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Danielle Battaglia

@daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
2.7K followers 701 following 619 posts

Washington correspondent for The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer and McClatchy DC. Mainly covering Congress with an #ncpol twist and sometimes the White House.

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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Leading GOP Senate PAC pauses spending on NC candidate Michael Whatley #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Leading GOP Senate PAC pauses spending on NC candidate Michael Whatley
In a blow to Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, the leading PAC to maintain the Republican majority withdrew from his campaign, while other North Carolina Republicans find their races at ris...
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A trip across NC gives Sen. Ted Budd perspective on Iran, AI and the midterms #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
A trip across NC gives Sen. Ted Budd perspective on Iran, AI and the midterms
Exclusive: Sen. Ted Budd talks about the economy, artificial intelligence and what’s coming in the 2026 and 2028 elections.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Trump and Vance stumped for Michael Whatley. But did it help his campaign? #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Trump and Vance stumped for Michael Whatley. But did it help his campaign?
The president and vice president flew to NC to help Senate candidate Michael Whatley. But did their speeches help Republicans?
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Trump, NC Rep. Virginia Foxx, and restrictions on journalists #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Trump, NC Rep. Virginia Foxx, and restrictions on journalists
President Donald Trump bans reporters from the White House while Rep. Virginia Foxx floats banning reporters from the Speaker’s Lobby of the Capitol.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The economy is top of mind for NC voters. Where the Senate candidates stand Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
The economy is top of mind for NC voters. Where the Senate candidates stand
Where Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper stand on the state of the economy and what to do about it.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Vance urges NC Republican voters to turn out in ‘make or break’ midterm races #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Vance urges NC Republican voters to turn out in ‘make or break’ midterm races
The vice president headlined a GOP rally less than a week after President Donald Trump campaigned in the critical swing state.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Trump claims NC crime among worst in country. His attorney general says otherwise #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Trump claims NC crime among worst in country. His attorney general says otherwise
President Donald Trump painted a gruesome picture of North Carolina as he worked to get votes to GOP Senate nominee Michael Whatley.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Whatley campaign events feature leaders of NC churches with child abuse scandals #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Whatley campaign events feature leaders of NC churches with child abuse scandals
Senate candidate Michael Whatley keeps making headlines for campaigning around people and groups with allegations or convictions of child abuse.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
NC’s Laurie Buckhout takes the stage at RNC, promoting Trump’s tax policy #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC’s Laurie Buckhout takes the stage at RNC, promoting Trump’s tax policy
The candidate for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District spoke at the Republican National Convention in Dallas on Thursday afternoon.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Senate PAC wrongly blames NC’s Roy Cooper for Charlotte homicide #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Senate PAC wrongly blames NC’s Roy Cooper for Charlotte homicide
The Senate Leadership Fund wrongly ties former Gov. Roy Cooper to a Charlotte homicide whose perpetrator wasn’t part of a 2021 COVID-era prison release.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
NC’s Michael Whatley returns to the RNC stage, this time as a candidate Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC’s Michael Whatley returns to the RNC stage, this time as a candidate
Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley speaks at the party’s first midyear convention in Dallas.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Whatley supporters tie SC homicide to Cooper in misleading NC Senate ad #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Whatley supporters tie SC homicide to Cooper in misleading NC Senate ad
The group put out an ad tying Logan Federico’s death to an NC prison release. The problem? The suspect has never set foot in NC’s prison system.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
NC’s Chuck Edwards apologizes but defends himself as House considers censure (expected later today). #ncpol www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
charlotteobserver.com
NC’s Chuck Edwards apologizes but defends himself as House considers censure
The U.S. House is set to vote on whether to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards of NC over allegations of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
NC’s Dan Driscoll leaving Army leadership role as tension grows with Pete Hegseth #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC’s Dan Driscoll resigns Army leadership role as tension grows with Pete Hegseth
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll plans to leave Thursday as tension grows with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
NC’s Laurie Buckhout suspended from Kalshi after betting on her own campaign #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC’s Laurie Buckhout suspended from Kalshi after betting on her own campaign
A candidate running to represent North Carolina’s eastern counties in Congress faces a $2,589 fine after betting on her own campaign.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
NC’s Chuck Edwards defends himself against censure, says staff gave him gifts too #ncpol Read more at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
charlotteobserver.com
NC’s Chuck Edwards defends himself against censure, says staff gave him gifts too
Rep. Chuck Edwards wrote a lengthy letter to fellow lawmakers as he faces potential censure when Congress resumes next week.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
NC Republicans rewrite their narrative about Roy Cooper’s record on crime #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC Republicans rewrite their narrative about Roy Cooper’s record on crime
North Carolina Republicans paint former Gov. Roy Cooper as soft on crime, but a 2020 news release from the party calls his crime bills “draconian.”
