The two-vote margin in eastern North Carolina for the N.C. Senate District 26 Republican nomination spells a protracted process as the votes are still being counted in the race between Sheriff Sam Page and state Senate leader Phil Berger.
In contrast, in western North Carolina, this week’s primary was effectively the conclusion of many local races – including some that won’t make it onto the ballot in November.
Western Carolina University Political scientist Chris Cooper sat down with NC Local to talk through the top takeaways from the primary election.
#1. Turnout was high
Turnout data suggests North Carolinians – particularly Democrats – were very engaged with an increased turnout from the previous cycle. Turnout in Western North Carolina mirrored that trend.
Statewide, primary early voter turnout was up 23% compared to 2022, the last midterm primary cycle. Unaffiliated voters who cast ballots during early voting largely participated in contested Democratic races, according to Cooper’s review of early returns. A few counties in the Western part of the state exceeded the statewide turnout: Buncombe County saw turnout of about 26%, and Macon County saw nearly 29% turnout.
“People were interested, people were engaged, people showed up to the primary, and in this world where a lot of general elections are foregone conclusions, I think that’s a really positive thing for democracy,” Cooper said.
Still, primary election turnout continues to be lower than historic general election turnout.
#2. We don’t know yet if primary voting locations impacted turnout
In January, the state Board of Elections removed voting locations at three colleges in the state (including Western Carolina University). Officials also decreased the number of early voting locations in Madison County.
Cooper said it is still too soon to tell how this impacted voter turnout in the region, but he plans to analyze the data when it’s available.
For the general election, polling locations will soon be decided by local boards of elections. That means the WCU polling location could be back on the map for November.
#3. NC-11 best chance for NC Democrats to flip a congressional seat
The state’s 11th Congressional District, which is geographically large and more competitive than many others in the state, covers 15 counties and partial area of another.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards warded off a challenge from newcomer Adam Smith, holding onto his spot on the November ballot with about 70% of the primary vote.
In the Democratic primary, five candidates competed, with Jamie Ager of Buncombe County as the favorite. Ager’s campaign out-fundraised other Democrats, with three quarters of a million dollars in his campaign finance treasury.
The Democratic contender in NC-11 with the next highest amount of money held a little over $100,000 in campaign cash, Cooper noted.
“It was an impressive victory (for Ager),” Cooper said. “It’s an uphill battle for the Democrats, but this is the best chance the Democrats have to flip the seat in the state of North Carolina and – except for the ones in Virginia [because of] redistricting, possibly in the entire Southeast.”
Republicans currently control the U.S. House of Representatives by four votes, NC Newsline reported. Democrats need to pick up only a few seats to break the GOP’s majority in Washington – and they hope this NC-11 seat could be one of those few.
#4. Local elections focused on local policy
Across the region, there seems to be an even split of incumbents holding onto their seats and newcomers making their way into local government. This is true for county government, sheriff’s offices and local representation in the N.C. General Assembly.
The split is evident in two NC House races: Districts 118 and 119.
Incumbent N.C. Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain), despite two primary challengers, claimed the nomination for House District 119, which represents Swain, Jackson and Transylvania counties.
Meanwhile, in NC-118, which represents Haywood and Madison counties, incumbent N.C. Rep. Mark Pless lost his primary against longtime Haywood County school board member Jimmy Rogers.
Clampitt will face Democrat Mark Burrows of Brevard in November. Rogers will face Democrat Danny Davis of Waynesville.
#5. Many sheriff’s offices were decided in the primary
Many of the local sheriff’s offices were decided last night, as no Democrats filed to run in Cherokee, Macon and Jackson counties.
“The number of competitive general sheriff elections is tiny. Most of the time, sheriffs run unopposed in the general. The primary again is where the action is,” Cooper said.
The Cherokee County GOP chose Chris Wood to serve as sheriff after Dustin Smith’s retirement earlier this month. Smith was asked to leave the office by the local district attorney, who alleged his office was negligent in handling two high-profile murder cases.
Wood was sworn in on Monday morning, according to the Cherokee Scout. In Tuesday’s Republican primary, Wood won over 81% of the vote.
Jackson County Sheriff Doug Farmer, a Republican, prevailed in the primary over challenger Brandon Elders, with 70% of the vote.
Macon County Sheriff Brent Holbrooks won 69% of the vote against Republican challenger Bob Cook.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
