civitas action

April 3, 2013 - Over the last week, GOP lawmakers have unleashed a flurry of bills that would make sweeping changes to North Carolina elections. They share a common message - and a common sponsor, backed by one of the state's biggest political donors.

December 21, 2012 - The GOP control of the House came despite more votes for Democrats. How did that happen? Republicans used dark money to control redistricting in many states, as the experience of North Carolina illustrates.

November 28, 2012 - Conservative groups whose clout grew in the recent N.C. elections want to repeal a groundbreaking state law requiring utilities to generate a small percentage of energy from renewable sources. Incoming Republican Gov. Pat McCrory has close ties to renewable energy foes -- and to renewable energy proponents. If forced to choose, which side would he be on?

November 21, 2012 - Conservative donor Art Pope's money helped the GOP take control of North Carolina's legislature in 2010. In 2012, Pope's family, business and groups helped fuel even bigger Republican gains in the battleground state.

October 5, 2012 - Conservative N.C. Supreme Court justice Paul Newby has taken $240,100 in public campaign funding to help run his re-election campaign. He's also getting support from a right-wing political group that calls public funding "immoral" and "welfare for politicians."

June 22, 2012 - Real Jobs NC, a political group backed by Republican donor Art Pope that played a key role in North Carolina's 2010 elections, is preparing for 2012.

November 9, 2011 - Voters in Wake County, N.C. have shifted power on the local school board back to Democrats who support a student assignment policy that values diversity -- but it wasn't for a lack of spending on the conservative benefactor's part.