By Brianna Kraemer
Carolina Journal
Berger emphasized the Republican victories in all statewide judicial races, asserting that North Carolina is a “default Republican state.”
Top North Carolina Republican leaders suggest the contest between Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Attorney General Josh Stein is to blame for several state races that failed to achieve Republican victories.
In the lead-up to the election, concerns loomed over whether the gubernatorial candidate’s negative press and lagging poll numbers would impact down-ballot races. Though North Carolina went for Trump and several other Republicans won down the ballot, high-profile races like Congressional District 1, the governor’s race, and the lieutenant governor’s race went to the Democratic candidates.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Senate Leader Phill Berger, R-Rockingham, said he believes that money played a key role, as did the Democrats’ successful campaign to tie other North Carolina candidates to the news about Mark Robinson.
“I don’t think there’s any question that the wall of money that came in against Mark Robinson had a significant impact,” said Berger. “I also think that the news story out of CNN had a significant impact in that race, and probably had some slight impact in some of the other races, particularly statewide races.”
Berger emphasized the Republican victories in all statewide judicial races, asserting that North Carolina is a “default Republican state.” He pointed out that Republican judicial candidates have consistently won by significant margins while highlighting the disconnect between those results and the broader losses.
“All things being equal, good Republican candidates can win by several points. I think the judicial races show that more clearly than anything else,” he added.
North Carolina Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, who is poised to be the next Speaker of the House, added that Democrats redirected over $4 million from the gubernatorial race to down-ballot contests in the final weeks. The broadcast TV spending targeted battleground districts, making a tangible difference in close races. Hall suggested that Democrats felt confident enough in their gubernatorial candidate, Josh Stein, that they diverted resources to other races.
“I think there’s no question that that moved the needle,” Hall said. “Most of that money was money that probably was going to be spent in the governor’s race, that Josh Stein and the Democrats felt like they didn’t need to spend in the governor’s race anymore, so it got sent down ballot.”
Weighing in from a party perspective, Jason Simmons, chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, expressed concern over the governor’s performance and pointed to internal party rules that prevent active engagement in primary campaigns.
“Obviously, when you have a performance like last night, it’s very concerning,” said Simmons. “And what we see from a party perspective is our bylaws are prohibitive in allowing us to engage in primary activity, so the party has to maintain a position of neutrality… We’ll continue to take that position as we continue to move forward and making sure that the voters of North Carolina have their voices heard.”
More Berger BS. Here is the part he is not saying.
1. The judicial races were won because they republican candidates in that race were unopposed.
2. Yes, the money flowing into NC was unprecedented and mostly by sources that we would consider dark money. The ads were horrific and annoying.
3. The GOP knew about Mark Robinsons’ Balanced Nutrition business problems and did not get in front of it. Sunlight on that would have been the best remedy, especially before the primary.
4. The CNN story broke but was also known in advance (whether its true or not and whether any body cares or not we will never know); but the GOP refused to defend him. Similarities with Madison Cawthorne and Dan Forest come to mind. The money dried up or was redirected once bad new surfaced.
5. Everyone knows Phil Berger and Tim Moore have been closely aligned with Cooper and Stein creating the Uniparty that most the people can’t stand.
6. Mark Robinson was revered by the grassroots because of his passion for the first amendment rights of North Carolinians among other things. Whether he was the greatest candidate to even run for governor should have been a discussion way before the primary.
So the leadership in Raleigh really got what they wanted. Stop pointing fingers.
My opinion only.