RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The race for North Carolina governor is projected to be one of the hottest contests in the country.
Experts anticipate 10s of millions of dollars will be poured into the race between Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Attorney General Josh Stein. According to nonpartisan Cook Political Report, it has become a “toss-up.”
A last-minute change to a bill by state Republicans amends campaign finance laws in the state.
“This bill is nothing but one more step in a long journey to undermine the people’s faith and confidence in free and fair elections,” said Democrat Sen. Michael Garrett, representing Guilford County.
A new proposal from Republican lawmakers could change the way donations are made and spent. State Democrats walked out before the vote Thursday, leaving empty seats, and just 28 members remaining.
“It levels the playing field so that both Republicans, Republican and Democrat, national organizations can bring can actually donate money to state parties in the same way,” said Republican Sen. Phil Berger (Guilford and Rockingham).
State law currently bans corporations and labor unions from giving directly to a candidate, but added to House Bill 237, which primarily targets the use of facemasks during protests, in an amendment to political donations.
“Well, the big deal is that it allows the state candidates to control how the money is spent and what the messages are with those ads, rather than allowing the outside organizations to run their own ads and say what they want,” said UNC Charlotte political science professor Eric Heberlig. “So, it gives North Carolina politicians control over how that money is used.”
Heberlig says the concern is that companies will be allowed to donate directly to an individual candidate, potentially putting pressure on those running.
“A primary concern with donors giving money to candidates is that then the candidate will do what the donor wants rather than what voters want,” he said.
The House was set to vote on this, but it delayed a vote until next week.
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