(The Center Square) – North Carolina’s Republicans were united with praise and its Democrats unsurprisingly in rejection to the State of the Union on Tuesday night.
The 108-minute delivery from second-term Republican President Donald Trump intertwined the nation’s ninth largest state with ties to his policy initiatives, military readiness and the pocketbooks of the more than 11.1 million population.
“From securing our border and strengthening our national defense to addressing the affordability crisis, President Trump is clearly focused on strengthening our country at every level, despite what he was handed,” said Rep. Brad Knott, R-N.C. “We must do more to support his agenda for the American people. North Carolinians in particular are relying on and will benefit from the ‘America First’ policies President Trump discussed tonight.”
Rep. Valerie Foushee, D-N.C., was one of 70 Democrats boycotting the annual event. Fifteen senators – 14 Democrats and one independent – also stayed away. She said she would “not lend my presence to a speech that ignores the lived realities of millions.”
“I was in the room, and from beginning to end,” said Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C., “the president is trying to tell the American people that their lived experience isn’t what’s really going on.
“I think his speech was a disgrace, and the American people know better.”
Rep. Dr. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., seeking reelection from one of two redrawn congressional districts, said the president has fulfilled promises on border security and inflation.
“President Trump is right – the American people deserve high-quality affordable health care,” Murphy said. “I’m proud to be the only practicing surgeon in Congress and fight to improve Medicare, lower drug costs, and take on the biggest lobby in Washington, greedy health insurance companies.”
North Carolina has two Republicans in the Senate, and 10 in the House of Representatives. Four Democrats are in the House. Midterm elections include a national spotlight on the seats held by second-term Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and second-term Democratic Rep. Don Davis.
Tillis’ seat is expected to go either to former Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, or former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley. Davis is in the northeastern congressional district last won by a Republican in the 1882 elections and in November trying to fend off the survivor of a five-candidate primary.
“His message was crystal clear,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., of Trump. “To the American people: Your country is safer, stronger, and more prosperous than it was just one year ago. To the world, America is back.”
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., seeking reelection to a 12th term, is chairwoman of the powerful Rules Committee in the House. She and her panel, through social media, emphasized a graphic that illustrated “15% tax cut for $55K-$80K earners; egg prices down by more than 90%; $10K USA auto loan tax break; no tax on tips or overtime pay; permanently expands $2K+ child tax credit.”
Attribution for egg prices was not included. Analysis since Inauguration Day by The Center Square indicates price trends vary by location. For example, in Raleigh, one dozen large eggs on average are up 44 cents in the year-plus timeframe while Bureau of Labor Statistics data and the U.S. Department of Agriculture show some wholesale prices as low as 92 cents per dozen and down 80% from peaks in 2025.
Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C., said, “President Trump reaffirmed his bold, visionary agenda for a stronger, more prosperous union. The pro-growth tax, regulatory, and energy policies we have put in place have lowered gas prices and stabilized the cost of living – which had been driven by the rampant inflation stoked by wasteful COVID-era spending. Investment and jobs are returning to America from overseas. We are cutting wasteful spending and rebuilding our military. After four years of open border policies which allowed drug dealers and criminals to enter the United States at their pleasure, our border is finally now secure.”
“Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts,” said Rep. Tim Moore, R-N.C., “families are keeping more of their hard-earned money, small businesses are growing, and we’re seeing real relief at home in North Carolina, especially during this tax season.”