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Rep. Chuck Edwards did not properly report trip from NC to Africa #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Rep. Chuck Edwards did not properly report trip from NC to Africa
House rules require members of Congress to seek permission before a trip sponsored by a private entity and file a post-travel report within 15 days. Edwards disclosed the trip a year later.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Jennifer Balkcom launches NC race with Trump’s endorsement. Will it help or hurt? #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Jennifer Balkcom launches NC race with Trump’s endorsement. Will it help or hurt?
Recent elections raise questions about whether a Trump endorsement helps candidates going into the general election.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Budd pushes Congress to pass military budget with F-15s for Air Force base in NC #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Budd pushes Congress to pass military budget with F-15s for Air Force base in NC
Sen. Ted Budd urges Congress to fund F-15EX aircraft for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Florida fails to provide a path back to Congress for NC’s Madison Cawthorn #ncpol www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
charlotteobserver.com
Florida fails to provide a path back to Congress for NC’s Madison Cawthorn
Former Rep. Madison Cawthorn tried to return to Congress after scandals took him out of contention in NC.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Group launches ad campaign urging swing voters to support Michael Whatley #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Group launches ad campaign urging swing voters to support Michael Whatley
AFP Action launched a $5.6 million ad campaign across seven battleground states, including North Carolina.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Edwards took ex-aide to Vegas during shutdown. Records tie trip to campaign money #ncpol #nc11 Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Edwards took ex-aide to Vegas during shutdown. Records tie trip to campaign money
Records indicate Rep. Chuck Edwards skipped votes, canceled a district event for dinner with a former staffer, and paid for a personal trip to Las Vegas with campaign donations.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
GOP executive team chooses a replacement for NC’s Chuck Edwards on ballot #ncpol #nc11 www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
GOP executive team chooses a replacement for NC’s Chuck Edwards on ballot
State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom now faces off against Democratic nominee Jamie Ager to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards in Congress.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
NC’s Thom Tillis critiques the ‘weirdos of the MAGA world’ in forthcoming book #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC’s Thom Tillis critiques the ‘weirdos of the MAGA world’ in forthcoming book
Here’s more on the book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents,” and when you can read it.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
In Senate and in call with Trump, NC’s Ted Budd pushes to go ahead with hemp ban, reported with #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
In Senate and in call with Trump, NC’s Ted Budd pushes to go ahead with hemp ban
“Senator Budd had a friendly call with President Trump discussing legislative efforts regarding THC,” Budd’s spokesperson said.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Rep. Edwards ends reelection bid leaving Western NC GOP looking for a replacement #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Rep. Edwards ends reelection bid leaving Western NC GOP looking for a replacement
The General Election is less than three months away. Here’s the task facing Republicans in Western North Carolina.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
NC’s Edwards ends campaign but faces potential censure. How would that work? #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC’s Edwards ends campaign but faces potential censure. How would that work?
Rep. Chuck Edwards faces an ethics committee’s recommendation of censure. What does that process look like?
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
NC GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards ends reelection campaign after sexual harassment report #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards ends reelection campaign after sexual harassment report
Edwards is at the center of an ethics report that found he created a hostile work environment and sexually harassed young staffers.
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Reposted by Danielle Battaglia
Chris Cooper @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
A brief thread on the rules around candidates for Congress in #ncpol withdrawing. I'm posting it now for....reasons. Also, because of @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social's recent story newsobserver.com/news/politic... (1/7) #nc11
newsobserver.com
NC Republican Sen. Ted Budd calls on Rep. Chuck Edwards to drop campaign
The Republican senator from North Carolina is urging Rep. Chuck Edwards to drop his campaign after an ethics committee report found evidence he had sexually harassed young employees.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
NC Republican Sen. Ted Budd calls on Rep. Chuck Edwards to drop campaign #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC Republican Sen. Ted Budd calls on Rep. Chuck Edwards to drop campaign
A fellow GOP lawmaker urged Rep. Chuck Edwards to drop his campaign after an ethics committee report found evidence Edwards had sexually harassed young employees.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
NC’s Sen. Thom Tillis casts his vote on Todd Blanche for attorney general #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC’s Sen. Thom Tillis casts his vote on Todd Blanche for attorney general
Sen. Thom Tillis votes on Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general after weeks of negotiations between the Senate and the White House.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Rep. Edwards recommended for censure by Ethics committee for sexual harassment www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
House Committee recommends censure for Rep. Edwards of NC for sexual harassment
The House Committee on Ethics recommended a censure against the NC representative for sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
NC Sen. Thom Tillis satisfied with 1776 fund agreement; plans to confirm Blanche #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC Sen. Thom Tillis satisfied with 1776 fund agreement; plans to confirm Blanche
The newfound accord followed a weekend of President Trump sparring online with Tillis about the Todd Blanche confirmation vote.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Supreme Court ruling reshapes party campaign spending. How will it affect NC? #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Supreme Court ruling reshapes party campaign spending. How will it affect NC?
