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The Wake County Board of Commissioners added two new at-large members, both Democrats, after Tuesday's election. 

Why it matters: The commissioners hold a wide-range of responsibilities, from determining the property tax rate and public school funding to overseeing public libraries and health departments.

They also voted 5-2 to approve amendments needed to advance WakeMed's proposed merger with Atrium Health, which still faces regulatory review.

Between the lines: The two new at-large members were created by a 2023 law filed by Republican state House Rep. Erin Pare that expanded the board and made the seven other commissioners elected via district rather than at-large. 

The change was viewed as a way to improve Republicans' chances of winning representation on the currently all-Democratic board.

Republicans are currently shut out 7-0. But Democrats once again swept their elections.

Districts 4, 5 and 6 were not part of this election. 

At-large: With all precincts reporting, Democrats Christine Kushner and Mona Singh defeated Republicans Gary Dale Hartong and Kyle Stogoski. Kushner got 34% of the vote and Singh earned 37%. 

District 1 : Democrat Don Mial ran unopposed in District 1, which covers northeastern parts of the county, including the town of Zebulon and Wendell. 

District 2: Incumbent Safiyah Jackson, a Democrat, won her election against Republican John Adcock with 58% of the vote. District 2 covers a large southern portion of the county, including part of Garner, Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs. 

District 3: Democrat Cheryl Stallings ran unopposed in District 3, which includes parts of Cary, Apex and Holly Springs.

District 7: Democrat Vickie Adamson is also running unopposed in her district, which includes parts of northwest Raleigh and Morrisville. 

Zoom in: Wake County voters also approved two bonds on Tuesday, one to increase funding for new public school construction and HVAC repairs and another for Wake Technical Community College. 

Wake County Commissioners add new members in election

The board expanded this year with two new at-large seats

People stand in line to cast their ballot at the Knightdale Recreation Center on the first day of early voting in Knightdale, North Carolina on October 15, 2026. Americans voting in the November 3 midterm elections will decide who controls Congress for the final two years of Donald Trump's presidenc

People wait to cast early ballots in Knigthdale, N.C., in October. Photo: Matt Ramey/AFP via Getty Images


The Wake County Board of Commissioners added two new at-large members, both Democrats, after Tuesday&#x27;s election. Why it matters: The commissioners hold a wide-range of responsibilities, from determining the property tax rate and public school funding to overseeing public libraries and health departments.<ul><li>They also voted 5-2 to approve amendments needed to advance WakeMed&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed merger with Atrium Health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/09/22/wake-county-commissioners-vote-to-back-wakemed-atrium-merger" data-vars-content-id="2965d66b-316f-4d04-8773-7c93a4d7af07" data-vars-headline="Wake County Commissioners add new members in election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/09/22/wake-county-commissioners-vote-to-back-wakemed-atrium-merger" target="_self">proposed merger with Atrium Health</a>, which still faces regulatory review.</li></ul>

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Despite GOP redistricting efforts and heavy ad spending, North Carolina Rep. Don Davis will have a third term in Congress after Republican candidate Laurie Buckhout conceded.

Why it matters: Republicans redrew the 1st Congressional District last year in hopes of flipping Davis' seat, putting North Carolina at the center of some of the nation's most-watched congressional races.

The big picture: Democrats — who will take control of Congress in January — appear to have defended all four of their seats in North Carolina's congressional delegation and flipped several more.

Recounts are possible, but here's where things stand with all precincts reporting.

Davis beat Buckhout by over 10,000 votes in the district representing most of rural and northeastern North Carolina, according to unofficial State Board of Elections results and, with 99 percent of votes in, Associated Press data.

It was a rematch for the two candidates and the most expensive congressional race in history.

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross sailed to victory. Her district covers a large chunk of Raleigh and Wake County and is heavily Democratic. It will be her fourth term.

3rd District: Likely held by Republicans, with 99 percent of the votes in according to AP.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Greg Murphy led Democratic challenger Raymond Smith Jr. by 233 votes with all precincts in — 0.09%, unofficial tallies show.

The eastern North Carolina district lost some of its redder areas to the 1st District in last year's redistricting, which risked backfiring on Republicans.

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Valerie Foushee won heavily blue Durham and Orange counties, AP has called. This will be her third term. 

Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx's race against Democrat Chuck Hubbard has not yet been called by AP, with 99 percent of the votes in.

With all precincts reporting, Hubbard has a 99-vote lead over Foxx, North Carolina State Board of Elections unofficial results show.

Foxx is seeking a 12th term representing a district that stretches from the Blue Ridge to Greensboro.

