NC Senate Democratic leader sees a path to bipartisanship next year

Sen. Sydney Batch, a Wake County Democrat and the leader of her caucus in the North Carolina Senate, may have one of the most challenging jobs in the General Assembly next year.

She’ll likely be balancing the expectations that come from Democrats being able to pass anything they wish in the House with the reality that the Republican-majority Senate, where she serves, can scuttle all of it.

“We’re living in a world where nothing’s going to get done unless we get Republican support,” she said, “so people need to temper their expectations.”

Democrats will control the state House next year for the first time since 2010. Democratic leader Robert Reives, D-Chatham, is expected to become House Speaker. But Republicans will hold a majority in the Senate, albeit a slim one, with 26 seats to the Democrats’ 24, according to unofficial election results. One race could still be subject to recount.

Divided control could be a recipe for gridlock, but Batch sees an opportunity for bipartisan accomplishments. 

“It is going to be a challenge with us being at 24, but I do think that with every challenge comes a great opportunity for us to be able to finally sit down, reset in the Senate, and work with whoever ends up being their leader, to make sure that we can be an example here in North Carolina of a chamber that can govern in parity.”

Republican Sens. Jim Burgin of Harnett County, Ralph Hise of Mitchell County, Brett Jackson of Sampson County, and Todd Johnson of Union County are vying to succeed Senate Leader Phil Berger of Rockingham County, who lost his primary. 

Batch said she didn’t have a preference about who succeeds Berger.

NC Democrats will have more power next year, but must first face a GOP-controlled lame duck session

She said she has good relationships with many Senate Republicans, and will respect the decision they make about who will lead them.

“I will be more than happy to work with them to pass legislation,” she said. 

Batch has served nearly three terms in the Senate. She has also served one House term. She’s been the Senate’s Democratic leader for one term.

Democrats have seen most of their proposals dashed against the rocks of Republican legislative majorities for the past 16 years. Some of those doomed ideas have had widespread support from Democrats in both chambers. Some of those ideas still won’t get past a Republican Senate. 

Likewise, if Senate Republicans want their bills passed, they’ll have to work with House Democrats, she said. 

Batch said she’d like the legislature for the next two years to focus on making healthcare more affordable, to talk about housing affordability, and address returning academic freedom to higher education.

Some issues in the legislature already have bipartisan support, but have died in battles between House and Senate Republicans. For example, bills that would limit sales of edible hemp products to adults have passed the House and Senate, but the chambers have not been able to agree on details. 

This is an example where the Senate being closely divided will matter, she said, because some Republicans will want to work on a bill that can pass both chambers.

With the potential for a closely divided Senate comes the speculation that a Republican will change parties. That would essentially give Democrats a majority because Democratic Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt can break tie votes. 

Batch said she has not spoken to any Republican about switching parties. 

“Any of them want to change and be in our party — more than happy,” Batch said. “But it will not be because I ask, and it certainly won’t be because I’m offering them anything for it.”