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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Incumbents in NC’s Border Belt keep seats in NC General Assembly 

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Voters in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties elected their representatives in the North Carolina General Assembly to new terms. Every state legislature incumbent in the four-county region who was up for re-election won on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.  To keep up with more election news, sign up for our free newsletter. None of the …Read more Continue reading Incumbents in NC’s Border Belt keep seats in NC General Assembly 

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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

2024 election results in North Carolina

From Border Belt staff Below are the election results in North Carolina, including the races for president, governor and other statewide seats as published by the Associated Press. Included are races that are relevant in Bladen, Columbus Robeson, and Scotland counties, including the 7th and 8th congressional districts and several races for the state General Assembly. Not included are local races for school boards and …Read more Continue reading 2024 election results in North Carolina

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

Election officials step up security in rural southeastern North Carolina

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Wanda Monroe, the elections director in Bladen County, wasn’t expecting any security threats at the polls this year. But she wanted to be proactive.  “We did have a meeting with all the law enforcement agencies in our county and emergency management teams to discuss safety issues that could arise,” Monroe said. Chief judges responsible for the county’s voting precincts underwent “extensive …Read more Continue reading Election officials step up security in rural southeastern North Carolina

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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Bladen County Voter Guide 2024

By Sarah Nagem and Ben Rappaport Bladen County voters will cast ballots in federal, state and local races this fall.  Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2. See locations and times here.  Election Day is Nov. 5, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place and see a sample ballot here.  At the top of the …Read more Continue reading Bladen County Voter Guide 2024

More Hispanic residents are moving to NC’s shrinking Border Belt region

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  It was a beautifully chaotic day for Alma Cruz. Acoustic guitars and trumpets played mariachi tunes as the 29-year-old ran around downtown Lumberton in her bright yellow, floral Tehuana dress, honoring her roots in Oaxaca, Mexico, during the Hispanic Cultural Festival. Cruz organized the inaugural event, which took place Sept. 14 and featured Latin food trucks, traditional dances, musical performances and …Read more Continue reading More Hispanic residents are moving to NC’s shrinking Border Belt region

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CDC unveils strategic plan aimed at combating rural health issues

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  The Office of Rural Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled a new strategic plan last week aimed at combating health issues in rural areas across the country. The new plan, which was developed alongside local partners like the N.C. Office of Rural Health, outlines a vision for the next five years to combat health issues like obesity, …Read more Continue reading CDC unveils strategic plan aimed at combating rural health issues