State legislative seats across North Carolina are up for reelection in 2026. Although few in the Triangle will see a competitive primary in March, there are some to watch.
In House District 37 in southern Wake county, three Democrats will face off to be their party’s nominee to take on incumbent state Rep. Erin Paré in the general election. Democrats will be hoping to flip this swing district, along with another in northeastern Wake County, come November, especially after Dems made big gains in the Triangle’s municipal elections this fall when they picked up several (officially nonpartisan) mayor and council seats that had been held by Republicans.
Over in Durham, the big contest to watch is House District 22 (OK, the only one to watch; the other incumbent legislators in Durham are all but guaranteed reelection). Former city council member DeDreana Freeman is challenging one-term incumbent Sophia Chitlik in the Democratic primary, which will, barring something unexpected, decide the race in solidly blue Durham.
And in Orange County’s House District 50, longtime public servant Renée Price faces a primary challenge from Mary Lucas, who brings experience with the local Democratic Party and government boards.
Not sure which district you’re in? Search your name in the state’s voter lookup and check the “Your Jurisdictions” section. Voters registered with a particular party can only vote in that party’s primary, while unaffiliated voters can choose any party’s ballot.
Here’s a look at all the candidates who filed to run for state legislative seats in Wake County, Durham County, and Orange County this year, and which will appear on ballots in the upcoming primary.
Wake County
N.C. Senate
District 13 (No primary)
This district includes the southern part of Wake County. One Democrat and one Republican have filed to run for this seat, so there will be no primary election.
Incumbent Democrat Lisa Grafstein was first elected in 2022 and is seeking a third term. She is a civil rights attorney specializing in employment law and disability rights. As a legislator she has focused on health care, reproductive rights, and affordability.
Republican candidate, Robert van Brederode is a resident of Fuquay-Varina and tax lawyer specializing in international and global consumption taxes according to his LinkedIn profile. He doesn’t appear to have a campaign site.
District 14 (No primary)
This district covers Southeast Raleigh and a large portion of Wake County. One Democrat and one Republican filed to run for this seat, so there will be no primary election.
Incumbent Democrat Dan Blue Jr. has been a fixture in North Carolina politics for more than four decades, serving as state house speaker in the 1990s and as the former state senate leader. In the General Assembly, Blue has focused on public education, economic growth, and health care.
Republican candidate, teacher, and Wake Forest resident Angela B. McCarty is making a second bid for this seat. While there is little public information available, McCarty’s 2024 campaign Facebook page said her top priority was “school safety pertaining to gun violence and drugs” and “school choice.”
District 15 (No primary)
This district covers a large portion of central and North Raleigh. One Democrat and one Republican have filed to run for this seat, so there will be no primary election.
Jay Chaudhuri, the incumbent, is seeking a sixth term in the House. A state senator since 2016 and the current Democratic whip, Chaudhuri has focused on supporting public education and economic innovation.
David Bankert, a Republican candidate, has worked in business for the fields of engineering, manufacturing, and construction for more than three decades. He unsuccessfully challenged Chaudhuri in 2024.
District 16 (No primary)
This district covers Cary. One Democrat, one Republican, and one Libertarian have filed to run for this seat, so there will be no primary election.
Democrat Gale Adcock is running for her third term in the state senate after serving four terms in the House. A family nurse practitioner who worked at SAS for 26 years, Adcock has focused on public education, access to health care, strengthening the economy, and environmental issues during her time in the legislature.
The Republican in the race, Philip Hensley, is a Cary business owner who ran against Rep. Allison Dahle in the state house District 11 race in 2024.
Jonathan Miller, a Libertarian candidate also filed for the District 16 seat. There is little public information available about Miller.
District 17
This district covers parts of Cary, Apex, and western Wake County. With one Democrat, one Libertarian, and two Republicans in the race, there will be a Republican primary.
Incumbent Sydney Batch did not draw any challengers from within the Democratic Party. A family law attorney, Batch has served in both the state house and state senate, and last December was elected as the senate’s Democratic leader, ousting longtime Democratic leader Blue. Batch’s legislative priorities have included advocating for more funding for public schools, affordable health care, child welfare, and public safety.
Republican Primary
Two Republican candidates filed for the District 17 seat: Apex resident Sarah Al-Baghadi and Shirley Johnson. There is not much information publicly available about either.
Libertarian candidate Patrick Bowersox is challenging Batch for a third time. On his website, Bowersox cites getting government regulations out of the way for small businesses as his main priority.
District 18
This district covers a portion of northern Wake County and Granville County. With one Democrat, two Republicans, and one Libertarian candidate in the race, there will be a Republican primary.
