenger, Judge Jefferson Griffin. (Courtesy photos)

Riggs vs. Griffin. Judge Jefferson Griffin has asked the NC Supreme Court to throw out thousands of votes, which would effectively overturn the results of his race against Justice Allison Riggs.Gov. Roy Cooper’s next steps. “I’m not done,” he said at his farewell address. Could that mean a run for U.S. Senate in two years?Mark Robinson’s future. The lieutenant governor badly lost his race against Stein. But he’s not going away quietly — quite the opposite. Republicans in North Carolina have made it clear they don’t want him as a candidate — and he’s made it clear he doesn’t care.Primaries in the General Assembly. A razor-thin supermajority in the House will mean every vote counts. It also means the pressure is on for several of the most moderate members — with potential primary challenges looming.

Senate Bill 382 — and how it fares in court

Republicans touted it as a measured step in their Helene response — and some needed fixes to government. Democrats and opponents decried it as a “power grab.”

Senate Bill 382 — branded as aid for Helene survivors but most prominently a law that shifts executive power — is now in court. How it fares there will have major implications for state government.

Legislative leaders were able to flip three GOP votes in the House — a trio of members from western North Carolina who initially objected to the bill’s branding as Hurricane Helene relief. (Photo: Galen Bacharier)

The law redirects existing authority from offices soon to be held by Democrats, including Stein, to those that will be held by Republicans. It strips the governor of appointment power for the Board of Elections; curbs the powers of the attorney general; and makes a bevy of changes to election deadlines.

Stein and Cooper have already sued over the law’s provision that makes the Highway Patrol an independent department, as well as the section moving Board of Elections oversight to the Republican auditor’s office.

NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Rob Schofield for questions: info@ncnewsline.com.

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