Chris Cooper
@chriscooperwcu.bsky.social
Professor of Political Science & Public Affairs at Western Carolina University. American politics, state politics, North Carolina politics, southern politics, elections. Recent book: Anatomy of a Purple State (UNC Press 2024).
http://www.chriscooperwcu.com
http://www.chriscooperwcu.com
. #nc01 Republican primary debate going on now. Thanks to WNCT for hosting & streaming. #ncpol
www.wnct.com/news/distric...
www.wnct.com/news/distric...
www.wnct.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:25 AM
. #nc01 Republican primary debate going on now. Thanks to WNCT for hosting & streaming. #ncpol
www.wnct.com/news/distric...
www.wnct.com/news/distric...
WATCH: North Carolina's most intriguing primary race
He's arguably the state's most powerful politician but a local sheriff wants him out.
Check out the latest Front Porch Politics!
#ncpol #northcarolina #politics #elections #campaign #nc
spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte...
He's arguably the state's most powerful politician but a local sheriff wants him out.
Check out the latest Front Porch Politics!
#ncpol #northcarolina #politics #elections #campaign #nc
spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte...
Race for Berger's state Senate seat is key primary contest
We take a look at a key primary contest this year — the race for state Senate leader Phil Berger's seat.
spectrumlocalnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Reposted by Chris Cooper
More than 70,000 North Carolinians remain on the state’s Registration Repair list. How that could impact their ability to vote in the 2026 midterms—> #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
70,000 Voters Must Fix Their Registrations or Face Hurdle at the Polls
Thousands of North Carolinians will have to cast a provisional ballot in the 2026 midterms if they don’t update their voter registration information.
www.theassemblync.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:04 PM
More than 70,000 North Carolinians remain on the state’s Registration Repair list. How that could impact their ability to vote in the 2026 midterms—> #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
A Democrat swung a TX Senate seat by 31 points with 15% turnout.
I hope this finally pierces the fiction that Democrats benefit from and Republicans are hurt by higher turnout.
Policies that aim to increase turnout are not partisan.
I hope this finally pierces the fiction that Democrats benefit from and Republicans are hurt by higher turnout.
Policies that aim to increase turnout are not partisan.
February 2, 2026 at 5:22 PM
A Democrat swung a TX Senate seat by 31 points with 15% turnout.
I hope this finally pierces the fiction that Democrats benefit from and Republicans are hurt by higher turnout.
Policies that aim to increase turnout are not partisan.
I hope this finally pierces the fiction that Democrats benefit from and Republicans are hurt by higher turnout.
Policies that aim to increase turnout are not partisan.
819 ballots cast thus far in the #ncpol 2026 primaries/808 accepted. Trailing 2022 after the same # of days.
🗳️63% of U voters have chosen the D ballot.
Meaning of all of this for:
🗳️understanding our elections = >0
🗳️ predicting the outcome of our elections = <0
🗳️63% of U voters have chosen the D ballot.
Meaning of all of this for:
🗳️understanding our elections = >0
🗳️ predicting the outcome of our elections = <0
February 1, 2026 at 4:08 PM
819 ballots cast thus far in the #ncpol 2026 primaries/808 accepted. Trailing 2022 after the same # of days.
🗳️63% of U voters have chosen the D ballot.
Meaning of all of this for:
🗳️understanding our elections = >0
🗳️ predicting the outcome of our elections = <0
🗳️63% of U voters have chosen the D ballot.
Meaning of all of this for:
🗳️understanding our elections = >0
🗳️ predicting the outcome of our elections = <0
Big fun out here in the snow
January 31, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Big fun out here in the snow
Pretty, quiet, snowy morning in Sylva
January 31, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Pretty, quiet, snowy morning in Sylva
Reposted by Chris Cooper
1/ NEW: @propublica.org has obtained a search warrant that the FBI is executing for records related to the contested 2020 election in Fulton County, Ga., which has not yet been widely shared. It’s an extraordinary document.
Link: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Link: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
1-28-26 Fulton Warrant
www.documentcloud.org
January 28, 2026 at 10:56 PM
1/ NEW: @propublica.org has obtained a search warrant that the FBI is executing for records related to the contested 2020 election in Fulton County, Ga., which has not yet been widely shared. It’s an extraordinary document.
Link: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Link: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
In 1992, Earl & Merle Black published a book called The Vital South: How Presidents are Elected. The argument was pretty-well summarized by the title & subtitle.
This 📊, posted by @mcpli.bsky.social, suggests that it's about to be relevant again.
#southernpolitics
This 📊, posted by @mcpli.bsky.social, suggests that it's about to be relevant again.
