Main Street NC: Lumbees help turn Robeson County toward GOP

Main Street NC: Lumbees help turn Robeson County toward GOP

Author: WUNC News December 15, 2023 Duration: 23:56
This episode is the fourth installment in our Main Street NC series from the WUNC Politics Podcast. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is based in the small town of Pembroke, and this corner of Robeson County has one of the highest concentrations of American Indians in the state. The Lumbee Tribe is also a considerable political force across Robeson – and it’s had to fight hard throughout its history to gain that political power. In recent years, many Lumbees have helped shift Robeson County politically from a place with a reliable majority for the Democratic Party to a county that largely supports Republicans.  To understand why, WUNC spoke with N.C. Rep. Jarrod Lowery, a Republican who is the state's only American Indian legislator. Lowery discusses how the push for Lumbee federal recognition in Congress and political parties' shifting presence in Robeson County played a part in the change.

Tune in for the conversations happening behind the headlines across the state. WUNC Politics, from the journalists at WUNC News, moves beyond the official statements and press conferences to bring you the context and candid insights shaping North Carolina. Each episode feels like catching up with a well-informed friend who just left the floor of the General Assembly or a key campaign stop, translating the day’s political maneuvers into something relatable and clear. You’ll hear directly from reporters about the whispers in the legislative hallways, the shifting dynamics on the trail, and the real-world impacts of policy debates. This isn't about partisan scoring; it's about understanding the how and why of Tar Heel politics. The podcast delivers a grounded, weekly perspective that helps make sense of the rapid changes in our state's government and elections. For anyone curious about the forces driving decisions in Raleigh and beyond, this is an essential listen. The analysis is sharp, the reporting is trustworthy, and the discussion always points toward what it all means for the people who live here. Dive into the nuanced and often surprising stories that define political life in North Carolina.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

WUNC Politics
Podcast Episodes
Sen. Marc Basnight's legacy building the Outer Banks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:03
Before Phil Berger was considered the most powerful politician in the state, Democratic Sen. Marc Basnight of Manteo held the same position from 1993 to 2010. Basnight, who died in 2020, was a big advocate for the Outer…
NC House majority leader talks budget, hurricanes and the next speaker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:04
North Carolina’s state budget is now three weeks overdue, and it’s likely August could be the earliest that a spending plan and state employee raises might be finalized. House Majority Leader John Bell, R-Wayne, joins WU…
2024 NC primary election preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:48
Primaries for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general are already attracting plenty of candidates — and potential candidates. To help us sort through who’s running and how the campaigns will play out, as well…
A transgender perspective on NC sports, healthcare bills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:40
Bills restricting transgender sports participation and access to healthcare are nearing final passage at the North Carolina legislature, but none of the 170 lawmakers who will decide their fate are transgender themselves…
An NC House moderate legislator's experience in a polarized House [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:57
Rep. Garland Pierce, D-Scotland, is one of the N.C. House’s closely watched moderate Democrats this session — a veteran lawmaker who sometimes crosses party lines on key issues, something that could make a difference on…
Can medical marijuana find support in the NC House? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:29
N.C. House Republicans are meeting soon to discuss whether they’ll pass a Senate bill to legalize medical marijuana. Senate Rules Chairman Bill Rabon is leading the charge, hoping his personal experience using marijuana…
The Senate budget's salary challenge, and an abortion veto override [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:20
The N.C. Senate’s budget is approved, setting up negotiations with the House over tax cuts and how much state employees will get in their paychecks. But the budget debate was overshadowed by this week’s veto override on…