NC Gov. Josh Stein to navigate a new era in state politics, as Democrats control House
Greetings and welcome to our Under the Dome edition that focuses on the governor. I’m Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan . We are entering a new era in North Carolina, one in which the state government is no longer driven only by Republican priorities. As part of the massive blue tsunami of Democratic wins, Democrats took control of the North Carolina House. And not just with a narrow majority. Rather, they could have the same number of House seats — 71, if election results hold — that Republicans held before the election and called a “working supermajority.” A supermajority, which is three-fifths of votes or 72 in the House, is needed to overturn the governor’s veto. But Gov. Josh Stein is a Democrat, so whether Democratic House members have a majority or supermajority is normally irrelevant when it comes to passing bills. Just a simply majority is needed to pass a chamber. Party infighting is possible. It’s what led to the state having no comprehensive budget in 2025: Republicans were at odds. And Republicans squeaked out a slim majority in the Senate, so battles lie ahead. Long memories Democratic lawmakers might forgive, but not forget, how their Republican colleagues treated
