NC 2020 Primary Roundup

North Carolina saw a number of surprises, upsets, and underdog wins last night as voters across the state cast their ballots in the 2020 primary election. The state saw a few former legislators make their triumphant return with nominations for various public offices, as well as a few who were not so lucky. The results from some Council of State races left political pundits scratching their heads as we saw voters turn out at the polls in impressive numbers for underdogs and political newcomers. We will likely see a few runoff elections, but we will know just how many to expect after the runoff request deadline passes.

For a complete list of election results, use the interactive tool at the NC State Board of Elections website. Find out who represents you in Washington and in Raleigh by using this tool on the NC General Assembly website.

Before we dive into the specifics of every contest from last night, let’s look at a few particularly interesting races.

Potential Runoffs

Lieutenant Governor (Democrat) — Current NC Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley (D-Wake) secured 26.57% of the vote for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Gov., which leaves her open to a runoff challenge. Current NC Sen. Terry Van Duyn (D-Buncombe), Allen Thomas and Current NC Rep. Chaz Beasley (D-Mecklenburg) trailed her with 20.44%, 18.86%, and 18.86% of the vote, respectively.

US House District 11 (Republican) — Republican Lynda Bennett secured 22.72% of the vote, but will likely be challenged to defend her win. Madison Cawthorn, who secured 20.40% of the vote, or current NC Sen. Jim Davis (R-Macon), who received 19.27%, could manage to reclaim that nomination in a runoff election.

Upsets

— NC Senate District 29 (Republican) — Current NC House Rep. Steve Jarvis (R-Davidson) defeated incumbent Sen. Eddie Gallimore (R-Davidson) in his bid to move from the House to the upper chamber.

— NC Senate District 42 (Republican) — Dean Proctor (52.29%) beat Former NC Rep. Mark Hollo (47.71%), who was favored to win the seat and return to the legislature.

— NC House District 43 (Democrat) — Kimberly Hardy (54.12%) beat incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd, D-Cumberland, (45.88%), who was heavily favored to win. Floyd, who has been in the legislature since 2008, is a leader in the Democratic Caucus and is widely known as a moderate member who helps reach compromises with his colleagues across the aisle to get things done. He faced an especially challenging race this year, as he was running in one of the state’s newly redrawn districts.

— Lieutenant Governor (Republican and Democrat) — Perhaps the most notable races of the night, both Lieutenant Governor primaries had outcomes that were surprising to most. On the Republican side, current NC Sen. Andy Wells (R-Catawba) was expected by most to win, due to his impressive fundraising capabilities and experience in state government. He, however, was bested by conservative activist Mark Robinson. On the Democrat side, another state Senator was expected to take the nomination – current Sen. Terry Van Duyn (D-Buncombe). She was toppled by her legislative colleague, current NC Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley (D-Wake), but Van Duyn may still get the nod, as that race is eligible for a runoff challenge.

Ousted Incumbents

Only two members of the NC General Assembly were ousted from their seats in the primary this year. Sen. Eddie Gallimore (R-Davidson) and veteran member Rep. Elmer Floyd (D-Cumberland) will fill out their current terms, but will not be returning to Raleigh this coming January.

What To Watch In The General

— US House District 2: Former NC House member and one-time Democratic US Senate nominee Deborah Ross will head off against Republican Alan Swain and Libertarian Jeff Matemu in the general election for North Carolina’s second congressional district. The district, which currently includes some of Franklin, Harnett, Johnson, Nash, Wake, and Wilson counties, was redrawn during the redistricting battle. The district is now comprised solely of Wake County, which current District 2 Rep. George Holding (R) has said is a too safe of a Democratic seat to entice him to run to keep it. He announced that he would not run in any of the neighboring congressional districts, because he believes they are already ably represented by his Republican colleagues in Congress. This open seat will be an important one to watch in November.

— Lieutenant Governor: The presumptive Democratic nominee, current NC Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley (D-Wake), or the winner of a potential runoff, and conservative activist Mark Robinson (R), will go head-to-head in November. Both were considered underdogs in their respective primary races. If Holley holds onto her nomination, she and Robinson will both stand a chance at becoming the state’s first African American Lieutenant Governor. This contest will be one to monitor closely.

— Commissioner of Agriculture: Current Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Troxler (R), will face a young challenger in the general. Jenna Wadsworth (D) has fought a strong campaign to challenge the long-time Commissioner for his seat. She has previously served as Soil and Water Commissioner for Wake County. Troxler is favored to win, but this race is worth keeping an eye on.

