Bulwark Takes: "GOP Election Tactic Coming for You!" – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Bulwark Takes
• Host/Author: The Bulwark
• Description: The news cycle doesn’t slow down, and neither does The Bulwark. Bulwark Takes brings you bite-sized takes on the news of the day from the entire Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol, and more.
• Episode: GOP Election Tactic Coming for You!
• Release Date: April 24, 2025

Introduction to the North Carolina Supreme Court Race

Lauren Eegan opens the episode by highlighting the contentious North Carolina Supreme Court race. She provides a brief overview for listeners unfamiliar with previous discussions:

"Basically the Republican candidate there has refused to concede to the Democratic incumbent, even though there's been two recounts there confirming both those recounts that he lost and she won. The margin there is super tight. It's about 700 votes."
[00:00]

Lauren emphasizes the unprecedented prolongation of the race, caught in continuous legal battles between federal and state courts, delaying certification well into April following a November election.

Insight from Anderson Clayton, Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party

The Stakes of the State Supreme Court Race

Lauren introduces her guest, Anderson Clayton, highlighting her role and expertise:

"I have Anderson Clayton, who's the chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, here with us today. Hey, Anderson."
[00:54]

Anderson underscores the often-overlooked significance of state Supreme Court races:

"Republicans have been able to deny an election for the last six months in North Carolina... it's trying to do a subversive, subversive play against democracy right now without people really knowing about it."
[01:12]

She details the razor-thin margin of Justice Allison Riggs' victory by 734 votes out of 5.5 million, positioning it as one of the smallest in the state's history.

GOP Election Denialism as a National Strategy

Anderson connects the North Carolina scenario to a broader national trend:

"Republicans are trying to utilize the election denialism that they've taken as into other states in 2026... they're going to utilize and sort of use the petri dish to see what can we come up with in North Carolina that we can take out and set a precedent for in other states."
[02:43]

She warns of the GOP's intent to replicate such tactics nationwide, potentially undermining democratic processes in upcoming elections.

The Ongoing Legal Battle and "Cure" Process

Current Legal Proceedings

Lauren probes into the complexities of the legal maneuvers surrounding the race:

"Can you just kind of get us up to speed... what's happened in the past."
[03:02]

Anderson explains the latest developments:

"We're in federal court again, and federal courts have issued a stay... Smart group is going to make sure that military and overseas voters that are protected... should be able to access a ballot box."
[03:02]

She highlights Justice Riggs' commitment to ensuring every ballot is counted, emphasizing the fight against disenfranchisement.

The "Cure" Process Explained

Lauren seeks clarity on the "cure" process, especially regarding overseas ballots:

"Can you explain what it means to go and cure these ballots?... would it look like that?"
[07:09]

Anderson elaborates:

"Cure process would be the state party knocking doors and making phone calls, going to find people... because right now a lot of people don't."
[07:27]

She details the dual challenges faced by Jefferson Griffin and the Republican National Committee (RNC), underscoring the high stakes involved in retroactively challenging ballots across various voter groups.

Implications for Future Elections

Potential Nationwide Replication of GOP Tactics

Lauren inquires about the broader implications of the North Carolina case:

"Is this going to be a playbook for 2026 in other states... how can you prepare for that as a party?"
[04:32]

Anderson responds by stressing the necessity for proactive measures:

"We have to prepare for whatever Republicans throw at us... state parties are going to have to... ensure that you have the monetary resources to be able to do it"...
[06:05]

She emphasizes the importance of legal readiness and robust organizational support to counteract potential future challenges.

The Cost of Litigation and Campaign Finance Concerns

Anderson highlights the financial burdens of ongoing litigation:

"This lawsuit is going to end up costing Justice Riggs and the North Carolina Democratic Party almost $3 million."
[12:32]

She warns that without adequate funding, especially for candidates unable to self-finance, the GOP's legal strategies could heavily favor those with substantial financial resources, thereby weaponizing the courts against less affluent candidates.

Strategic Party Investments and Long-Term Planning

Building Political Power Through Year-Round Investments

Lauren shifts the conversation towards strategic investments and future planning:

"Do you feel like the national party as a whole has kind of like woken up to the reality that they have to spend more time in the south?"
[14:39]

Anderson underscores the critical need for continuous investment:

"Investing everywhere doesn't mean that we are not being strategic with our investments. It means that we're sowing the seeds for actually playing the long game..."
[18:27]

She critiques the party's historical focus on election years, advocating for sustained, year-round engagement to build robust political infrastructure and grassroots support, particularly in the South.

