The list of candidates running in 2024 for elected public office in North Carolina is official. The candidate filing period for the March 5 primaries opened Monday, December 4 at noon and closed Friday, December 15 at noon. All 14 of the state’s congressional seats, all 10 Council of State positions, and all 120 seats in the General Assembly are up for election next November. For a complete list of candidates who have filed to run for office in 2024, visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website, or click here.
On behalf of the entire McGuireWoods Consulting team, we hope that you and your family have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a wonderful holiday season! Our weekly Politics in the News and Week in Review newsletters will resume in the new year.
Congressional Races
While Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Ted Budd (R-NC) are not up for reelection until 2027 and 2029 respectively, all 14 of North Carolina’s US House of Representatives seats are up for election in 2024. North Carolina legislators redrew the state’s congressional and legislative district maps following a ruling earlier this year by the North Carolina Supreme Court that allowed for the legislature to use partisan data to redraw districts, reversing a ruling by the court just one year earlier which resulted in a special master redrawing the districts used for the 2022 elections.
In 2022, North Carolina voters elected seven Democrats and seven Republicans to the US House. However, the newly drawn maps will likely give Republicans at least ten seats, Democrats three seats, and one district is considered to be a competitive toss-up district.
District 1: Incumbent Representative Don Davis (D-Pitt) is seeking reelection and will not face a primary challenger. The winner of the primary contest between Republican challengers Sandy Smith and Laurie Buckhout will then face Rep. Davis and Libertarian candidate Tom Bailey in the general elections.
District 2: Incumbent Representative Deborah Ross (D-Wake) is seeking reelection again in 2024 and will face one primary challenger, Michael Camero. Eugene Douglass, Robert Morales Vergara, and Alan Swain will go up against one another in the Republican primary. Green party candidate Michael Dublin is also running in the District 2 contest.
District 3: Incumbent Representative Greg Murphy (R-Pitt) is seeking reelection and will not face a primary challenger or a Democratic opponent in the general election. Gheorghe Cormos has filed to run for the seat as the Libertarian candidate.
District 4: Incumber Representative Valerie Foushee (D-Orange) is running for reelection in 2024 and will not face a primary challenger. Republican candidates Eric Blankenburg and Mahesh (Max) Ganorkar will face off in their party’s primary. Guy Meilleur has also filed to run for this seat as a Libertarian candidate.
District 5: Long-time incumbent Representative Virginia Foxx (R-Watauga) is running for reelection to what would be her tenth term in congress. Rep. Foxx will face one primary challenger, Ryan Mayberry, in March. Chuck Hubbard, a Democrat, has also filed to run for the District 5 seat.
District 6: Incumbent Representative Kathy Manning (D-Guilford) will not seek reelection after state lawmakers redrew the congressional district maps, shifting Rep. Manning’s Greensboro-area district from a safe Democratic seat to a safe Republican seat. No Democratic candidates have filed to run for this seat. Instead, six Republican candidates, Bo Hines, former Congressman Mark Walker, Christian Castelli, Mary Ann Contogiannis, Jay Wagner, and Addison McDowell, will face off in the March primary contest. The winner of the Republican primary will face no opposition in general election.
District 7: Incumbent Representative David Rouzer (R-New Hanover) will seek reelection in 2024 and will face Marlando Pridgen (D) in the general election.
District 8: Current Representative Dan Bishop (R-Union) announced earlier this year that, instead of seeking reelection to congress, he would be running for North Carolina Attorney General in 2024. Six Republicans, John Bradford, Don Brown, Mark Harris, Chris Maples, Leigh Brown, and Allan Baucom, and one Democratic candidate, Justin Dues, will compete to fill North Carolina’s District 8 seat.
District 9: Incumbent Representative Richard Hudson (R-Moore) is seeking reelection and will face one primary challenger, Troy Tarazon. The winner of the Republican primary will then face Nigel William Bristow (D) in the general election.
District 10: Following incumbent Representative Patrick McHenry’s (R-Lincoln) surprising announcement that he would not be seeking reelection in 2024, five Republican candidates have filed to compete to fill the District 10 seat, including Diana Jimison, Pat Harrigan, Grey Mills, Charles Eller, and Brooke McGowan. The winner of the Republican primary will then face Ralph R. Scott, Jr. (D) and Steven Feldman (L) in the general election.
District 11: Incumbent Representative Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) has filed to run for reelection and will face primary challenger Christian Reagan. The winner of the Republican primary in March will face State Representative Caleb Rudow (D) in the November general election.
