Longleaf Politics Podcast

Andrew Dunn

A smart conservative approach to North Carolina politics. www.longleafpol.com

Episodes

  1. Inside North Carolina's mental health maze

    2d ago

    Inside North Carolina's mental health maze

    State Rep. Timothy Reeder joins the Longleaf Politics Podcast to talk about House Bill 1104 and North Carolina’s broken intersection of mental health, criminal justice and public safety. Reeder is an emergency room doctor from Greenville and chairs the House Committee on Involuntary Commitment and Public Safety. In this conversation, he explains why North Carolina’s mental health system is struggling, why jails are often left managing problems they were never designed to handle, and how lawmakers are trying to intervene earlier. We discuss: Why North Carolina’s mental health system is under strain How untreated mental illness shows up in jails and courts What House Bill 1104 would change Why telehealth evaluations inside jails could improve safety The difference between mental health evaluations and competency to stand trial How outpatient assisted treatment works Why the bill extends some treatment windows from 90 to 180 days The public safety concerns raised after the killing of Irina Zarutska Why this bill is a serious first step, not a full fix Key takeaway:North Carolina’s criminal justice system is catching people the mental health system already missed. HB 1104 does not solve the whole problem, but it pushes the state toward earlier evaluation, more consistent treatment and better public safety. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.longleafpol.com/subscribe

    36 min
  2. Winning isn't always the point

    Jan 27

    Winning isn't always the point

    Andrew Dunn talks with Jack Codiga about why he’s running as a Republican in the bluest congressional seat in North Carolina, what it means to run a principles-first campaign, and why Codiga is centering his message on monetary policy and housing affordability in Charlotte. About the guest Jack Codiga is a Charlotte-area resident (coming up on five years) who works in commercial real estate and mortgage banking, and is running for Congress in NC-12. What we cover Why it’s still valuable for Republicans to compete in deep-blue districts like Charlotte’s NC-12 “Winning” vs. keeping your convictions intact — and why Codiga rejects veiling beliefs to chase outcomes Politics as the “marketplace of ideas,” and a campaign built around principles (including a Christian moral frame) Why monetary policy is (in Codiga's view) misunderstood — and how it connects to housing affordability The “Buckley rule” and how candidates think about fit vs. persuasion Subsidies vs. root causes (health care example) A quick discussion of gold: investment vs. “money,” and the role of a gold standard conversation Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 — Why winning isn’t the ultimate goal (Codiga's premise) 00:38 — Intro: why cover a non-competitive race; NC-12 is the “safest Democratic seat” 02:04 — Guest background (Charlotte, real estate / mortgage banking) 02:47 — Why run anyway? “Marketplace of ideas,” and focusing on systemic issues like money 05:03 — Principles-first politics and faith as the moral foundation 06:35 — The “Buckley rule” and what districts can handle 07:01 — “Veiling” beliefs and losing the plot 07:13 — Why monetary policy is central to Codiga's platform 08:35 — Unconstrained money creation → distortions → housing unaffordability 09:21 — Health care, “make it free,” and the subsidy reflex 12:38 — Gold standard tradeoffs; gold as “money” 13:49 — Wrap-up + primary ballot note This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.longleafpol.com/subscribe

    15 min
  3. Let’s celebrate freedom again in North Carolina

    07/04/2025

    Let’s celebrate freedom again in North Carolina

    We’re taking a week off from the regular newsletter — I’m spending a few days with family, recharging a bit, and doing my best to stay off X. So we’ll miss you this Monday. But I didn’t want to let the Fourth of July pass without saying something. We talk a lot about freedom in this country, especially on a day like today. But I think we’ve lost track of what that really means. Somewhere along the way, we’ve started to equate freedom with free stuff — with getting something handed to us. The idea that freedom means being unburdened by responsibility or insulated from consequences. But that’s not real freedom. Real freedom isn’t just about being left alone. And it’s not about the government giving you things, either. It’s about being free to build something — a life, a family, a business — and to do it without having to ask permission. And even more than that, freedom is for something. It’s for service, for responsibility, for becoming the people and the communities we’re meant to be. So I made this short video. It’s not long — just a minute or so — but I hope it helps us remember what this day is really about. Hope you enjoy — and happy Independence Day. Quick hits * Mark Robinson is back in the spotlight — and just as defiant as ever. But if Robinson hasn’t learned anything from 2024, the question is: Has the Republican Party? With a U.S. Senate primary on deck, the stakes are high. Read my full column on this here. * North Carolina’s next U.S. Senate primary won’t be a wide-open brawl. It’ll be a coronation. Just like in 2022, Donald Trump’s endorsement will clear the field — and right now, U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson checks every box. In another column, I break down who’s in the mix, who’s bluffing, and who actually fits Trump’s formula. Read it here. At a premium Want these in your inbox? Become a premium subscriber today. That’s all for this week. See you soon. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.longleafpol.com/subscribe

    1 min

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A smart conservative approach to North Carolina politics. www.longleafpol.com