2024 Filing Follies: Jeff Tarte, the (um) “establishment”, and ‘Isn’t that Special(e)?’
“I sense something. A presence I have not felt since …”
When I hear the name Jeff Tarte, the first word that comes to mind is ‘prissy’. It’s been some time since the former liberal Republican state senator graced the pages of this fine publication. Tarte grew out of the same Mecklenburg machine that blessed us with Thom Tillis. Tarte used much of his time in Raleigh to have Tillis’ back in the then-speaker’s campaign to water down the differences between Democrats and Republicans. Tarte got evicted from Raleigh by Democrat Natasha Marcus — who now wants to be insurance commissioner — in a race that revealed nary a difference between the two major-party candidates.
Well, Jeff is back and he wants to prove to us he’s bigger and better than Beth Wood. I thought I’d comb through the Haymaker archives to give you all a refresher on Tarte. While on Jones Street, Tarte was a huge fan of vaccine mandates — even acting to do away with 
religious exemptions.
Then-senator Tarte also tried to find some solidarity with The Round Rev – aka Bill Barber – himself by lamenting the decline of black neighborhoods due to “gentrification.” (Gentrification is a leftist word used to describe the demolishing of slums and projects and replacing them with new, shiny buildings that non-black folks actually might want to live in. (It’s bad when folks try to block people of color from moving in. But somehow it’s okey-dokey for black folks to be upset over the prospect of white folks moving into the neighborhood.)
Thom Tillis and then-Gov. Pat McCrory were clamoring for toll roads on I-77 at the time. Tarte’s constituents were about to riot against the idea. Tarte appeared to be more afraid of incurring the wrath of Tillis and McCrory.
Tarte also suffered from a pork problem while on Jones Street.
At one point, it appeared to be coin toss whether Tarte would remain calm or go all Bob Etheridge on someone trying to ask him a question.
Tarte has been a good soldier over the years for Thom Tillis. Tillis has not been much of a soldier at all for conservatism or the party platform. Is the return of Tarte part of Tillis’s suddenly higher profile in state politics? Madison Cawthorn, and now Mark Robinson.
Selective outrage over ‘The Establishment.’
The Mark Robinson fan club has tried to label ME and this site as “establishment.” They’ve tried this all while Jim Blaine, of all people, has been discreetly driving the Robinson campaign operation. (I’m seeing and hearing Mike Luethy’s name around the Robinson campaign as well.) This has also happened while Robinson himself has endorsed senate majority whip Jim Perry who was facing the threat of a conservative primary challenger, as well as Tim Moore and Phil Berger. Robinson also heaped big-time praise on retiring congressman Patrick McHenry, a long-time fixture in GOP leadership in the US House.
A lot of the folks following Robinson’s campaign are new to politics, so I’ll do what I can to clarify things. If you hang around and call ‘the shots’ in the party or in your particular legislative chamber — regardless of election outcomes – you are ‘the establishment.’ Lobbyists, consultants and aides who hang around the gears of power year-in and year-out, despite election results, are ‘the establishment.’
I bring inconvenient facts to light. I make things public that a lot of people don’t want to be public. But I don’t call ANY shots when it comes to running the North Carolina Republican Party or state government. (BOY, things would be a lot better IF I DID.)
People like former state Reps. Michael Speciale and Larry Pittman and John Blust and John Rhodes were what you call counter-establishment. They tried to change things from the outside — just like the Tea Party and MAGA have tried to do.
People who enjoy government and try to make a career of it are a big part of the problem. That’s why I proudly wrap myself in the counter-establishment mantle.
Mark Robinson is surrounded by a lot of establishment and has endorsed a lot of establishment folks – protecting them from a counter-establishment challenge. His family business is totally funded by tax revenue from the NC DHHS. Government is important to the 
Robinsons. It puts a roof over their heads and food on their plates.
Be careful when you are pointing fingers. When you do that, there are almost always some fingers pointing back in your direction.
