Inside the North Carolina GOP with Matt Mercer

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Mercer, Communications Director for the North Carolina GOP, to talk about the winding road that took him from journalism into the heart of state politics—and what he’s seeing from the inside now.We talk about his time working alongside Michael Whatley, how he landed in his current role, and what’s actually driving Republican momentum in North Carolina, including rising GOP voter registration and expanding influence across the state.We dig into the tension between grassroots conservatives and establishment Republicans, why unaffiliated voters matter more than ever, and the realities behind hot-button issues like gerrymandering and candidate support.Matt also opens up about media dynamics, the growing role of influencers, the long shadow of COVID-era policies under Governor Cooper, and why the 2028 gubernatorial race is already looming large.At the center of it all is strategy—unity, consistency, and relentless voter engagement—and what it will take for the GOP to keep gaining ground in North Carolina.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Matt Mercer00:24 Transition from Journalism to Politics02:07 North Carolina GOP's Recent Successes03:41 The Shift in North Carolina's Political Landscape07:27 Challenges in Blue Areas11:25 Engaging Unaffiliated Voters12:53 Controversies and Gerrymandering20:42 Grassroots vs. Establishment31:10 Upcoming Gubernatorial Race32:02 Reflecting on the 2008 North Carolina Election32:34 Republican Resurgence in North Carolina33:12 The Importance of Fundraising in Politics34:28 Out-of-State Influence in North Carolina Politics36:00 Challenges with Media Access During COVID-1938:58 Personal Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions40:19 Investigating Media Control by the Governor's Office42:23 Hurricane Relief and Political Optics59:11 The Role of Influencers in Modern Politics01:01:23 Getting Involved with the North Carolina GOPConnect with Matt Mercer:WebsiteXSponsors:Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:VenmoCash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:WebsiteInstagramXTikTokContact:cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.comTags:#MattMercer #NCGOP #NorthCarolinaPolitics #NCPOL #WhereTheDogwoodBlooms