NC Dems in Disarray After Fed-Up Democrat Lawmaker Hints at Move That Could Have National Implications

As I've noted before, there is never a dull moment in North Carolina politics. That has certainly been the case over the last six weeks or so.

For instance, we have a state Supreme Court race that has yet to be decided due to its closeness and the GOP candidate not conceding (while the Democrat in the race is calling him a threat to democracy because of course). We'll have an update on that situation in a later piece.

There has also been a hotly debated post-Election Day Hurricane Helene relief bill that passed both chambers but which faced staunch opposition from Democrats including Gov. Roy Cooper, and his successor, State Attorney General Josh Stein, on grounds that it included so-called "power grabs" designed to weaken Stein's power and shift responsibilities and structures for some state agencies and officeholders once he takes office.

Though the bill passed, it was vetoed by Cooper. Because Republicans in the General Assembly still have a supermajority through the end of the year (in the new year, they'll be short one vote in the House), Cooper's veto was overridden with the support of every Republican in both chambers.

While lawsuits are expected under the NC Dems' "sue 'til blue" strategy (as Republicans here call it), a side development has erupted from the veto override that took place last week that has sent state Democrats into a tailspin.

Two Democrat House lawmakers were absent from the veto override vote: Reps. Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford) and Joe John (D-Wake).

It was learned after the fact that Rep. John was out for a pre-scheduled throat cancer treatment. Brockman, however, has unleashed hell on his Democrat colleagues after some of them criticized him for missing the vote even though Republicans would have been successful in the override whether he was there or not.:

Brockman says because he didn’t show up, the party sent people after him following the chamber’s veto override vote, even as he opened up about his mental health struggles.
“The depravity of the establishment within the NC Democratic Party knows no bounds,” the statement reads. “After gathering the strength to share with the world about my struggle with mental health, the party has sent angry mobs after me.”
[...]
Further criticizing the North Carolina Democratic Party, Brockman said that the party would rather have people sacrifice their own community’s needs for the interests of the white Democratic elite.
“Let me make it plain and clear for you: Over these next two years, you need me. I do not need you.”

Here's Brockman's full letter:

Rep. Brockman’s statement on last week’s veto override: pic.twitter.com/EJUB6ZCTC1
— Cecil Brockman (@CecilBrockman) December 16, 2024

Brockman, I should note, faced a primary challenge this year because there were Democrat coalitions who felt like he voted with Republicans too much and missed other votes they said he shouldn't have. It's a similar situation that was faced by Rep. Tricia Cotham, who eventually switched parties in 2023 and in the process gave Republicans the extra vote they needed in the House to complete veto overrides.

Interestingly, a Brockman party switch has been floated before. Except this time around, he isn't ruling out the possibility in the upcoming session despite being in a reliably blue district:

Asked on Monday if he plans to stay in the party during next year’s legislative session, Brockman told The News & Observer in a text message that he has been a “lifelong Democrat,” and that instead of “fighting other Democrats, I would rather see our party focus on doing things a successful one does to win back the majority.”
When asked if he had ruled out switching parties entirely, Brockman said: “I would just say that this is the exact same behavior that pushed Tricia Cotham out of our party. Everyone has their limits.”

A party switch by Brockman (or deciding to work more closely with the GOP) would have national implications as Cotham's did, as it would allow Republicans to push their priorities through and override Stein's expected vetoes of them.

Though in turn that likely would lead to lawsuits from Democrats - as has been par for the course here for some time - it would put state Republicans in a much better position to keep Stein neutered politically speaking while they build the GOP's coalition to try and make the state more red from a policy perspective as well as in future election cycles.

Reactions from Republicans and Democrats alike to Brockman's blistering letter give a good idea as to where things are with state Dems right about now.

For instance, here's former state Sen. Joel Ford who, like Brockman, is a black Democrat who was ostracized by party leaders because he sometimes worked with Republicans:

Stay encouraged and keep the faith. @NCDemParty have left us- and they don’t have anything for our now. https://t.co/nwvceYN39M
— Joel Ford (@joeldford) December 16, 2024

Former NC House member Marcus Brandon (D):

I want to personally thank all of the black elected officials and leaders who have reached out Rep CecilBrockman. For him the solidarity and true compassion has been uplifting. All of us have to deal with the toxic behavior of the delusional wing of our party. He will be ok. Keep lifting him up in your prayers.

Former NC House member Scott Stone (R):

You always represented your constituents honorably and put their interests first. While we didn't agree on all issues, I enjoyed serving with you and respected your deliberate approach. If your party doesn't want you, come on over. The GOP is a big tent.

State GOP spokesman Matt Mercer:

Strong points by @CecilBrockman and yet another devastating indictment of @NCDemParty leadership.

If this is how they treat a member of their own party, imagine what they'd do if they had actual power in the legislature.#NCPOL #NCGA https://t.co/VKyxSFxDpt
— Matt Mercer (@mattmercer) December 16, 2024