Blowouts in top NC primary races, some other results closer

No one who has been following North Carolina and U.S. politics in recent months will be surprised that Donald Trump and Joe Biden won with blowouts in their parties’ presidential primary elections on March 5, or that Josh Stein and Mark Robinson prevailed in the gubernatorial races.

But the devil, as they say, is in the details. And also in the down-ballot races. As it happens, we have a lot of both to analyze coming out of the primaries.

Other than the blowouts results in the top races, many of the most closely watched contests across North Carolina remained too close to call based on early returns March 5, though leaders emerged, sometimes by just a few percentage points, as the final precincts reported.

However, a few key races may go to runoffs, which occurs when no one has at least a plurality of the vote and a total greater than 30%. Even so, some down-ballot statewide races were also blowouts, sometimes leading to an awkward partisan lopsidedness in which a clear winner awaits an opponent who was running in a crowded field.

One clear winner was Rachel Hunt in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor finishing well ahead of two opponents. However, the Republican contest for the same seat featured a crowded field, with Hal Weatherman holding a modest early lead, just ahead of Jim O’Neil and Deanna Ballard . With Weatherman having just under 20 percent of the vote, the GOP race may go to a runoff.

In the race for attorney general, Republican Dan Bishop was unopposed. He will face another primary blowout winner in Democratic congressman Jeff Jackson of Mecklenburg County, who chose to run for the statewide office after legislators drew an unfavorable new district map.

In the closely watched race for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction, Maurice “Mo” Green won a clear victory on the Democratic side, but the Republican contest between Michelle Morrow and Catherine Truitt remained close as results continued to come in. When everything was counted, Morrow prevailed with a 52% to 47% edge.

Wesley Harris won a clear victory in the Democratic race for state treasurer, but Republican candidates were again too close to declare a winner by mid-evening. With all precincts reporting, Brad Briner emerged as the winner with 39% of the vote, ahead of his two opponents.

Supreme Court races in North Carolina have often been closely contested in November. Democrat Allison Riggs easily won her party’s primary and will face Republican Jefferson Griffin , who had no primary opposition.

Some blowouts, some close finishes in NC congressional races

In congressional races, redistricting produced very few districts that are expected to be competitive in November, but several featured tough primary contests.

In District 1, Rep. Don Davis had no opposition in the Democratic Primary. Republican Laurie Buckhout won her party’s primary to challenge Davis.

In District 2, Democratic incumbent Deborah Ross won an easy primary victory. She’ll face Republican Alan Swain , who won easily against two opponents.

In District 3, Republican incumbent Gregory Murphy had no primary opposition and does not have a Democratic opponent in the fall.

In District 4, Democratic incumbent Valerie Foushee had no primary opponent. Republican Eric Blankenburg won his party’s primary to challenge Foushee.

In District 5, longtime Republican incumbent Virginia Foxx easily defeated a primary challenger. Democratic challenger Chuck Hubbard ran without opposition in his primary.

In District 6, the six-way Republican primary field remained close with results still coming in late Tuesday. Once all precincts had reported, a runoff election appeared likely, with Addison McDowell and Mark Walker the top finishers, but both falling short of the 30% needed to avoid a runoff. Democratic incumbent Kathy Manning withdrew in December after legislators redrew her district, effectively ceding the district to the Republican winner.

In District 7, Republican incumbent David Rouzer will face Democratic challenger Marlando Pridgen in the general election. Neither had any primary opposition.

In District 8, an open seat, Democrat Justin Dues had no primary opposition. He will face the winner of a hard-fought Republican primary in which Mark Harris achieved a narrow victory late Tuesday, finishing just above the 30% cutoff to avoid a runoff.

In District 9, Republican incumbent Richard Hudson easily defeated a primary challenger. Hudson will face Democrat Nigel Bristow , who ran without opposition.

In District 10, Republican Pat Harrigan won a narrow victory in a five-person primary contest. Democrat Ralph Scott Jr. ran without primary opposition.

In District 11, Republican incumbent Chuck Edwards , a successful primary challenger two years ago, found himself the easy winner against his own primary opponent in 2024. He will face Democratic challenger Caleb Rudow , who ran without primary opposition.

In District 12, Democratic incumbent Alma Adams ran without primary opposition and will face Republican Abdul Ali , who also faced no primary opponents.

In District 13, Republican Kelly Daughtry held a substantial lead in a crowded field, but at 27% can’t avoid a runoff against her next closely opponent, Brad Knott at 18%. The GOP winner will face Democrat Frank Pierce , who ran without primary opposition.

In District 14, state House Speaker Tim Moore easily won the Republican primary and will face Democratic primary winner Pam Genant .

Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Carolina Public Press will continue to watch results and update as the situation changes.