April 21, 2021
For Immediate Release 

Raleigh, NC - A new report from the Washington Free Beacon shows how Energy Secretary Granholm owns a substantial stake in a company tied to Kamala Harris’ visit to North Carolina.

“Cal Jr. (Jeff Jackson) and Radical Liberal Erica Smith regularly blast corruption in Washington, so will they blast the Biden administration for giving free publicity to a company that the Energy Secretary has a substantial financial stake in?” said NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. “If Cal Jr. can blast Democrat Joe Machin for encouraging bipartisanship, Cal Jr. can certainly blast the apparent corruption in the Biden administration.”

Here are some of the key excerpts from the Washington Free Beacon Report: 

“Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm owns up to $5 million in the electric battery and vehicle manufacturer President Joe Biden will promote on Tuesday as part of his push for a $1.9 trillion infrastructure bill.”

“Biden’s virtual visit to the electric battery producer Proterra comes days after Vice President Kamala Harris paid a visit to Thomas Built Buses, a North Carolina-based school bus company that counts Proterra as its main supplier of electric vehicles. The back-to-back White House visits to Granholm-connected companies risk at least the appearance of impropriety and demonstrate how lawmakers can use policy initiatives to pad their own wallets.”

“The White House confirmed that Granholm still holds stock in Proterra, but said she played no role in planning the president's visit.”

“In a February 24 executive order, Biden placed Granholm in charge of "identifying risks in the supply chain for high-capacity batteries, including electric-vehicle batteries, and policy recommendations to address these risks." One of Proterra’s key products is electric-vehicle batteries.”

“Proterra’s website boasts that "our flexible design enables Proterra® EV batteries to be the best choice for commercial vehicles ranging from transit buses and trucks to delivery vehicles, construction equipment, and more."

“Nearly 85 percent of Proterra employee campaign contributions went to Democrats, including Joe Biden, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.”

April 15, 2021
For Immediate Release

Raleigh, NC - After President Joe Biden announced his court-packing commission, liberal leaders are filing legislation to pack the Supreme Court with liberal activists in robes. The radical left knows that they cannot enact their radical, socialist agenda with a Supreme Court that values the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Democrats know that their socialist agenda is toxic to American voters, especially North Carolina voters. This is why they are trying to pack the Supreme Court as soon as possible so that they can put as many activists in robes on the Court before voters oust them in the 2022 election. 

“I never thought I would say that I would agree with Justice Ginsberg, but on this issue, we agree packing the Supreme Court is a bad idea. This dangerous, divisive legislation continues to show that Democrats have no interest in working with Republicans in a bipartisan fashion but would rather force their socialist agenda on the American people,” said NCGOP Chairman Michael Whatley. “This brazen partisan attempt to politicize the Supreme Court is a threat to our Constitutional order and has been rejected by even the most liberal of Supreme Court Justices. An independent Supreme Court is essential to our Republic, and Americans of all political stripes should oppose this legislation.”

Raleigh, NC - The last time North Carolina Board of Elections Director Brinson Bell testified at the General Assembly, NC Politifact confirmed that she lied to the House Elections Committee. During the 2020 election, Executive Director Bell entered into a collusive settlement to change election law after voting had already begun. Bell’s dishonesty previously earned her a rebuke by a federal judge. Will Bell continue her pattern of lying when she addresses the NCGA Senate Elections Committee today at 1 pm. Watch and find out: the live stream can be found here. 

“Will Executive Director Bell continue to erode North Carolinians' confidence in North Carolina's elections ?" asked NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. “Not only is Bell a noted partisan who was handpicked by Governor Cooper’s political team, but she has repeatedly demonstrated a blatant disregard for the truth. The people of North Carolina deserve and expect those that administer our elections to be fair and honest. Anything less is unacceptable.”

March 11, 2021
For Immediate Release

Raleigh, NC - The House Republicans filed House Bill 264 to fix the problem exploited by Governor Cooper in the North Carolina Emergency Act. Cooper has exploited the Act to unilaterally enact orders to close schools, deny constitutional rights and crush small businesses across North Carolina. 

The legislation balances the need of the government to respond in an emergency and sufficiently checks against unbridled executive authority. 

“The legislation filed today in the North Carolina House will protect our constitutional order by reinstating checks on the executive’s emergency powers in an extended crisis,” said NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. “Governor Cooper’s abuse of emergency powers sets a dangerous precedent for the future and this legislation prevents further erosion of our constitutional order in the name of an emergency.” 

The bill filed today follows the trend of other state legislatures reigning in the executive branch’s emergency powers in an extended crisis. Even in New York, Democrats are reigning in the powers of Governor Cooper’s best friend Andrew Cuomo. 

To watch the full press conference click here.

