Thomas Mills
@tmillsnc.bsky.social
Editor and publisher of PoliticsNC. Erstwhile Democratic political consultant with 30 years on the campaign battlefield. Now offering insight into North Carolina and national politics. Father, grandfather, dogfather. Tar Heel.
https://politicsnc.com
https://politicsnc.com
For 20 years, Republicans have tanked every attempt at reforming our broken immigration system because their base insists on deporting everyone. It’s never going to happen. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
They are never going to deport them all
Americans aren't going to tolerate ripping apart communities of law-abiding, hard-working people who have been here for decades.
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:06 PM
For 20 years, Republicans have tanked every attempt at reforming our broken immigration system because their base insists on deporting everyone. It’s never going to happen. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Trump wanted to make Minnesota an example. It's backfired. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
In Minneapolis, Trump picked the wrong target
The city is not going riot and it's not going to back down, either.
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Trump wanted to make Minnesota an example. It's backfired. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and I talk primaries, Trump, and religion. Great show if you have power. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Restless Natives, Winter Storm edition
Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and Thomas Mills talk primaries, the first-year anniversary of Trump's second term, and religion. Great show for the storm if you have power.
open.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and I talk primaries, Trump, and religion. Great show if you have power. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
I’ve been concerned that Democrats are becoming too pessimistic about the election actually happening and it could hamper turnout, especially among younger voters. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Don't discourage people from voting
Democrats should be pushing a message about the power of voting more than focusing on the threat to democracy. The goal is to win the election, not just the argument.
open.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:40 PM
I’ve been concerned that Democrats are becoming too pessimistic about the election actually happening and it could hamper turnout, especially among younger voters. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
North Carolina is a bit to the right of the country as a whole. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
A swing state poll
The political environment, including Trump's behavior and the economy, will probably determine the overall outcome.
open.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:08 PM
North Carolina is a bit to the right of the country as a whole. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Conservatives traded narrow political wins for chaotic governance that's left us isolated, weaker, and more divided. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
The things that matter
Trump's enablers stayed silent as he damaged our country, hoping for narrow political wins while sacrificing the trust of our allies and further dividing our nation.
open.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Conservatives traded narrow political wins for chaotic governance that's left us isolated, weaker, and more divided. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
The CNN poll says only 35% of the people believe Donald Trump is someone they can be proud to have as president. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Deep and broad dissatisfaction with Trump
A CNN poll shows indications of building wave.
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:14 PM
The CNN poll says only 35% of the people believe Donald Trump is someone they can be proud to have as president. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
The Republican primaries in North Carolina have national implications. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Cooper's haul and Berger's poll
Roy Cooper increases his fundraising advantage while Phil Berger tries to convince donors he can win.
open.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The Republican primaries in North Carolina have national implications. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Tillis is finding his voice. It’s just a little bit late. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Jerome Powell's "Have you no decency" moment
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis stands with the Fed Chair against administration threats.
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Tillis is finding his voice. It’s just a little bit late. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and I discuss primaries, predictions, and rough start to the year. Also, a great shot of the top of my head. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Restless Natives NC, New Year edition.
Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain and Thomas Mills talk primaries, predictions, and a rough start to the year.
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and I discuss primaries, predictions, and rough start to the year. Also, a great shot of the top of my head. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
NC Governor Josh Stein is playing in Democratic primaries to strengthen his political hand. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
The enforcer
Governor Josh Stein is playing in Democratic primaries to strengthen his position in the last half of his term,
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:36 PM
NC Governor Josh Stein is playing in Democratic primaries to strengthen his political hand. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
I think Americans who aren’t invested in a side will watch the video and see an unjust killing. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Don't let the response obscure the injustice
If protesters don't hijack the narrative, most Americans are going to watch that video and believe the victim was killed unnecessarily.
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:23 PM
I think Americans who aren’t invested in a side will watch the video and see an unjust killing. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Trump has yet to define the national interest that justifies the invasion. I suspect its more personal interest. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
More grift and gaslighting
Expect Trump and his friends to benefit most from the invasion. Expect MAGA to fall in line.
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Trump has yet to define the national interest that justifies the invasion. I suspect its more personal interest. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
I’m glad 2025 is over. Let’s hope 2026 is better. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Reflections and predictions
Let's hope 2026 is a better year.
open.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:13 PM
I’m glad 2025 is over. Let’s hope 2026 is better. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Stein is cutting his own path as governor. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Governor Josh Stein, year one.
Stein gives an enlightening interview on PBS.
open.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Stein is cutting his own path as governor. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Bringing the crazy to the North Carolina Senate primary. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Michele Morrow's gift
Bringing the crazy to the NC GOP Senate primary.
open.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Bringing the crazy to the North Carolina Senate primary. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
It’s hard to imagine a more influential governor than Jim Hunt. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
RIP, Governor
It's hard to imagine one man having as much impact on a state as Jim Hunt did on North Carolina.
open.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
It’s hard to imagine a more influential governor than Jim Hunt. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
The Civitas Partisan Index offers a baseline for every legislative race and a way to think about the election. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
NC House rankings
The Civitas Partisan Index gives a clear picture of competitive state legislative races.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The Civitas Partisan Index offers a baseline for every legislative race and a way to think about the election. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
The House Majority Leader fabricated accusations about books in the Chapel HIll-Carrboro schools. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Correction: Brenden Jones misled the public
North Carolina House Majority Leader implied inappropriate books are in the school libraries that aren't there.
open.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The House Majority Leader fabricated accusations about books in the Chapel HIll-Carrboro schools. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
North Carolina is 48th in per pupil spending and a guy from a county with failing schools is attacking a school district with the most successful schools in the state. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Jump starting the culture wars
Republicans from counties with failing schools are attacking the most successful district in the state.
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
North Carolina is 48th in per pupil spending and a guy from a county with failing schools is attacking a school district with the most successful schools in the state. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
The Europeans and Canadians think we're and asshole country. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
The war on tourism
Thanks to Trump, fewer people want to visit the US.
open.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The Europeans and Canadians think we're and asshole country. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Senate President Pro-tem Phil Berger’s primary strategy begins with humiliating himself. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Reduced to groveling
Phil Berger is running the most embarrassing primary in recent memory.
open.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Senate President Pro-tem Phil Berger’s primary strategy begins with humiliating himself. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Republicans are trying to choose their opponents.
open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com/pub/politics...
Republican ratf---ing
Republicans helped recruit Jasmine Crockett into the Texas Senate race. They may try to influence the primary in Maine, too.
open.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Republicans are trying to choose their opponents.
open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com/pub/politics...
This poll shows NC slightly to right of the nation as a whole.
Another poll, another dismal political environment for Republicans
The High Point University poll compares North Carolina to national responses.
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
This poll shows NC slightly to right of the nation as a whole.