Midterm elections to watch in North Carolina in 2026
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The field is now officially set for the 2026 midterm elections in North Carolina, and there were some surprises in the final days of filing.
Why it matters: Voters will make picks in March primaries that shape the future of both major parties.
- And by November, they'll be helping decide whether Republicans maintain control of the U.S. Congress and if they keep an effective supermajority in the state legislature.
State of play: The results of state races could embolden Republicans — who have been in power in Raleigh since 2010 — to continue cutting taxes and programs, shifting public education funding to private and charter schools and mirroring President Donald Trump's culture war.
- Or, if Democrats win additional seats or replace moderate members, they could strengthen the Democratic governor's veto power, potentially giving themselves more leverage in the statehouse.
Friction point: Many of the Democratic state lawmakers who face challengers from their own party have voted with Republicans to overturn a veto at least once.
- Rep. Shelly Willingham from Rocky Mount has voted to overturn more vetoes (22) than anyone in the past two years, according to an analysis by the John Locke Foundation. He is facing a Democratic challenger and, later, a Republican.
- And Charlotte representatives Nasif Majeed (seven override votes) and Carla Cunningham (13) have two Democratic challengers apiece.
What they're saying: Those seats are all "deep-leaning Democratic districts," which is why challengers have stepped forward, party chair Anderson Clayton told Axios.
Zoom out: The most-watched Republican primary will be that between Senate leader Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.
- Berger landed a Trump endorsement after marshaling congressional redistricting through the legislature this fall.
- The News & Observer reports that both men have held office for at least 25 years, and only a primary challenge could threaten Berger's reign.
Zoom in: Results in the Triangle suburbs could prove interesting, especially after Republicans struggled to defend long-held local positions in 2025.
- One of Wake County's Republican representatives, Mike Schietzelt of Wake Forest, faces challengers from both parties. So do representatives from Sanford, Clayton and Angier.
- Though Rep. Erin Pare of Holly Springs doesn't have a GOP primary opponent, three Democrats are vying to replace her.
Meanwhile, Democratic senators Sydney Batch of Apex and Terence Everitt of Wake Forest both will have Republican and Libertarian opponents.
- And Durham has a competitive Democratic primary between Sen. Sophia Chitlik and former City Council member DeDreana Freeman.
U.S. Senate
Catch up quick: Sen. Thom Tillis did not seek reelection after his opposition to the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" drew attacks and promises of a challenge from President Trump.
🔵 Democratic primary
- Roy Cooper, the former North Carolina governor, is the Democratic favorite for the open Senate seat.
- He's being challenged by Daryl Farrow, Marcus Williams, Orrick Quick, Justin Dues and Robert Colon.
🔴 Republican primary
- Michael Whatley, the Trump-endorsed chair of the Republican National Committee, previously led the North Carolina GOP.
- Far-right activist Michele Morrow announced her candidacy near the end of filing. She previously upset a GOP stalwart in the 2024 primary for public schools superintendent, riding a national wave of parents' rights activism before ultimately losing to a Democrat.
- They face Elizabeth Temple, Don Brown, Margot Dupre, Thomas Johnson and Richard Dansie.
🟡 Libertarian Shannon Bray is also running.
U.S. House of Representatives
Crowded Republican field emerges in District 1
🔵 Democratic candidate
- Moderate Don Davis likely will have his toughest election yet, after redistricting made the 1st Congressional District Republican-leaning by 5 percentage points, according to the Cook Political Report.
🔴 Republican primary
- Laurie Buckhout, whom Davis scraped past in 2024, decided to run late in the filing period. The U.S. Army veteran works in cyber defense for the Trump administration.
- Bobby Hanig is a state senator who battled fellow Republicans this year over a proposed ban on inland shrimping. Hanig told the N&O he is loyal to the Trump agenda, though he may be haunted by a previous endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president.
- Two local officials, Lenoir County commissioner Eric Rouse and Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck, are also in the race. So is attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell.
🟡 Libertarian Tom Bailey will run too.
Democrats battle for District 4
🔵 Valerie Foushee is running for a third term representing the Triangle, though she'll be challenged from the left by a local elected official.
- Nida Allam and progressives nationwide are seeking to replace establishment congressional incumbents, gaining fresh confidence with Zohran Mamdani's mayoral win in New York City.
- Foushee defeated Allam in a more crowded field in 2022, though the boundaries of the district have since changed.
What's next: A flurry of campaign ads will soon take over your TVs as spending ramps up.
- Early voting starts in less than two months for the March 3 primary.