Isn’t that Special(e)?
Speaking of Michael Speciale, it appears the former state House conservative gadfly is attempting a political comeback. He left the House in 2021. But it appears he’s back in 2024 to take a shot at the newly-drawn Senate District 3 seat – Lenoir, Craven, and Beaufort counties. This possibly sets up a primary showdown with senate majority whip Jim Perry – a resident of Lenoir county. (Speciale has filed. State elections records do not indicate that Perry has. You have to live in a legislative district you seek to represent.)
The Raleigh establishment does not relish the idea of Speciale being back on Jones Street. Perry is a good friend to the PAC and lobbying community. He’s good at spreading goodies, paid for by other people, across the countryside.
I’ve touched base with some sources in the area to try and gauge Speciale’s prospects.
A good chunk of the territory in the district includes areas previously represented by Speciale in the House. The area is very conservative, which is a plus for Speciale. But Perry is very tight with the PACS and party leadership, who would much prefer him to Speciale’s conservative independent streak. Raleigh will open its checkbooks wide for Perry. Speciale has been notorious for anemic fundraising. But his shoe-leather grassroots campaigning style kept him afloat in Raleigh for many a term.
This race should be one to watch — should it materialize. It should also be a good chance for folks unhappy with Raleigh’s GOP establishment to fire a shot across the bow.
As a former Chairman of Craven County and Third District Republicans for 2 terms each I am delighted and encouraged by Michael Speciale’s decision to run to serve Craven, Lenoir and Beaufort Counties in the NC Senate.. Everyone who knows Michael knows that he spent 4 terms serving the people of the then District 3 (Craven, Pamlico and Beaufort Counties) in the NC House with little concern about PAC money or the Raleigh establishment. A proponent of free thinking, independent action and thoughtful votes and legislation it will be refreshing to be represented by “one of us” in the NC Senate as Craven County is in the House by Steve Tyson. Big money interests may believe they can win in Eastern Carolina but I think that principled, selfless, thoughtful candidates will., From School Board races to the Governors race, integrity, principles and willingness to discuss and defend your record and votes with your constituents is both important and recognized by voters..Welcome back, Michael.
Carl, I concur with you strongly. In my case I have had two terms as Beaufort County GOP chairman and three terms as congressional district chairman of the district that covered all three counties in the present state senate district. Mike Speciale was an activist who worked hard in the party before he was elected to the legislature. He paid his dues and he was a known quantity who has always been solid on conservative issues. Jim Perry was a total unknown who had not been active in the party when he cut some deals to get an appointment to a Senate vacancy. When I heard that “Jim Perry” got the appointment, I assumed it was Jimbo Perry, who is a different person, who did have a history as a party activist in Lenoir County, but it turned out otherwise.
One huge difference is who each of them look toward on policy.. In his terms in the state House, Mike Speciale was always open to his consituents and their positions, and stood strong on Republican principles. He regularly held town halls during the legislative sessions to keep in touch with voters and held them in all parts of his district. He did not let his vote get swayed by the special interests. We have never seen Perry hold a town hall in Beaufort County or heard of one anywhere else in the district. When it comes to issues, he seems to put his finger in the air to see which way the winds from the leadership and from special interests that might give him some campaign money are blowing. He has been known to tell constituents to their face that he did not care what they thought in those very words.
These two candidates are polar opposites in so many ways, and the return of Mike Speciale to the legislature will be a breath of fresh air in so many ways.
A salute to Michael Speciale!!!
The NC Senate can use a few more grass roots conservatives like Michael Speciale. A decorated veteran- also a plus. We need more public servants in local and state office who have put their lives on the line for our country. Wishing Michael all the best!
Welcome back Michael Speciale.
Jim Perry announced this morning that he is not filing for re-election. Haven’t heard definitely if anyone else has filed against Mike Speciale.
It appears that Michael Speciale will face Bob Brinson in the Republican primary. Charles Dudley has filed on the Democrat side in the state Senate District 3 race.