District 12: Incumbent Representative Alma Adams (D-Mecklenburg) will run for her seat again in 2024. Rep. Adams will not face a primary challenger but will go up against Addul Ali (R) in the general election.
District 13: Incumbent Representative Wiley Nickel (D-Wake) is not running for a second term in the US House of Representatives in 2024 after District 13 was redrawn by state lawmakers to be more Republican-leaning than it was in 2022. Instead, District 13 has drawn the largest field of candidates vying to fill the open seat. One Democrat has filed to run, Frank Pierce, while 14 Republican candidates have filed. Josh McConkey, Chris Baker, Eric Stevenson, Kenny Xu, Brad Knott, Fred Von Canon, Siddhanth Sharma, James Phillips, Matt Shoemaker, Marcus Dellinger, DeVan Barbour, David Dixon, Kelly Daughtry, and Steve (Von) Loor will all face off in the Republican primary in March.
District 14: Current Representative Jeff Jackson (D-Mecklenburg) announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection to the District 14 seat, instead opting to run for North Carolina Attorney General. Democrats Pam Genant and Brendan Maginnis will compete in the March primary. Three Republicans have also filed to run to fill this open seat, including, most notably, Tim Moore, current Speaker of the state House, Jeff Gregory, and Lillian Joseph.
Council of State Races
GOVERNOR
Current North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) is term-limited and cannot run for a third consecutive term as governor. A handful of candidates have filed to run to fill the open position at the top of the ticket of statewide races in 2024.
The Republican primary will see current State Treasurer Dale Folwell, current Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, and attorney Bill Graham go head-to-head in March.
Current Attorney General Josh Stein, former Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan, Town of Tryon Mayor Pro Tempore Chrelle Booker, attorney Marcus Williams, and Gary Foxx will all face off in the Democratic primary.
Wayne Turner (G), Shannon Bray (L), and Mike Ross (L) have also filed to run in the gubernatorial race.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
With current Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson (R) making a run for Governor in 2024, this leaves open his currently held seat.
Republican candidates that will face off in the March primary election include former critical care nurse Rivera Douthit, former state Senator Deanna Ballard, current state Representative Jeffrey Elmore, former Chief of Staff to former Lt. Governor Dan Forest Hal Weatherman, paramedic Marlenis Hernandez Novoa, pastor Allen Mashburn, activist Peter Boykin, attorney Seth Woodall, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill, entrepreneur Ernest Reeves.
Former state Senator Ben Clark, current state Senator Rachel Hunt, and navy veteran Mark H. Robinson will all compete in the Democratic primary election in March. Dee Watson (L) has also filed to run for Lieutenant Governor in 2024.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
The role held currently by Attorney General Josh Stein (D), who is instead running for Governor, will be an open seat in 2024. Current US House of Representatives member, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC08), is the only Republican candidate for Attorney General. Marine Corps veteran Col. Tim Dunn, Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry, and current US House of Representatives member Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-NC14) will go up against each other in the March primary election before facing Bishop in the November general election.
AUDITOR
Recently appointed State Auditor Jessica Holmes (D) is running for reelection to the role in 2024 and will not face a primary challenger.
The Republican primary contest will include businessman Charles Dingee, CPA Jack Clark, former Greensboro City Councilmember Jim Kee, former state Senator Jeff Tarte, business owner Anthony Wayne Street, and UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees member Dave Boliek.
Bob Drach (L) has also filed to run for State Auditor in 2024.
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
Current North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, a Republican, is running for reelection to the position. Commissioner Troxler will face primary challenger farmer Colby (Bear) Hammonds. Sarah Taber (D) and Sean Haugh (L) are also running for Commissioner of Agriculture, and neither will face a primary opponent.
COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE
Incumbent Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey (R) is seeking reelection to another term as Commissioner. Commissioner Causey will face former state legislator Robert Brawley and Andrew Marcus in the Republican primary contest. Current state Senator Natasha Marcus and businessman David Wheeler will go head-to-head in the Democratic primary.
COMMISSIONER OF LABOR
Current Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson (R) announced last year that he would not seek another term in office, opening the field early to potential candidates. Current state Representative Jon Hardister, attorney Luke Farley, Travis Wilson, and construction safety manager Chuck Stanley will go up against one another in the Republican primary. Braxton Winston, Charlotte City Council Mayor Pro Tem, is the lone Democratic candidate running for Commissioner of Labor in 2024.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Current Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt (R) is seeking reelection to a second term in office. Superintendent Truitt faces one primary challenger, activist Michele Morrow. Three Democratic candidates are vying for the seat and will face off in their party’s March primary, including teacher Katie Eddings, assistant principal Kenon Crumble, and Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation executive director Maurice (Mo) Green.
