ROBINSON & STEIN WIN;
JACKSON DEFEATS DEBERRY;
GREEN TO FACE MORROW
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
In unofficial results from Tuesday’s March 5th primaries, there were few surprises as the Democratic and Republican winners for NC governor, lt. governor, state attorney general, state superintendent and Council of State offices will face-off in the November 5th general election.
In the marquee race of the evening, Democrat state Atty. Gen. Josh Stein and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson triumphed in their respective NC gubernatorial primaries unofficially to win the right to face-off in what is expected to be one of the most expensive and closely watched governor’s races in the nation.
In early returns, Stein, with 62% of the statewide Democratic primary vote counted, dominated the five-candidate field, clinching with 70% of the vote.
Retired NC Associate Justice Mike Morgan came in second with just 14% of the vote. The three remaining candidates in the Democratic primary totaled 14%.
In the Republican primary with 62% counted, Robinson manhandled his opposition, clinching with 65%, defeating state Treasurer Dale Folwell’s 19%, and Salisbury Atty Bill Graham, who despite spending at least $3 million of his own money on television advertising, only notched 16%.
Also with 52% of the statewide Republican vote counted at press time, former Pres. Donald Trump led former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, 75% to 22%.
In the Democratic presidential primary, incumbent pres. Joe Biden dominated the voting with 89%, against a vote of “no preference”, which only logged in 11%.
With 38% of the statewide Democratic lt. governor primary vote reporting, Rachel hunt, daughter of former Gov. James B. Hunt, won her three-way race with 70%. Former State Senator Ben Clark came in second with 18%, and Mark H. Robinson came in third with just 12%.
In the Democratic primary for state attorney general, former Congressman Jeff Jackson defeated Durham District Attorney Satana Deberry, 55% to 33%, with 44% of the statewide vote counted.
With 56% of the vote reported, educator-attorney Maurice Green, the former superintendent of Guilford County Schools, led a three-way Democratic primary race with 66% of the vote for state supt. of public instruction. Green will face off against conservative Michele Morrow, who defeated incumbent Catherine Truitt in the Republican primary, 52% to 48%.
At press rime, in several Republican primary races for Congress and state auditor , no candidate had reached the required 30% plus one threshold to win outright.
2024 NC EARLY VOTING
NUMBERS WEAK
COMPARED TO 2020
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
As of Saturday, March 3rd, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, the NC absentee and early voting numbers for the 2024 March primary elections totaled 690,277.
Compared to the 2020 NC primary election absentee and early ballot total of 794,379, that’s considerably less than officials hoped for.
The total number of registered eligible voters in the state is 7,468,149 (2,415,077 Democrats; 2,241,156 Republicans; 2,751,776 Unaffiliated; 50,326 Libertarian; 2,062 Green Party and 7,752 No Labels Party) so the absentee/early voting turnout for 2024 of just 690, 277 was just 9.24%.
The number of absentee/early ballots cast by party was 247,509 Democrat; 245,861 Republican; 196,192 Unaffiliated; 675 Libertarian; 17 Green Party; and 23 No Labels Party.
In North Carolina, voter registration by race shows 4,839,443 white (64.80%); 1,490,725 black(19.96%); and other 1, 137,981 (15.24%).
Per the 690,277 total NC absentee/early voting for the 2024 primaries, whites were 518,073 (10.71% turnout, 75.05% of the vote); blacks were 128,594 (8.63% turnout, and 18.63% of the vote); and other was 43,610 (3.83% turnout, and 6.32% of the vote).
Females outvoted males statewide 53.83% to 42.82%.
By county, Guilford cast 36,303 absentee/early votes; while Mecklenburg cast 54,403; New Hanover 16,445; Buncombe 27,395 and Granville 4,597.
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ST. AUG INTERIM PRESIDENT DR. MARCUS BURGESS
CAN ST. AUG’S SURVIVE
ITS UNCERTAIN FUTURE?
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
Given the troubling news and events over the past six months, students, faculty, staff, administrators and supporters of St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh are all asking the same question - can it survive its mounting challenges?
No stranger to negative headlines in recent stories, St. Aug’s, as it’s affectionately known by its alumni and supporters, is fighting for its very existence amid reports of its accreditation being revoked by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission; creditors (including the federal government) banging on its doors for millions in outstanding debts, and a growing pile of lawsuits and complaints by former employees.
Amid its struggles, SAU’s interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess, assured the school community recently that “SAU will keep its doors open, and we have a clear plan to navigate the challenges ahead.”
Dr. Burgess also assured that “Our seniors will still graduate with a degree from an accredited institution, and our students will still receive college credit for their courses. Additionally, financial aid will continue to be honored, and we dedicate ourselves to ensuring that it remains unaffected by recent developments.”
With graduations traditionally scheduled for just nine weeks away, Dr. Burgess’ declaration that there will be a 2024 senior graduating class is a hopeful sign, given reports that many students have said they have no choice but to leave SAU early, given reported problems with their financial aid, and the school’s struggles to maintain its accreditation and fiscal solvency.
Burgess is able to assure that SAU will maintain some semblance of accreditation over the near future because it is entitled to that by SACSCOC while it legally fights to maintain its status.
“Importantly, SAU will remain accredited throughout the arbitration and litigation processes,” the interim leader said in a statement last Friday.
SACSCOC formally removed SAU from its accreditation membership last December, informing the school in January. SAU then appealed that decision, only to lose subsequently.
SACSCOC had placed SAU on probation since 2022, citing the school’s failure to meet fiscal responsibility requirements.
“We are committed to completing the arbitration proceedings within 90 calendar days,” Dr. Burgess continued. “If necessary, we will move quickly upon the completion of arbitration to file a lawsuit against SACSCOC seeking an injunction that, if granted, will allow SAU to remain accredited with SACSCOC on Probation for Good Cause until the conclusion of litigation.”
“We are committed to following the due process. We are prepared to engage in the arbitration and, if necessary, litigation proceedings with confidence and determination.”
If arbitration fails, attorneys for SAU would petition the court for an injunction to stop the loss of accreditation.
“We will move quickly to file a lawsuit against SACSCOC seeking an injunction that, if granted, will allow Saint Augustine’s University to remain accredited with SACSCOC on Probation for Good Cause until the conclusion of litigation,” said Dr. Burgess in a statement.
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