FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PBS North Carolina Announces Election Specials in Advance of 2026 Midterms This Fall

 ‘State Lines’ will present one-on-one interviews with major party candidates, and ‘Black Issues Forum’ will offer two specials examining local stories that illuminate broad political concerns.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 9/10/2026 — This fall, PBS North Carolina will present a series of State Lines candidate interviews and two Black Issues Forum specials about what’s at stake for voters in the 2026 midterm elections. Many North Carolina seats are up for election this fall, including one U.S. Senate seat, 14 U.S. House seats and four North Carolina judicial seats. In-person early voting in North Carolina runs October 15–31. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

“With Election Day around the corner, PBS North Carolina wants to ensure all voters have access to trusted information about what’s on the ballot,” said David Crabtree, CEO and General Manager of PBS North Carolina. “By offering viewers the opportunity to learn more about candidates and gain insights about issues impacting their lives, we hope they feel more informed and empowered when casting their votes.”

State Lines Host and Executive Producer Kelly McCullen will sit down with candidates for U.S. Congressional districts in North Carolina as well as candidates for the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court. All major party candidates have been invited to participate. These interviews will be available online and on the free PBS app and YouTube. Several interviews are available to stream now.

“State Lines believes it’s important to have balanced conversations with major party candidates,” said McCullen. “Voters and residents can hear directly from candidates regarding their reasons for running, their platform and the values they would bring, if elected, to office.”

State Lines’ weekly series airs every Friday at 8:30 PM on PBS NC and is available for streaming on the PBS app.

Black Issues Forum will present two specials examining how political power is exercised, contested and experienced by North Carolina communities. On Friday, October 2, at 7 PM, the conversation will evolve from the story of Taylortown, a historically Black municipality near Pinehurst, where local leaders waged a fight for greater control over decisions affecting their community. On Friday, October 9, at 7 PM, the conversation will follow North Carolina A&T students who organized after an on-campus early voting site was not included in the 2026 primary voting plan.

“Through these election specials, Black Issues Forum aims to illustrate where political power comes from and how ordinary people influence it,” said Executive Producer Deborah Holt Noel. “We’re hopeful viewers will gain a greater understanding of the power of their vote and will be motivated to head to the polls regardless of challenges, real or perceived.”

After the premiere of Black Issues Forum’s election specials, the program will not return for new weekly episodes. Instead, the team will invite audiences to participate in in-person and virtual community conversations across the state as PBS North Carolina explores new ways to serve diverse audiences across the state. Archived episodes of Black Issues Forum will continue to be available online and on the PBS app and YouTube.

“Host Kenia Thompson and I want to thank all who have contributed to Black Issues Forum over its remarkable forty-season history,” added Noel. “Our commitment to communities across North Carolina remains strong. We look forward to meeting with our viewers and learning what kind of new programming will be meaningful to them.”

‘State Lines’ Candidate Interviews
Interviews will be published as they become available. Visit video.pbsnc.org/show/state-lines to learn more.

Don Davis, Democratic Candidate for NC’s 1st Congressional District
Watch now >

Eugene Douglass, Republican Candidate for NC’s 2nd Congressional District
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Deborah Ross, Democratic Candidate for NC’s 2nd Congressional District
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Raymond Smith Jr., Democratic Candidate for NC’s 3rd Congressional District
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Valerie Foushee, Democratic Candidate for NC’s 4th Congressional District
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Mahesh Ganorkar, Republican Candidate for NC’s 4th Congressional District
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Mark Harris, Republican Candidate for NC’s 8th Congressional District
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Richard Ojeda, Democratic Candidate for NC’s 9th Congressional District
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Ashley Bell, Democratic Candidate for NC’s 10th Congressional District
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Pat Harrigan, Republican Candidate for NC’s 10th Congressional District
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Jack Codiga, Republican Candidate for NC’s 12th Congressional District
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Paul Barringer, Democratic Candidate for NC’s 13th Congressional District
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Lakesha Womack, Democratic Candidate for NC’s 14th Congressional District
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Tim Moore, Republican Candidate for NC’s 14th Congressional District
Watch now >

About PBS North Carolina

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, Rootle PBS KIDS, the Explorer Channel and the North Carolina Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

-PBS NC-

Media Contact
For press info and resources, email press@pbsnc.org.