TREASURER
With current State Treasurer Dale Folwell (R) opting instead to enter the 2024 gubernatorial race, three Republican candidates have filed to run to fill the seat in addition to two Democratic candidates. The Republican primary in March will include businessman A.J. Daoud, banker Rachel Johnson, and Bloomberg investment manager Brad Briner. The Democratic primary will see current state Representative Wesley Harris and business executive Gabe Esparza go head-to-head for their party’s nomination.
General Assembly Races
Retiring & Returning Members
With the filing period officially closed, 15 current members of the state House and six members of the state Senate have either filed their candidacy to run for the other chamber or have announced they will not be seeking reelection to their current seat.
In the House, these members include:
- Kelly Alexander (D-Mecklenburg) is retiring.
- John Bradford (R-Mecklenburg) is running for US Congress in District 8.
- Caleb Rudow (D-Buncombe) is running for US Congress in District 11.
- Jon Hardister (R-Guilford) is running for Labor Commissioner.
- Wayne Sasser (R-Stanly) is retiring.
- Kristin Baker (R-Cabarrus) is retiring.
- Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes) is running for Lieutenant Governor.
- John Autry (D-Mecklenburg) is retiring.
- House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) is running for US Congress in District 14.
- Wesley Harris (D-Mecklenburg) is running for State Treasurer.
- Rosa Gill (D-Wake) is retiring.
- Marvin Lucas (D-Cumberland) is retiring.
- John Faircloth (R-Guilford) is retiring.
- Grey Mills (R-Iredell) is running for US Congress in District 10.
- Terrence Everitt (D-Wake) is running for state Senate in District 18.
In the Senate, these members include:
- Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) is retiring.
- Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg) is running for Insurance Commissioner.
- Rachel Hunt (D-Mecklenburg) is running for Lieutenant Governor.
- Dean Proctor (R-Catawba) is retiring.
- Mary Wills Bode (D-Granville) is retiring.
- Jim Perry (R-Lenoir) is retiring.
Although several current legislators are planning their departures from the General Assembly, another handful of familiar faces have filed to compete for a return to the legislature.
For House seats, five former members have filed for election in 2024, including:
- Former Rep. Brian Turner (D-Buncombe) will run unopposed for District 116, in the seat being vacated by Rep. Caleb Rudow (D-Buncombe).
- Former Rep. John Blust (R-Guilford) will run for District 62 in a five-way primary for the seat being vacated by Rep. John Faircloth (R-Guilford).
- Former Rep. Elmer Floyd (D-Cumberland) will run for District 42 in a four-way primary for the seat being vacated by Rep. Marvin Lucas (D-Cumberland).
- Former Rep. Howard Hunter (D-Hertford) will run for District 5.
- Former Sen. Eddie Gallimore (R-Davidson) will run for District 80.
For Senate seats, three former members have filed, including:
- Former Rep. Michael Speciale (R-Craven) will run for District 3 in a two-way primary, for the seat being vacated by Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir).
- Former Rep. John Ager (D-Buncombe) will run for District 46 against incumbent Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke).
- Former Rep. Raymond Smith (D-Wayne) will run for District 4 against incumbent Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson)
Uncontested Races
More Democrats will run uncontested than Republicans next November. Democrats will field candidates in all 50 Senate districts and 118 out of 120 House districts. Republican candidates will contest 42 Senate districts and 95 House districts. Libertarians also fielded a number of candidates in various districts.
In the House, 16 members will run in uncontested general election races, including:
- Deb Butler (D-New Hanover)
- Vernetta Alston (D-Durham)
- Marcia Morey (D-Durham)
- Zack Hawkins (D-Durham)
- Abe Jones (D-Wake)
- James Roberson (D-Wake)
- Frances Jackson (D-Cumberland)
- Cynthia Ball (D-Wake)
- Renee Price (D-Orange)
- Amos Quick (D-Guilford)
- Kanika Brown (D-Forsyth)
- Mary Belk (D-Mecklenburg)
- Terry Brown (D-Mecklenburg)
- Carolyn Logan (D-Mecklenburg)
- Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg)
- Jason Saine (R-Lincoln)
In the Senate, five members will run in uncontested general election races, including:
- Gale Adcock (D-Wake)
- Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford)
- Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg)
- DeAndrea Salvador (D-Mecklenburg)
- Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg)
Upcoming Legislative Meetings
No legislative business is scheduled for next week.