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
What lessons can election administrators in #wnc during #helene offer us about conducting an election amidst the worst natural disaster to hit a region in a century?
My students and I sought to find out and the results were just published in the J of Public Affairs Education
🧵 #ncpol (1/13)
My students and I sought to find out and the results were just published in the J of Public Affairs Education
🧵 #ncpol (1/13)
January 5, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Milestone day in voter registration in #ncpol yesterday. What does it mean?
See this
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
Which leans heavily on this
theassemblync.com/politics/dem...
With a sprinkle of this uncpress.org/978146968171...
x-posted on this
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2026/01/ther...
See this
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
Which leans heavily on this
theassemblync.com/politics/dem...
With a sprinkle of this uncpress.org/978146968171...
x-posted on this
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2026/01/ther...
January 4, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Milestone day in voter registration in #ncpol yesterday. What does it mean?
See this
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
Which leans heavily on this
theassemblync.com/politics/dem...
With a sprinkle of this uncpress.org/978146968171...
x-posted on this
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2026/01/ther...
See this
open.substack.com/pub/chriscoo...
Which leans heavily on this
theassemblync.com/politics/dem...
With a sprinkle of this uncpress.org/978146968171...
x-posted on this
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2026/01/ther...
Republicans now outnumber Democrats for the first time in #ncpol history.
For more about why this happened & what it means, see this piece I wrote for @theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/politics/dem...
For more about why this happened & what it means, see this piece I wrote for @theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/politics/dem...
January 3, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Republicans now outnumber Democrats for the first time in #ncpol history.
For more about why this happened & what it means, see this piece I wrote for @theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/politics/dem...
For more about why this happened & what it means, see this piece I wrote for @theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/politics/dem...
Fascinating paper by Hood, McKee & Pittman demonstrating that election deniers were less likely to vote in the 2021 Georgia Senate runoff election.
If fewer GA Republicans believed the big lie, both GA Senate seats might still be in Republican control.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
If fewer GA Republicans believed the big lie, both GA Senate seats might still be in Republican control.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
January 2, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Fascinating paper by Hood, McKee & Pittman demonstrating that election deniers were less likely to vote in the 2021 Georgia Senate runoff election.
If fewer GA Republicans believed the big lie, both GA Senate seats might still be in Republican control.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
If fewer GA Republicans believed the big lie, both GA Senate seats might still be in Republican control.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Chris Cooper
In reviewing the 2025 Catawba-YouGov surveys, a subtle, but significant, shift seems to have occurred late last year in #ncpol.
This analysis at the Center's Substack:
open.substack.com/pub/ncpoliti...
This analysis at the Center's Substack:
open.substack.com/pub/ncpoliti...
A Softening, But Not a Flip: North Carolina's Partisan Identification Shifted Late in 2025
Catawba-YouGov surveys show a statistically meaningful rise in independence among White voters—but little evidence of a pro-Democratic surge.
open.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
In reviewing the 2025 Catawba-YouGov surveys, a subtle, but significant, shift seems to have occurred late last year in #ncpol.
This analysis at the Center's Substack:
open.substack.com/pub/ncpoliti...
This analysis at the Center's Substack:
open.substack.com/pub/ncpoliti...
“Looming over the next year is the Democrats’ fear that the Supreme Court could gut the Voting Rights Act, freeing states from having to consider racial balance when drawing districts…That scenario ‘would be nuclear,’Holder said…”
#redistricting
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
#redistricting
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
The plot to redraw America
How Donald Trump launched a redistricting caper he couldn’t pull off.
www.politico.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:27 PM
“Looming over the next year is the Democrats’ fear that the Supreme Court could gut the Voting Rights Act, freeing states from having to consider racial balance when drawing districts…That scenario ‘would be nuclear,’Holder said…”
#redistricting
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
#redistricting
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Come for the #ncpol content, stay for my 10 favorite albums of 2025 (hidden in a footnote like Waldo's striped shirt)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
or, if you prefer a different format:
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/12/tis-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
or, if you prefer a different format:
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/12/tis-...
December 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Come for the #ncpol content, stay for my 10 favorite albums of 2025 (hidden in a footnote like Waldo's striped shirt)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
or, if you prefer a different format:
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/12/tis-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
or, if you prefer a different format:
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/12/tis-...
