It seems like the conventional wisdom now is that NC is a lot redder than we thought it was. What changed? Pat McCrory lost. HB2 was unpopular. What makes NC any redder than Virginia?
Define "a lot." NC is not that red but pretty politically polarized and thus has a stubborn Republican lean that isn't eroding nearly as fast as Virginia did. In regards to the question you are asking - I don't think the fact that McCrory lost and HB2 is unpopular mean as much as you may think.
Virginia is more well-educated, more diverse, has more voters born out-of-state, less rural voters and is more reliant on the federal government, something that constant GOP attacks on doesn't help. Democrats do a lot better with VA white college grads than NC white college grads as well, keeping in mind NC/VA had similar amounts of white college grad voters, but NC had 4% more non-college whites, which is what accounts for Democrats' better standing with white voters overall
(in VA). Going by EP ideology stats, NC has markedly more voters identifying as conservative.
