As part of a desperate ploy to cling to their dwindling power, North Carolina Republicans passed a bill this week that strips key powers away from the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general. Instead of accepting their election losses, state Republicans plotted a lame duck power grab to overturn democracy – cloaking their bogus legislation inside what was supposed to be a bill offering relief to North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene. Republicans’ willingness to undermine democracy and weaponize their constituents’ pain prompted immediate condemnation locally and nationally.

Take a look below at the response below: 

NC Newsline: Republicans’ reliance on past grievances to justify power grabs doesn’t wash | Opinion

[Alexander H. Jones, 12/12/14] 

“[…] This bill smashes the guardrails of democracy.

“What is crucial to understand is that even the most egregious abuses in the increasingly distant past were not comparable to what right-wing politicians are doing in North Carolina today.” 

Charlotte Observer: NC House must stop democracy-dismantling bill disguised as storm relief | Opinion

[Robert Orr and Norm Eisen, 12/11/24] 

“In a moment when devastated communities need disaster recovery and leadership, these folks opted for political opportunism. Dismantling democracies doesn’t happen overnight. They are taken apart piece by piece and often through legislation disguised as something else entirely. 

“Just like this bill.”

Governor Roy Cooper: “Western North Carolina small businesses and communities still wait for support from the legislature while Republicans make political power grabs the priority.

“Shameful.”

North Carolina Democratic Party: “Republicans just enacted revenge on the people of North Carolina for electing Democrats instead of their extreme GOP candidates – and in their cowardice, hid it behind the guise of a Hurricane Helene relief bill.”

Rep. Julie von Haefen: “Another horrible day at the legislature. 72 House Republicans stood united in voting to override the veto of a sham bill which ignores the needs of Western NC and shamelessly dismisses the will of the voters. This power grab is disgraceful. I am angry – and you should be too.”

Max Flugrath: “After @NCDemParty won races for governor, attorney general, and other statewide offices, Republican state legislators passed a law to strip power from those offices.”

“Vote them out in 2026.”

MSNBC: GOP legislators complete post-election power grab in North Carolina

[Steve Benen, 12/12/24] 

“Republican legislators saw the voters’ verdict and recognized that they were soon poised to lose power. Instead of honoring the will of the state’s electorate, they scrambled to complete a brazen power grab — thumbing their noses at democracy in the process.”