North Carolina’s GOP-controlled legislature erodes incoming Democrats’ political powers

North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature has moved to limit the powers of incoming Democrats, particularly the newly elected governor and other statewide officeholders. The state’s House of Representatives voted to override outgoing Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s veto on a controversial measure aimed at restricting executive power. The bill passed with 72 votes in favor and 46 against, with three Republicans who had previously opposed it due to concerns over disaster relief now siding with their party. The vote follows the Republicans’ loss of their supermajority in last month’s elections, making this one of their final opportunities to curb the influence of newly elected Democratic leaders before the legislative session begins in January. The state Senate had already voted to override the veto last week.

While Republicans focused on the bill’s provisions related to disaster relief, which would help areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, the bulk of the legislation concerns altering the authority of various state officials. If passed, the bill would strip incoming Democratic Governor Josh Stein of his ability to make appointments to key state boards. It would also transfer control of the State Board of Elections to the state auditor, a Republican. Other provisions shift power away from the incoming lieutenant governor, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction, all Democrats.

During the debate over the veto override, Republican Representative Destin Hall defended the legislation, calling it a necessary exercise of the legislature’s constitutional powers. He argued that voters elected the legislature to make such decisions, just as they elected Stein. “The reality is, in this state, the Constitution gives this body the ability to make certain decisions,” Hall said.

Governor Cooper had strongly opposed the bill, calling it a “sham” in his veto message. He criticized the bill for redirecting funds from one account to another, which he argued would not effectively address the state’s disaster relief needs. The bill proposes transferring $227 million from a state savings fund into a new fund for Helene relief. However, the funds would not be available for spending until they are appropriated by the legislature, a provision that Democrats argue makes the bill ineffective.

Democratic lawmakers from western North Carolina, which was hit hardest by the flooding from Hurricane Helene, expressed dissatisfaction with the bill. State Representative Eric Ager, who represents Buncombe County, argued that the bill was insufficient to address the needs of affected communities. “This bill just doesn’t meet the moment, and it doesn’t meet North Carolina’s values,” Ager said, criticizing the lack of immediate aid.

Republican Representative Mark Pless, one of three Republicans who initially voted against the bill, ultimately supported the override after receiving assurances from party leaders that disaster relief would be prioritized in the next legislative session. “I am convinced there is a path forward and money will be available,” Pless said in a statement.

Governor-elect Stein, who will take office in January, blasted the legislation as a “power grab” aimed at undermining the will of the voters. He described the bill as “petty and wrong-headed” and argued that it was contrary to the results of the recent election, where North Carolinians voted to elect Democrats to key offices. “It’s contrary to what the voters of North Carolina have just done in this election and who they elected,” Stein said.

Following the override, North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton condemned the Republicans’ actions, accusing them of prioritizing partisan power plays over the immediate needs of North Carolinians. “Republicans have put their desire to strip political power away from recently elected Democrats ahead of the aid and relief their communities need,” Clayton said.

Democrats also raised concerns about the bill’s provision transferring control of the State Board of Elections to a Republican. State Senator Julie Mayfield described the move as a partisan attempt to undermine established processes. “It is just purely a partisan move, overturning decades of tradition in North Carolina that has worked well,” Mayfield said. She pointed out that this system had functioned effectively under both Republican and Democratic governors.

Republicans, however, defended the changes as a way to encourage bipartisanship. Matt Mercer, communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party, framed the shift in election board control as a response to what he described as Governor Cooper’s “thumb on the scale” in election appointments. “This is just a way that we can continue to have a balanced government in North Carolina,” Mercer said.

The new law reflects the Republican-led legislature’s ongoing efforts to reshape the balance of power in North Carolina, particularly with regard to elections. In 2016, former Republican Governor Pat McCrory signed legislation giving the legislature more influence over election board appointments. Although Cooper sued and won in the state Supreme Court, Republicans continued to push for changes. Voters rejected a 2018 amendment that would have granted legislative leaders control over all appointments to the State Election Board, and earlier this year, the courts blocked another attempt to limit the governor’s authority over election board appointments.

This latest effort by Republicans to curtail the power of incoming Democrats marks another chapter in the ongoing political struggles in North Carolina, with the legislature asserting its dominance over key executive functions ahead of the new administration’s arrival.

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