HB2 Battle Could Decide NC Governor’s Race

CHARLOTTE, NC — The race for North Carolina governor is all about the HB2 blame game. Both candidates are calling the other out for the national embarrassment and negative economic impact. And it could be the deciding factor in a tight race.

“What is going on in North Carolina?” said NC Attorney General Roy Cooper at a recent campaign stop in Charlotte.

“It’s the elephant in the room,” said Governor Pat McCrory while campaigning in the Queen City.

That elephant is House Bill 2. And it is leaving a giant footprint on the gubernatorial race. Both incumbent governor Pat McCrory and his challenger, Roy Cooper, have been campaigning hard in Charlotte. In a normal election, the hot topics are jobs, the economy and education. But this election it’s gender identity, discrimination and bathrooms.

“This HB2 issue has basically dominated since the introduction in the spring,” said Catawba College political science professor Dr. Michael Bitzer. “And my thinking is, it’s going to continue all the way through November 8th.”

The controversial law continues to have a devastating economic impact on the state, and the Queen City, with the NBA, NCAA and ACC all pulling major sporting events; and ever-mounting business and tourism losses.

“We have a governor, and legislative leaders, who are putting partisan ideology ahead of jobs, and schools, and best interests of our state,” said Cooper.

“We’re going to recognize men and women based upon their anatomy, not based upon this new concept of gender identity and gender expression,” said McCrory.

HB2 also highlights the political split in North Carolina between voters in urban and rural areas; a difference that could decide the governor’s race.

“13 counties will deliver 50% of the vote come November,” said Dr. Bitzer. “And that’s your urban areas. So the divide is going to be really crucial for both sides.”

Cooper currently has a 3.6% lead over McCrory in a Real Politics polling average of six different sources.