Do Politics Better Podcast

Rep. Jeff Zenger is by all accounts a success:  A beautiful family, a thriving business, and a productive political career.  However, life wasn't always so charmed for the two-term legislator.   The Forsyth County Republican talks about a troubled childhood in the outskirts of Baltimore, a toxic family dynamic, and how he continues to take his childhood experience to the General Assembly.   Skye and Brian also talk about the politics of casinos, another veto, Speaker's race news, Medicaid movement, GOP Lt. Governor's race, #TOTW, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.     

Rep. Allison Dahle is at the top, or near the top, of everyone's list of favorite legislators.  That goes for Republicans, Democrats, staff, and lobbyists.  And the Raleigh Democrat has worked hard to cultivate meaningful relations with everyone, including the most conservative legislators in the General Assembly.   However, a recent debate in the House left Rep. Dahle in tears as she pleaded for legislators to choose her over partisanship.  She talks about the vote, the strain it put on legislative friendships, and how she plans to move on.   Skye and Brian also cover Speaker Tim Moore's announcement, the legislative schedule, new candidates emerge, tornado hits the state, #TOTW, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Allen Chesser was not likely to earn the high school superlative of "Most Likely to Serve in the General Assembly".  It was also unlikely he would go on to marry his wife Jessica, who he met in high school, but was far from ever catching her fancy at the time.   However, the Nash County Republican has lived a life of overachievement, and it started with a conversation with a high school guidance counselor, was fortified by the attack on September 11, 2001, and forged into steel as a U.S. combat soldier in Iraq.   The freshman legislator talks about his incredible life, the tragedy he and his family has endured, and his desire to make life better for North Carolinians by solving problems.   Skye and Brian also welcome a special guest host to the podcast this week as they discuss North Carolina's repeat as CNBC's Top State for Business in 2023, the budget impasse, Stein v Robinson fundraising, Sen. Mike Woodard's mayoral bid, medicinal marijuana up in smoke, vetoes, #TOTW, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.       

Rep. Jeff McNeely asked Rep. Abe Jones a question with racial overtones during a heated House floor debate in May that landed both legislators in national and state news stories.  While the Iredell County Republican immediately apologized and Rep. Jones accepted, Rep. McNeely continues to feel regret for hurting his friend and others.   Rep. McNeely opens up about what he was trying to convey that day, the consequences of his actions, and his views about race, poverty, and access to education.  He also talks about his life growing up in Iredell County, his fondness for colorful suits and bowties, and his political journey.   Skye and Brian also discuss the Moore v Harper SCOTUS decision, a rare Monday night Senate session, abortion law clarifications, veto overrides, two more LGBTQ+ bills advance to Governor Cooper, former Rep. Dewey Hill dies, 2024 campaign news, #TOTW, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Sen. Paul Lowe has served in the Senate since 2015.  However, his political work and public service started in the fall of 1991 when he was named as pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church.  Sen. Lowe reflects on his abiding faith and political beliefs and the intersection of both in policymaking.   The Winston-Salem Democrat talks about how important relationships with his Republican colleagues produce better outcomes in legislation and gets him the room where it happens.   Skye and Brian discuss the lawsuit that rocked the #ncpol world on Sunday night, the Governor's latest vetoes overridden in the Senate, controversial bills continuing to move, session timeline update, legislator's reaction to abortion lawsuit, #TOTW, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

NC State Treasurer Dale Folwell is known as a fix-what's-broken political leader going back to his days serving in local government in Winston-Salem, his tenure in the General Assembly, and recent service in the executive branch.   Folwell is now focused on the Governor's Mansion in 2024, but he's in a three-person GOP primary with a herculean front-runner known for his fiery speeches and record breaking fundraising.  Can a proven problem solver win the Republican nomination?  Folwell says he's done it before and will do it again.   Skye and Brian also talk about Governor Cooper's proposed UNC System governance changes as Senate leaders move a pair controversial of election bills, transgender sports bill nearing final votes, the budget (and maybe adjournment) is delayed, #TOTW, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Abe Jones is a man of many accomplishments: student leader in high school, a standout runner, double Harvard graduate, attorney, and Superior Court judge.   That's why a question from a House colleague a couple weeks back questioning his achievements was so hurtful. But, it was not the first time the Wake County Democrat, who is black, has been asked such a question.   Skye and Brian also discuss part two of Governor Cooper's bully pulpit campaign, a party switch elections bill, the Farm Act and sports wagering bills pass, budget update, more Dan Bishop rumors, a pair of big decisions at the NC GOP Convention this weekend, TOTW, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.   

Senators Benton Sawrey and Mary Wills Bode were guests on the podcast in the weeks following the 2022 election.  They return to the podcast this week to talk about their freshman terms, the ups and downs, and their perspectives on crossover week when they were on opposing sides of the abortion debate.  Skye and Brian also cover Sen. Bill Rabon's committee testimony about his cancer journey and use of medical marijuana, sports gambling's winning hand, Governor's ad buy, budget update, tragedy in NC politics, a new GOP candidate for Lt. Governor, rumors, #TOTW, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.   

Axios Raleigh reporter Lucille Sherman has broken some blockbuster stories that in many ways have defined the 2023 legislative session:  Auditor Beth Wood’s car accident, Rep. Tricia Cotham’s party switch, and the Medicaid expansion deal.   Lucille talks about her career as a journalist, her path to North Carolina, and her approach to covering North Carolina politics.   Skye and Brian also discuss Governor Cooper’s State of Emergency speech, pair of House Republicans resign leadership positions, sports wagering moves in the Senate, medical marijuana scheduled for House committee, and John Locke Foundation’s gubernatorial head-to-head poll.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Jennifer Balkcom is an 8th generation Henderson County native whose life was shaped by family, farming, and profound loss.   The freshman Republican legislator talks about the heartbreak she experienced as child, helping her family make ends meet to keep their family farm, finding love, and her journey to the General Assembly, where she has been on the forefront of the leadership's legislative priorities this session.   Skye and Brian also talk about the abortion bill veto override, the Senate budget, tension in the House and the apology that followed, sports wagering in the Senate, more statewide candidates, #TOTW, nostalgia, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.