factcheck

• The Annenberg Public Policy Institute’s FactCheck.org takes a whack at the charge leveled in ads by the Democratic Senate Majority PAC that the Thom Tillis-led General Assembly raised taxes on 80 percent of North Carolinians. It finds “the ads’ central claim … is wrong.”

• Retiring Rep. Howard Coble, R-6th District, endorses Rockingham County District Attorney Phil Berger Jr. in the Republican primary for the seat. Coble brought his madras jacket to the endorsement announcement.

• An analysis from the Washington Post of the partisan makeup of congressional districts concludes that North Carolina Republicans “really outdid themselves” with the current maps. Three of the 10 most-gerrymandered districts in the country are in the Tar Heel State — the 1st, 4th, and 12th, all held by Democrats.

• On Twitter, Gerry Cohen, special counsel for the General Assembly, notes that there also will be “second primaries” (aka runoffs) July 15 in the 5th Congressional District and the 23rd state House District for Democrats.