Eric Heberlig quoted by CBC News
Eric Heberlig, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, was among experts quoted by CBC News for the article “Why Kate Barr is campaigning in North Carolina as a ‘fake Republican.’”
Kate Barr, a progressive Democrat, is running in North Carolina’s Republican primary as a protest against gerrymandering in the 14th District, arguing the map is drawn to guarantee GOP control. Her long‑shot challenge to incumbent Tim Moore has sparked interest from independents and some progressives, as well as backlash from Republicans who accuse her of disrupting the process and from Democrats who fear she may divert support.
Barr has faced harassment and threats during the campaign, but she maintains she has followed all legal requirements and is using the race to highlight structural problems in the state’s elections. After the primary, she plans to analyze turnout, spending and engagement to assess whether her strategy had meaningful impact.
“Her probability of winning is low,” said Heberlig. “But it’s a way of increasing public attention to the politics behind the election.”