6th District: Very likely flipped by Democrats with 99 percent of the votes reported, but AP has not yet called the race.

Republican Rep. Addison McDowell trails Democratic candidate Cyril Jefferson by more than 6,200 votes in the north-central Piedmont district, with 95 percent of the votes reported.

7th District: Very likely held by Republicans with 99 percent of the votes in, but AP has not yet called the race.

Wilmington's Republican incumbent David Rouzer is vying for a seventh term and leads the Democratic candidate by more than 2,400 votes, with 95 percent of votes reported.

8th District: Very likely held by Republicans, but AP has not yet called the race.

The suburban voters between Charlotte and Fayetteville have Republican Rep. Mark Harris up by over 5,100 votes, with 95 percent of the votes tallied. He is seeking a second term.

9th District: Very likely flipped by Democrats, but AP has not yet called the race.

Southern Pines Republican Rep. Richard Hudson served over seven terms, but now trails Democratic candidate Richard Ojeda by over 6,000 votes with 95 percent of the votes tallied.

"I spent 24 years in the Army, and I've been in some hard fights. This is the one I'll remember for the rest of my life," Ojeda said in an election-night statement. "The people of NC-09 looked at the guy running the entire Republican money machine, and they fired him."

10th District: Very likely held by Republicans, but AP has not yet called the race.

Republican incumbent Rep. Pat Harrigan leads his Democratic challenger by over 3,000 votes in the Piedmont with 95 percent of the votes tallied, according to unofficial results.

Democrat Jamie Ager defeated Republican state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom by about 54,000 votes, AP has called, delivering Democrats another district drawn to be safe for Republicans.

Republican incumbent Chuck Edwards dropped out of the race after sexual harassment allegations, giving Balkcom just three months to campaign in a mountain district heavily affected by Hurricane Helene.

Ager won 57% of the vote to Balkcom's 41%.

Charlotte Democratic incumbent Rep. Alma Adams easily won, AP has called. She has been in office since 2014.

13th District: Very likely flipped by Democrats, but AP has not yet called the race.

Republican Rep. Brad Knott trails Democrat Paul Barringer by more than 7,600 votes, unofficial results show.

The district — redrawn ahead of the 2024 election to give Republicans an advantage — includes parts of Wake County and towns like Wake Forest, Clayton and Sanford.

14th District: Very likely flipped by Democrats, but AP has not yet called the race.

Republican Rep. Tim Moore trails Democratic challenger Lakesha Womack by about 6,400 votes, according to unofficial results.

Moore was a longtime leader in Republican state politics, but has only served one term in Congress.

Editor's note: This story is developing and will be updated.

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Who won North Carolina's congressional races

See which candidates won North Carolina's 14 U.S. House seats and who will represent your district.

U.S. Rep. Don Davis speaks at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Greenville, North Carolina in 2024. 

U.S. Rep. Don Davis in 2024. Photo: Cornell Watson for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Despite GOP redistricting efforts and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heavy ad spending" data-vars-click-url="https://ncnewsline.com/2026/10/29/eastern-nc-congressional-race-is-most-expensive-in-us-history/" data-vars-content-id="b1ae83d1-9561-43c2-abdc-e0d6b1554660" data-vars-headline="Who won North Carolina&#x27;s congressional races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ncnewsline.com/2026/10/29/eastern-nc-congressional-race-is-most-expensive-in-us-history/" target="_blank">heavy ad spending</a>, North Carolina Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Don Davis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/12/02/don-davis-picks-his-district-and-says-he-ll-move" data-vars-content-id="b1ae83d1-9561-43c2-abdc-e0d6b1554660" data-vars-headline="Who won North Carolina&#x27;s congressional races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/12/02/don-davis-picks-his-district-and-says-he-ll-move" target="_self">Don Davis</a> will have a third term in Congress after Republican candidate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Laurie Buckhout conceded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.witn.com/2026/11/04/buckhout-concedes-davis-ncs-1st-congressional-district-race/" data-vars-content-id="b1ae83d1-9561-43c2-abdc-e0d6b1554660" data-vars-headline="Who won North Carolina&#x27;s congressional races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.witn.com/2026/11/04/buckhout-concedes-davis-ncs-1st-congressional-district-race/" target="_blank">Laurie Buckhout conceded</a>.Why it matters: Republicans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redrew the 1st Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/21/new-north-carolina-congressional-map-race" data-vars-content-id="b1ae83d1-9561-43c2-abdc-e0d6b1554660" data-vars-headline="Who won North Carolina&#x27;s congressional races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/21/new-north-carolina-congressional-map-race" target="_self">redrew the 1st Congressional District</a> last year in hopes of flipping Davis&#x27; seat, putting North Carolina at the center of some of the nation&#x27;s most-watched congressional races.

