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 […]
Ben Rappaport
Ben Rappaport is a reporter at the Border Belt Independent. He is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill, and he previously worked for the Chatham News + Record.
Posted inElections
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 […]
Posted inElections
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 […]
Posted inElections
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 […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
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 […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
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 […]
Posted inPolitics & 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 […]
Posted inPolitics & 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 […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
Scotland County voters will decide on proposed sales tax hike. Here’s what to know
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org When Scotland County voters cast their ballots in November, they will decide whether to increase the local sales tax. If the ballot measure passes, the local sales tax will increase by one-fourth of a cent, from 6.75% to 7%, on most purchases, including restaurants and clothing. It would not apply to […]
Posted inCulture
Bagpipes, kilts and shared history shine at Scotland County Highland Games
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org When the voluminous melody of bagpipes began to play, Bob Stewart felt a stirring in his blood. The rich, haunting sound connected him to his ancestors in the southern Scottish Highlands dating back to 1654. “I used to wonder why the pipes got my blood pumping,” Stewart said. “But now I […]