Here are some key quotes from the lawmakers at the press conference:

“We all agree that the COVID-19 crisis required emergency action. However, the law that granted these emergency powers was not written with today’s challenges in mind. There needs to be more bipartisan input and more checks and balances. There is no unilateral rule in a constitutional republic.” Representative John Bell, NC House Majority Leader.

“Simply put, no one person should have the unilateral authority to shut down schools, businesses, and livelihoods, especially for over a year. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, it's about clarifying the law to address today’s challenges by encouraging more bipartisan consensus.” Representative John Bell.

“This bill would clarify the Emergency Management Act to make clear that the Governor needs Council of State approval for certain emergency actions. Much of the act already requires Council of State approval and has for some time. In fact, Governor Cooper sought Council of State approval when orders first started.” Representative Destin Hall, House Rules Chair

“All of these decisions have been made by one person without the requirement that he consult at least one other elected official, and the result of that is that orders have become politicized. At first, Governor Cooper asked for Council of State approval, but when the Council of State pushed back; he switched legal theories.” Representative Destin Hall.

March 8, 2021
For Immediate Release

Raleigh, NC - Last Friday, the National Review published an article highlighting how Democrat Governor Roy Cooper is keeping the lock on the schoolhouse door.

“Governor Cooper closed schools almost a year ago and he continues to keep the schoolhouse doors locked,” said NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. “As North Carolina kids suffer in failing virtual schools because of Cooper’s policies, Democrats in the General Assembly will have to pay the political price.  Since Cooper is not up for reelection, he has nothing to lose by placating the NCAE.” 

Here are some key excerpts from the National Review Article:

“‘I am a Democrat. He’s the governor, and a Democratic governor.’”

“And with that explanation, North Carolina state senator Paul Lowe cast the deciding vote to sustain Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a bipartisan bill offering in-person learning for kids. Seldom does a politician so openly declare a preference for party over parents, but honesty is a nice change of pace for elected Democrats in the Tar Heel State.”

“Why did Cooper veto a bill supported by fellow Democrats? Many suspect he was placating the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), a teachers’-union affiliate and longtime ally of Cooper and the North Carolina Democratic Party. The Cooper administration and the NCAE were at odds over the state’s pandemic response leading up to the 2020 election. Outspoken NCAE members demanded Cooper use his executive powers to close all public schools indefinitely.”

“But after the election, we learned that it was just that: an act. Cooper acquiesced to NCAE demands on issues such as prioritizing teacher vaccinations, placing them above cancer patients in the priority list. And in February, Cooper proposed using state dollars to award $2,500 bonuses for teachers and principals and $1,500 bonuses for school staff for their ‘courage and commitment to educating our children.’”

“While Cooper and the NCAE have worked hard to stall Republican efforts to put kids first, it came at a price. Shortly after Cooper’s veto, a flash poll by the John Locke Foundation (where I work) of 600 likely North Carolina voters revealed Cooper at odds with the public: 59 percent supported the reopening bill; 28 percent opposed. Moreover, pluralities opposed Cooper’s veto and would support overriding it. 80 percent of Republicans, 56 percent of Unaffiliateds, and 43 percent of Democrats supported S.B. 37. Nearly three out of four respondents believe the child’s parents or guardians are best suited to decide whether a child should attend in-person or virtual school.”

“It’s not hard to see why. The results of extended remote learning are beginning to come in from state education officials to the state board of education, and they’re not pretty. Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt, a recently elected Republican who has worked across the aisle to reopen schools, reported­ that 23 percent of North Carolina district school students are at risk for academic failure and haven’t made sufficient progress to be promoted to the next grade. In public charter schools, only 9 percent are at risk.”

“Now Democrats want to save face. Their problem with S.B. 37 is that its primary sponsors were Republicans. So now they’re trying to work through the State Board of Education to achieve the same things the bill does.”

Raleigh, NC - Yesterday in a MSNBC interview, Cal Jr. (Jeff Jackson) did his best to chase radical liberal Erica Smith to the far left. Cal Jr. told MSNBC he favors job-killing, arbitrary wage hikes, radical immigration policies and ending the filibuster as a meaningful tool. Smith had already staked out her position on these issues and has largely based her campaign for U.S. Senate on supporting job-killing wage hikes, radical immigration policies and ending the filibuster.

“Cal Jr. is chasing Radical Liberal Erica Smith in a race to the far left that will soon leave AOC in the dust,” said NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. “North Carolina is not Massachusetts, California or New York. While Cal. Jr and Smith attempt to lockdown the radical left to win the Democrat nomination, Republicans will be well positioned to win the general election in November. ” 

Also of note from the interview, Cal Jr. finally confirmed that he communicated with the DSCC about his race before announcing his campaign, which helps explain Cal Jr.’s cookie-cutter talking points and campaign strategy. 

