Author: Ben Rappaport

Ben Rappaport is a reporter at the Border Belt Independent. A graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism & Media at UNC-Chapel Hill, he previously worked for the Chatham News + Record.
Bladen County, Elections, Politics / Government

How Republicans gained ground in rural North Carolina

By Ben Rappaport and Sarah Nagem benrappaport@borderbelt.org This story is co-published by The Assembly and the Border Belt Independent.  There was never any doubt Charles Ray Peterson would be a Democrat. His parents, grandparents—everyone he knew in Bladen County, really—were Democrats.  Peterson, 70, served on the Bladen County school board for 12 years and has been a county commissioner for more than two decades. “When I got involved …Read more Continue reading How Republicans gained ground in rural North Carolina

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Bladen County, Economy

Bladen County spat could hinder progress at thriving industrial park

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Bladen County and Elizabethtown have worked together for years to spur economic development with help from a local nonprofit aimed at bringing jobs and increasing the local tax base.   But new plans for a mixed-use development of homes and businesses have strained the three-way partnership, raising questions about the project and future collaborations at the Elizabethtown Industrial Park.   Bladen County gave …Read more Continue reading Bladen County spat could hinder progress at thriving industrial park

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Elections, Politics / Government, Scotland County

In major shift, Republicans gain majority on Scotland County Board of Commissioners

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  For the first time in modern history, Republicans will hold a majority of the seats on the Scotland County Board of Commissioners.  Democratic incumbents John Alford and Darrell “BJ” Gibson lost their seats on Election Day to Republican challengers Tanya Edge and Jeff Shelley, respectively. An open at-large seat vacated by Whit Gibson, who is an unaffiliated voter, was filled by …Read more Continue reading In major shift, Republicans gain majority on Scotland County Board of Commissioners

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Robeson County, Scotland County

Rural southeastern NC gets more red, even as Democrats win key state races

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Democrat Josh Stein trounced Mark Robinson in the North Carolina governor’s race, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at unofficial results in rural southeastern North Carolina.  Voters in Bladen, Columbus and Robeson counties picked Robinson, the Republican candidate whose campaign took a huge hit in September when CNN reported that he called himself a “Black Nazi” and made other disturbing …Read more Continue reading Rural southeastern NC gets more red, even as Democrats win key state races

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Robeson County, Scotland County

Rural southeastern NC, already known for low voter turnout, sees further drop

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Voter turnout in rural southeastern North Carolina was lower this year than it was in the 2020 general election, unofficial results show.  All of the Border Belt counties — Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland — saw fewer voters than in 2020 and lagged behind the statewide turnout rate of 73%, according to unofficial vote counts from the North Carolina State Board …Read more Continue reading Rural southeastern NC, already known for low voter turnout, sees further drop

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Politics / Government, Robeson County, Scotland County

Where the candidates stand on key issues in NC’s 7th and 8th congressional districts

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Republican David Rouzer, who has represented North Carolina’s 7th Congressional district since 2014, is running for another term in office.  Rouzer is a staunch conservative who has criticized President Joe Biden’s policies and expressed doubts about the fairness of the 2020 election. His challenger, Marlando Pridgen, a Whiteville Democrat, is a political newcomer whose campaign focuses on environmental justice and bringing …Read more Continue reading Where the candidates stand on key issues in NC’s 7th and 8th congressional districts

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Politics / Government, Robeson County, Scotland County

Early voting turnout in NC’s Border Belt lags behind statewide surge

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  North Carolina has seen record highs for in-person early voter turnout so far this election, but most of the Border Belt counties are lagging behind the rest of the state.   Columbus and Scotland counties both had a turnout rate of about 12% as of Sunday, after three days of early in-person voting, according to the state Board of Elections. Robeson County …Read more Continue reading Early voting turnout in NC’s Border Belt lags behind statewide surge

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Politics / Government, Robeson County

Donald Trump Jr. will make campaign stop in Robeson County

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to make a stop in Robeson County on Friday, a sign that his father’s campaign is counting on Lumbee voters to help win North Carolina. Trump Jr. is set to appear with Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. House representative from Hawaii, and Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma. They will deliver remarks at a 6 p.m. event …Read more Continue reading Donald Trump Jr. will make campaign stop in Robeson County

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Politics / Government

Kamala Harris launches radio ad targeting rural North Carolina voters

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign is launching a radio ad targeted at rural North Carolina voters in an effort to narrow the gap in traditionally red counties.  In the one-minute ad, titled “Like Us,” vice presidential candidate Tim Walz touts his rural roots. “In a small town, you don’t focus on the politics,” he says. “You focus on taking care …Read more Continue reading Kamala Harris launches radio ad targeting rural North Carolina voters

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Columbus County, Politics / Government

Political signs target Whiteville Democrats. They say it’s voter intimidation 

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  A Whiteville woman was surprised when she went to her mailbox on Thursday and noticed a yard sign planted across the street from her home. “ILLEGALS WELCOME,” it read in large blue lettering, with an arrow pointed at her front door. The woman, Laura — the Border Belt Independent is identifying her by her first name only to protect her privacy — …Read more Continue reading Political signs target Whiteville Democrats. They say it’s voter intimidation 

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