WNC congressional district more competitive + additional Helene aid incoming
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- WNC's 11th Congressional District trended less red between 2020 and 2024.
- The district has not elected a Democrat to Congress since 2010.
- Additional aid for Helene-impacted Western North Carolina counties is incoming.
Good morning and welcome to the Under the Dome newsletter. I’m politics reporter Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi.
A Congressional district in Western North Carolina could be in play for Democrats, according to a report by Western Carolina University professor Chris Cooper.
The report, published by The Center For Politics, found that the state’s 11th Congressional District — which has not elected a Democrat to Congress since 2010 — has seen electoral trends showing the area became less red between 2020 and 2024.
With the November election creeping up, winning every district possible is important for both parties, with Republicans trying to hold onto their seats and Democrats vying to win back control of both the House and Senate.
Could the shift in this race signal a nationwide blue wave?
Read politics intern Ava Menkes’ story on the report, whether it could signal a blue wave and the candidates vying to win the seat in NC-11.
Continuing on the Western NC area, more aid for Helene-impacted counties is coming.
That’s according to an NC GOP top budget writer, who spoke during a meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on WNC Recovery.
Read my story below on what could be included in the new funding package.
Headlines you won’t want to miss
- Top NC GOP budget writer from Helene-ravaged area says more funding is on the way
- NC Senate advances overhaul of state liquor laws. Here’s what could change
- Despite opting out, NC will still be represented at ‘State Fair’ festivities
- Josh Stein has been more involved in GOP-written budget than past NC governors
- NC audit finds some NC unemployment issues persist + feds warn of fraud crackdown
- NC audit finds some NC unemployment issues persist + feds warn of fraud crackdown
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