North Carolinians voted to approve three changes to the state constitution they were asked to weigh in on by the N.C. General Assembly. 

Why it matters: The changes to the state constitution will have long-lasting impacts on taxes and voting rules in North Carolina, among other issues. 

Driving the news: The results were a rare bright spot for Republicans on election night after pushing for the three items on the ballot as a way to solidify their own policy goals.

With 95 percent of the votes in, all three constitutional amendments passed with around 60% of the votes, according to The New York Times, which used data from AP.

Election results for three North Carolina statewide ballot measures, showing Yes and No votes.

Zoom in: Here's how the state voted on the amendments: 

💵 Limit property tax increases by local governments: An amendment that would require state legislators to enact laws limiting how much total property tax levies can increase passed with more than 60% of the vote. 

It remains to be seen what the cap on property tax increases will look like, as the General Assembly will now be tasked with determining how it would look. 

🪪 Require voters to present photo ID: An amendment to require all voters to show some form of photo ID — not just those voting in person — passed with nearly 60% of the vote. 

Under state law, voters already must show their ID. The state constitution currently says that photo ID is required to vote in person. This amendment would strike the "in-person" part, so mail-in voting is included. 

💰 Cap the state income tax rate at 3.5%: Voters passed the amendment to cap the state's income tax rate with almost 62%. 

This will not immediately lower taxes. The personal income tax rate is 3.99% but is lowering to 3.49% in 2027. 

All three North Carolina Constitutional amendments approved

The amendments could make changes to tax policy in the state.

Illustration of a voting booth casting a shadow that reads "November 3rd"

North Carolinians voted to approve <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three changes to the state constitution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/10/06/nc-constitutional-amendments-2026-explained" data-vars-content-id="c059270c-e7d5-41ed-a0ed-bb1946436edc" data-vars-headline="All three North Carolina Constitutional amendments approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/10/06/nc-constitutional-amendments-2026-explained" target="_self">three changes to the state constitution</a> they were asked to weigh in on by the N.C. General Assembly. Why it matters: The changes to the state constitution will have long-lasting impacts on taxes and voting rules in North Carolina, among other issues.

Democrats in North Carolina's state legislature, long relegated to the sidelines during lawmaking, gained new life in this week's midterms.

Why it matters: North Carolinians delivered a resounding rejection of Republicans on Election Day, flipping at least two dozen state and congressional seats. 

Now, Democrats must piece together a strategy for governing — including how to work with Republicans should they keep a narrow hold over the N.C. Senate.

What they're saying: Anderson Clayton, chair of the N.C. Democratic Party, said her party needs to use the momentum of Tuesday's election to continue introducing its newest legislators to voters and make them household names. 

She said Democrats plan to go to the legislative districts they just won in the coming weeks to give away food before Thanksgiving and highlight the effects of Republican cuts to SNAP. 

Democrats need to make sure "that people know they're not just going to show up right before an election, but they're just going to keep their boots on the ground year-round," she said. 

By the numbers: The Democratic Party will soon control the N.C. House and already hold the governorship. N.C. Senate control hinges on one not-yet-called race.

Democrats flipped at least 17 N.C. House and four N.C. Senate seats, with several races uncalled. An unaffiliated candidate also ousted a Republican. No Republicans flipped seats.

Clayton said Democrats' success was driven by Roy Cooper's popularity, but also by increased investment in rural communities. She believes those investments helped several congressional districts flip. 

"When I came into this job," she said she wasn't "asking to win rural North Carolina over. I [was] asking to increase the margins that we have in these communities, and that's to me what we saw as a ground-winning effect on Election Night." 

Between the lines: Democratic leaders say they're waiting to see whether Republicans control the N.C. Senate, and if so whether they will be willing to work with Democrats on legislation and things like budget making. 

"I'm eager to sit down with the leadership of the new House, the leadership of the new Senate, so that we can agree on what the right priorities are," Gov. Josh Stein told reporters Wednesday, adding that voters "want a government to focus on their needs and not on … partisan political payback or social war issues."

Zoom in: The blue wave didn't sink three GOP-written constitutional amendments on tax policy and voter ID. Stein said he considered the amendments "a con job on the people of North Carolina."