1/ For nearly a decade, GOP lawmakers in NC have relentlessly stripped powers from the state’s Democratic governors – not just weakening their political opponents, but also harming everyday North Carolinians, advocates argue.
🧵👇
www.propublica.org/article/nort...
🧵👇
www.propublica.org/article/nort...
How GOP Lawmakers’ Power Transfers Are Reshaping Everything From Utilities to Environmental Regulation in North Carolina
The GOP-led North Carolina legislature spent nearly 10 years trying to control the elections board. But it’s also taken aim at other commissions in the state by shifting who has power to appoint membe...
www.propublica.org
December 29, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Did you wake up this morning thinking that you are dying to read *another* year-end take?
Well, here's mine on the most important #ncpol stories from 2025:
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/tis-the-se...
x-posted at @oldnorthstpolitics.bsky.social:
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/12/tis-...
Well, here's mine on the most important #ncpol stories from 2025:
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/tis-the-se...
x-posted at @oldnorthstpolitics.bsky.social:
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/12/tis-...
December 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Did you wake up this morning thinking that you are dying to read *another* year-end take?
Well, here's mine on the most important #ncpol stories from 2025:
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/tis-the-se...
x-posted at @oldnorthstpolitics.bsky.social:
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/12/tis-...
Well, here's mine on the most important #ncpol stories from 2025:
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/tis-the-se...
x-posted at @oldnorthstpolitics.bsky.social:
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/12/tis-...
Remembering when 14 year old me was excited to get an autograph from my favorite cyclist, Andy Hampton, at the [checks notes, stares in disbelief] Tour de Trump.
December 27, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Remembering when 14 year old me was excited to get an autograph from my favorite cyclist, Andy Hampton, at the [checks notes, stares in disbelief] Tour de Trump.
If you have kids, you’ve probably been to a children’s museum. And, at some point you might have wondered how these seemingly ubiquitous institutions came to be.
My wife’s new book arrived today from @umasspress.bsky.social & it’s got you covered
My wife’s new book arrived today from @umasspress.bsky.social & it’s got you covered
December 24, 2025 at 7:41 PM
If you have kids, you’ve probably been to a children’s museum. And, at some point you might have wondered how these seemingly ubiquitous institutions came to be.
My wife’s new book arrived today from @umasspress.bsky.social & it’s got you covered
My wife’s new book arrived today from @umasspress.bsky.social & it’s got you covered
Bob Dylan on Willie Nelson (in Alex Abramovich's profile of Willie in the New Yorker).
"Cowboy apparition, writes songs with holes that you can crawl through to escape from something."
"Cowboy apparition, writes songs with holes that you can crawl through to escape from something."
December 23, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Bob Dylan on Willie Nelson (in Alex Abramovich's profile of Willie in the New Yorker).
"Cowboy apparition, writes songs with holes that you can crawl through to escape from something."
"Cowboy apparition, writes songs with holes that you can crawl through to escape from something."
Lowest early season snow totals in a generation at Park City. And yet, it’s still beautiful. And fun.
December 22, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Lowest early season snow totals in a generation at Park City. And yet, it’s still beautiful. And fun.
Reposted by Chris Cooper
AI is not a calculator. Calculators produce identical output every time and their answers are reproducible through other means.
December 21, 2025 at 4:04 PM
AI is not a calculator. Calculators produce identical output every time and their answers are reproducible through other means.
Sad news about former Governor Hunt's passing.
There should and will be a lot written about Governor Hunt over the next days and weeks.
One not so obvious, but, important & enlightening place to look is the Southern Oral History Program (SORP) interviews at UNC.
1/4
#ncpol
There should and will be a lot written about Governor Hunt over the next days and weeks.
One not so obvious, but, important & enlightening place to look is the Southern Oral History Program (SORP) interviews at UNC.
1/4
#ncpol
Four-term North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, a leader in education reform, dies at 88
Four-term North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, a leader in education reform, dies at 88
Hunt's career, including an unprecedented 16 years in the governor's office, provided a prototype for the modern “education governor.”
dlvr.it
December 19, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Sad news about former Governor Hunt's passing.
