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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT
Complete coverage of Elections 2020. Reporting on major contested races in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties.

Rep. Deb Butler Heads Into 3rd Term As Sole Democratic Legislator In Cape Fear Region

North Carolina’s House District 18 will keep its Democratic Incumbent.  Representative Deb Butler embarks on a third term with a nearly 20-point margin.  

As the only Democratic legislative leader in the Cape Fear region, Deb Butler says she will advocate for a redistricting process that takes the map-drawing power away from politicians and puts it in the hands of an independent commission.

 

"Because what has happened is when legislators draw their districts, they draw them to ensure victory for themselves. And it is a terrible power grab. It is a terrible way to do business because it pushes Democrats to the left so that they win their primary. And it pushes Republicans to the right and makes negotiating more, all the more difficult."

Her challenger, Republican Warren Kennedy is a long-time law enforcement officer who’s never held elective office.  

In House District 17, which covers the largest chunk of Brunswick County, Republican Incumbent Frank Iler beat his two-time Democratic challenger Tom Simmons to begin his sixth term. 

Rachel hosts and produces CoastLine, an award-winning hourlong conversation featuring artists, humanitarians, scholars, and innovators in North Carolina. The show airs Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 pm on 91.3 FM WHQR Public Media. It's also available as a podcast; just search CoastLine WHQR. You can reach her at rachellh@whqr.org.