Michael Graff, Author at The Assembly NC

McCrae Dowless’ Last Spin

Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr. poses for a portrait outside of his home in Bladenboro, N.C. // Photo by Travis Long, The News & Observer via AP.

Dowless, a small-town vote wrangler who rose to national infamy over election fraud charges, was laid to rest on Saturday.

The Search for the Next Phoenix

Photos by Travis Dove and Peyton Sickles

For decades, two congressional districts have been the primary routes for Black candidates seeking federal office in North Carolina. With redrawn lines, that could change in November—if Democrats match their votes with their rhetoric.