A look at 2 states that are becoming increasingly rare purple in politics

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

Georgia and North Carolina are not quite red, not quite blue, but increasingly a rare purple when it comes to politics. Voters there have chosen both Democrats and Republicans in statewide elections in recent years. In 2026, they'll each have a closely watched and very likely expensive U.S. Senate race. NPR's Stephen Fowler has spent the summer reporting in those states. He joins us now from Atlanta. Stephen, thanks for being with us.

STEPHEN FOWLER, BYLINE: Thanks for having me.

SIMON: Georgia and North Carolina are both swing states, and they both voted for President Trump in 2024 and mostly have Republican elected officials at the state and federal level. How do Democrats feel about the midterms?

FOWLER: Let's start in North Carolina. Voters previously elected two