What, and who, is next after Tillis? Two of the state's top political consultants weigh in

Days after U.S. Senator Thom Tillis announced he will not run for reelection, host Tim Boyum sits down with two of North Carolina’s top consultants to talk about what’s next.  Morgan Jackson, a top Democratic strategist for former Gov. Roy Cooper, and Jonathan Felts, a top Republican strategist for current U.S. Senator Ted Budd, join Tim to talk about Tillis’ decision, potential candidates and the role of President Donald Trump. Before his announcement, Tillis weighed Trump’s influence and Senate GOP support, said a person who was granted anonymity to discuss internal dynamics. Tillis saw the GOP pushing forward with Medicaid cuts and Trump’s Truth social posts calling for a new primary challenger as a “no.” Jackson said the data shows though, that Tillis was one of the weakest incumbents in the country — Republican or Democrat. “I think, if you are in a place where swing voters view the way they do Thom Tillis, meaning upside-down in the numbers, and you’re now in open warfare with the person who determines whether or not you’re going to win your primary, it makes total sense. There was not a path forward,” Morgan said. “In a Primary or General.” Democrats now see his decision as a political opportunity to gain seats in the 2026 midterm elections, especially in the now open Senate race of this long-contested state, and some Republicans are mulling the idea as well. And though Tim says he usually doesn’t focus on the “who’s in, who’s out,” he does admit there are some big potential names who could enter the race this summer.  Lara Trump, a big name in the hat, was born in Wilmington, but has established residency in Florida. President Trump recently said she’d be his top pick. “She’s a great person, Lara Trump. I mean, that would always be my first choice,” he said. “But she doesn’t live there now, but she’s there all the time. Her parents are there, you know. She really knows North Carolina well.”  “I think we have a lot of good candidates if we’re looking at it. I think if Lara Trump wants the nomination, it’s hers for the taking,” Felts said. “She connects well with the voters here in North Carolina. They see her as one of us. They see her as a ‘hometown girl.’” On the Democrat ticket, Tim asked Jackson whether there’s national pressure that the party needs former Gov. Roy Cooper to step up and be the ‘savior’. “It’s easy to do the math and say there’s no question Roy Cooper gives the best chance to win if you’re lay Democrat, a reporter, or an activist,” Jackson said. “They’re giving him space to make that decision, but yeah, they really want him to run.” Join Tim for this fun, informative and news breaking discussion.

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with Lucille Sherman of Axios Raleigh and WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell about U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis dropping out of the U.S. Senate race and the wild “ending” to the legislative session this week.  In a recent statement, Tillis said his decision was motivated by his desire to spend time with his family and his displeasure with “partisan gridlock,” criticizing what he says is a lack of “independent thinking” in Washington. Meanwhile, former Rep. Wiley Nickel, the only Democrat declared for the Senate race, reacted to the news saying he’s “ready to win.” Republicans hold a six-seat majority in the Senate, a margin they’ll seek to keep or expand in 2026 as Democratic challengers eye what will be a vacant seat next year. Later, the group discusses whether a budget is still possible, the new dynamic with a new House speaker and governor. At the end of the podcast, Sherman courageously recounts her miscarriage experience while reporting on an abortion bill.

North Carolina’s new top public health official, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai joins Tying it Together host Tim Boyum to discuss the latest public health news, the future of health care, nurse shortages and more. Tim also asks him just why the healthcare system is so difficult to understand for so many, including him. "Nobody would build it the way we currently have it if we had to start all over. But I think now we have a $5 trillion healthcare enterprise across the United States, and I think individuals are just trying to do what their part is," Sangvai explained. Sangvai is the state’s first Indian-American secretary and is a former president of Duke Regional Hospital and the North Carolina Medical Society.

This is part two of a two-part series covering ten years since the deadly shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.   With a victim’s brother, Spectrum News 1’s Tim Boyum returned to Charleston to visit the church. Although much is different, the pain remains. Malcolm Graham’s sister, Cynthia, was one of the nine murdered in the church basement. Boyum and Graham walked around Charleston visiting the church and a library where she was once a librarian. They also visit a bookstore in Charlotte. Graham is a member of the Charlotte City Council and author of a new book. He’s dedicated himself to keeping his sister’s memory and spirit alive. Tim also spoke to the church’s pastor, who was called in to help the congregation recover.

It’s been 10 years since the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston. It happened on June 17, 2015.  With the victim’s brother, Spectrum News 1’s Tim Boyum returned to Charleston to visit the church. Although much is different, the pain remains. "I miss her. But we're celebrating, not how she died, but how she lived," Malcolm Graham said. His sister, Cynthia was one of the nine murdered in the church basement. Boyum and Graham walked around Charleston, visiting the church, a library where his sister was a library and a Charlotte bookstore. Malcolm is a member of the Charlotte City Council and author of a new book. He’s dedicated himself to keeping his sister’s memory and spirit alive. Tim also spoke to the church’s pastor, who was called in to help the congregation recover.

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum tackles one of the biggest and most talked about issues in North Carolina — traffic. As a growing state, we are seeing all kinds of improved roads and many new designs, including roundabouts, diamond interchanges, and beyond.  N.C. State is a hotbed for a lot of the research that goes into these decisions. This week, Dr. Daniel Findley, Associate Director for the Institute of Transportation Research and Education at N.C. State, joins Tim to discuss those issues plus another enormous challenge surrounding the gas tax and funding roads.

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein joins host Tim Boyum in the studio to go in-depth about his life and talk politics of the day. We learn what it’s like to live in the executive mansion, his father’s role in opening the state’s first integrated law firm, how he met the first lady. The two then transition to politics, discussing major issues like Helene’s impacts, current recovery efforts and the state budget. We also learn about his proposal to change FEMA, and whether he would sign the Republican House budget if it was sent to his desk.

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum tackles the debate over North Carolina’s one of a kind Innocence Inquiry Commission.  Since 2007, it has exonerated 16 people, many serving over 20 years in prison for crimes they did not commit.  However, the state Senate wants to cut its funding. The commission’s leader Laura Pierro joins Tim to discuss how it works and why she thinks the state must continue funding it.

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum is joined by former state superintendent of public instruction Dr. June Atkinson. She made history as the first woman elected for the position and held it from 2005 through 2016. This month, after six months of court drama, the nation’s final 2024 race ended with State Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs being sworn in.  While many people today might think it was one of the longest delayed races ever, think again. It was 20 years ago that Dr. June Atkinson had her own race, but she didn’t take office until August of that following year. On top of that, it ended up being decided by the General Assembly.  They were very deliberate because they realized that this could happen again. So they wanted to make sure it was fair,” she said. “In the law, it was stipulated that there would be a paper ballot. You’d have to have a convening of the Senate and the House, and they would declare the winner.” But, as she explains in the podcast, the bill had to be ratified, or made official, by the Governor first. The N.C. State alum tells us the incredible story with all kinds of behind-the-scenes details. Later, they discuss the future of education governance and the U.S. Department of Education.

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with Karen Brinson Bell, the recently removed executive director of the North Carolina Board of Elections.  A new law passed last week enabled Republicans to select a new board, which then appointed a former Republican attorney general candidate and general counsel to the Republican house speaker, rather than her.  Brinson discusses that decision, the board denying her the chance to give last remarks, leading state elections through a pandemic and natural disaster, the future of elections, and her own future.