SPIN Panelists analyze the election

Published November 5, 2014

We asked our NC SPIN panelists to give us their spin on Tuesday's election results. Scroll down to see what they said:

Results not a predictor for 2016, by Phil Kirk

The voters once again proved the pollsters and much of the news media and other political experts wrong. Not only did Tillis survive the most attack ads ($35 million and still counting) of any candidate in the country, he stayed focused on connecting Hagan to a very unpopular president because of her strong support for the Obama agenda. The voters did not fall for her focus on state issues in a race for federal office.

Republicans actually gained a seat in the North Carolina Senate and lost only three in the North Carolina House; therefore maintaining their super majority in both houses.

Now the attention turns to the 2016 election! Just because the Republicans are riding high in North Carolina TODAY with a GOP Governor, Lt. Governor, two U. S. Senators, super majorities in the NC House and Senate, majority on the NC Supreme Court and the NC Court of Appeals, and two additional Council of State seats, nothing is assured for 2016. Republicans need to develop a focused message on the economy and jobs and the executive branch and legislative branch need to work more closely together.

Democrats would be wise to re-consider their message. Attacking Republicans for not spending enough and for cutting taxes is no longer a winning message. Neither is blaming big money (Hagan raised more than twice as much as Tillis) and redistricting a formula for success. Class warfare, practiced by Democrats at the state and national level, also is a loser.

November 4 was a big day for Republicans in much of North Carolina as well as across the country. However, it is not a predictor for the 2016 election.

Great victory for Republicans, by Becki Gray, November 5, 2014

The North Carolina House Republicans lost four seats. Tom Murry lost to Gail Adcock in #41, Mike Stone lost to Brad Salmon in #51, Nathan Ramsey lost to John Ager in # 115, and Tim Moffitt lost to Brian Turner in #116. The open seat in Person County that was held by democrats was won by Republican Larry Yarbourgh. That makes a net loss of 3 GOP seats in the NC House - 74 seats, a supermajority.

The NC Senate retained all 33 seats and picked up one, District #25. Tom McInnis defeated Gene McLauren. They now hold 34 of the 50 Senate seats, a super majority.

With super majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly, the governor's veto becomes less important and less influential. It doesn't mean he won;t affect change and accomplish his priorities like adequate transportation funding, performance pay for NC;s best teachers and fixing Medicaid. Even with supermajorities the General Assembly would be wise to reach out to democrats as they have in the past and find common ground for moving NC forward, creating jobs and economic health.

Of the 10 counties voting to increase the local sales tax, eight voted no and two (Anson and Ashe) voted yes.

More people voted early than ever before, large turnout for a mid-term election. Little evidence of voter suppression.

Great victory for Republicans. Are they finally catching up with democrats with a well orchestrated ground game? What do democrats do now? Re-organize the state party? Both parties have to go back and study messaging. What was the impact of social media? Is $100 million the new benchmark for statewide races?

Results show how unhappy people are by Howard Lee, November 5, 2014

I believe this election simply certified just how unhappy voters are with the political landscape are trying to send a message to elected officials. the voters have spoken and our representatives have been chosen, now it is time for us to move beyond the election rhetoric and hold our representative accountable for working to keep our State strong. Several issues continue to plague election. First, I am dismayed that campaign spending reached an all time high, most of which inundated the voters over the airways with attack advertisements. Second, candidates spent too much time discrediting each other to the extent that it was never clear how they would address such issues such as improving economic opportunities, enhancing access to education, working to improve access to health care, just to mention three. I am hopeful that our elected representatives will work hard to make our State a great place to live, work and play. In spite of everything, I still miss being in the middle of the fray.

The burial ground by Joe Mavretic, November 5, 2014.

The 2014 North Carolina mid-term election was where political thumb-rules went to die.