North Carolina: A 'First in Flight' state, celebrates historic aviation milestone

North Carolina, a state in the Southeastern region, is the 28th-largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. At the 2020 census, the state had a population of 10,439,388. Raleigh is the state’s capital and Charlotte is its most populous city. Originally home to Carolina Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan tribes, the state joined the Union as the 12th state on November 21, 1789. It seceded to join the Confederacy in 1861 but was readmitted on July 4, 1868. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully piloted the world’s first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The state honors this milestone with the slogan “First in Flight” on its licence plates

Who are the voters?

In North Carolina, White voters constitute approximately 70-75% of the electorate, while Black voters make up around 20-25%. Asian voters account for about 2-5% of the electorate, with the migrant voter population included within this group. These figures represent general estimates and can fluctuate with demographic changes and new census data.

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Is it Democrat or Republican?

Like many other southern states, North Carolina voted almost exclusively Democratic from 1876 through 1964 and almost exclusively Republican beginning in 1968. The initial shift was largely in response to white conservative voter uneasiness with the civil rights legislation passed in the mid-1960s, which was effectively exploited by the Republicans “southern strategy.” In 2008, Barack Obama reversed the trend of Republican dominance here, although just barely, defeating John McCain by about 14,000 votes out of 4.3 million cast.

Is it a swing state?

North Carolina is considered a swing state. The state’s electoral outcomes have varied in recent presidential elections. For instance, North Carolina supported Republican candidates Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020, but it also backed Democrat Barack Obama in 2008. The state’s diverse demographic, including significant urban and rural populations, along with changing political attitudes, contributes to its swing state status. This competitiveness makes it a key target for campaign efforts from both major parties. In state and local elections, North Carolina often exhibits similar competitive dynamics, with control of the state legislature and governorship frequently shifting between parties

Has it given the US a president?

North Carolina has not produced a US President. While the state has contributed significantly to American history and politics, including being the birthplace of US presidents Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk, neither of these presidents is formally regarded as coming from North Carolina in the context of their presidential careers.

If there is any memorable election for the state?

A memorable presidential election involving North Carolina was the 2008 election, where North Carolina played a pivotal role in the outcome of the presidential race. In this election, Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, won the state by a narrow margin, securing North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes. This victory was significant as it marked the first time North Carolina had supported a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1976. The win was crucial for Obama’s overall victory and highlighted North Carolina’s status as a competitive swing state. The state’s shift in political alignment demonstrated its growing influence in national elections.