A N.C. lawmaker has switched parties, creating a path to stricter abortion laws

North Carolina state Rep. Tricia Cotham announces she is switching affiliation to the Republican Party at a news conference on Wednesday.

Hannah Schoenbaum / Hannah Schoenbaum

Welcome to the NPR series where we spotlight the people and things making headlines — and the stories behind them.


A Democratic North Carolina lawmaker announced on Wednesday that she was switching to the GOP, giving Republicans a veto-proof majority in the state and paving a way for major legislative changes.