Happy Friday North Carolina Democrats!

New Look, Same Content! Our Content Package has gotten a new design that’s cleaner, more organized, and easier to share — but don’t worry, you’ll still find the same bold stories, updates, and graphics you count on. Let’s jump into what’s happening! 👇

• Rural Tour – The North Carolina Democratic Party is visiting rural communities across the state with our Rural Listening Tour! Hosted by NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton, the Rural Tour brings statewide Democratic candidates and elected officials to every stop to allow folks across our state to meet and discuss issues directly with the Party. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage directly with these Democratic leaders and special guests. Click here to find a location near you!
   
• Good News – We get it — life in politics can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created the Good News newsletter! It’s a quick dose of uplifting stories and real updates from the work we’re doing on the ground. We encourage you to send in your Good News and bring a little more positivity to everyone’s inbox!

Our digital messages this week are:

• Leandro – May 25th marked the 31st anniversary of the Leandro lawsuit, where five North Carolina counties demanded that every child receive the sound, basic education our Constitution guarantees. Decades later, our public schools — especially in rural and minority communities — are still underfunded, and students are still waiting. The Leandro plan was approved. The money is there. So why hasn’t it been delivered? The Republican-controlled NC Supreme Court is blocking it — despite multiple rulings and a detailed 8-year plan to transform our schools.
  
  -We’re in year 7 of 8, and progress has stalled
  -Millions of dollars in funding are being withheld
  -Students and teachers are being left behind — again
  
  Taxpayer dollars meant for public schools are being diverted to private schools — even for families making over $250,000/year.
  
  -Over 50% of voucher funds now go to wealthy families
  -Most rural counties have no private schools at all
  -Vouchers don’t cover full tuition, meals, or transportation
  
  This isn’t “school choice.” It’s a giveaway for the wealthy at the expense of working families. It’s time for us to choose: Education or Extremism? We must:
  – Fully fund public schools
  – Follow the Constitution
  – Stop the political games hurting our kids
  
  North Carolina’s children have waited long enough. Now it’s our turn to act. Call your reps, ask them where’s Leandro? Together, we can hold lawmakers accountable and make sure our students come first!
    
• Judicial Spotlight: Anita Earls – If we want to take back control of our state — and protect the rights, freedoms, and democracy that North Carolinians deserve — we have to win big in 2026. We’re not just talking about the legislature. We’re talking about the courts. Every major issue — from voting rights to reproductive freedom to fair maps — ends up in front of a judge. That’s why winning judicial races is not just important. It’s essential. Starting this week, we’re launching our Judicial Spotlight Series — highlighting one key candidate each week who’s running in 2026 and ready to help shape a more just, fair, and democratic North Carolina.
  
  We’re kicking things off with one of the most important races on the ballot: Justice Anita Earls for the North Carolina Supreme Court. Justice Earls has been a fearless champion for civil rights, voting rights, and equal justice under the law. She stood strong through partisan attacks, refusing to back down in the face of pressure from those who want to tilt the courts in favor of the powerful. Her re-election isn’t just important — it’s urgent. With extremists working to roll back everything from abortion access to fair elections, we need leaders on the bench who will protect the people, not bend to politics. We win back our courts when we show up, stay engaged, and vote like our rights depend on it — because they absolutely do. The road to 2026 starts now.
   
  
• Denied – After Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, President Biden stepped up — pledging 100% federal funding to help our communities recover and rebuild. That’s what real leadership looks like in a time of crisis. Then Donald Trump showed up. Naturally, he didn’t come with help. He came with conspiracy theories, cameras, and finger-pointing — slamming Biden for “not doing enough,” despite Biden’s clear commitment. Now, with the reins of FEMA under Donald’s control, he’s proving exactly who he is. FEMA has just denied North Carolina’s request to extend the 100% funding, leaving our state to pick up the tab for disaster recovery. He’s cutting corners, backing out of promises, and — no surprise — pushing to gut FEMA altogether. Governor Josh Stein called it what it is: “a bad move.” This isn’t about political theater — this is about real families, real damage, and a real need for leadership. North Carolinians — and all Americans — deserve leaders who show up, keep their word, and put people before politics.
    
• Benefits Before Billionaires – Let’s talk about this so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” making its way through Capitol Hill. Spoiler alert: it’s not beautiful, it’s barely a bill, and it’s definitely big — in how much damage it’ll do to everyday Americans. Behind the MAGA branding is a brutal agenda: cut Medicaid, slash food assistance, and gut essential services — all so the ultra-wealthy can pocket another round of tax cuts they absolutely don’t need.
  
  Just look at numbers in North Carolina alone:
  📉 3,012,000 people rely on Medicaid
  🍽️ 1,415,600 (13% of the state) depend on SNAP to eat.
  
  This bill would devastate families across our state — and across the country. It’s so bad, even some Senate Republicans are side-eyeing it. When your own party starts sweating over your tax plan, you know it’s less “Big & Beautiful” and more “Big Mistake.” Join us as we take the red pen to the Big Beautiful Bill and say Benefits Before Billionaires! No one should lose healthcare or go hungry just so the ultra-rich can hoard more pretty pennies.

See y’all on the Internet,
NCDP digital

Stories To Boost:

NC Newsline: Leandro is a big deal so why won’t the mainstream media acknowledge it?

Sample Social Post: North Carolina’s kids deserve better than broken promises and buried headlines. We’re done with the silence, it’s time to fully fund Leandro! https://ncnewsline.com/2025/05/21/leandro-is-a-big-deal-so-why-wont-the-mainstream-media-acknowledge-it/

Happening this week:

Rural Tour – Starting June 1st The North Carolina Democratic Party is going on TOUR! Find a location near you! Hosted by NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton, the Rural Tour brings statewide Democratic candidates and elected officials to every stop to allow folks across our state to meet and discuss issues directly with the Party! Don’t miss this opportunity to engage directly with these Democratic leaders and special guests. Click here to find a location near you!