NC lawmakers leave Democratic Party following primary election losses

Key Points:

• Two North Carolina state representatives, Carla Cunningham and Nasif Majeed, have left the Democratic Party to become unaffiliated after losing primary elections amid criticism for occasionally siding with Republicans.
• Both legislators faced backlash for voting to override vetoes by Democratic governors and were defeated by challengers who secured about 69% of the vote in their primaries.
• Cunningham cited hostility from party leadership and a desire to prioritize her constituents over party politics, while Majeed expressed concerns about misleading campaign tactics and pledged to work collaboratively across parties.
• Their departures could strengthen the Republican supermajority in the state House, potentially enabling more frequent veto overrides if Cunningham and Majeed align with GOP votes.
• Both lawmakers emphasized their commitment to serving working families and addressing key issues such as economic opportunity, public safety, and affordable housing beyond partisan considerations.