The US Supreme Court said limiting coordinated expenditures between political groups and candidates violated the First Amendment.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Trump believes he doesn’t need Tillis, Cornyn for Blanche to be AG. Does he? #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Trump believes he doesn’t need Tillis, Cornyn for Blanche to be AG. Does he?
President Trump announced that he may pull Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general until Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn retire.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Two NC congressional districts moved from leans Republican to toss-ups #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Two NC congressional districts moved from leans Republican to toss-ups
Reps. Don Davis and Chuck Edwards now find themselves battling for re-election in districts deemed toss-ups by election watchers.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
How NC Sen. Tillis helped stall Blanche confirmation vote because of ‘1776 fund’ #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
How NC Sen. Tillis helped stall Blanche confirmation vote because of ‘1776 fund’
Tillis and Cornyn delay committee vote to confirm Todd Blanche until the Trump administration puts in writing that controversial fund is dead.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
As NC billionaire seeks a Trump pardon, a victim says effects of fraud linger #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
As NC billionaire seeks a Trump pardon, a victim says effects of fraud linger
This victim of Greg Lindberg’s scheme finally has her money back, but she says the fraud has changed her life.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Yes, NC’s Republicans voted to change Fort Bragg back to Fort Liberty #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Yes, NC’s Republicans voted to change Fort Bragg back to Fort Liberty
North Carolina’s Republicans in the U.S. House voted to return Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty when passing a 1,600-page bill.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Press access blocked at some NC Senate race events. How does it impact the public? #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Press access blocked at some NC Senate race events. How does it impact the public?
Michael Whatley blocked three reporters in 10 days from attending his campaign events. How does that impact the public? And what about Roy Cooper’s events?
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
NC’s Chuck Edwards hires lawyer amid ethics probe into sexual harassment #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC’s Chuck Edwards hires lawyer amid ethics probe into sexual harassment
The latest reports show Rep. Chuck Edwards hired a lawyer to represent him, as he faces an ethics probe into whether he sexually harassed young employees.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Why NC’s Tillis says Democrats should ‘look in the mirror’ as they criticize Trump #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Why NC’s Tillis says Democrats should ‘look in the mirror’ as they criticize Trump
Here’s what Sen. Thom Tillis said at Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Whatley’s COVID-era comments on prisons raise more questions in race vs. Cooper #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Whatley’s COVID-era comments on prisons raise more questions in race vs. Cooper
What did Whatley and Cooper really ask for as COVID hit prisons? Both candidates are now addressing the subject in their Senate race.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Sexual assault claim leads NC’s Cooper to join Democrats’ call for Platner withdrawal #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Sexual assault claim leads NC’s Cooper to join Democrats’ call for Platner withdrawal
Democrats, including former Gov. Roy Cooper, are calling on Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race after a woman accused Platner of sexual assault.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Is Fort Bragg getting another name change? It’s possible. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Is Fort Bragg getting another name change? It’s possible.
A bill before the U.S. House proposes changing Fort Bragg back to Fort Liberty. But Republicans would need to go along for it to pass.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
NC road may be named after ex-lawmaker who made history in Congress for 22 days #ncpol Read more at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
charlotteobserver.com
NC road may be named after ex-lawmaker who made history in Congress for 22 days
State lawmakers propose renaming a portion of N.C. 16 after former U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, who represented portions of the North Carolina foothills for 20 years.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Tillis warns of midterm impact of 'unforced errors,’ shifting some blame to Trump #ncpol Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Tillis warns of midterm impact of 'unforced errors,’ shifting some blame to Trump
Exclusive: Sen. Thom Tillis warned that errors by the Trump administration are affecting election messaging, and placed some of the blame on the president.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
NC lawmakers react to Trump’s SAVE AMERICA ultimatum that left the Senate in chaos #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC lawmakers react to Trump’s SAVE AMERICA ultimatum that left the Senate in chaos
The Senate left early for a two-week break after President Donald Trump held hostage a bill Republicans saw as a key victory in order to get the Senate to pass a voter ID bill.
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Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
NC’s Sen. Budd to block Trump’s funding requests until Helene relief is included #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
NC’s Sen. Budd to block Trump’s funding requests until Helene relief is included
Sen. Ted Budd announced Thursday evening he won’t support future funding supplementals unless Helene relief is included.
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