North Carolina voters on Tuesday, November 8, cast ballots in important federal and state races. Although some races are too close to call, Republicans won a U.S. Senate seat and made gains in the General Assembly and Judiciary while Democrats made gains in U.S. House races.
What happened on November 8?
Note: Results are unofficial at this point.
Under State law, the final certification of results (also called a canvass) will occur later this month. County boards of elections are scheduled to hold their canvass meetings on November 18 and the State Board of Elections is scheduled to meet on November 29 to certify the election. Court challenges and recounts could impact this timeline.
The State Board of Elections reports that about 3.75 million people voted statewide, a turnout of about 50.5% of registered voters. Although the exact statewide numbers vary between races, it appears that about 2.2 million people either voted during the early-vote period (about 2 million) or by absentee ballot (150,000+). About 1.5 million people voted on Election Day.
Congress
U.S. Senate
Congressman Ted Budd (R-13th) defeated former Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley (D) for the seat currently held by retiring incumbent Richard Burr (R). Budd’s margin was about 135,000 votes (51% to 47%). It is uncertain which party will control the U.S. Senate as a number of races across the country remain undecided.
U.S. House
All of North Carolina’s incumbent U.S. House members were reelected and five new members won their contests. The state added a 14th seat after the 2020 Census and both parties now each hold seven seats. Prior to the election, Republicans held an eight to five advantage. Although several races are undecided, it appears that Republicans could regain a majority in the U.S. House.
Incumbents reelected
- Deborah Ross (D-2nd) with 64%
- Greg Murphy (R-3rd) with 67%
- Virginia Foxx (R-5th) with 63%
- Kathy Manning (D-6th) with 54%
- David Rouzer (R-7th) with 58%
- Dan Bishop (R-8th) with 70%
- Richard Hudson (R-9th) with 57%
- Patrick McHenry (R-10th) with 73%
- Alma Adams (D-12th) with 63%
New Members
- 1st State Senator Don Davis (D-Greene) defeated Sandy Smith (R-Nash) by 52% to 48%
- 4th State Senator Valerie Foushee (D-Orange) defeated Courtney Geels (R-Orange) by 67 % to 33%
- 11th State Senator Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) defeated Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (D-Buncombe) by 54% to 44%
- 13th State Senator Wiley Nickel (D-Wake) defeated Bo Hines (R-Forsyth) by 51% to 49%
- 14th State Senator Jeff Jackson (D-Mecklenburg) defeated Pat Harrigan (R-Catawba) by 57% to 43%
General Assembly
Republicans retained their majorities in both houses.
They appear to have won 30 Senate seats, which would give them a “supermajority” and allow them to override gubernatorial vetoes.
The State Constitution requires a vote of 60% of those present and voting to override a veto. The Republican majority will increase in the House from the current 69 to 51 margin. With some votes still to be counted, it appears they have won at least 71 seats. The supermajority number in the House is 72.
A number of incumbents lost their seats. They are Senator Toby Fitch (D-Wilson) and Representatives Larry Yarborough (R-Person), Linda Cooper Suggs (D-Wilson), Howard Hunter III (D-Hertford), Brian Farkas (D-Pitt), James Gailliard (D-Nash), Terry Garrison (D-Vance), and Ricky Hurtado (D- Alamance).
Judiciary
Supreme Court
Republicans won both contested seats and will now hold a 5-2 majority on the Court.
Republican Trey Allen, the General Counsel at the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, defeated incumbent Democrat Sam J. Ervin, IV by 52% to 48% and Republican Court of Appeals Judge Richard Dietz defeated Democrat Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman by 53% to 47%.
Court of Appeals
Voters cast ballots in four Court of Appeals contests. Republican incumbents Donna Stroud and John Tyson were reelected and newcomers Michael Stading and Tate Flood won seats on the Court.
For more information, contact a member of the Brooks Pierce Government Affairs Team.