— Commissioner of Insurance: Former Insurance Commissioner and current Chair of the NC Democratic Party Wayne Goodwin will seek to reclaim his seat from Incumbent Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey (R). Causey dethroned Goodwin four years ago in a serious upset. Causey has been in the headlines for the last two years for helping law enforcement stop an alleged bribery scheme in a sting operation against businessman Greg Lindberg. The case against Lindberg is ongoing.

— Commissioner of Labor: With North Carolina’s sweetheart, “Elevator Queen” Cherie Berry (R) finally hanging up her hat, this seat was left up for grabs. Current NC Rep. Josh Dobson (R-McDowell), a high-ranking leader in the House who is known for his work in healthcare, will face off against Democrat newcomer Jessica Holmes, a labor and employment attorney.

— Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction: One of the most consistently hotly contested seats in the state is up for grabs again this year, as sitting Superintendent Mark Johnson (R) decided not to run again after one term so he could make an attempt for Lieutenant Governor. While Johnson missed the mark in the primary, Republican hopeful Catherine Truitt beat out current NC Rep. Craig Horn (R-Union), who was favored to win, for the Republican nomination for Superintendent. Truitt, a former English teacher, served as a Senior Advisor on Education to former Gov. Pat McCrory, and currently serves as Chancellor of the non-profit Western Governors University NC. She will look to defeat Democrat challenger Jen Magnum in the general this fall. Mangrum, who previously ran for NC Senate, is a former teacher and associate professor. This race is expected to be very close.

— NC General Assembly:

• NC House District 119: Former NC Rep. Mike Clampitt (R) will seek to reclaim the seat he snagged from Incumbent NC Rep. Joe Sam Queen (D-Haywood) two years ago. These two have gone head-to-head time after time for this seat. This one is expected to be close, and could be strongly influenced by races higher up the ballot.
   
• NC Senate District 11: Incumbent NC Rep. Lisa Stone Barnes (R-Nash) successfully got the nod to move from her House seat to the Senate in the primary, but will now have to face challenger Allen Wellons (D), a former NC Senator.
   
• NC House District 19: This eastern North Carolina seat, left empty by current Rep. Holley Grange (R-New Hanover) in her failed bid to get the Republican nomination for Governor, will be hotly contested in this year’s general election. Republican Charlie Miller, a Chief Sheriff’s Deputy and county school board member, will face off against Democrat Marcia Morgan, a retired military colonel and teacher, in the general election.
   
• NC House District 117: This right-leaning seat, left empty by the retiring current Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson), will be closely contested by former NC Rep. Tim Moffitt (R) and Josh Remillard, a Democrat. This district has historically produced tight races, so it is worth keeping an eye out to see if Moffitt succeeds in his bid to return to the State House.

The Numbers

Below, we lay out the totals from each of last night’s primary races, from the Presidential primary down to State House. This Friday, we will provide a comprehensive list of everyone who will be heading off this fall in the general.

US President

Republican:

• President Donald J. Trump (93.52%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Joe Walsh (2.04%)
• Bill Weld (1.93%)

Democrat:

• Joe Biden (42.99%)
• Bernie Sanders (24.10%)
• Michael Bloomberg (12.99%)
• Elizabeth Warren (10.47%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Pete Buttigieg (3.28%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Amy Klobuchar (2.32%)
• “No Preference” (1.65%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Tom Steyer (0.81%)
• Tulsi Gabbard (0.50%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Andrew Yang (0.23%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Cory Booker (0.17%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Michael Bennet (0.15%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Deval Patrick (0.10%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Marianne Williamson (0.10%)
• (WITHDRAWN) John Delaney (0.08%)
• (WITHDRAWN) Julián Castro (0.06%)

Libertarian:

• “No Preference” received the overwhelming measure of support with 29.75% of the vote. None of the 16 candidates reached double digits in their percentage of the vote. The next most popular option was Jacob Hornberger, with 8.74% of the vote.