#southernpolitics
January 28, 2026 at 8:52 PM
In 1992, Earl & Merle Black published a book called The Vital South: How Presidents are Elected. The argument was pretty-well summarized by the title & subtitle.
This 📊, posted by @mcpli.bsky.social, suggests that it's about to be relevant again.
#southernpolitics
This 📊, posted by @mcpli.bsky.social, suggests that it's about to be relevant again.
#southernpolitics
NEW: The College Democrats of North Carolina are fighting the removal of early voting sites on college campuses, claiming that the state’s election board is violating the 26th Amendment by abridging their right to vote based on their age. #nccourts #ncpol
www.courthousenews.com/north-caroli...
www.courthousenews.com/north-caroli...
North Carolina students decry removal of campus voting sites as age discrimination
One of the campuses that saw its early voting site eliminated is the country’s largest HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
www.courthousenews.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Wednesday Jan 28 at 7:00, Charles Perez from WLOS will be moderating a candidate forum featuring Democrats running for #nc11.
It will be held at the Ferguson Auditorium at @abtech_cc and live-streamed at: www.wlos.com.
#ncpol
It will be held at the Ferguson Auditorium at @abtech_cc and live-streamed at: www.wlos.com.
#ncpol
January 27, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Wednesday Jan 28 at 7:00, Charles Perez from WLOS will be moderating a candidate forum featuring Democrats running for #nc11.
It will be held at the Ferguson Auditorium at @abtech_cc and live-streamed at: www.wlos.com.
#ncpol
It will be held at the Ferguson Auditorium at @abtech_cc and live-streamed at: www.wlos.com.
#ncpol
If these projections play out as expected, #ncpol will have the same number of congressional districts--and electors--as IL beginning in the 2032 election.
It would also mark the 2nd Census in a row (& 3 of the last 4) where NC earned an extra member of Congress.
It would also mark the 2nd Census in a row (& 3 of the last 4) where NC earned an extra member of Congress.
#NEW: 2030 Apportionment Forecast based on 2025 Census Bureau Population Estimates (January 27, 2026).
Forecast prepared by Dr. Jonathan Cervas (CMIST) at Carnegie Mellon University
Forecast prepared by Dr. Jonathan Cervas (CMIST) at Carnegie Mellon University
January 27, 2026 at 7:10 PM
If these projections play out as expected, #ncpol will have the same number of congressional districts--and electors--as IL beginning in the 2032 election.
It would also mark the 2nd Census in a row (& 3 of the last 4) where NC earned an extra member of Congress.
It would also mark the 2nd Census in a row (& 3 of the last 4) where NC earned an extra member of Congress.
The early voting sites are set for the 2026 Primary Election in NC.
How does the new plan compare to previous years?
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
#ncpol
How does the new plan compare to previous years?
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
#ncpol
January 27, 2026 at 4:03 PM
The early voting sites are set for the 2026 Primary Election in NC.
How does the new plan compare to previous years?
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
#ncpol
How does the new plan compare to previous years?
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
#ncpol
January 26, 2026 at 10:20 PM
The early voting sites are set for the 2026 Primary Election in NC.
How does the new plan compare to previous years?
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
#ncpol
How does the new plan compare to previous years?
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
#ncpol
What a shot by @vizjourno.bsky.social in @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social @solomonlexib.bsky.social @tammygrubb.bsky.social @dmtwumasi.bsky.social si.bsky.social story.
www.newsobserver.com/news/weather...
www.newsobserver.com/news/weather...
January 25, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Chris Cooper
Statement from the Center for N.C. Politics & Public Service:
January 24, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Statement from the Center for N.C. Politics & Public Service:
Reposted by Chris Cooper
This week on State Lines @ncfwd.bsky.social, Donna King (Carolina Journal), @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social, @raleighreporter.bsky.social discuss a report on NC ICE arrests, 4 Democrats denied voter database info, data centers, NC’s US Senate race and more!
Watch now: youtu.be/vyJPI8sUgTQ
#ncpol
Watch now: youtu.be/vyJPI8sUgTQ
#ncpol
January 24, 2026 at 12:03 AM
This week on State Lines @ncfwd.bsky.social, Donna King (Carolina Journal), @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social, @raleighreporter.bsky.social discuss a report on NC ICE arrests, 4 Democrats denied voter database info, data centers, NC’s US Senate race and more!
Watch now: youtu.be/vyJPI8sUgTQ
#ncpol
Watch now: youtu.be/vyJPI8sUgTQ
#ncpol
Reposted by Chris Cooper
NC Republicans may now top Democrats in registration, but unaffiliated voters—especially younger North Carolinians—are driving the voter roll.
The catch? Young UNAs remain the least likely to vote.
