Back in July, RedState reported on a bold move made by one Democrat state lawmaker in North Carolina that paved the way for a bill to become law that mandated better cooperation and coordination between state sheriffs and federal immigration enforcement agencies.
Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg), who represents House District 106 in the state legislature, gave her House Republican colleagues the one vote they needed to complete the override of Democrat Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of the bill. It was that, and a blistering speech she gave explaining her vote, that paved the way for her party to turn against her, and Stein to very publicly endorse one of her primary challengers:
“It is time for my unapologetic truth to be shared with all of you. First, as a people, it is time to recognize that it’s not just the numbers that matter. But also, where the immigrants come from and the culture they bring with them to another country. As a social scientist report, all cultures are not equal. Some immigrants come and believe they can function in isolation, refusing to adapt. They have come to our country for many reasons, but I suggest they must assimilate. Adapt to the culture of the country they wish to live in. No country is going to allow people to come in and not acknowledge its constitution, legal systems and laws. They will not tolerate it.”
Her full speech, where she was interrupted by other Democrats at various points, can be read here.
READ MORE: The Story Behind the No Good, Horrible, Very Bad Day North Carolina Democrats Had
Several months later, Ms. Cunningham was punished for her views after an aggressive campaign against her by Democrats and their affiliated pro-illegal alien special interest groups, along with Stein, and she lost her March primary bid to Rev. Rodney Sadler, the challenger who was endorsed by Stein (two other House Democrats who also sometimes voted with Republicans on legislation and to override vetoes also lost their primary bids).
Cunningham, who had already been on the warpath against the party that had betrayed her and the seven terms she served in the General Assembly, made them sweat in the aftermath of her primary loss, saying in early April, “let them be worried” about how she was going to vote in the legislative short session that would start some two weeks later.
The short session started on Tuesday. And on Friday, Cunningham dropped a political bomb on the Democrat Party and Stein: She changed her party registration from Democrat to unaffiliated:
BREAKING: NC Rep Carla Cunningham has officially left the Democrat party and is now registered as Unaffiliated. This comes after many democrats, including Gov Josh Stein, campaigned against her. Cunningham will be a key figure in veto overrides. #ncpol #ncga
— Brett Jensen WBT News (@Brett_Jensen) April 24, 2026
In a statement issued after the news broke, Cunningham wrote that it was clear that her “values as a black woman no longer align with their agenda” and that she was moving forward “with absolute conviction.”
She also maintained her stance on illegal immigration, noting that “we have a moral obligation to place the needs of struggling Americans above all competing agendas,” including any policies that divert resources away from American citizens and towards illegal aliens.
“I have been a Democrat all my life, but I came to realize that I want to serve the people, not a party,” she also wrote. “Being an independent thinker does not align with party politics, and I will never compromise the needs of my constituents to satisfy a political agenda.”
Statement from Rep. Carla Cunningham on her decision to leave the Democratic Party and become unaffiliated:
“I have been a Democrat all my life but I came to realize that I want to serve the people; not a party. Being an independent think does not align with party politics and I… pic.twitter.com/LN7ntUwK6X
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) April 24, 2026
Cunningham hasn’t shared who she will caucus with in the short session, but with several veto override attempts planned, including bills on permitless concealed carry, requiring state law enforcement officers to work with ICE, and further cracking down on DEI, Republicans have to be licking their chops at the possibility Cunningham will be emboldened enough to come to their rescue again to help out with an override.
For those who might be wondering, her move will not enable her to run as an independent in the fall election:
To answer a question I’ve been getting from folks: No, Cunningham’s party switch doesn’t impact the 2026 general election ballot. Why? Because of a Democratic state senator trying to revive a failed primary campaign. This comes from a book @chriscooperwcu wrote. #ncpol pic.twitter.com/7DoZeNwEtX
— Bryan Anderson (@BryanRAnderson) April 24, 2026
Rep. Cunningham’s decision is reminiscent of state Rep. Tricia Cotham’s switch to the Republican Party in April 2023 after years of also feeling like her party abandoned her. Cotham’s switch gave the GOP-led House a veto-proof majority through the end of 2024 and enraged Democrats who have tried unsuccessfully to defeat her ever since.
Unfortunately, the same didn’t hold true for Cunningham, but with her announcement today, it’s clear she’s not simply going to go quietly into the night. Good for her.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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