Incumbent Democrat Terence Everitt is seeking a second term. After serving three terms in the state house, Terence Everitt won the senate District 18 seat by a razor-thin margin against Republican Ashlee Adams in 2024. As a lawmaker, Everitt has advocated for access to reproductive health care, government transparency, public education, and criminal justice reform.
Republican Primary
Wake Forest resident Chris Stock, an attorney with his own law practice, has worked in the General Assembly and for Republican state senator Brent Jackson. His website cites economic revitalization, public safety, investment in infrastructure and public education, and preserving farmland as priorities.
A member of the Wake County school board since 2022, Cheryl Caulfield is running an education-focused campaign for the state senate, according to her website. Caulfield says she wants to prioritize spending for classroom needs, advocate for ESL, special education, and gifted students, and address bullying and school violence. Other legislative priorities include advocating for more government transparency, “securing our borders,” limiting property tax increases, supporting veterans, and fighting the “vaping epidemic.”
Libertarian candidate Brad Hessel, the chair of the Wake County Libertarian Party, has unsuccessfully run for this seat twice. A self-described knowledge management consultant, Hessel wants to lower health care costs, provide students and families more choices when it comes to education, reform elections, and “unshackle economic activity,” according to his website.
NC House
District 11 (No primary)
This district covers parts of Raleigh, Cary, and western Wake County. With one Democrat and on Libertarian candidate in the race, there will be no primary.
Incumbent Democrat Allison Dahle has represented District 11 since 2018. In the legislature, Dahle has served as vice chair of the Elections and Ethics Law Committee and prioritized legislation related to elections and voting.
Libertarian candidate, computer scientist and Cary resident Matthew Kordon, ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2024. He is an advocate for independent redistricting, marijuana legalization, and environmental preservation, according to his website.
District 21 (No primary)
This district covers parts of Cary and western Wake County. With one Republican and one Democrat in the race, there will be no primary.
A faculty member at Duke Law School, Ya Liu was elected to the House in 2022 after serving on the Cary Town Council. Liu, a Democrat, has sponsored hundreds of bills in the state house and seen several signed into law, including legislation to keep children together in foster care and a bill supporting child advocacy centers. She’s seeking a third term in the House.
Republican candidate and cybersecurity engineer Bryson Johnson’s campaign Facebook page offers few details about what issues he’s focused on, but notes that he is “running for the 86% of Americans who are not far right or left, but the Exhausted Majority.”
District 33 (No primary)
This district covers parts of Garner and southern Wake County. With one Democrat and one Republican in the race, there will be no primary.
Incumbent Democrat Monika Johnson Hostler is running for her second term in the state house. A former Wake County school board member for 11 years, Johnson-Hostler is the executive director of the nonprofit NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Johnson-Hostler has focused on legislation aimed at supporting public education and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Republican candidate, Garner resident, and small business owner Matthew Orr says heis running to lower taxes, improve public education, and restore integrity in government.
District 34 (No primary)
This district covers parts of North Raleigh and northern Wake County. With one Democrat and one Libertarian candidate in the race, there will be no primary.
Democratic incumbent and attorney Tim Longest is running for his third term in the state house, where he has focused on environmental protection, tenants’ rights, and advocacy for victims of domestic violence.
Libertarian candidate and biotech industry consultant, Ed George ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2024. At the time, he wrote his priorities included removing government regulations and expanding families’ choices for schools.
District 35 (Republican primary)
This district covers parts of northeastern Wake County. With one Democrat and two Republicans in the race, there will be a Republican primary. As a swing district and one of just two House districts in the county currently represented by a Republican, the Democratic Party will be aiming to flip the district come November.
Evonne Hopkins filed to run for the seat as a Democrat. A family law attorney, Hopkins narrowly lost a 2024 bid for the seat to current Rep. Mike Schietzelt. On her website, Hopkins cites health care, public education, environmental conservation, public safety, infrastructure, and addressing the cost of living as legislative priorities.
Republican Primary
Republican incumbent Mike Schietzelt is seeking a second term in the state house. On his campaign website, he cites lowering the cost of living, prioritizing public safety, strengthening public education, and infrastructure and economic growth as priorities this election cycle.
Wake Forest resident Michele Joyner-Dinwiddie works as a math teacher at Wake County Public Schools, according to her LinkedIn page. Joyner-Dinwiddie is a member of NC Educators on the Ballot, a group of educators who have organized to challenge incumbent lawmakers across the state in this year’s election cycle.
District 36 (No primary)
This district is located in western Wake County, covering parts of Apex, Cary, and Holly Springs. With one Democrat and one Republican in the race, there will be no primary.
Incumbent Democrat Julie von Haefen is running for her fifth term in the state house. A lawyer and former PTA president at the school, county and state levels, von Haefen has focused as a legislator on increasing K-12 education funding, improving school safety, and expanding access to early childhood education.
