SUMMARY: Democratic Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, first elected in 1996, seeks her eighth term against Republican challenger Chad Brown. Early voting begins soon, with Election Day in 26 days. Marshall made history as the first woman in her position and emphasizes her record in reducing business costs and fostering economic development. Brown aims to implement a robust economic initiative, advocating for conservative values, including Christianity and the Second Amendment. Marshall has a background in law and public service, while Brown is a former professional baseball player and local government official. The secretary of state’s office focuses on strengthening the state’s economy.

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SUMMARY: Republican Steve Troxler is campaigning for a sixth consecutive term as North Carolina’s agriculture commissioner against Democrat Sarah Taber and Libertarian Sean Haugh. Troxler has served since 2004 and seeks to maintain his record of enhancing agricultural markets and protecting food supplies, with the state‘s agricultural impact growing from $59 billion to $111.1 billion. In contrast, Taber proposes diversifying crop production and introducing new farming initiatives, projecting a potential $7 billion economic growth. Early voting begins soon, with Election Day 27 days away. The Department of Agriculture oversees over 75 laws and programs related to food and fiber production in North Carolina.

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SUMMARY: In response to Hurricane Helene’s devastation in North Carolina, lawmakers introduced the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024, allocating $273 million for aid and financial assistance mainly to state agencies and local governments. The bill passed with unanimous support in both the Senate and House and is expected to be signed by Governor Roy Cooper. The storm, which caused significant loss of life and extensive damage, particularly in western North Carolina, has prompted discussions on long-term recovery and federal support. The act aims to simplify processes for swift recovery, including waiving certain environmental regulations and ensuring disaster funding efficiency.

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