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North Carolina’s 2026 midterm elections have dramatically reshaped the state’s political landscape. Democrats reclaimed the NC House of Representatives for the first time in 16 years, Republicans suffered significant losses, and voters delivered a complicated message about the future of conservative politics. What happens next in Raleigh? On this episode of Locked In with Algenon Cash, Democratic State Representative Amber M. Baker of Forsyth County and Mitch Kokai, senior political analyst at the John Locke Foundation, examine the election results, the Republican Party’s changing political fortunes, and the challenges of governing under a new balance of power. From Roy Cooper’s U.S. Senate victory to the defeat of longtime Republican legislators, the Democratic resurgence surprised even members of the party. Yet voters simultaneously approved three conservative-backed constitutional amendments addressing income taxes, property taxes, and voter identification. Are North Carolinians abandoning conservative principles, or rejecting the Republican candidates asking for their votes? The conversation explores Donald Trump’s influence on the GOP, divisions within the conservative movement, Governor Josh Stein’s legislative opportunities, and the future of education funding, taxes, economic development, and divided government. Can North Carolina’s newly divided legislature find common ground, or is another period of political gridlock ahead? Subscribe to Locked In with Algenon Cash for thought-provoking conversations about politics, economics, business, culture and public policy. Watch on YouTube or listen through the Triad Podcast Network, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Also airing Sundays at 7:30 AM on WTOB. The post NC Midterms 2026: Republicans Lose North Carolina House After 16 Years | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

What do North Carolina’s 2026 midterm elections reveal about the future of the Republican Party, traditional conservatism and the balance of political power? On this episode of Locked In with Algenon Cash, longtime Republican political strategist Dan Gurley and Donald Bryson, president and CEO of the John Locke Foundation, join Algenon for a candid conversation about North Carolina politics, President Donald Trump’s influence on the GOP and the consequential decisions facing voters in the 2026 midterm elections. Both guests have spent years working within North Carolina’s conservative movement. Yet both express serious concerns about the growing divisions inside the Republican Party and the direction of conservatism under Trump’s leadership. The conversation begins with the U.S. Senate contest between former Governor Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley, examining candidate appeal, voter independence and the national political environment. From there, the discussion turns to competitive North Carolina General Assembly races and how changes in legislative control could affect taxes, education, economic development and Governor Josh Stein’s ability to govern. The panel also examines three proposed amendments to North Carolina’s Constitution: reducing the maximum allowable state income tax rate to 3.5%, requiring limits on local property tax levy increases and expanding constitutional photo identification requirements to all voting methods. But the discussion reaches beyond the candidates and ballot measures. Is the Republican Party moving away from its traditional conservative principles? Will political extremism eventually give way to moderation? And what happens when voters support policies associated with one political party while choosing candidates from another? Recorded before the November 3 election, the conversation takes on additional significance following the results. Democrats made major gains across North Carolina, while voters approved all three Republican-backed constitutional amendments. Dan, Donald and Algenon also consider the possibility of greater political gridlock in Washington, the importance of accepting legitimate election results and why patience may be necessary as America’s political landscape continues to evolve. This is a conversation about more than one election. It’s an examination of political principles, public policy, party loyalty and the future of North Carolina. Subscribe to Locked In with Algenon Cash for thought-provoking conversations about politics, economics, business, culture and public policy. Watch on YouTube or listen through the Triad Podcast Network, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Also airing Sundays at 7:30 AM on WTOB. The post NC Midterms 2026: Cooper vs. Whatley | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

Weeks before Election Day, High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson returned to Locked In to make his case for representing North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District. Five months earlier, Jefferson joined Algenon Cash for a conversation centered on one question: Could a Democrat earn the trust of voters in a traditionally conservative congressional district? This time, the conversation went much deeper. Jefferson discusses what he learned campaigning across NC-06, how his experience as mayor of High Point shaped his approach to government, and whether he could maintain his political independence in Washington. The conversation examines tariffs and their impact on North Carolina’s furniture industry, housing affordability, federal spending, Medicare and Medicaid, executive power, congressional term limits, stock trading by members of Congress and the proper balance of power between Congress and the presidency. Algenon also presses Jefferson on his record in High Point, where local government has confronted the same questions facing communities across the country: economic growth, public safety, infrastructure and the rising cost of government. And with Republican Congressman Addison McDowell standing between Jefferson and Washington, the discussion ultimately comes down to a basic question: What actually separates the two candidates beyond the letters beside their names? Recorded just before the 2026 election, this conversation captures Jefferson’s closing argument to voters before one of North Carolina’s most consequential congressional results of the midterms. Subscribe to Locked In with Algenon Cash for thought-provoking conversations about politics, economics, business, culture and public policy. Watch on YouTube or listen through the Triad Podcast Network, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Also airing Sundays at 7:30 AM on WTOB. The post Cyril Jefferson Returns: Can a Democrat Win NC-06? | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