US Senate

Republican:

• Incumbent US Sen. Thom Tillis (78.10%)
• Paul Wright (7.54%)
• Larry Holmquist (7.36%)
• Sharon Hudson (7.00%)

Democrat:

• Cal Cunningham (57.00%)
• Current NC Sen. Erica Smith (34.75%)
• Trevor Fuller (3.81%)
• Steve Swenson (2.68%)
• Atul Goel (1.76%)

Constitution Party:

• Kevin Hayes

Libertarian:

• Shannon Bray

US House of Representatives

District 1
Republican:

• Sandy Smith (77.02%)
• Michele Nix (9.90%)
• Jim Glisson (7.59%)
• Ethan Baca (5.48%)

Democrat:

• Incumbent US Rep. G.K. Butterfield

District 2
Republican:

• Alan Swain

Democrat:

• Former NC Rep. Deborah Ross (69.96%)
• Monika Johnson-Hostler (22.43%)
• Andy Terrell (5.81%)
• Ollie Oneal Nelson (1.80%)

Libertarian:

• Jeff Matemu

District 3
Republican:

• Incumbent US Rep. Greg Murphy

Democrat:

• Daryl Farrow

District 4
Republican:

• Robert Thomas (48.34%)
• Debesh Sarkar (23.00%)
• Von Loor (17.23%)
• Nasir Shaikh (11.43%)

Democrat:

• Incumbent US Rep. David Price (86.75%)
• Daniel Ulysses Lockwood (13.25%)

District 5
Republican:

• Incumbent US Rep. Virginia Foxx

Democrat:

• David Wilson Brown (68.00%)
• Eric Nathan Hughes (32.00%)

Constitution Party:

• Jeff Gregory

District 6
Republican:

• Lee Haywood (73.25%)
• Laura Pichardo (26.75%)

Democrat:

• Kathy Manning (48.35%)
• Rhonda Foxx (19.89%)
• Bruce Davis (15.05%)
• Current NC House Rep. Derwin Montgomery (D-Forsyth) (12.44%)
• Former NC Rep. Ed Hanes, Jr. (4.27%)

District 7
Republican:

• Incumbent US Rep. David Rouzer

Democrat:

• Christopher Ward (46.37%)
• Mark Judson (36.32%)
• Robert Colon (17.31%)

District 8
Republican:

• Incumbent US Rep. Richard Hudson

Democrat:

• Patricia Timmons-Goodson

District 9
Republican:

• Incumbent US Rep. Dan Bishop

Democrat:

• Cynthia Wallace (55.94%)
• Harry Southerland (16.29%)
• Clayton Brooks III (14.76%)
• Marcus Williams (13.02%)

District 10
Republican:

• Incumbent US Rep. Patrick McHenry (71.70%)
• David Johnson (16.34%)
• Ralf Walters (11.95%)

Democrat:

• David Parker

District 11
Republican:

• Lynda Bennett (22.72%)
• Madison Cawthorn (20.40)
• Current NC Sen. Jim Davis (R-Macon) (19.27%)
• Chuck Archerd (9.12%)
• Wayne King (8.68%)
• Dan Driscoll (8.60%)
• Joey Osborne (7.11%)
• Vance Patterson (2.47%)
• Matthew Burril (0.58%)
• Albert Wiley, Jr. (0.43%)
• Dillon Gentry (0.42%)
• Steven Fekete, Jr. (0.19%)

Democrat:

• Moe Davis (47.35%)
• Gina Collias (22.67%)
• Philip Price (11.28%)
• Michael O’Shea (11.16%)
• Steve Woodsmall (7.53%)

Green Party:

• Tamara Zwinak

Libertarian:

• Tracey DeBruhl

District 12
Republican:

• Bill Brewster

Democrat:

• Incumbent US Rep. Alma Adams (88.13%)
• Keith Cradle (11.87%)

District 13
Republican:

• Incumbent US Rep. Ted Budd

Democrat:

• Scott Huffman

NC Governor

Republican:

• Current Lt. Gov. Dan Forest (88.97%)
• Current NC Rep. Holly Grange (R-New Hanover) (11.03%)

Democrat:

• Incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper (87.20%)
• Ernest T. Reeves (12.80%)

NC Lieutenant Governor

Republican:

• Mark Robinson (32.52%)
• Current NC Sen. Andy Wells (R-Catawba) (14.56%)
• Current NC Superintendent of Education Mark Johnson (12.05%)
• John Ritter (11.47%)
• Former US Rep. Renee Ellmers (6.82%)
• Greg Gebhardt (6.81%)
• Deborah Cochran (6.52%)
• Former NC Rep. Scott Stone (6.51%)
• Buddy Bengel (2.76%)

Democrat:

• Current NC Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley (D-Wake) (26.57%)
• Current NC Sen. Terry Van Duyn (D-Buncombe) (20.44%)
• Allen Thomas (18.86%)
• Current NC Rep. Chaz Beasley (D-Mecklenburg) (18.86%)
• Bill Toole (9.60%)
• Ron Newton (5.68%)

NC Attorney General

Republican:

• Jim O’Neill (46.56%)
• Sam Hayes (31.12%)
• Christine Mumma (22.32%)

Democrat: 

• Incumbent AG Josh Stein

NC Auditor

Republican:

• Tony Street (56.18%)
• Tim Hoegemeyer (43.82%)

Democrat:

• Incumbent Beth Wood (77.72%)
• Luis Toledo (22.28%)

NC Commissioner of Agriculture

Republican: 

• Incumbent Commissioner Steve Troxler

Democrat:

• Jenna Wadsworth (53.97%)
• Walter Smith (30.52%)
• Donovan Watson (15.51%)

NC Commissioner of Insurance

Republican:

• Incumbent Commissioner Mike Causey (64.59%)
• Ronald Pierce (35.41%)

Democrat:

• Former Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin

NC Commissioner of Labor

Republican:

• Current NC Rep. Josh Dobson (R-McDowell) (40.30%)
• Chuck Stanley (37.88%)
• Pearl Burris Floyd (21.82%)

Democrat:

• Jessica Holmes

NC Secretary of State

Republican:

• E.C. Sykes (42.90%)
• Chad Brown (38.02%)
• Michael LaPaglia (19.08%)

Democrat:

• Incumbent Sec. Elaine Marshall

NC Superintendent of Public Instruction

Republican:

• Catherine Truitt (56.67%)
• Current NC Rep. Craig Horn (R-Union) (43.33%)

Democrat:

• Jen Mangrum (33.14%)
• Keith Sutton (26.64%)
• Constance “Lav” Johnson (21.11%)
• James Barrett (10.77%)
• Michael Maher (8.34%)

NC Treasurer

Republican:

• Incumbent Dale Folwell

Democrat:

• Ronnie Chatterji (35.79%)
• Dimple Ajmera (33.97%)
• Matt Leatherman (30.24%)

NC State Senate

Senate District 06
Republican:

• Michael Lazzara (63.17%)
• Bob Williams (36.83%)

Senate District 07
Republican:

• Incumbent Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir) (65.95%)
• Billy Strickland (34.05%)

Senate District 08
Libertarian:

• Anthony Mascolo (57.94%)
• Ethan Bickley (42.06%)

Senate District 11
Republican:

• Current NC Rep. Lisa Stone Barnes (R-Nash) (68.10%)
• Patrick Harris (28.58%)
• Dennis Nielsen (3.32%)

Democrat:

• Former NC Sen. Allen Wellons (60.61%)
• Albert Pacer (39.39%)

Senate District 18
Republican:

• Larry Norman (51.36%)
• Scott McKaig (48.64%)

Democrat:

• Sarah Crawford (74.26%)
• Angela Bridgman (25.74%)

Senate District 20
Democrat:

• Natalie Murdock (45.22%)
• Pierce Freelon (37.05%)
• Gray Ellis (17.74%)

Senate District 29
Republican:

• Current NC Rep. Steve Jarvis (R-Davidson) (53.29%)
• Incumbent NC Sen. Eddie Gallimore (R-Davidson) (46.71%)

Senate District 33
Democrat:

• Tarsha Ellis (56.68%)
• Geoffrey Hoy (43.32%)

Senate District 38
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg) (59.36%)
• Laura Anthony (26.93%)
• Roderick Davis (13.71%)

Senate District 42
Republican:

• Dean Proctor (52.29%)
• Former NC Rep. Mark Hollo (47.71%)

Senate District 48
Democrat:

• Brian Caskey (49.77%)
• Cristal Figueroa (33.15%)
• Najah Underwood (17.08%)

Senate District 49
Democrat:

• Julie Mayfield (67.54%)
• Ben Scales (18.61%)
• Travis Smith (13.85%)

Senate District 50
Republican:

• Current NC Rep. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) (78.15%)
• Sarah Conway (21.85%)

NC House of Representatives

House District 03
Republican:

• Steve Tyson (52.57%)
• Jim Kohr (21.10%)
• Eric Queen (17.42%)
• Guy Smith (8.91%)

House District 05
Democrat:

• Incumbent Rep. Howard Hunter (D-Hertford) (67.55%)
• Keith Rivers (32.45%)

House District 06
Republican:

• Incumbent Rep. Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck) (70.78%)
• Rob Rollason (29.22%)

House District 09
Democrat:

• Brian Farkas (62.43%)
• Jake Hochard (37.57%)

House District 12
Democrat:

• Virginia Cox-Daugherty (51.55%)
• Deonko Brewer (37.15%)
• Lenton Credelle Brown (11.29%)

House District 14
Republican:

