Sign in

Thomas Mills

@tmillsnc.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1K following 434 posts

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. politicsnc.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Sarah Stevens called Paul Newby her judicial hero. That should be disqualifying. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
NC Supreme Court: The most important race on the ballot
Sarah Stevens calls Chief Justice Paul Newby her judicial hero. That’s disqualifying.
020
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Republican narratives are running up against harsh realities. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Cope and spin won’t work
Republicans are trying to convince their base and themselves that they can salvage this election cycle.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
These amendments are another attempt to shift the tax burden from the wealthy to the rest of us. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Vote “No” on the NC GOP’s bad amendments
Republicans want to keep shifting the tax burden from the wealthy to the rest of us.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This year is the first midterm since 2002 that the state has had a Senate race with a Republican president. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
North Carolina always favored a Democrat in 2026
This year is the first midterm since 2002 that the state has had a Senate race with a Republican president.
011
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Voters expected Congressional Republicans to put a check on Trump and instead they gave him a blank check. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
No one to blame but themselves
Voters expected Republicans in Congress to put a check on Trump, but they gave him a blank check instead.
020
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Donald Trump called North Carolina “one of the worst in the nation” and Republicans won’t defend the state. Why do they need to always hate something? open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Trashing the Old North State
Republicans cheer as Trump calls North Carolina “one of the worst in the whole nation.”
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Republican face strong headwinds across the country. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
The polls down the stretch
Republicans face strong headwinds heading into the final stretch.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Democrat believe there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed. Republicans don’t. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
A tale of two parties
Democrats still believe there are lines that shouldn't be crossed. Republicans don't.
011
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
9/11 ushered in a quarter century of disruption and discontent. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
May the next 25 years bring stability
9/11 kicked off a century of division and discontent.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
After more than 50 years, North Carolina completed its transition from the Solid South but neither party came out on top. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
The party’s over
North Carolina completed its transition from the Solid South and neither party came out on top.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Democrats will have a good year, but Republicans have maintained a historical advantage in turnout in the state that could mitigate the impact of the impending wave. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
History in North Carolina should temper expectations
It will be a good year for Democrats, but a historical GOP turnout advantage in the state could keep it from being great.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The wave political prognosticator Charlie Cook describes is the type that washes people into office. In North Carolina, two Democrats could be swept into Congress. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Adding districts to the equation
Political prognosticator Charlie Cook says Republicans may be facing a nightmare scenario, putting seats in play that should be safe for Republicans.
300
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Republicans are still fighting the last war, ignoring rising prices and talking about COVID. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
High gas prices hit the GOP outrage machine
While the rest of the country is talking about rising prices and unnecessary wars, Republican are talking about COVID, crime, and immigration.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Donald Trump has made the GOP both ridiculous and dangerous. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
The Pathetic Party
Renaming Lake Ontario is ridiculous on its face and the people who indulge it, whether actively or passively, are pathetic.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Jesse Watters isn’t running and doesn’t live in Michigan. Why did El-Sayed debate him? open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Next time, just say no to Fox News
Instead of pivoting to the people and issues that will determine the outcome of the election, Abdul El-Sayed still seems to be running a primary campaign.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Michael Whatley’s latest ad exploits a tragic death to lie about Roy Cooper. His campaign is flailing. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Whatley’s act of desperation
Whatley’s ad exploiting a tragic death to blatantly lie about Roy Cooper is the sign of a failing campaign.
100
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
This is a long piece about my experience using technology to navigate the medical system. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Wilson’s disease, Bing-Neel, and the promise of technology
Three times in thirty years, emerging technology has helped me navigate scary medical diagnoses.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Whatley is like the guy at the back of a large crowd, waving his arms, yelling, “Look at me!” open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Just flailing
Whatley is trying to change the conversation. It won't work.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Cooper holds a steady lead over Whatley who is still largely undefined. Dems lead in legislative generic ballot, but there are warning signs for Democrats as well.
politicsnc.com
Heading toward the final stretch, the NC GOP is still struggling
Cooper leads Whatley and Democrats lead generic legislative ballot.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
The GOP forced Edwards out after sexual harassment scandal. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
They chucked him
Republicans force Edwards out in NC-11
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Todd Blanche is still the guy who will bend over for Trump before standing up for the country. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
He pulled a Tillis again
Tillis will vote to recommend Todd Blanche despite no evidence that he would put the country before the president.
030
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Anderson Clayton, Travis Fain, and Thomas Mills are back after a five-month hiatus to give you an update on North Carolina politics. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Restless Natives NC returns!
We're back with updates on the Senate race, budget, board of elections, and a brief update on Congressional races.
011
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
What infected the White House has spread to North Carolina. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Rotting from the head down
Corruption is becoming another Republican Party core value.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
In America, big changes take big majorities. Nobody has one yet. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
If this is centrism, I'll own it
The American people want stability more than transformation
020
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
