WHO wears the crown NEXT?

Thanks to sheriff Sam Page, the state senate’s 800-lbs. gorilla is heading back home at the end of the year.  If the GOP holds onto its senate majority status, there will be a huge power void to fill.

The position of senate president pro tem — thanks to Phil Berger — has grown to be arguably the most powerful in state government.  To be able to hold that position, you have to get more votes than anyone else in the chamber.

Senators Michael Lee (district 7 – New Hanover) and Todd Johnson (district 35 – Cabarrus, Union) are the two leading competitors seeking the pro tem position. 

Right from the start, we can tell you Lee is an unacceptable choice,  He flirts around on the left side of the political spectrum a little too much.  Lee has also been way too friendly with the outgoing Berger team that has conducted a reign of terror with an iron fist in governing Jones Street’s upper chamber. 

It’s concerning that Johnson’s name has come up amidst the probe into Greater Carolina and those Kentucky distillery trips.  (He has not been charged.  We haven’t heard anything yet indicating charges are forthcoming against him.) 

The interesting point being made to me?  We’re told neither Johnson nor Lee has been able to secure the votes to lock the soon-to-be-vacant pro tem position down for themselves.  Whoever gets elected will be the new 800-lbs gorilla in town with all the power Uncle Phil has (right now) and has had.

North Carolinians – and especially Republicans – need to pay attention to this internal election in the Senate.  It could make a huge difference in how the governance of the state AND the state party proceeds in coming years.

One possible scenario? A bi-partisan ruling alliance akin to what Richard Morgan. and Jim Black perpetrated back in the day in the state House.  We got introduced to the term “co-speaker.”   That deal came about as well when no one candidate could come up with enough votes to be named speaker.