Washington’s Targeting of Nonprofits Won’t Sit Well With North Carolina Voters
Source: The Blue Ridge TimesBy: N.C. House Rep. Kevin Crutchfield
North Carolina has always been a place where community matters. From small-town churches to local nonprofits serving families in need, our state depends on organizations that step in long before a government agency ever could. That’s why the results of a recent survey sponsored by Freedom and Faith Defense Project should concern all of us as we head toward the 2026 Senate election. The findings reveal a clear warning: voters in our state are deeply uneasy with federal efforts to expand control over charities, ministries, and nonprofit groups that serve our communities every day.
According to the survey, if the 2026 congressional elections were held today, North Carolina swing voters would choose the Democratic candidate by eight points. That is a significant shift in a state long known for close races. But it is not simply about partisanship. Voters are responding to a growing sense that Washington is reaching too far into local life, targeting groups that were never meant to be political pawns.
The survey found that 33 percent of North Carolina swing voters think nonprofits, charities, and religious organizations should face more general regulation, but when asked specifically whether they support President Trump and Republicans in Congress increasing federal control, 49 percent said they oppose it. Only 23 percent support the idea. North Carolinians may believe in oversight, but they do not believe in political intimidation.
The survey also highlighted what troubles voters most. For 66 percent of North Carolina swing voters, the most concerning federal action is directing agencies to investigate and prosecute privately funded charities, ministries, and religious groups for allegedly supporting domestic terrorism, often using limited due process, vague standards, and political motivations. That should alarm anyone who knows how much our state relies on these organizations.
North Carolina’s nonprofits and ministries help families keep their lights on, support veterans, assist people recovering from addiction, and offer food, shelter, and hope during hard times. These groups aren’t “political actors.” They are lifelines. And when politicians in Washington begin labeling them as suspicious or “too political,” it doesn’t just create fear, it risks silencing the very voices that strengthen our communities.
The survey also revealed overwhelming opposition to one of the most extreme proposals floated in Washington: forcing banks to close accounts or deny services based on political or religious beliefs. Seventy percent of North Carolina swing voters oppose such a policy. Only a small fraction supports it. That level of consensus shows how strongly our state values fairness, freedom of expression, and equal treatment under the law.
As we look toward the 2026 Senate race, candidates should take these findings seriously. North Carolinians want leaders who will guard the independence of local organizations—not leaders who allow federal agencies to target them based on political winds. Voters are paying attention, and they understand the stakes.
As someone who has seen firsthand how much these groups mean to our state, I believe we must stand firm against federal overreach. Community organizations should be supported, not threatened. They should be protected, not politicized.
If North Carolina is to remain a place where neighbors help neighbors and local solutions thrive, then our elected leaders must make it clear: Washington has no business using government power to intimidate the people who strengthen our communities.
Reps speak out against proposal to grant electoral votes to Trump without counting votes
Source: Independent Tribune
Oct 29, 2024 (Updated Dec 5, 2025)
By: Rep. Kevin Crutchfield and Rep. David Willis
As elected Republicans serving North Carolina, we are compelled to speak out against a proposal that could undermine one of the core tenets of our democracy: the people’s right to vote.
Recent comments from Rep. Andy Harris, head of the House Freedom Caucus, suggesting that North Carolina’s legislature should consider awarding its electoral votes to Donald Trump before the votes are even counted, are troubling and antithetical to conservative principles. We say this as staunch supporters of President Trump and as individuals who believe in his vision for America’s future.
But our support for the president cannot come at the cost of fundamental democratic norms. The notion of pre-certifying electors without counting ballots not only risks violating state and federal law, but also sets a dangerous precedent. It erodes the integrity of the election process and ultimately threatens the foundation of free and fair elections — something we conservatives must always defend.
Even in the aftermath of hurricane Helene, the General Assembly has worked hard to ensure access to fair elections for those affected. We have fought diligently to secure our states voter integrity, as it is our duty as elected officials to facilitate the process and ensure that every eligible voter can cast their ballot — no matter whom they support. But altering the process by which electors are selected before votes are counted is not the solution — it’s a step toward government overreach and a dangerous deviation from our constitutional responsibilities.
Republicans have long championed the rule of law. It is what sets us apart from those on the radical left, who often embrace lawfare and the weaponization of government to achieve political ends. We, however, believe in law and order, accountability, and equal application of the law.
The proposal to hand over North Carolina’s electoral votes before votes are counted resembles the very tactics that we often condemn when wielded by the left. Lawfare and weaponizing government to win an election are what radical leftists do, not Republicans. Instead of looking for ways to circumvent the electoral process, we should focus our efforts on helping affected communities recover from the storm and ensuring that voters can exercise their rights. That is the conservative, constitutional approach. If Republicans start embracing the tactics we criticize, we risk losing the moral high ground and alienating the very voters who put us in office.
Furthermore, pre-certifying electors would have far-reaching implications, not only for our state but for the entire nation. Such a move would damage public trust, fueling accusations of election interference and disenfranchisement. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency. If Republicans endorse such actions, we risk becoming the very thing we oppose. Our party stands for freedom, not manipulation. For integrity, not shortcuts. For the Constitution, not political schemes. We understand the urgency of this moment. We must ensure that President Trump receives fair treatment, and we must be prepared to address any legitimate concerns about the 2024 election. But pre-certifying electors — effectively picking winners before the voters have spoken — is not the way forward. It is neither fair nor conservative, and it is not how we win elections.
If the results of the 2024 election are contested, there are legal avenues to ensure a fair review of the process. Let’s use those established mechanisms, rather than preemptive measures that trample on the rights of North Carolinians to make their voices heard. Republicans must continue to be the party of law and order, not lawlessness and disorder. We call on our colleagues to reject any attempt to subvert the election process and to stand firm for what is right — counting every vote and respecting the will of the people. Only then can we preserve the trust that voters place in us as their representatives.
In North Carolina, we don’t play games with democracy. We count votes, we follow the law, and we uphold the Constitution — no matter the circumstances. That’s how Republicans should win elections: not by changing the rules, but by earning the trust and support of the people we serve.
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