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On November 19, 2024, the vote to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of HB 10 in North Carolina resulted in a key victory for supporters of this controversial legislation.
Although the majority of the votes were cast by Republicans, three Democratic representatives played a crucial role in securing the necessary votes to override the governor’s veto.
According to the North Carolina Constitution, overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority of the votes of the members present.
On the day of the vote, with 116 representatives present, only 69 Republican votes were cast, falling one vote short of the necessary threshold of 70. It was then that three Democrats joined the Republicans, ensuring the veto override was possible.
Who were the Democrats who supported the veto override?
The three Democratic representatives who voted in favor of the veto override were:
- Carla Cunningham (Mecklenburg)
- Shelly Willingham (Bertie, Edgecombe, Martin)
- Michael H. Wray (Halifax, Northampton, Warren)
Their votes were crucial, as without them, Republicans would not have reached the necessary threshold.
With the support of these three Democratic legislators, the veto was successfully overridden, ensuring the implementation of HB 10 starting December 1, 2024.
As of the publication of this article, none of the three representatives responded to requests for comment on their decision.
The leader of the Democratic Party in the North Carolina House of Representatives, Representative Robert Reives, also did not respond to our request for comment.
Absent Votes
Several legislators were not present for the vote, which also influenced the outcome. Without the presence of these legislators, the Republicans present would not have reached the necessary number to override the veto.
The absent representatives were:
- Cecil Brockman (Democrat – Guilford)
- Jay Adams (Republican – Catawba)
- Dean Arp (Republican – Union)
- Sam Watford (Republican – Davidson)
Carla Cunningham on her support for HB 10
While the majority of Democrats opposed HB 10, Representative Carla Cunningham defended her decision to vote to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives.
In her remarks, Cunningham began by talking about recent tragedies in Mecklenburg County, such as the murder of Kyrene Greer, a father who worked as a tow truck driver, and the case of Matthew Dar, a Duke Energy technician who was shot and robbed.
“Recent tragedies in Mecklenburg county highlights the pressing need for decisive action,” she said. “Who will speak for these victims and their families?”
The legislator specifically referred to the provision of the law that mandates collaboration between local sheriffs and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Services (ICE). Cunningham defended the need to strengthen the ties between local and federal agencies to combat organized crime and violence in the communities.
Although she opposes the provision that expands school vouchers, Cunningham emphasized that rejecting the entire bill would be giving up funds she considers essential.
“I have consistently opposed school voucher programs and remain steadfast in the stance,” Cunningham said. “However, House Bill 10 includes numerous provisions that address critical funding needs which I strongly support. These include ice, Medicaid rebates, community college enrollment, jail inspectors… and the housing emergency federal assistance funds.”
Why was this vote important?
The override of the governor’s veto marked an important victory for supporters of HB 10, which imposes collaboration requirements between local sheriffs and ICE.
This law has sparked significant controversy in the state, particularly among immigrant communities and their advocates.
The three Democrats who voted in favor of overriding the veto played a significant role in ensuring the necessary number of votes, which secured the implementation of the law starting December 1, 2024.
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