February 8, 2021
For Immediate Release

Raleigh, NC - The Washington Free Beacon reported that Cal Jr. (Jeff Jackson) denied the science and voted AGAINST reopening schools here in North Carolina. As Cal Jr. votes in the North Carolina Senate, voters will get to observe how he would vote if elected to the United States Senate. 

“Cal Jr. (Jeff Jackson) is fully committed to obeying the establishment instead of fighting for North Carolina kids,” said NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. “Cal Jr.’s  vote to keep schools closed shows that if elected, North Carolina cannot trust him to do the right thing when it counts.”

Here are some key excerpts from the Free Beacon report: 

“North Carolina Democratic Senate challenger Jeff Jackson voted against a bipartisan bill that requires school districts in the state to offer some form of in-person instruction.”

“Jackson's vote against school reopenings came just hours after CDC director Rochelle Walensky said there is ‘increasing data to suggest that schools can safely reopen,’ adding that the ‘vaccination of teachers is not a prerequisite for the safe reopening of schools.’  Former Democratic state senator Joel Ford accused Jackson of hypocrisy, noting that the Charlotte Democrat has pledged to lead with "science" and follow CDC guidelines.”

“‘For a state senator who's already declared for the U.S. Senate, I really think it's hypocritical for him to come out and say we need to follow the science, and now that the science has come out, he still voted against [reopening schools],’ Ford told the Washington Free Beacon. ‘I think it shows what's wrong with our politics—we can't play politics with families, and we definitely can't play politics with public education.’”

“Many North Carolina students have been stuck with virtual schooling throughout the pandemic as local teachers' unions pressure school boards to refrain from reopening. One Durham-based union in July demanded an array of far-left policy goals in order to hold in-person classes, including Medicare for All and ‘direct income support regardless of immigration status.’ Durham Public Schools planned to offer in-person classes for elementary, middle, and "exceptional" high school students at the time but reversed course following the union's objection.”

 

February 2, 2021
For Immediate Release 

Raleigh, NC - Politico’s James Arkin profiled the North Carolina Democrat Senate Primary highlighting how North Carolina Democrats are already in disarray.  

“North Carolina Democrats are not reacting well to Cal Jr. who looks like he’s straight from Chuck Schumer’s windowless basement central casting,” said NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. “It looks like establishment Democrats are determined to follow their well worn path of defeat that they traveled the last four US Senate elections in North Carolina.” 

Here are some key excerpts from the Politico profile: 

“Democrats weren’t entirely unsuccessful in 2020: Gov. Roy Cooper narrowly won a second term, and other statewide officials were reelected. But the revelation of an extramarital affair derailed Cal Cunningham’s Senate campaign, and Democrats ended up losing what was at the time the most expensive race in Senate history.”

“Cunningham’s defeat, along with the subsequent election of now-Sen. Raphael Warnock in a special election last month in Georgia has prompted some Democrats to question the party’s tactics, including its past heavy-handed approach to primaries. Cunningham, a white military veteran and former state lawmaker, was recruited by the national party, which spent millions to ensure his nomination in the March 2020 Democratic primary.”

“State Sen. Jeff Jackson, whose biography closely matches Cunningham's, entered the race last week with a splashy video promising a 100-county grassroots campaign and dismissing an agenda ‘imported from D.C. or donors,’ a not-so-subtle dig at the unsuccessful 2020 campaign.”

“North Carolina could end up being ground zero for a confluence of dynamics Democrats will face in Senate contests next year, including the likelihood of crowded and expensive primaries in competitive states.”

“Democrats in the state and in Washington emphasize that it’s early in the process, and the ultimate makeup of the field is unclear. Along with Jackson, former state Sen. Erica Smith, a Black woman who lost the primary to Cunningham last year, is running again.”

“Republicans are already trying to use the primary to their advantage by comparing it with 2020.”

“‘It almost feels like exactly the same race, and we're singing the same song again,’ said Michael Whatley, the state GOP chair, predicting ‘a lot of mud’ on the Democratic side.”

“Smith, who lost the Democratic primary last year, said in an interview employing the same strategy next year “expecting a different result is absolute insanity.” Smith struggled to raise money against Cunningham, who had national support, and could struggle similarly in a more crowded field, though she brushed off that concern.”

 

January 28, 2020
For Immediate Release

Raleigh, NC - The North Carolina Republican Party has hired Livy Polen to serve as the Press Secretary. Tim Wigginton is being promoted to Communications Director. The Party is also promoting Sarah Newby to Political Director and Phil Thomas will serve as the Party’s Chief Counsel and Strategy Director. 

“We are excited to expand our team at the NCGOP to help keep North Carolina red,” said NCGOP Chairman Michael Whatley. “North Carolina Republicans racked up substantial victories in 2020 and will our new staff additions and promotions we intend to rack up even more wins for conservatives in 2022.”

