Will Republicans Show Up On Election Day?

GREENSBORO – With less than five months until the election in November, Democrats in North Carolina, and across the nation, appear increasingly energized by what many see as an opportunity to influence the balance of power in Washington. Local Democrats also see it as a way to chip away at the stronghold Republicans have in Raleigh with the General Assembly.

Meanwhile, some Republican strategists and political leaders have voiced concerns about voter enthusiasm within their own party. Although Michael Whatley enjoys strong support from former President Donald Trump and many Republican leaders in his race for U.S. Senate against former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, some observers worry that Republican voters may not be as motivated as they were during presidential election years.

Turnout has often been a deciding factor in North Carolina elections. And if the local elections last November, and the statewide primaries in March are any indication of enthusiasm, those on the left have motivation in spades, while the those on the right are rather lackluster in their engagement.

State GOP leaders attended the annual NCGOP convention in Greensboro this past weekend, and a major theme for the four-day event was trying to find a way to fire up the base to motivate them to get others to the polls in November.

They want to ensure that conservative voters remain engaged through Election Day. If they’re not, it could be a very tough go of it for Republicans in state and federal elections.

“I hope we don’t see another, what we call a red wave turned into a ripple,” N.C. Legislature Donnie Loftis of Gaston County said. “I think it’s frustrating with the economy the way it is, with gas prices that I’ve seen started to come down. With the conflict with Iran, all of these things just add gas on the fire. And so it causes people to disengage.

“One of the primary things, I think, Donald Trump will not be on the ballot, which was a huge draw every time he’s been there. We have to figure out what is going to motivate people not to sit it out, because if you say, I’m not supporting A, B, or C, I’m just going to stay home, Then that’s an automatic vote for the other side.”

John Steward is the Chairman of the NCGOP Congressional 8th District. He said he’s already meeting with the heads of the local GOP for individual counties in his district to put together a gameplan for getting Republicans to the polls.

And while Steward is optimistic Republicans will do well in the election, he also knows what’s a risk.

“If they voted for him two years ago, they need to show up this year. so they get the last two years of his administration,” Steward said. “If we don’t win, his presidency is pretty much over for the most part. He’s not going to get a lot done. So, people, I think, are realizing that. And I’m seeing a lot more involvement this time around than most off-year cycles.”

Whatley, who, according to the polls, trails Cooper, but mostly because of name recognition. Many across the state still just don’t know who he is, which means he needs as many registered Republicans to vote as he can possibly get.

Even so, Steward thinks those that do show up, will ultimately vote for Whatley. He adds that while many may not know the former RNC Chairman, the exact opposite is true with Cooper, and that won’t do the former Governor any favors.

“I’m not worried about Michael Watley’s polls, because his campaign really hasn’t started at the advertising level that it’s going to be,” Steward said. “He’s going to have name recognition.

“I look at Roy Cooper’s polls, and the man’s been in elected office for 40 years, eight years as Governor, 16 years as the Attorney General. That’s 24 years as a statewide office holder. Everybody knows who he is and he hovers right at 50%. That’s his ceiling. Because, you know Roy Cooper, we know who Roy Cooper is, and people just aren’t interested. Once they learn who Michael Whatley is, I think they’re going to fall in behind him and support him.”

That’s assuming people actually show up to vote for him.