I hear that a lot around here (Union County, NC), and on this forum. I respectfully disagree.
It might seem logical that an influx of people from blue states would move our politics to the left, but you have to remember that we aren't getting a cross-section of the populations of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, etc. Rather, we are getting a largely self-selected group who decides to move because they can. Retirees, entrepreneurs, and corporate transfers.
I cite as evidence the fact that the most rapidly growing counties in North Carolina, including Union (Charlotte suburbs); Johnston (Raleigh suburbs); Brunswick, Carteret, Dare (coastal resort areas); and Moore (Pinehurst/Southern Pines) have been trending Republican rather strongly. And much of the growth of these counties is fueled by transplants from "Up North."
The election figures are pretty clear. One example: Reagan in 1980 and Romney in 2012 narrowly carried North Carolina, by almost identical margins (about 2%). But in Union County, Carter beat Reagan in 1980, 10,073 (51.2%) to 9,012 (45.8%); whereas in 2012, Romney carried the county 61,107 (64.5%) to 32,473 (34.3%). Note both the incredible increase in the total vote, and in the strong Republican trend.
NC's central cities are trending Democratic, and black turnout in particular has surged, so the last two Presidential races have been close here. On the other hand, the Republicans (and, by and large, the conservative wing thereof) has taken firm control of the State Senate and State House. If NC is becoming a purple state, it isn't because of our transplants.
What do you say about Virginia, which once was a totally red state? Now with the influx of outsiders into northern Virginia, we have two Rat senators and a Rat governor and lieutenant governor. Were it not for being locally elected, the legislature would be in their hands...and may still be in the future as more of the disease comes into the state from the north.
I do think that a lot of people here are looking at states like Montana, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Once reliable red states, but now purple (at best). And that is all due to morals-challenged people from California moving there and saying, to the effect: “Wow, it’s so beautiful here, we need to preserve it.” And we ALL know which party will fill that need...
I don’t know if you are correct with your observations, but it’s certainly is refreshing to hear someone argue the issue from the upbeat side you have chosen.