Do Politics Better Podcast

Senator-elect Benton Sawrey was elected to the NC Senate on November 8.  The Johnston County Republican sits down with Skye and Brian to talk about his election, his goals in the General Assembly as a freshman senator, and his path to elected office.   The podcast also dives into the longterm challenges facing the Republican and Democratic parties and the resignation of LT McCrimmon as Governor Roy Cooper's liaison to the General Assembly.  We also feature a Tweet of the Week, the podcast visits Asheville, and Thanksgiving plans.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Sen. Kirk deViere joins Skye and Brian for this special edition of the podcast to unpack the mid-term elections in North Carolina, including the races for U.S. Senate, Congress, the Courts, and the NC General Assembly.   The Democrat from Fayetteville, who was ousted in a Democratic primary this past spring for his moderate voting record, also talks about the need for both political parties to welcome middle-of-the-road legislators in their ranks. Plus, Skye and Brian spent Election Day in Robeson County with Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Tweet of the Week, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

State Board of Elections Chair Damon Circosta talks about his early career in election reform advocacy, including a stint working for the late Sen. John McCain, and his work now to ensure North Carolina elections are secure and accessible. The Arizona native also talks about how the state's diverse politics and coastal surfing vibe were determining factors in his family's decision to locate to North Carolina.   In this 2022 mid-term election edition of the podcast, Skye and Brian discuss a Meredith College Poll, make predictions for the U.S. Senate race and General Assembly supermajorities, Tweet of the Week, and a tribute to the late Sen. Stan Bingham.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.       

Demi Dowdy is the Communications Director for House Speaker Tim Moore, a job that often has her in the room where it happens and working with journalists in the NC Capitol Press Corps to get the story told to the public.   The first generation Cuban-American also talks about her career advocating for conservative causes, including her work for the Civitas Institute (now merged with the John Locke Foundation), and her hopes and aspirations for the Republican Party. Skye and Brian unpack a pair of polls showing Ted Budd edging out Cheri Beasley in the U.S. Senate race while the congressional race between Wiley Nickel and Bo Hines seems to be knotted.  They also tick through swing NC Senate and NC House races, including an odd rumor circulating this week about the Bobby Hanig-Valerie Jordan race.   Plus, Unsubstantiated Rumors, Tweet of the Week, celebrity endorsements, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

NC political operatives have access to a voter file that indexes every voter on a scale from 0-100.  Your Facebook likes, Instagram shares, iTunes purchases, grocery store purchases, and more, constantly update your file and informs political candidates and PACs on what kind of messages will get you to the polls.   Dan Crawford leads the political work for the NC League of Conservation Voters and he sits down with Skye and Brian to explain how the voter index works.  Dan is married to Democratic Sen. Sarah Crawford, who sat in on the podcast interview.  It's an informative and fun discussion that delves into their family life and a 2014 attack ad aimed at the political couple.   Also, early voting begins in North Carolina, campaign finance reports filed, tragedy hits Raleigh, a Moore v Harper court update, and Governor Cooper and Senator Berger duke it out in a national magazine article.   Plus, Tweet of the Week, a Do Politics Better visit to the NC State Fair, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.       

Opposition (or "oppo") research is the most secretive and underground facet of North Carolina politics, but it's the foundation of most successful political campaigns.  NC-based GOP political operative Darren Eustance at Malleus Political Strategies talks about his misunderstood, required, and often maligned industry. Skye and Brian also break down the Beasley/Budd U.S. Senate debate, discuss crime as an emerging campaign issue in political races, Unsubstantiated Rumors, Tweet of the Week, the NC State Fair, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Nathan Babcock is a political consultant for Republican state Senate candidates and part of Morgan Jackson's job is to direct Governor Roy Cooper's political investments in key General Assembly races.   Both veteran political operatives are guests on the podcast this week and help Skye and Brian understand the state of play in key NC House and Senate races one month from Election Day.   As to legislative races, it's heating up in swing districts as a lawsuit is filed in a New Hanover County Senate race, court cases are moving, Unsubstantiated Rumors, and Tweet of the Week.    The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Wayne Goodwin grew up poor and with a father with debilitating mental health challenges.  These two experiences shaped the Hamlet native and his politics. In 1996, Wayne was 28-years old when he was elected to represent Richmond County in the NC House, a seat he held for 8 years before running for statewide office.     Wayne's life has been marked by incredible success and heart-wrenching loss, including the 2020 death of his beloved wife and political partner Melanie.  Wayne shares their love story and memorializes her service as a legislator who succeeded him in the General Assembly in 2005.   Skye and Brian also break down the latest John Locke Foundation/Civitas poll, talk about the Wilmington Trump/Budd rally, GOP/Dem messaging in swing legislative districts, the politics of Hurricane Ian, Tweet of the Week, 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. Jim Burgin is a leader in the General Assembly on health care and mental health policy.  The Harnett County Republican talks about his passion for the issue, especially mental health, as well as his friendship and partnership with NC Health & Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley, a Democrat, in making the state healthier.   A press gaggle this week at the General Assembly included news from Sen. Phil Berger about a possible December lame-duck session, the latest on Medicaid, and more.   Skye and Brian also talk about an abortion ad cut by Governor Cooper for a Senate candidate that may be seen in other districts, a House Democratic leader is in a tough race, the General Assembly's top fundraisers, and Treasurer Dale Folwell floats his name for governor in 2024. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Kyle Villemain founded The Assembly, a digital magazine about North Carolina and its complex politics, in 2021.  Skye and Brian sits down with Kyle to talk about the online magazine, his life and career, and his vision for a publication that is digging deeper in our politics at a time when much of journalism is contracting.  Skye and Brian also talk about the week in politics, including an October 7 US Senate debate between Ted Budd and Cheri Beasley, negative ads, unsubstantiated rumors, Tweet(s) of the Week, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.