Carolina experts available for interviews ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections

UNC-Chapel Hill faculty experts are available to provide context and analysis on the issues shaping North Carolina's 2026 midterm elections, from proposed constitutional amendments and local prosecutor races to campaign strategy, political communication and the role of political parties. Experts can help reporters explain what's at stake for voters, how these races and ballot measures could affect state and local government, and the broader political and policy dynamics to watch as Election Day approaches.

Election dynamics and political parties: Daniel DiSalvo, a political scientist and expert on American political parties, elections and state government, can provide context on the dynamics shaping this year's races. He can discuss how political parties and elections shape American government and public policy, as well as what voters should watch as Election Day approaches.

National races, polarization, populism and the political environment:Jeff Spinner-Halev can comment on national midterm races and the broader political dynamics shaping the 2026 elections, including political polarization, populism, how Americans view opposing political groups, democratic equality, national identity and the growing difficulty of maintaining civic respect across partisan divides. His research examines tensions within contemporary democratic theory and the relationship between political identities and democratic life.

Campaign strategy and messaging: Christina Reynolds brings extensive experience in political campaigns, government and strategic communications. She can provide a practitioner's perspective on campaign strategy, candidate messaging, rapid response, debate preparation and how campaigns respond to breaking developments during an election.

Constitutional Amendments: Marcus Gadson, one of the nation's leading authorities on state constitutions, can explain the proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot this November and what they would change. He can provide context on how putting these provisions in the state constitution could affect North Carolina's state and local governments and what voters should understand before casting their ballots.

Election law and proposed property tax amendments: Rick Su, an election law and administrative law expert, can provide context on federal actions affecting voter registration records, including recent USPS-related executive orders and the role of the Department of Homeland Security in election oversight and poll monitoring. He can also explain the proposed constitutional amendment related to local property taxes and what voters should understand about the measure.

Prosecutor elections: Carissa Hessick, a criminal law expert and director of the Prosecutors and Politics Project, can provide context on the role and impact of local prosecutor races. Her research examines how prosecutor elections shape criminal justice policy and accountability, and she can explain why these often-overlooked local races can have significant implications for communities.

Race and political communication: Meredith D. Clark can speak about race, political communication and digital communities. She can provide context on how race and identity shape political discourse, how political narratives spread online and how historically underrepresented communities participate in and respond to digital political conversations.

In addition to election experts, Carolina experts are also available to comment on some of the most pressing current issues that are dominating conversations on local and federal political stages. These include:

Fertility and population trends: Karen Guzzo, Ph.D. can comment on fertility and birth rates and how societal challenges like inflation, childcare and healthcare costs and general uncertainty impact people's choices whether to have children. Nathan Dollar, Ph.D. can speak to population trends and impacts to communities including schools closing.

Ultra-processed foods: Lindsey Smith Tallie, Ph.D. and Barry Popkin, Ph.D. can discuss regulation of ultra-processed foods.

Natural disasters: Miyuki Hino, Ph.D. can discuss the effects of climate change on coastal communities.