In the race for the White House, President Donald Trump’s national polling advantage has narrowed to less than one percent since becoming the presumptive Republican nominee.
In Georgia and North Carolina, two Southern battlegrounds, his lead appears stronger at five-and-a-half points and six points, respectively.
However, the region cannot be easily written off as solidly Trump, as the situation is less clear in key cities, counties, and polling places.
Local conservatives in a significant purple area in North Carolina express concern that their ground game is lacking.
Early voting was in progress at the local library in Matthews, North Carolina, on a warm February day, at the intersection of Democratic Charlotte and the more Republican outskirts.
While Mecklenburg County is largely Democratic, this area is a purple patch that leans red as it moves away from Charlotte.
Organizations like Turning Point Action’s Chase the Vote Initiative may overlook places like this, even if they are targeting North Carolina, as their focus is on driving up Republican turnout in deep red areas of battleground states.
Concerns about the Republican ground game were voiced by locals, who feel that the Democrats are outperforming them in grassroots organization.
Scott Presler of Early Vote Action, another group working on increasing Republican voter turnout, did not respond to requests for comment.
Republicans in the area believe that they need to match the Democrats’ level of grassroots organization to be successful.
There are worries about the Republican National Committee’s spending in the suburbs of Charlotte, despite changes in leadership.
Local Democrats are seen as more active and organized, with groups like Indivisible Charlotte enjoying support from large donors like Arabella Advisors.
Pastor Leon Threatt highlighted the rise of unaffiliated voters and the need for the GOP to better engage with conservative voters.
Although Democrats have historically had a voter registration advantage in the state, their numbers have been declining while Republican and unaffiliated registrations are on the rise.
Northern Transplants and Culture War
State Representative Tricia Cotham made headlines when she switched parties from Democrat to Republican, giving the GOP a veto-proof majority before supporting a bill restricting abortions.
Her move sparked outrage from Democrats, with events organized by groups like Indivisible Charlotte aimed at ousting her in the upcoming election.
Tricia Cotham’s switch was seen as a betrayal by her Democratic opponents, who are actively campaigning against her.
The older Cotham lost her long-held Mecklenburg County Commission seat primary due to her daughter’s party switch, sparking a backlash. Delving deeper, the clash of culture wars intertwined with changing demographics. The younger Cotham cited criticism for using patriotic symbols on social media and vehicles as the reason for her switch.
In explaining her allegiance shift, the younger Ms. Cotham noted the backlash she faced for proudly displaying American symbols. Meanwhile, her opponent, Ms. Sidman, represents a shift among Southern Democrats, with many newcomers from more liberal states influencing local voting trends.
The transplant influence isn’t limited to Democrats, as seen during Nikki Haley’s campaign trail in North Carolina. The state also experienced significant political activity, with Planned Parenthood investing heavily to protect abortion access, while pro-life groups vowed to counteract.
The abortion debate has been a driving force in local politics, with Republican candidates like Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson advocating for restrictions. Despite fundraising challenges, candidates like Ms. Cotham and Ms. Sidman are in the spotlight, indicating grassroots support.
As the election draws nearer, states like Wisconsin and Arizona may take center stage, but North Carolina’s political landscape, influenced by “money bombs” and grassroots efforts, may hold more significance than expected. Please rewrite the following information. Please rephrase this sentence.
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