Cary resident and Republican candidate Mary Insprucker ran unsuccessfully for Cary Town Council in 2022. Her platform includes focusing on the cost of living, homeowner rights, and public education.
District 37 (Democratic primary)
This swing district is located in southern Wake County and covers parts of Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, and Garner. With one Republican and three Democrats in the race, there will be a Democratic primary, and Democrats will be hoping to reclaim the seat in the fall.
Running for her fourth term in the state house, Erin Paré won this swing district with 52 percent of the vote in 2024 against Safiyah Jackson, now a Wake County commissioner. In the state house, Paré has chaired the health committee, supported private school vouchers, and sponsored legislation to change how Wake County commissioners are elected from at-large to district representation.
Democratic Primary
A professor at UNC Law School and Fuquay-Varina resident, Marcus Gadson said in an Instagram post announcing his candidacy that his campaign will focus on affordability, opportunity, and accountability.
An activist with the Wake County Democratic Party, Fuquay-Varina resident Winn Decker is a public policy expert focusing on education. Decker’s campaign is focused on affordability, strong schools, and thriving communities.
Ralph Clements, who works on hospital computer systems, says he is running “to provide experienced leadership, address real issues, and move away from divisive politics.”
District 38 (Democratic primary)
This Wake County district covers Southeast Raleigh. With only two Democrats in the race for this seat, the March primary will effectively determine who will represent the district through 2028.
Democratic Primary
Incumbent Abe Jones is running for a fourth term in the state house. A Wake County Public Schools and Harvard graduate as well as a former superior court judge and Wake County commissioner, Jones has prioritized affordable housing, vocational education, and criminal justice reform as a legislator.
A Raleigh native, Collin Fearns lists public education, increasing the housing supply and improving affordability, criminal justice reform, and transparency in government as his campaign priorities.
District 39 (No primary)
This Wake County district covers northeast Raleigh. With one Democrat, one Republican, and one Libertarian in the race, there will be no primary.
A dean at Wake Tech and the former mayor of Knightdale, Democrat James Roberson is running for his fourth term in the state house. As a legislator, Roberson has served on a range of committees and focused on higher education and workforce training.
Republican candidate Jorge Cordova is a flooring installation professional who has run unsuccessfully for Wendell’s town board of commissioners. He does not appear to have a campaign website for the state house seat yet.
Libertarian candidate Wayne Cockrell is a retired automation engineer, according to LinkedIn.
District 40 (No primary)
This Wake County district primarily covers North Raleigh. With one Democrat and one Libertarian candidate in the race, there will be no primary.
Incumbent and Democrat Phil Rubinwas appointed to the seat in January following the death of the district’s longtime Rep. Joe John. The former federal prosecutor lists fully funding public schools, building the economy, gun safety, and protecting democracy as his legislative priorities.
Libertarian candidate Lucas Jones is a student at Wake Tech studying video game design and development, according to LinkedIn.
District 41 (No primary)
This district covers Morrisville and parts of western Wake County. With one Democrat and one Republican in the race, there will be no primary.
A former Wake County commissioner, Democrat Maria Cervania is running for her third term in the state house. On her website, Cervania lists access to affordable health care, fully funding and supporting public education, protecting the environment and balanced growth as her legislative priorities.
Cary resident and Republican candidate Bruce Forster owns a window and siding company, according to LinkedIn. He ran for the seat in 2022.
District 49 (No primary)
This district covers central and west Raleigh and parts of Cary. With one Republican and one Democrat in the race, there will be no primary.
A professional mediator, Democrat Cynthia Ball is running for her sixth term in the state house, where she has served as freshman Democratic chair, Democratic whip, Democratic conference chair, and deputy leader of the house Democrats. Ball has focused on public education, sponsoring bills to improve funding and recruit more teachers, as well as voting rights and health care.
There is little information publicly available about Republican candidate Daran Thomas.
District 66 (No primary).
This district is located in northeastern Wake County. Democratic incumbent Sarah Crawford is the only candidate in the race, meaning she’s a lock-in to represent the district through 2028.
Crawford is the CEO of the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities and is running for her third term in the house. She also served for one term in the state senate. Crawford has sponsored bills related to adult developmental programs, child care, reproductive health care, and abortion access.
Durham County
N.C. Senate
District 20 (No primary)
This district includes Chatham County and the southern portion of Durham County. Incumbent and Democrat Natalie Murdock faces no competition in her bid for a fourth term in the house.
Murdock has a variety of experience in government and politics, including roles in the local Democratic Party, communications, and transportation. She has sponsored bills aimed at supporting families’ economic mobility, reproductive and health care, local infrastructure and culture projects, and environmental justice.