"The problem is, is it would have taken tens of millions of dollars to educate [voters], because if you say to somebody, 'Do you want to pay no more than 3.5% income tax?' with no more information … the majority of voters are going to say, 'Sure,'" Stein said. "But here's the deal: if there is a recession, working people are going to be the ones who bear the cost of that, not the well-to-do, not the wealthy — those who can afford to pay."

Clayton said Democrats must develop a strategy for upping corporate tax rates to make up for lost income tax revenue. 

State of play: One amendment directs the Legislature to write into law a separate cap on property tax increases, something Democrats argue is overreach on local authority. 

"I hope that the Legislature is very restrained in what it does," Stein said.

What's next: Republicans planned a lame-duck legislative session this month and could squeeze in some last-minute GOP priorities before Democrats take control of the House and gear up for 2028. Democrats don't fully know what to expect.

Stein told reporters a Republican-led session isn't needed because "the voters spoke pretty daggone loud last night about who they want making decisions for them."

North Carolina Democrats won big. Now comes the hard part.

With control of the N.C. House secured, Democrats must decide how to turn election gains into policy.

Illustration of a donkey rendered in black and white halftone over a two-tone blue background featuring a pattern made of elements of ballots.

Illustration: Axios Visuals. Stock: Getty Images

Democrats in North Carolina&#x27;s state legislature, long relegated to the sidelines during lawmaking, gained new life in this week&#x27;s midterms.Why it matters: North Carolinians delivered a resounding rejection of Republicans on Election Day, flipping at least two dozen state and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="congressional seats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/11/04/north-carolina-us-house-races-winners-election-results" data-vars-content-id="d4a5e2bc-18b9-4bad-9e50-a24c35e98476" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Democrats won big. Now comes the hard part." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/11/04/north-carolina-us-house-races-winners-election-results" target="_self">congressional seats</a>. <ul><li>Now, Democrats must piece together a strategy for governing — including how to work with Republicans should they keep a narrow hold over the N.C. Senate.</li></ul>

The Raleigh City Council will welcome one new member after Tuesday's election saw most sitting members reelected. 

Why it matters: With voters doing little to shake up the council, incumbents will have another term to shape Raleigh's housing policies and spending priorities on transit, public safety, parks and other services. 

Between the lines: Every candidate endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party won their race. 

Zoom in: Here's how Raleigh voted, with all precincts reporting: 

Mayor: Incumbent Mayor Janet Cowell cruised to victory, receiving nearly 82% of the vote against Ashleigh Heath Armstrong. 

At large: Stormie Forte, an incumbent who has been on the City Council since 2020, received the largest share of the vote with 37%. 

Joining Forte as the other at-large member was newcomer Sana Siddiqui, with almost 33% of the vote. 

The other at-large candidates were Clark Rinehart (15%) and Joshua Bradley (14%). 

District A: Incumbent City Councilmember Mitch Silver was reelected to represent much of north Raleigh, beating Whitney Hill with around 60% of the vote. 

District B: Sitting Councilmember Megan Patton ran unopposed for her seat, which represents northeastern parts of the city. 

District C: Corey Branch, who has represented District C in southeast Raleigh since 2015, won another term, getting nearly 72% of the vote. His opponent, Jared Ollison, got 28%. 

District D: Jane Harrison won another stint representing southwest Raleigh, beating opponent Jevon Smith-Cook with 81% of the vote. 

District E: Christina Jones, who has represented the district that covers central and northwestern Raleigh since 2022, sealed victory over opponent Marc Scruggs with 70% of the vote. 

Zoom in: Raleigh residents also voted largely in favor of two bonds to raise money for affordable housing efforts and transportation improvements. 

 Raleigh's new City Council takes shape after voting

Sana Siddiqui will replace outgoing City Council member Jonathan Melton in an at-large seat.

Voters line up on the first day of early voting at Chavis Park in Raleigh, North Carolina on October 15, 2026. Americans voting in the November 3 midterm elections will decide who controls Congress for the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency, along with dozens of governorships and thousands

Voters line up for early voting on Oct. 15 at Chavis Park in Raleigh, N.C. Photo: Matt Ramey/AFP via Getty Images


The Raleigh City Council will welcome one new member after Tuesday&#x27;s election saw most sitting members reelected. Why it matters: With voters doing little to shake up the council, incumbents will have another term to shape Raleigh&#x27;s housing policies and spending priorities on transit, public safety, parks and other services.

Zachery Eanes

Featured stories

North Carolina Democrats won big. Now comes the hard part.

Who won North Carolina's congressional races

All three North Carolina Constitutional amendments approved

Raleigh's new City Council takes shape after voting

Wake County Commissioners add new members in election