Left of Old North

Today, we’re sitting down with someone who’s been in the thick of it — The Honorable Chaz Beasley.Chaz represented House District 92 in the North Carolina General Assembly, serving part of Mecklenburg County during a time of major growth and political transformation. A Yale and Georgetown Law graduate, he brought a fresh, policy-driven voice to Raleigh — and he didn’t stop there.In 2020, Chaz ran statewide for Lieutenant Governor, bringing attention to issues like economic mobility, education equity, and justice reform — all with a focus on building a North Carolina that works for everyone, not just those with power.Today, we’ll talk about his time in the legislature, lessons from running a statewide campaign, and what the future looks like for Democrats in a state where the stakes have never been higher.

In this episode, Adrian and CJ discuss the evolving narrative of patriotism on the left, highlighting efforts to reclaim the American flag as a symbol of inclusive values. They examine David Hogg's controversial $20 million initiative to challenge incumbent Democrats, sparking debates about party unity and progressive momentum.The discussion turns to the critical importance of due process amid increasing instances of political opponents being labeled as "terrorists", and talk (once again) about the contentious North Carolina Supreme Court race between Allison Riggs and Jefferson Griffin, focusing on the legal disputes over military and overseas ballots that could sway the election's outcome.Finally, Adrian and CJ reflect on the 50-50-1 protest held on April 19th, marking the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, drawing parallels between historical resistance and contemporary activism.

CJ and Adrian talk with campaign manager and Organizer Megan Wagner about running campaigns in an embattled state, how we can better reach out to dissatisfied voters in the critical swing districts, and why connecting young people to organizing is so important.We also take you inside a pivotal moment for the party’s future. Recorded just after attending the State Executive Committee meeting, this episode breaks down the sometimes mind-numbing parliamentary procedure.

Note: This episode came out later than expected due to technical difficulties. We are aware that President Trump and Elon Musk have been doing a lot already and we will be covering it in due time. Thank you.In this episode we dive into Trump’s second inauguration, the TikTok ban, and how both are shaping the political landscape. We break down why the inauguration is happening in the Capitol Rotunda, the two-tiered justice system that benefits Trump, and how Biden may have handed Trump a political win with TikTok. Plus, a look at media failures, historical parallels from Rome, and the growing power of oligarchs in shaping America.

In this episode, Adrian unpacks the certification of Trump’s presidential victory on January 6th and what it means for democracy, both nationally and here in North Carolina. He also breaks down the "Together We Rise" Rally in Raleigh on January 5th, highlighting its key messages and the grassroots energy driving progressive change in the state.The topic shifts to Allison Riggs’ razor-thin victory in the Supreme Court race, a win with major implications for voting rights and judicial balance in NC. Finally, we're looking ahead to the 2025 municipal elections, discussing the key races, issues, and strategies that progressives need to focus on to build power at the local level.Remember to subscribe and follow us on Bluesky, Facebook, etc, to stay up-to-date with the podcast and with NC politics!

(We apologize for the audio quality. We had technical difficulties and had to make it work.)In our first episode, we dive into SB 382—a so-called “Hurricane Relief Bill” that’s really a blatant power grab—and the lawsuit now challenging it. We share our firsthand account from last week’s protests at the vote, where demonstrators were thrown out of the chamber. We call out Representative Cecil Brockman for his absence and take aim at the Republicans who flipped their votes to overturn the Governor’s veto. Finally, we discuss the firing of a union leader at an NC Amazon warehouse and what it means for the fight for workers’ rights in the state.