• Incumbent NC Rep. George Cleveland (R-Onslow) (67.66%)
• Cindy Edwards (32.34%)

House District 15
Republican:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Phil Shepard (R-Onslow) (72.31%)
• Mark Price (27.69%)

House District 19
Republican:

• Charlie Miller (62.42%)
• David Perry (37.58%)

Democrat:

• Marcia Morgan (82.03%)
• James Dawkins, Jr. (17.97%)

House District 20
Republican:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover) (76.51%)
• Justin LaNasa (23.49%)

House District 21
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Raymond Smith (D-Wayne) (55.20%)
• Eugene Pearsall (44.80%)

House District 22
Democrat:

• Albert Kirby, Jr. (72.55%)
• Tony Denning (27.45%)

House District 24
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield (D-Wilson) (67.33%)
• John McNeil (32.67%)

House District 25
Republican:

• John Check (85.55%)
• Steve Matthews (14.45%)

House District 26
Republican:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Donna McDowell White (R-Johnston) (72.57%)
• Justin Tate (27.43%)

House District 27
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Michael Wray (D-Northampton) (55.75%)
• Kelby Hicks (36.87%)
• Jerry McDaniel (7.38%)

House District 33
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Rosa Gill (D-Wake) (66.10%)
• Antoine Marshall (33.90%)

House District 35
Republican:

• Fred Von Canon (70.84%)
• Alma Peters (29.16%)

House District 36
Republican:

• Kim Coley (56.11%)
• Gil Pagan (43.89%)

House District 37
Republican:

• Erin Pare (59.27%)
• Jeff Moore (21.79%)
• Anna Powell (18.93%)

House District 38
Democrat:

• Abe Jones (57.34%)
• Quanta Monique Edwards (42.66%)

House District 43
Democrat:

• Kimberly Hardy (54.12%)
• Incumbent NC Rep. Elmer Floyd (D-Cumberland) (45.88%)

Republican:

• Diane Wheatley (55.46%)
• Clarence Wilson Goins, Jr. (44.54%)

House District 44
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Billy Richardson (D-Cumberland) (52.12%)
• Terry Johnson (47.88%)

House District 45
Democrat:

• Frances Vinell Jackson (69.18%)
• Keith Byrd (30.82%)

House District 52
Republican:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Jamie Boles (R-Moore) (60.01%)
• Bob Temme (39.99%)

House District 53
Democrat:

• Sally Weeks Benson (65.80%)
• John Fitzpatrick, Sr. (34.20%)

House District 56
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange) (85.62%)
• Joe Parrish (14.38%)

House District 59
Republican:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford) (79.88%)
• Allen Chappell (20.12%)

House District 60
Republican:

• Frank Ragsdale (55.81%)
• Ryan Blankenship (44.19%)

House District 64
Republican:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance) (83.32%)
• Peter McClelland (16.68%)

House District 66
Republican:

• Ben Moss (56.70%)
• Joey Davis (43.30%)

House District 71
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Evelyn Terry (D-Forsyth) (64.64%)
• Kanika Brown (35.36%)

House District 72
Democrat:

• Amber Baker (58.54%)
• Lashun Huntley (41.46%)

House District 75
Republican:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth) (68.04%)
• Jacob Baum (31.96%)

Democrat:

• Elisabeth Motsinger (63.91%)
• Gardenia Henley (36.09%)

House District 80
Republican:

• Former NC Rep. Sam Watford (43.64%)
• Former NC Rep. Roger Younts (33.59%)
• Haley Sink (22.78%)

House District 82
Republican:

• Kristin Baker (54.11%)
• William Hamby, Jr. (28.89%)
• Parish Moffitt (17.00%)

Democrat:

• Aimy Steele (83.37%)
• William Pilkington (16.63%)

House District 83
Republican:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Larry Pittman (R-Cabarrus) (60.71%)
• Jay White (39.29%)

House District 93:
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Ray Russell (D-Watauga) (88.19%)
• Turner Doolittle (11.81%)

House District 102:
Democrat:

• Incumbent NC Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg) (64.13%)
• Jonathan Peebles (25.46%)
• Leroy Dean (5.48%)
• Anthony Forman (4.92%)

House District 117:
Republican:

• Former NC Rep. Tim Moffitt (79.41%)
• Dennis Justice (20.59%)

Democrat:

• Josh Remillard (54.19%)
• Danae Aicher (45.81%)

House District 119:
Republican:

• Former NC Rep. Mike Clampitt (61.12%)
• Ron Mau (38.88%)