North Carolina is always going to be close. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Yeah, that poll is probably about right
North Carolina is swing state for a reason.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
"What’s happening in North Carolina...is the culmination of a twelve-year experiment in stress testing democracy’s guardrails. And what Republicans learned in Raleigh, they’re now applying in Washington and in states across the country." open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
North Carolina was the dress rehearsal for MAGA
The state offers lessons for the country.
040
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Tillis already regrets his votes for other cabinet members. Todd Blanche will be another. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Don't do it, Thom!
Tillis will regret his vote for Todd Blanche like he regrets his votes for Pete Hegseth and other unqualified cabinet members.
001
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
State Auditor Dave Boliek is the GOP’s latest blunt instrument to pummel democracy. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
They aren't even pretending anymore
Boliek appointed people everybody knows are partisan to oversee our elections.
120
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Woodhouse was pressuring county boards of election to make voting more difficult. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
They just got caught
The board of elections didn't discipline Dallas Woodhouse for pressuring election officials. They just reassigned him.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Boss Hogg is a parody of 20th century Southern political bosses. Brenden Jones is a parody of Boss Hogg. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Boss Hoggs
While Boss Hogg chased bootleggers, Brenden Jones is chasing the ABC commission.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Platner illustrates the mistakes of both the activists and the establishment. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Face Plant
Graham Platner is a failure of both the activist left and the establishment.
111
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
My brother had quite a life. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
RIP, Fetzer
August 7, 1960-July 5, 2026
150
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Budd is holding out for Helene money. The move is pretty revealing. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Budd balks
North Carolina's junior Senator breaks with Trump, showing both the president's weakness and that Budd's thinking about re-election.
112
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Democrats might win big, but that doesn’t mean voters want a hard left turn. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Don't mistake a wave for a mandate
The election is going to be about Trump, not Democrats.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Democrats might win big, but that doesn’t mean voters want a hard left turn. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Don't mistake a wave for a mandate
The election is going to be about Trump, not Democrats.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Cooper is now consistently leading Whatley by double digits. The race may tighten, but the GOP SuperPACs are going to take a hard look before spending money in NC. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
For the GOP, things just keep getting worse
Polls are now consistently showing Whatley down by double digits.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Republicans have been crying voter fraud to undermine faith in our elections when they are the ones trying to gain partisan advantage over elections. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Undermining elections
Republicans have been trying to rig elections in North Carolina for 15 years so why should we think the current election bill would do anything different.
020
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Republicans have been trying to undermine elections in North Carolina ever since they took control of the legislature in 2011. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
The relentless assault on democracy
Ever since they took control of the legislature, Republicans have been stacking the deck in elections.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
For most of my life the GOP proudly referred to itself as the Party of Lincoln. Not anymore. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
From Party of Lincoln to the Party of Trump, the decline of the GOP
Lincoln is a defining president and Destin Hall's qualifying of Abe shows what's happened to the Republican Party.
030
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Democrats have a superior candidate in a year that will be difficult for Republicans. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Lean Democrat
Republicans face a difficult political environment with a weak candidate for US Senate.
020
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The Spirit of ‘76 seems to be flagging this year. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
From Bicentennial to Sestercentennial
The Spirit of '76 is not as alive in 2026.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Micheal Whatley’s unforced error defines his struggling campaign. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Canesgate
Whatley's self-inflicted wound illustrates the difference in the two campaigns.
020
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
State Auditor Dave Boliek is weaponizing the State Board of Elections to make voting more difficult for young people. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
The corruption of the State Board of Elections
State Auditor Dave Boliek is weaponizing the State Board of Elections to make voting more difficult for young people.
020
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Cooper is going after the voters that used to vote reliably for Democrats. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Cooper's first ad is back to the future
Roy Cooper's first ad is straight out of the 1990s and, yet, not out of date.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Since Republicans have been in power in NC, the wealthy have seen their taxes decrease while the poorest have seen theirs increase. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Taxing the poor to pay for the rich
Caps on the income tax and restricting local governments from raising property taxes will cost those who can least afford it.
142
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Republicans convinced themselves that Americans wanted something dramatically different when in fact they wanted stability. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Believing their own spin
Republicans convinced themselves that the country wanted Trump's America when most people don't even know what that is.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Cooper cavorts with Canes fans, Whately wallows in Trump world. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Canes won, slush fund zero.
Cooper is cavorting with Canes fans while Whatley is wallowing in Trump world.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Republicans are abusing their power putting so many amendments on the ballot in North Carolina. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Reject them all
Republicans are abusing their power putting so many constitutional amendments on the ballot.
000
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Paxton and Trump are cut from the same cloth. Trump knows Paxton will never hold him accountable. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Trump exposes the GOP
The power of Trump's endorsements shows how little values matter in the former Party of Lincoln.
010
Thomas Mills @tmillsnc.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
It’s still early, but the news isn’t getting better for Republicans. open.substack.com/pub/politics...
open.substack.com
Cooper leads Whatley, Earls leads Stevens
Democrats in North Carolina get more good news.
010