REP. CARLA CUNNINGHAM
MECKLENBURG GOP
“STRONGLY SUPPORTS”
REP. CUNNINGHAM
LEAVING DEMOCRATS
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
The Mecklenburg County Republican Party has issued a statement supporting former Democratic Rep. Carla Cunningham’s (District 106) decision to leave the Democratic Party after losing the March primary.
Cunningham was defeated decisively by Rev. Rodney Sadler in a three-candidate Democratic primary once Gov. Josh Stein and the NC Democratic Party decided to support Rev. Sadler after she voted with House Republicans frequently, including to override Stein’s veto, and also delivered what many considered to be a fiery and insensitive “all cultures are not equal” floor speech against undocumented immigrants last year.
There was considerable community outrage after Cunningham’s remarks, causing the influential Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg not to endorse her for reelection.
Last Friday, Rep. Cunningham - who will remain in office until next December serving House District 106 - announced that she had officially switched her political party affiliation from Democrat to unaffiliated.
Her full statement read:
After four years of growing misalignment with party leadership and following her historic vote for the state budget that triggered Medicaid Expansion into law; Representative Cunningham has chosen to place the people above the party. “I have been a Democrat all my life, but I came to realize that I want to serve the people; not a party. Being an independent thinker does not align with party politics, and I will never compromise the needs of my constituents to satisfy a political agenda,” said Representative Cunningham. In recent months, Representative Cunningham has faced a troubling wave of hostility from individuals outside of District 106, fueled by the actions of the NC Governor and the North Carolina Democratic Party. She has responded with resolve: “It is clear that my values as a Black woman no longer align with their agenda. I have my family’s full support, and I move forward with absolute conviction.” Representative Cunningham is equally steadfast in her belief that parents hold the sacred right to guide their children through life; shaping their values, protecting their well-being, and navigating their futures without government overreach. She is equally committed to ensuring that the urgent needs of hardworking, struggling Americans are elevated above all else.
“There are families in this district who are fighting every single day just to survive. We have a moral obligation to place the needs of struggling Americans above all competing agendas; including policies that would extend the resources and protections of this government to those who have entered this country unlawfully, at the expense of citizens who have long been underserved,” she stated. As an Unaffiliated representative, Cunningham’s message to all elected officials is clear: “We were elected to serve the people, not the party. It is vital that we work together for the betterment of every North Carolinian; and I will always stand on the side of the people.”
Even though Rep. Cunningham did not join the NCGOP, Kyle Kirby, chairman of the Mecklenburg County Republican Party, issued a statement of strong support for her move.
Kirby wrote in part:
“The Mecklenburg County Republican Party expresses its strong support for Carla Cunningham and her courageous decision to change her party affiliation from Democrat to unaffiliated.”
“The Mecklenburg County Republican Party stands firmly behind Representative Cunningham and her decision as she continues her service in the North Carolina General Assembly. We are confident that she will fulfill the remainder of her term with dignity, independent judgment and a continued focus on the people of Mecklenburg County.”
As an unaffiliated state representative, Cunningham is now free to caucus with either the Republican House majority or the Democratic House minority, and can vote with other party anytime she chooses.
The outgoing Rep. Cunningham has represented House District 106 in North Mecklenburg County as a Democrat for seven terms. She is the second Mecklenburg County Democrat to leave the party since since 2023, when Rep. Tricia Cotham left to join the NC Republican Party.
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NC AUDITOR REPORTS ON
NC A&T ALLEGED MISUSE
OF $5 MILLION IN AID
By Cash Michaels
A criminal referral has been made to the State Bureau of Investigation after the NC State Auditor’s Office determined that more than $5 million in financial aid has reportedly been distributed to ineligible recipients at NC A&T State University.
In an Investigative Special Report, State Auditor Dave Boliek indicated that after university officials informed his office about the matter, it was discovered that the school’s Division of Business and Finance reportedly gave financial assistance to students “…without evidence of merit or need-based criteria between 2017 - 2025.”
Those students involved - some of whom were family members of university employees - allegedly received the funds because of their connections with former senior university officials, totaling $5.1 million. Auditor determined that the source of those funds was the ARF (Administrative Recovery Funds), which come from fees charged to students for housing, parking and dining.
In one of many cases, the former assistant vice chancellor for business and finance’s daughter was awarded $14,888. In another, the former vice chancellor for business and finance awarded an out-of-state student $49,024, then signed off on tuition assistance for that student’s two friends totaling almost $50,000.
“Through our investigations, we at the State Auditor’s Office seek to hold individuals accountable for misguided actions,” State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a press release. “What’s been uncovered at NC A&T represents gross misconduct. Given the findings of our investigation, we’ve made a criminal referral to the State Bureau of Investigation, and I have fully informed and updated the Guilford County District Attorney. I want to thank NC A&T Chancellor Martin for working with the State Auditor’s Office and for the corrective actions being taken on this matter.”
NC A&T Chancellor James Martin II said in a statement that, “I am grateful to Auditor Boliek and his team for the thoroughness and professionalism of their review,” he said. “Our students deserve to know that every dollar they pay is managed with integrity, and the corrective actions we have taken reflect that commitment. We welcomed the Office of the State Auditor’s review, we support the referral to the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office and State Bureau of Investigation, and we will continue to cooperate fully.”
Martin said those senior officials directly involved in the scandal no longer work at the university, and new, corrective policies to ensure that funds are never improperly awarded again to unqualified students should be fully in place by Dec. 31st.
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