What makes a historic home worth saving for future generations? In the heart of Kernersville, North Carolina, stands one of the state’s most unusual architectural landmarks. Built in 1880, Körner’s Folly features 22 rooms across seven levels, 15 distinctive fireplaces, unusual stairways, hidden spaces and an extraordinary collection of Victorian design. But the story of Körner’s Folly is about much more than an eccentric house. This week on Locked In with Algenon Cash, we welcome Suzanna Ritz Malliett, Executive Director of the Körner’s Folly Foundation, for a fascinating conversation about the history, preservation and future of this remarkable North Carolina landmark. Originally constructed by artist, designer and entrepreneur Jule Gilmer Körner as a showcase for his creative work, the property eventually fell into disrepair. By the late 1960s, its future was uncertain. Then, in 1970, 26 local families came together to save the property from demolition, beginning a community preservation effort that continues more than five decades later. Today, Suzanna oversees an organization responsible for protecting this historic treasure while finding new ways to introduce its remarkable story to another generation. We explore what makes Körner’s Folly architecturally significant, the financial realities of maintaining a 146-year-old property, and the important relationship between historic preservation, tourism and community identity. We also discuss the annual Kernersville Oktoberfest, a popular community tradition that helps support the foundation’s ongoing preservation and restoration efforts. It’s a conversation about imagination, entrepreneurship, history and the responsibility we share to preserve the places that help define our communities. Subscribe to Locked In with Algenon Cash for thought-provoking conversations about politics, economics, business, culture and public policy. Watch on YouTube or listen through the Triad Podcast Network, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Also airing Sundays at 7:30 AM on WTOB. The post Inside Körner’s Folly: The History and Preservation of a North Carolina Landmark | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

The North Carolina election 2026 is becoming a test of whether Republican candidates can separate their records in Raleigh from what’s happening in Washington. NC Representative Jeff Zenger joins Locked In with Algenon Cash for a candid conversation about Michael Whatley and the political environment facing Republicans heading into November. Zenger represents House District 74 in Forsyth County and faces Democrat Amy Taylor North in a rematch of one of the Triad’s closest legislative races of 2024. Zenger believes his record on economic growth, lower taxes, regulatory reform and housing gives voters a reason to judge him independently of national politics. He also makes the case that a voter can support Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate and still move down the ballot to vote for a Republican like Zenger. But his reelection fight isn’t only about national politics. Zenger addresses criticism surrounding his development dispute with the Town of Lewisville, explains what happened from his perspective and pushes back against some of the claims that have followed him politically. The conversation also examines Trump’s influence on the Republican Party, Michael Whatley’s U.S. Senate campaign, ticket-splitting, down-ballot turnout and what the midterms could mean for Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly. As the North Carolina election 2026 approaches, Zenger’s race could become an interesting test of whether voters will judge state lawmakers on their individual records or allow national politics to shape their decisions further down the ballot. The post Can Jeff Zenger Survive the 2026 Election? | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

The city is experiencing extraordinary economic momentum while confronting serious questions about its finances, public safety, taxes, development and trust in local government. And now there’s an effort to recall the mayor. This week on Locked In with Algenon Cash, Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter sits down for more than an hour to talk about all of it. We discuss Greensboro’s placement on North Carolina’s Unit Assistance List and what the increased state scrutiny actually means. I ask about spending, reserves, future borrowing and her confidence in City Manager Trey Davis. We also get into Greensboro’s 180-day moratorium on large data centers, the city’s response to recent violence and whether residents are truly benefiting from Greensboro’s remarkable economic growth. Then we get personal. Why does she think some residents want her removed from office? Has City Hall lost public trust? And what does she believe her critics are getting right? Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter answers the questions facing her and the city she leads. What is happening in Greensboro? The post What Is Happening in Greensboro? | Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.