"Democrats Push Deep into Trump Territory in North Carolina Amid Tight Race"
On a September Sunday morning, the Mt Lebanon AME Zion Church was alive with a blend of gospel music, prayer, and politics. Reverend Javan Leach, standing before his congregation, urged them to recognize the gravity of the upcoming election.
“This is a very, very important, very, very dangerous opportunity,” he said. “If we don’t use our voice and our presence, it’s as if we’re voting for the other side.”
“Amen,” echoed throughout the crowd.
The church, nestled in Pasquotank County on North Carolina’s northeastern coast, is part of a rare Democratic pocket in an otherwise conservative region. In 2008, rural Black voters like those in the church were instrumental in helping Barack Obama win the state—the only Democratic victory in North Carolina since the 1970s. Since then, however, support has waned. In 2020, Joe Biden narrowly won the county by just 62 votes.
While Trump claimed North Carolina by 1.3% in 2020, current polls suggest a tight race between him and Kamala Harris. Democrats are focusing not only on their strongholds in urban centers but also on making gains in conservative rural areas.
Democratic organizers are venturing into regions where they’ve historically had little presence, hoping to generate crucial votes in unexpected places. Onslow County, a deeply red area along the southeastern coastline, is one such target.
Last month, a small group of Democrats gathered at a local bed-and-breakfast to discuss strategy over pulled pork sandwiches. North Carolina Democratic Party Chairwoman Anderson Clayton addressed the group, encouraging them not to hide their political affiliation despite living in conservative areas. “We don’t have to be afraid to be Democrats in rural communities,” she said, standing amid picnic tables adorned with blue balloons and Democratic slogans. “We should be proud of that.”
Clayton’s optimism was unfazed, even as a truck displaying a large Trump flag rumbled past. “There’s a political realignment happening in rural North Carolina,” she proclaimed. “People will see it, whether they choose to or not.”
Democrats have ramped up efforts, opening 28 offices across the state, including in Republican strongholds like Onslow. They’ve also enlisted thousands of volunteers, all while Republicans take notice of the expanded Democratic ground game.
While Democratic outreach is gaining momentum, challenges remain. Hurricane Helene’s devastation in late September left many areas reeling. The storm killed at least 95 people in North Carolina, with dozens more missing. Communities, particularly in Buncombe County where the Democratic stronghold Asheville is located, were severely affected. Residents there are struggling without basic utilities, complicating traditional voter outreach efforts like door-to-door canvassing. “It’s hard to say, but the storm might hurt our chances,” said Kathie Kline, Buncombe County’s Democratic chair.
Republicans, too, are intensifying their efforts in the state. Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, emphasized North Carolina’s critical role in their campaign. “It’s tough for us to win without this state,” Vance said.
On the Republican side, grassroots volunteers like Adele Walker are stepping up. Walker, a longtime Republican and first-time canvasser, has been knocking on doors in rural areas, including engaging with Spanish-speaking voters. “It’s such an important election,” she said, recounting an encounter with a Honduran woman who had never been approached by political campaigners before.
Meanwhile, at Mt Lebanon Church, Reverend Leach continues to rally his congregation. He emphasizes the importance of voting, drawing parallels to the fight for civil rights decades ago. “We can’t let them take us back 40, 50, 60 years,” he warned.
For many in the congregation, like 85-year-old William Overton, the stakes are personal. Overton, a staunch Harris supporter, is particularly concerned about abortion rights, recalling how his wife received life-saving medical care after a miscarriage in 1964—care that is now restricted in some states.
While the Democratic push is energizing many voters, the challenge remains in mobilizing the undecided. Justin Herman, a 25-year-old who voted for Biden in 2020, expressed uncertainty about whether he would vote at all this time. “I don’t know much about Kamala,” he admitted. “I don’t really relate to either candidate.”
It’s this sense of disconnection that Democrats will need to address if they hope to tip the scales in battleground states like North Carolina. Reverend Leach’s message of “mission possible” hangs in the air, but it will take more than energy—it will take votes.
