Do Politics Better Podcast

Rep. Brian Biggs is in his first term representing Randolph County, however his path to victory included a primary race in 2022 against a veteran GOP legislator.   The Freshman GOP Whip talks about his life, family and political career, including that intra-party race and his prior service on the Randolph County School Board.   Skye and Brian unpack the week's news, including Congressman-elect Addison McDowell, a pair of polls, John Locke Foundation's 2024 Civitas Partisan Index, Gov. Cooper's court win, Speaker outlines short session priorities, #TOTW, and more.    The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.  

It was a North Carolina primary election for the ages, one that was incorrectly described in the days leading up to it as a "sleeper."  Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir/Craven/Beaufort) guest hosts the podcast with Skye and Brian as they try to make sense of a primary election that defied the political odds and protocols. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.  

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 5, the day many races across North Carolina will be ultimately decided.  However, some of the more crowded races are likely heading to runoffs.   Political science professors Michael Bitzer (Catawba College) and Chris Cooper (Western Carolina University) join Skye and Brian for the entire podcast to talk early voting trends, races to watch, political party realignment, purity tests, and what surprises could be in store on election night.   Dr. Bitzer and Dr. Cooper also discuss #TOTW and give listeners an update on the modern political science classroom in the age of smart phones, lap tops, and a world of information at their fingertips. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.      

Kimberly Reynolds is a Democratic political consultant at Maven Strategies, a firm she founded with Maggie Barlow.  Kimberly talks about her career dating back to 1999, including her past work for the NC Senate Caucus program and #ncpol campaigns she's managed.   Skye and Brian also share Republican polling from Capen Consulting, which includes the standings for the crowded race for Lt. Governor, Governor, and President.   Plus, campaign endorsements, conservative groups backing Democrats, update on a pair of lawsuits, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and have we unlocked a new level with the mysterious Hendersonville stingray pregnancy?  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.    

Sen. Eddie Settle is a no-nonsense, unpretentious, and accessible legislator whose style of legislating has won him admiration and respect from his colleagues, including Democrats.  The Wilkes County native talks with Skye and Brian about his politics, life, family, work, and faith.   Plus, early voting is underway, a voter identification lawsuit scheduled, Governor Cooper's executive order, RNC Chair news, casino legislation in short session a bad bet, possible changes to election law, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.    

Rep. Caleb Rudow is currently sitting in one of the safest House seats in the General Assembly.  The Asheville Democrat could sit back in 2024, put a few yard signs up, and coast to re-election victory.  So why is he trading it in to challenge GOP freshman Congressman Chuck Edwards in the ruby-red leaning 11th District? Skye and Brian also break down a pair of polls from Meredith University and High Point University, legislator death threat leads to arrest, Race of the Week, #TOTW, the Super Bowl, and Taylor Swift. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.      

The Senate Republican Caucus is well known as a well-oiled, disciplined machine known for recruiting top-shelf candidates, methodically executing campaign plans, and winning majorities (sometimes supermajorities) since 2010.   Political operative Dylan Watts runs that machine and he sits down to talk about his life and work, which sometimes is a blur except when he's playing golf.  The Cary native also discusses candidate recruiting, ideological diversity in districts, polling, and his thoughts about the 2024 election.   Skye and Brian also unpack a trio of legal issues, campaign fundraising, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and the problem with YMCA locker rooms.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.   

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a live recording of the Do Politics Better Podcast in front of an audience of over 100 people on the campus of UNC Asheville on January 19.   Skye and Brian were joined by Senators Warren Daniel and Julie Mayfield to review the 2023 General Assembly session, issues they partnered on, and bills they were on opposite sides of.   The Senate duo representing Buncombe County also look to the upcoming short session and provide a scan of issues facing western NC and Asheville, including tourism, crime, and the region getting its fair share of the budget pie. Plus, Tweet of the Week, Brian trying to kick a 40-year addiction, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.   

Tim Kent, the executive director of the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, traces his North Carolina political roots back to 1981, the year he arrived in the state and started covering its politics as an on-air TV reporter.   Kent talks about covering the Hunt-Helms race in 1984, a bipartisan overthrow of a Democratic Speaker of the House in 1989, and how it led to his transition from journalism to be one of the most high profile and successful association leaders in North Carolina.   Skye and Brian also unpack a week of news, including court cases, a candidate challenge, POTUS visit, Race of the Week, #TOTW, college basketball, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association. 

The NC Democratic Party announced last fall it hired Kian Sadjadi as its new executive director.  The 36-year old veteran political operative will lead Democrats in 2024 as they try to turn their Election Day fortunes around.   Skye and Brian also talk endorsement announcements, a fledgling redistricting lawsuit, Race of the Week, Tweet of the Week, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.