In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Kyah Creekmore, who at just 23 years old, launched a congressional campaign in North Carolina's 5th District. Kyah shares his unconventional journey into politics, running a grassroots campaign with minimal resources that ultimately captured over 43% of the primary vote against an opponent who raised 33 times more money. This conversation explores why young people face such significant barriers to elected office and what it takes to break through them.

Key Topics Covered:

What inspired a 23 year old to run for Congress after the 2024 presidential election

Why Kyah chose a congressional race over local office despite having no political experience

The mental and emotional toll of running for office as a young candidate

Raising $7,500 versus an opponent's $250,000 and still winning 43% of the vote

The reality of facing entrenched politicians who have been in office for decades

Why traditional campaign strategies like TV ads are becoming obsolete

How to reach rural and Appalachian communities as a young progressive candidate

The power of personal storytelling versus facts and numbers in political campaigns

Building community through third places and grassroots organizing

Why transparency and rejecting corporate money matters for maintaining voter trust

The importance of midterm elections and down ballot races for real change

00:00 Introduction: Why a 23-Year-Old Decided to Run for Congress
01:32 The Presidential Election That Changed Everything
02:52 Why Congress Over Local Office?
04:31 Running Without Political Mentors
06:32 Conquering Anxiety and Stage Fright on the Campaign Trail
08:34 Building Your Support System as a Young Candidate
13:08 Policy Platform
15:07 Conversations with Voters
17:01 Staying Accountable: People-Powered Campaigns
19:07 Building Community Beyond Politics
19:56 Running From the Bottom With All Passion
21:12 43 Percent with 7,500 Dollars: The Primary Results
24:20 Taking On Virginia Foxx: Challenging a Political Powerhouse
29:34 Overcoming Corporate Influence
32:58 Beyond TV Ads: Reaching Voters in the Digital Age
35:32 Mobilizing Young Voters Through Representation
36:42 Should You Run for Office? Honest Advice for Young Activists
39:34 The Midterm Election
42:12 Closing Thoughts

Kyah's story challenges the conventional wisdom that you need decades of experience, corporate backing, or a legal career to run for office. He demonstrates that with passion, authenticity, and a willingness to meet voters where they are, young candidates can compete even in the most unlikely races. Whether you're considering running for office yourself or simply want to understand why our political system seems designed to keep young voices out, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical insights.

💬 Do you think more young people should run for office?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

#YoungPoliticians #GrassrootsCampaign #NorthCarolina #CongressionalRace #PoliticalChange #notjustheadlinesmeadia #NCpol

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Sally and Moriah from the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center to break down everything you need to know about North Carolina's state budget. They explain the budget process from start to finish, why North Carolina has been operating without a new budget for multiple years, and what that means for everyday North Carolinians.

Key Topics Covered:

How the NC state budget process works and where it gets funding

Why North Carolina missed the budget deadline and operated on old spending levels

The impact of scheduled tax cuts on state revenue and public services

Teacher pay raises and what they really mean for educators

How federal, state, and local budgets are connected

The upcoming constitutional amendments on the November ballot

What happens to programs like SNAP when funding shifts between government levels

Whether you're a first time voter or just want to understand how your tax dollars are being spent, this conversation makes state budget policy accessible and relevant to your everyday life. Sally and Mariah help connect the dots between tax policy decisions in Raleigh and the real pressures families face with rising costs for housing, child care, groceries, and more.

00:00 Introduction: The State of NC's Budget Crisis
00:59 Meet the Experts from NC Budget & Tax Center
01:42 Understanding This Year's Budget Conversation
03:11 How NC's Two-Year Budget System Works
05:44 The Purpose and Impact of State Budgets
07:13 Where Does Budget Money Come From?
10:10 The Eight-Step Budget Creation Process
12:45 Flaws in the Current Budget Process
20:11 The Revenue Crisis: Are We Growing Too Fast?
22:06 Tax Policy at the Heart of Budget Disagreements
25:01 The New Budget Compromise and Constitutional Amendments
29:01 Alternative Revenue Sources and Their Limitations
30:48 Teacher Pay and the Educator Exodus
34:48 Budget Wins: Child Care, Health Programs, and Helene Recovery
39:01 Federal, State, and Local Budget Connections
43:19 What Happens Next and How to Get Involved

💬 What questions do you have about North Carolina's budget?

Drop them in the comments below!

Learn more at ncbudget.org

#NCBudget #NorthCarolina #StateBudget #TaxPolicy #PublicEducation #notjustheadlines

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Irving Allen. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates?

Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council Mayoral Candidate Robbie Perkins. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1Election Day: Nov. 4💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Marikay Abuzuaiter. She shares her priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!

#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Irving Allen. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates?

Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Richard Beard. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!

#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Hugh Holston. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1Election Day: Nov. 4💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Jamilla Pinder. She shares her priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates?

Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council District 5 candidates Tammi Thurm and Jeannette Davidson-Mayer. They share their priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

(00:00) Tammi Thurm

(16:03) Jeannette Davidson-Mayer

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!

#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026