There should and will be a lot written about Governor Hunt over the next days and weeks.
One not so obvious, but, important & enlightening place to look is the Southern Oral History Program (SORP) interviews at UNC.
1/4
#ncpol
There should and will be a lot written about Governor Hunt over the next days and weeks.
One not so obvious, but, important & enlightening place to look is the Southern Oral History Program (SORP) interviews at UNC.
1/4
#ncpol
Reposted by Chris Cooper
Michele Morrow, who previously called for the execution of prominent Democrats and urged Trump to use the military to stay in power, officially entered North Carolina's U.S. Senate race.
She'll challenge Michael Whatley for the GOP nomination. #ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
She'll challenge Michael Whatley for the GOP nomination. #ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Far-right activist Michele Morrow enters NC’s GOP primary for Senate vs. Whatley
She previously called for the execution of high-profile Democrats, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden
www.newsobserver.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Michele Morrow, who previously called for the execution of prominent Democrats and urged Trump to use the military to stay in power, officially entered North Carolina's U.S. Senate race.
She'll challenge Michael Whatley for the GOP nomination. #ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
She'll challenge Michael Whatley for the GOP nomination. #ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
December 18, 2025 at 1:47 AM
There's an internal poll making the rounds in #ncpol about the Berger/Page primary
I am required by the laws of pedantic political science to re-post this @oldnorthstpolitics.bsky.social blog from 2022 highlighting the problems of internal polls
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2022/03/plea...
I am required by the laws of pedantic political science to re-post this @oldnorthstpolitics.bsky.social blog from 2022 highlighting the problems of internal polls
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2022/03/plea...
December 17, 2025 at 2:31 AM
There's an internal poll making the rounds in #ncpol about the Berger/Page primary
I am required by the laws of pedantic political science to re-post this @oldnorthstpolitics.bsky.social blog from 2022 highlighting the problems of internal polls
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2022/03/plea...
I am required by the laws of pedantic political science to re-post this @oldnorthstpolitics.bsky.social blog from 2022 highlighting the problems of internal polls
www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2022/03/plea...
Notable that Libertarian and Greensboro resident* Tom Bailey has once again filed for #nc1 ⬇️⬅️
In 2024 (under the old district lines), the difference between Davis (D) & Buckout (R) was 6,307 votes; Bailey received 9,949 votes ⬇️➡️
*relevant bc G'boro is not in #nc1
#ncpol
In 2024 (under the old district lines), the difference between Davis (D) & Buckout (R) was 6,307 votes; Bailey received 9,949 votes ⬇️➡️
*relevant bc G'boro is not in #nc1
#ncpol
December 17, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Reposted by Chris Cooper
People today have been rereading this?
The Most Feared and Least Known Political Operative in America
Susie Wiles helped dismantle Ron DeSantis and salvaged Donald Trump’s campaign. Is she a MAGA hero or an enemy of democracy?
www.politico.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:07 AM
People today have been rereading this?
Where an expert for the GOP argues that a map is illegal because it was drawn with racial intent while the Dems argue that it's about partisanship, not race.
⬇️
⬇️
December 16, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Where an expert for the GOP argues that a map is illegal because it was drawn with racial intent while the Dems argue that it's about partisanship, not race.
⬇️
⬇️
December 15, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Reposted by Chris Cooper
Indiana’s Senate has voted AGAINST the GOP gerrymander that’d have locked in a 9-0 map.
This keeps the 7-2 map in place, saving two Democratic seats heading into 2026.
The vote failed big, 19/31.
The MAJORITY of the GOP senators opposed it!
This keeps the 7-2 map in place, saving two Democratic seats heading into 2026.
The vote failed big, 19/31.
The MAJORITY of the GOP senators opposed it!
December 11, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Indiana’s Senate has voted AGAINST the GOP gerrymander that’d have locked in a 9-0 map.
This keeps the 7-2 map in place, saving two Democratic seats heading into 2026.
The vote failed big, 19/31.
The MAJORITY of the GOP senators opposed it!
This keeps the 7-2 map in place, saving two Democratic seats heading into 2026.
The vote failed big, 19/31.
The MAJORITY of the GOP senators opposed it!