GOP primary for NC lieutenant governor may go to runoff, as Hunt wins Democratic race
The Democratic nominee for North Carolina lieutenant governor won her party’s primary handily Tuesday, but the Republican race was close — and could be headed for a runoff. And that’s not the only executive branch race that could see a second primary.
In Tuesday’s primary election, voters were tasked with determining which candidates will appear as party nominees on the general-election ballot in November.
Democrat Rachel Hunt, a state legislator who is the daughter of former Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt, defeated two challengers to head to the general election.
Republican Hal Weatherman received about 20% of the vote, leading the race for the GOP nomination to the lieutenant governor’s office. His closest opponent, Jim O’Neill, had about 16% of the vote.
Candidates must win more than 30% of votes in their race to secure their party’s nomination for the general election. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the second-place finisher may request a runoff election. O’Neill did not respond to requests from The News & Observer Tuesday night asking whether he would seek a runoff.
The Republican race for state auditor was also close, with no candidate reaching the 30% threshold. Jack Clark received 23% of the vote, while Dave Boliek finished in second with 22%. Boliek told The N&O Wednesday morning he will seek a runoff.
Lieutenant governor and auditor are two of a handful of executive branch offices that will see new faces next year, as several incumbents on the Council of State sought other offices or did not run for reelection.
The Council of State includes 10 elected officials, including the governor and lieutenant governor, as well as leaders who oversee state agencies like the the Department of Justice, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Labor.
Here are results in the races for lieutenant governor, auditor, treasurer, commissioners of labor, insurance and agriculture, secretary of state and superintendent of public instruction. Plus, what to know about those offices and the candidates seeking their parties’ nominations for the seats.
Lieutenant Governor
The lieutenant governor is North Carolina’s second-highest elected official. The office doesn’t come with a lot of power, but the official presides over the state Senate — only voting when there is a tie — and sits on the State Board of Education, among other duties.
The incumbent, Republican Mark Robinson, is running for governor. There are 14 candidates for the job running in the primary: three Democrats and 11 Republicans.
The Associated Press called the Democratic race for Rachel Hunt at 9:02 p.m. Hunt, an attorney, is a member of the state Senate and previously served in the state House of Representatives. She is the daughter of former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt.
Hunt campaigned largely on education. She told The News & Observer in a candidate questionnaire that, if elected lieutenant governor, her top priority in the office would be “standing up for our children, their families and their teachers.”
Speaking at a North Carolina Democratic Party party in Raleigh Tuesday night, Hunt said she has “never wavered in my commitment to serving the people of this state with integrity and compassion.”
“Balancing the demands of being a parent with having a meaningful career, I’ve faced the challenges that so many working mothers face every day,” she said.
Hunt was running against fellow Democrats Ben Clark and Mark H. Robinson.
The Republican candidates were Rivera Douthit, Jeffrey Elmore, Marlenis Hernandez Novoa, Allen Mashburn, Jim O’Neill, Sam Page, Ernest T. Reeves, Hal Weatherman, Seth Woodall, Deanna Ballard and Peter Boykin.
The Republican race remained close throughout Tuesday night. Weatherman led the field, but had less than 30% of the vote. It is unclear whether O’Neill will seek a runoff.
Auditor
The state auditor oversees the Office of the State Auditor, which conducts audits of state agencies and their use of public funds.
The incumbent, Democrat Jessica Holmes, has held the office since late last year. Gov. Roy Cooper in November appointed Holmes to serve the remainder of former State Auditor Beth Wood’s term. Wood, who was the longest-serving auditor in state history, resigned after a Wake County grand jury indicted her for misusing her state-owned vehicle for personal use.
Holmes is seeking a full four-year term in the office and was the only Democrat running for the office in the primary. She will appear on the ballot as the Democratic nominee in November.
Six Republicans were running in the GOP primary: Dave Boliek, Jack Clark, Charles Dingee, Jeff Tarte, Jim Kee, and Anthony Wayne (Tony) Street.
The Republican race remained close throughout Tuesday night. Clark held a slight lead, but had less than 30% of the vote, Boliek, who narrowly trailed Clark, told The N&O Wednesday morning he would seek a runoff.