Addressing Gerrymandering and Congressional Representation

Anderson connects the current struggles to broader issues like gerrymandering:

"When our Supreme Court went from being a Democratic majority to a Republican majority on the Supreme Court in 2022, we saw racial and partisan gerrymandering be reinstituted in our state."
[19:12]

She discusses the detrimental impact of gerrymandering on Democratic representation, emphasizing the imperative to reclaim judicial seats to resist such manipulative practices and restore fair representation.

The 2030 Census and Demographic Shifts

Anticipating New Congressional Seats

Lauren introduces the topic of the upcoming 2030 census and its implications:

"Do you feel like the national party has woken up to the reality that they have to spend more time in the south?"
[14:39]

Anderson responds by outlining the strategic importance of demographic changes:

"A lot of people are moving to the Southeast, including North Carolina... after this next presidential election, if a Democrat wants to win the presidency again, they're going to have to learn to invest more in the South."
[15:47]

She projects that new congressional seats will necessitate increased Democratic investment in the Southeast to maintain and expand political influence.

Preparing for Demographic Shifts

Anderson stresses the need for proactive measures to harness demographic changes:

"I'm talking about the year of 2030, that I want to make sure I've got Democratic majorities in my state House and also a fighting chance back in Congress."
[17:39]

She advocates for strategic candidate recruitment, investment in local races, and the dismantling of entrenched partisan structures to adapt to the evolving political landscape.

Conclusion and Forward Look

Lauren wraps up the discussion by acknowledging the ongoing nature of the North Carolina Supreme Court race and the broader implications it holds for future elections:

"Those conversations with donors... maybe, maybe I should."
[18:27]

Anderson reaffirms the importance of sustained investment and strategic planning:

"The party needs to be thinking about how do you build political power."
[18:39]

Lauren thanks Anderson for her insights, and the episode concludes with a commitment to return for updates as the legal battles continue.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Lauren Eegan:

  "What's so crazy about this to me is that, like, he might actually be successful at this."
  [02:43]

• Anderson Clayton:

  "It's insane."
  [04:21]

• Lauren Eegan:

  "If you're a North Carolina voter, how can you go to the voting booth and feel, like, really confident that your vote's going to count?"
  [05:50]

• Anderson Clayton:

  "We are going to be prepared for whatever Republicans throw at us and continue to, because that's what we're going to have to."
  [06:05]

• Anderson Clayton:

  "Big money in politics has got to get out of it."
  [12:32]

• Anderson Clayton:

  "The party needs to be thinking about how do you build political power."
  [18:39]

Key Takeaways

1. Critical Importance of State Supreme Court Races:
   North Carolina's Supreme Court race serves as a microcosm for larger national trends, particularly the GOP's strategies to undermine election integrity through prolonged legal challenges.

2. Election Denialism as a Strategic Tool:
   The GOP's refusal to concede tight races, coupled with legal maneuvers to challenge ballots, sets a dangerous precedent that could be replicated in future elections across various states.

3. Significant Financial and Organizational Challenges for Democrats:
   Ongoing litigation imposes substantial financial burdens on Democratic parties, highlighting the need for robust fundraising and resource allocation to defend electoral outcomes effectively.

4. Long-Term Strategic Investments Needed:
   Sustained, year-round investment in political infrastructure, particularly in the Southeast, is essential for Democrats to adapt to demographic shifts and counteract GOP strategies effectively.

5. Implications of Gerrymandering and Judicial Control:
   The manipulation of judicial seats to reinstate partisan gerrymandering poses significant threats to fair representation, necessitating vigilant efforts to reclaim judicial control.

6. Preparing for Demographic Changes:
   The upcoming 2030 census will likely result in new congressional seats, making it imperative for Democrats to invest strategically in the South to maintain and expand political influence.

This episode of Bulwark Takes offers a comprehensive examination of the ongoing North Carolina Supreme Court race, elucidating its implications for democratic processes and future electoral strategies. Through insightful dialogue with Anderson Clayton, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges and necessary responses to safeguard election integrity and build sustained political power.