NCGOP New Hires And Promotions

Livy Polen (@LivyPolen) will be joining the NCGOP as the Press Secretary. Livy Polen is from Gaston County, NC, and graduated from UNC- Chapel Hill where she worked as a columnist for the Daily Tar Heel. After graduating from UNC- Chapel Hill, Livy served in the White House Office of Political Affairs under the Trump Administration. At the NCGOP, Livy will help drive conservative messages across North Carolina by working with reporters and media outlets across North Carolina.  

Sarah Newby is being promoted to Political Director. Sarah Newby is from Raleigh, NC, and graduated from North Carolina State University. Sarah first came on staff at the North Carolina Republican Party as the first-ever Director of Judicial Elections. While in that role, she also became our Candidate Coordinator and led the history-making clean sweep of eight statewide judicial elections. In her new role, Sarah will work with Republican leaders and candidates across North Carolina and play a vital role in leading conservatives to victory to keep North Carolina red. 

Tim Wigginton (@WiggintonTim) is being promoted to Communications Director. Tim Wigginton served as the Press Secretary during the 2020 cycle and will largely continue his duties communicating with the media and shaping the message. Before coming to the North Carolina Republican Party, Wigginton worked as a field researcher for America Rising and accomplished his goal of eating at every Cookout in North Carolina. Tim will continue to serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries. 

Philip Thomas is now the Chief Counsel & Legislative Strategy Director 

Philip Thomas is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte and Campbell Law School. He has previously worked in every branch of NC state government and prior to joining the NCGOP staff, was the Deputy General Counsel of the NC Department of Public Instruction. During the 2020 election, Philip led the NCGOP's fight for election integrity and played a pivotal role in ensuring every legal vote was counted during the multiple recounts. In addition to legal work, Philip will also be focusing on Republican strategy for policy and legislative objectives.

 

January 28, 2020
For Immediate Release

Raleigh, NC - The Washington Free Beacon reports on Cal Jr. entrance into the race highlighting all the parallels between Cal Sr. and Cal Jr.. In North Carolina, Kentucky, and Texas Chuck Schumer interfered in the Democrat primary effectively sandbagging ascendent African American candidates. 

“If Republicans were engaging in the same type of hypocritical behavior as the national Democrats the media firestorm would be relentless,” said NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. 

Here are some of the key excerpts from the Free Beacon Report 

“Democrats are hoping to avoid a repeat of Cal Cunningham's disastrous candidacy in 2020, which ultimately prevented them from holding outright control of the Senate under President Joe Biden. And yet the party appears ready to nominate another boring white man at the expense of a qualified black woman.”

“North Carolina state senator Jeff Jackson, 38, officially entered the Democratic primary on Tuesday. He's slightly younger than Cunningham but has basically the same resume.”

“Jackson was actually Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's first choice to run against Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) in 2020. Jackson famously told a group of college students that Schumer's ideal candidate would "spend the next 16 months in a windowless basement raising money," which the party would then use to fund attack ads against the GOP incumbent.”

“Smith wasn't the only black candidate to lose a Senate primary in 2020 after national Democrats threw their support behind a white challenger. Jackson's entry into the race sets up a similar dynamic, although it remains to be seen how much Schumer and company will actively intervene this time around."

“Jackson's internet-winning announcement video was quickly overshadowed by the candidate's bizarre comments during an interview with local journalist Tim Boyum. ‘Well, I think you're trying to find a polite way to ask me if I've ever cheated on my wife, and the answer is no,’ Jackson said in response to a question about whether Democrats should nominate candidates from more diverse racial backgrounds.”

For Immediate Release 

Raleigh, NC - Last night in his very first television interview, Cal Jr. (Jeff Jackson) showed that he intends to follow Cal Cunningham’s playbook to the letter. Cal Jr.’s interview had some eerily similar parallels to Cal Sr.’s first Capital Tonight interview after joining the 2020 Senate race.

• Cal Sr. dodged on lobbying the Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee endorsement. Cal Jr. also dodged on lobbying for the DSCC endorsement.
  
  
  
• Cal Sr. declared his support for impeaching President Trump. Cal Jr. also proudly declared his support for impeaching President Trump.
  
  
  
• Cal Sr. dodged questions about diversity in the Democrat party. Cal Jr. also dodged questions about diversity in the Democrat party. 
  
  

“Cal Jr. (Jeff Jackson) demonstrated in his first interview how he plans on following the Cal Cunningham Sr. playbook step by step which is why Republicans will beat Cal Jr. just like Cal Sr.,” said NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. “It will be interesting to see if national Democrats, like the Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee, continue their track record of sabotaging progressive candidates in favor of fatally flawed establishment candidates.” 

Click here to watch and compare Cal Sr.’s first Capital Tonight Interview to Cal Jr.’s first Capital Tonight Interview about their runs for the US Senate.