New post at the Center's Substack:
ncpoliticscenter.substack.com/p/beyond-the...
#ncpol
The catch? Young UNAs remain the least likely to vote.
New post at the Center's Substack:
ncpoliticscenter.substack.com/p/beyond-the...
#ncpol
Beyond the Headline: What North Carolina’s Voter Rolls Really Tell Us
Republicans may now top Democrats in registration, but unaffiliated voters—especially younger North Carolinians—are driving the state’s voter poll. The catch? They remain the least likely to vote.
ncpoliticscenter.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:53 PM
NC Republicans may now top Democrats in registration, but unaffiliated voters—especially younger North Carolinians—are driving the voter roll.
The catch? Young UNAs remain the least likely to vote.
New post at the Center's Substack:
ncpoliticscenter.substack.com/p/beyond-the...
#ncpol
The catch? Young UNAs remain the least likely to vote.
New post at the Center's Substack:
ncpoliticscenter.substack.com/p/beyond-the...
#ncpol
Some good readings for my southern politics class this semester.
W/ Key holding up the base—as it should be.
W/ Key holding up the base—as it should be.
January 21, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Some good readings for my southern politics class this semester.
W/ Key holding up the base—as it should be.
W/ Key holding up the base—as it should be.
Did anyone else just hear Drive by Truckers Zip City played at the Indiana / Miami game?
January 20, 2026 at 3:42 AM
Did anyone else just hear Drive by Truckers Zip City played at the Indiana / Miami game?
I get it--Claude Code is good. It can scrape data, run sophisticated models & write it up before I finish scrambling an egg.
Meanwhile, Google AI hallucinates the outcome of a football game that's only at the half.
All AI is not created equal.
Meanwhile, Google AI hallucinates the outcome of a football game that's only at the half.
All AI is not created equal.
January 20, 2026 at 2:24 AM
I get it--Claude Code is good. It can scrape data, run sophisticated models & write it up before I finish scrambling an egg.
Meanwhile, Google AI hallucinates the outcome of a football game that's only at the half.
All AI is not created equal.
Meanwhile, Google AI hallucinates the outcome of a football game that's only at the half.
All AI is not created equal.
The Battle to be First in the Democratic Presidential Primary Isn't Worth it for NC. 🔗 ⬇️
substack.com/home/post/p-...
#ncpol #2028election
substack.com/home/post/p-...
#ncpol #2028election
January 19, 2026 at 5:04 PM
The Battle to be First in the Democratic Presidential Primary Isn't Worth it for NC. 🔗 ⬇️
substack.com/home/post/p-...
#ncpol #2028election
substack.com/home/post/p-...
#ncpol #2028election
"Blisters and cuts on their own feet, the mindful monks prayed with the ill or injured. They handed flowers to kids. They smiled for photos. And they repeated the message: “May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace.”
How simple.
How complex."
charlotteoptimist.com/when-peace-w...
How simple.
How complex."
charlotteoptimist.com/when-peace-w...
Buddhist Monks Walk for Peace Through Charlotte, North Carolina - The Charlotte Optimist
Buddhist monks passed through Charlotte, North Carolina on a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace—drawing crowds, silence, and reflection.
charlotteoptimist.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:04 PM
"Blisters and cuts on their own feet, the mindful monks prayed with the ill or injured. They handed flowers to kids. They smiled for photos. And they repeated the message: “May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace.”
How simple.
How complex."
charlotteoptimist.com/when-peace-w...
How simple.
How complex."
charlotteoptimist.com/when-peace-w...
1/17 #ncpol 📭 ballot update
- 149 ballots from 21 counties
- 87D/20R/42U
- 79% of U ballots cast in the D primary
🛑 if you want to predict the outcome of the election, you'd be better off practicing spider divination than relying on these data
✈️ voter location I most want to visit: Porto, Portugal
- 149 ballots from 21 counties
- 87D/20R/42U
- 79% of U ballots cast in the D primary
🛑 if you want to predict the outcome of the election, you'd be better off practicing spider divination than relying on these data
✈️ voter location I most want to visit: Porto, Portugal
January 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
1/17 #ncpol 📭 ballot update
- 149 ballots from 21 counties
- 87D/20R/42U
- 79% of U ballots cast in the D primary
🛑 if you want to predict the outcome of the election, you'd be better off practicing spider divination than relying on these data
✈️ voter location I most want to visit: Porto, Portugal
- 149 ballots from 21 counties
- 87D/20R/42U
- 79% of U ballots cast in the D primary
🛑 if you want to predict the outcome of the election, you'd be better off practicing spider divination than relying on these data
✈️ voter location I most want to visit: Porto, Portugal