What we learned from NC's primary -- and what's next

What we learned from NC's primary -- and what's next

Author: WUNC News March 5, 2026 Duration: 26:02
North Carolina's primary brought rebukes to incumbent legislators in both parties, including a razor-thin margin in the closely watched GOP primary challenge to Senate leader Phil Berger. Why did voters reject some longtime leaders in state politics? Why did Berger's home county turn against him in favor of Sheriff Sam Page? And what's next in the vote-counting process and this year's legislative session? To sort through the results, WUNC News' Colin Campbell spoke with Adam Wagner, who covers politics for the North Carolina Newsroom.

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
Down The Ballot: Attorney General [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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We’re talking to candidates for key downballot races on the WUNC Politics Podcast as part of our Down The Ballot series. Next up: The race for attorney general. North Carolina’s attorney general is a key – and powerful –…
Down The Ballot: State Auditor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Down The Ballot: NC Supreme Court [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Down The Ballot: The race for lieutenant governor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Down The Ballot: The race for state treasurer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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VP candidate Roy Cooper? The NC impact of a presidential reset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:32
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NC's only unaffiliated congressional candidate charts a unique path [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Thanks to a budget provision last year, state lawmakers can now deny the public access to their emails, documents and other records that most other branches of state government are required to release. That move toward s…
The Tuscarora Nation's long struggle for recognition in NC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:31
Members of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina recently visited the state legislature to push for a House bill that would grant them formal state recognition as an American Indian tribe. They've been fighting for the…