District 22 (Democratic Primary)
This district includes much of Durham County, except for parts of south Durham. The only competitive primary for a state legislative seat in Durham, it features an intriguing match-up between one-term incumbent Sophia Chitlik and former Durham City Council member DeDreana Freeman. In a solidly blue district, the March primary will effectively decide who wins the seat.
Chitlik is seeking a second term after unseating longtime state Sen. Mike Woodard in 2023. She previously worked in education nonprofits and has founded several organizations, including a wellness company and a consulting firm. She worked in former President Barack Obama’s campaign and labor department. As a legislator, Chitlik has focused on health care, reproductive care, and supporting parents and children.
Freeman was first elected to the Durham City Council in 2017 and was reelected with 70 percent of the vote in 2021 (she ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2023). Last month, she lost a tight race against Matt Kopac. Freeman has lived in Durham since the mid-2000s and has worked for nearly a decade at the East Durham Children’s Initiative. As a city council member, Freeman advocated for affordable housing, racial equity and community engagement.
Lakeshia Alston is running for the seat as a Republican and doesn’t appear to have a campaign website.
N.C. House
District 2 (No primary)
Ray Jeffers isn’t facing competition on his way to a third term in the House. The farmer and nonprofit administrator represents Person County and northern Durham. He has sponsored bills to support farmers, workforce housing and local control of zoning decisions.
District 29 (No primary)
Vernetta Alston, whose district includes southwest Durham County, is unopposed in her bid for a fourth term. An attorney who previously worked in death penalty litigation and served on the Durham City Council, Alston has focused on housing access, criminal justice debt reform, and support for children and families.
District 30 (No primary)
Incumbent Marcia Morey drew no primary challengers. Morey’s house district, which the former judge has represented since 2017, includes a portion of western Durham. As a legislator, she is a founding member of the Progressive House Caucus who has focused on gun safety, workers’ rights, criminal justice reform, and voting rights.
Libertarian candidate Ray Ubinger doesn’t appear to have a current campaign site; he unsuccessfully ran for state senate the past four cycles.
District 31 (No primary)
Incumbent Zack Hawkins is also unopposed for reelection to a fifth term representing east and southeast Durham. Hawkins, a former Durham Public Schools teacher, has focused on education, support for children, economic mobility, and health care.
Orange County
N.C. Senate
District 23 (No primary)
This district includes Caswell, Orange and Person counties. There is no primary in March, but voters can expect to see a 2024 rematch in November between Democrat Graig Meyer, who has held the seat since 2022, and Republican challenger Laura Pichardo.
Meyer was elected in 2013 to the House of Representatives, where he served four terms. He is now seeking a third term in the senate. With a background in social work, he has focused on education and health care as a legislator and has also championed marijuana legalization as a way to address racial inequity.
Pichardo works for Hanesbrands and serves as treasurer for Caswell County Republicans. Her platform focuses on supporting health care and education access rural areas and promoting the First and Second Amendments.
N.C. House
District 50 (Democratic primary)
This district includes Orange and Caswell counties. No Republican candidates filed, so the winner of the March Democratic Primary between the incumbent and a challenger will effectively decide the seat.
Incumbent Renée Price was elected to the state House in 2022 and is seeking a third term. Before she joined the House, she served on the Orange County Board of Commissioners for ten years and worked as an urban planner. In the legislature, she’s focused on education, local governance and voting rights.
Mary Lucas, a vice president at a nonprofit hospice and palliative care organization, serves on the Orange County Advisory Board on Aging and the Orange County Animal Services Advisory Board. She’s a precinct chair for the Orange County Democratic Party. Among her priority issues are expanding health care, investing in public schools, and improving access for rural residents.
According to a campaign site, candidate Brandall Redd is running on a platform of “creating good-paying jobs, strengthening public education, expanding access to health care, and standing up for civil rights.”
District 56 (No primary)
This district includes parts of Orange County, including Carrboro and Chapel Hill. With one Democrat and one Libertarian filing, there will not be a primary.
Incumbent Democrat Allen Buansi is seeking a third term in the House. He is a civil rights attorney and former town council member in Chapel Hill, where he helped establish the town’s first Criminal Justice Debt Program. In the House, he has been an advocate for public schools and the environment; he was a primary sponsor on the bill that created the new Venus flytrap license plate.
Matthew Clements, who is active in the state’s Libertarian Party, is the Orange County Libertarian Party Chair. He previously ran unsuccessfully for state House in 2018 and the Carrboro Town Council in 2019. According to his campaign Facebook page, his platform includes “ending certificate of need laws, abolishing the ABC system, and protecting and defending the state constitution of North Carolina.”
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