|
Across the state, North Carolina Republicans have been battered by vicious GOP primaries in every battleground district on the map, all but guaranteeing that whichever candidates make it through will enter the general election with plenty of baggage.
The GOP primaries have also shone a light on the stark divisions and inter-party fighting of the North Carolina Republican Party. Here’s what to watch for tonight in each battleground district:
-
NC-01: Will Trump or Kevin McCarthy be the biggest loser in the Republican primary? In North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, it’s the Battle of the Sandys as failed mayor Sandy Roberson faces off with MAGA Republican Sandy Smith. Smith has been running as an “America First” candidate – and Kevin McCarthy’s super PAC has jumped in with an eleventh hour cash infusion to try and defeat her. Will MAGA Republicans or Kevin McCarthy win in this district?
-
NC-06: Will perennial candidate Lee Haywood run and lose against Rep. Kathy Manning once again, or will primary voters retire him? North Carolinians rejected Lee Haywood’s extreme platform in 2020 because he’s far out of step with working families, and they’ll do it again this November. But first, Haywood has to make it out of his primary, where he’s running against Ryan Zinke-endorsed Christian Castelli. Will primary voters retire perennial candidate Lee Haywood?
-
NC-13: Will Club For Growth’s $1.3 million be enough to drag Bo Hines across the finish line? In the crowded NC-13 GOP primary, Bo Hines has been hammered by local Republicans in spite of his Trump endorsement. Local conservatives are “revolting” against his candidacy, though he’s facing political insider Kelly Daughtry, whose uninspiring candidacy has failed to launch in the district. Will Trump’s backing and Club For Growth’s money be enough to buy Bo Hines the primary election?
-
Which no-name Republican will Jeff Jackson win against this November? No one has heard anything from Pat Harrigan or Jonathan Simpson, the two no-name MAGA Republicans who are (allegedly) running for Congress in NC-14. North Carolinians need not bother getting to know them – both will fade into obscurity after they lose their campaigns, either today or in November when Jeff Jackson is elected to Congress.
|
