NC Democrat Changes Parties, Strikes Back at

Back in July, RedState reported on a daring transfer made by one Democrat state lawmaker in North Carolina that paved the way in which for a invoice to change into law that mandated better cooperation and coordination between state sheriffs and federal immigration enforcement businesses.

Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg), who represents House District 106 in the state legislature, gave her House Republican colleagues the one vote they needed to full the override of Democrat Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of the invoice. It was that, and a blistering speech she gave explaining her vote, that paved the way in which for her social gathering to flip against her, and Stein to very publicly endorse one of her main challengers:

“It is time for my unapologetic fact to be shared with all of you. First, as a people, it’s time to acknowledge that it’s not just the numbers that matter. But also, where the immigrants come from and the tradition they bring about with them to another nation. As a social scientist report, all cultures aren’t equal. Some immigrants come and consider they’ll perform in isolation, refusing to adapt. They have come to our nation for many causes, but I recommend they must assimilate. Adapt to the tradition of the nation they need to live in. No nation goes to permit people to come in and not acknowledge its structure, legal systems and legal guidelines. They won’t tolerate it.”

Her full speech, where she was interrupted by other Democrats at various points, can be read here. 

READ MORE: The Story Behind the No Good, Horrible, Very Bad Day North Carolina Democrats Had

Several months later, Ms. Cunningham was punished for her views after an aggressive marketing campaign against her by Democrats and their affiliated pro-illegal alien particular curiosity teams, along with Stein, and she misplaced her March main bid to Rev. Rodney Sadler, the challenger who was endorsed by Stein (two other House Democrats who also sometimes voted with Republicans on laws and to override vetoes also misplaced their main bids).

Cunningham, who had already been on the warpath against the social gathering that had betrayed her and the seven phrases she served in the General Assembly, made them sweat in the aftermath of her main loss, saying in early April, “allow them to be nervous” about how she was going to vote in the legislative short session that would start some two weeks later.

The short session began on Tuesday. And on Friday, Cunningham dropped a political bomb on the Democrat Party and Stein: She modified her social gathering registration from Democrat to unaffiliated:

BREAKING: NC Rep Carla Cunningham has formally left the Democrat social gathering and is now registered as Unaffiliated. This comes after many democrats, including Gov Josh Stein, campaigned against her. Cunningham might be a key determine in veto overrides. #ncpol #ncga

— Brett Jensen WBT News (@Brett_Jensen) April 24, 2026

In a assertion issued after the news broke, Cunningham wrote that it was clear that her “values as a black woman no longer align with their agenda” and that she was shifting ahead “with absolute conviction.”

She also maintained her stance on unlawful immigration, noting that “we have a moral obligation to place the needs of struggling Americans above all competing agendas,” including any insurance policies that divert assets away from American residents and in the direction of unlawful aliens.

“I’ve been a Democrat all my life, but I got here to understand that I would like to serve the people, not a social gathering,” she also wrote. “Being an impartial thinker doesn’t align with social gathering politics, and I’ll never compromise the wants of my constituents to fulfill a political agenda.”

Statement from Rep. Carla Cunningham on her resolution to go away the Democratic Party and change into unaffiliated:

“I’ve been a Democrat all my life but I got here to understand that I would like to serve the people; not a social gathering. Being an impartial suppose doesn’t align with social gathering politics and I… pic.twitter.com/LN7ntUwK6X

— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) April 24, 2026

Cunningham hasn’t shared who she is going to caucus with in the short session, but with a number of veto override makes an attempt deliberate, including payments on permitless hid carry, requiring state law enforcement officers to work with ICE, and additional cracking down on DEI, Republicans have to be licking their chops at the likelihood Cunningham might be emboldened enough to come to their rescue again to help out with an override.

For those who is perhaps questioning, her transfer won’t allow her to run as an impartial in the autumn election:

To reply a query I’ve been getting from people: No, Cunningham’s social gathering swap does not influence the 2026 common election poll. Why? Because of a Democratic state senator attempting to revive a failed main marketing campaign. This comes from a guide @chriscooperwcu wrote. #ncpol pic.twitter.com/7DoZeNwEtX

— Bryan Anderson (@BryanRAnderson) April 24, 2026

Rep. Cunningham’s resolution is reminiscent of state Rep. Tricia Cotham’s swap to the Republican Party in April 2023 after years of also feeling like her social gathering deserted her. Cotham’s swap gave the GOP-led House a veto-proof majority through the end of 2024 and enraged Democrats who have tried unsuccessfully to defeat her ever since.

Unfortunately, the same did not maintain true for Cunningham, but with her announcement today, it is clear she’s not merely going to go quietly into the night time. Good for her.

Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will decide the destiny of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must preserve control of both chambers of Congress.

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