Bob Drach, a Libertarian, is also running for auditor.
Treasurer
The state treasurer oversees the State Health Plan, which provides coverage to more than 750,000 current and former government employees, as well as the state pension fund, which provides retirement benefits to nearly a million public employees. The treasurer is also charged with maintaining the state’s credit rating, currently the top-level AAA.
The incumbent, Republican Dale Folwell, is running for governor. Five candidates are running in the primary.
The AP called the Democratic race for Wesley Harris at 9:49 p.m. Harris, an economist, is a member of the state House of Representatives, representing south Charlotte.
In an N&O candidate questionnaire, Harris said his top priorities in the office would be “to improve the performance of our pension plan, ensure the State Health Plan can provide quality health care that doesn’t increase costs for state employees, and work with the legislature and local governments to ensure needed investments are made in communities across the state while making sure our local governments remain financially solvent.”
In a statement Tuesday night, Harris said Democratic voters nominated him “because they’ve seen that my campaign is rallying behind state employees and educators.”
“They’ve seen that my campaign is rallying behind our rural communities. They’ve seen that we’ve accumulated one of the most diverse coalitions of supporters of any statewide Democrat in a very long time, and they’re ready for us to change what the model looks like for Democrats in North Carolina,” he said.
Harris defeated fellow Democrat Gabe Esparza.
The AP called the Republican race for Brad Briner at 1:05 a.m. Wednesday. He defeated two other Republicans for the GOP nomination: AJ Daoud and Rachel Johnson.
Briner, a retired financial investor, previously managed the philanthropic assets of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He currently serves on the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees.
In an N&O candidate questionnaire, Briner said, if elected treasurer, he wants to address the state’s “material shortfall in investment performance.”
Commissioner of Labor
The commissioner of labor oversees the state Department of Labor, which is tasked with inspecting everything from rides at the State Fair to elevators — where Republican former longtime Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry became known for including her photo along with the inspection certificate.
The incumbent, Republican Josh Dobson, did not seek a second term.
Braxton Winston, a former Charlotte City Council member, was the only Democrat seeking the office. He will automatically advance to the general election in November.
North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton told The N&O Tuesday night that she predicts labor issues, including the state’s “right-to-work” law and the minimum wage, will bring young voters to the polls to vote for Winston in November.
There were four Republicans running for the office. Dobson endorsed Jon Hardister, a state House member who until recently served as House majority whip. Berry endorsed Luke Farley, a construction and occupational and workplace safety attorney. The other Republican candidates were Travis Wilson and Chuck Stanley.
The AP called the Republican race for Farley at 1:02 a.m. Wednesday.
In an N&O questionnaire, Farley said, if elected labor commissioner, he would “protect our workers without bankrupting businesses in the process.”
Commissioner of Insurance
The commissioner of insurance is responsible for regulating the insurance industry by negotiating rates, investigating fraud and licensing bail bond agents.
The insurance commissioner also used to hold the role of state fire marshal until state lawmakers stripped that responsibility from the office last year.
Though it is not a role that typically receives a lot of attention, the insurance commissioner’s job has come under more scrutiny this year after exclusive reporting from The News & Observer about the hiring and travel practices of Mike Causey, the Republican incumbent who is seeking his third term in the office.
The AP called the Democratic race for Natasha Marcus at 9:09 p.m. Marcus is a current member of the state Senate, representing Mecklenburg County.
Marcus defeated David Wheeler. In a statement Tuesday night, Marcus said she was honored to receive her party’s nomination.
“As we celebrate this victory, we also turn our eyes to the incumbent, ‘Rate Hike Mike’ Causey, a man whose tenure as Commissioner has been marked by a series of unprecedented rate hikes and a conspicuous absence of public hearings,” she said. “Mike Causey favors opaque dealings over open dialogue, but I know North Carolinians deserve better. Our campaign is all about transparency, fairness, and unwavering advocacy for every North Carolinian who deserves affordable, reliable insurance.”
In an N&O candidate questionnaire, Marcus said if she is elected to the office, she would prioritize transparency and accountability in the insurance rate-setting process.
The AP called the Republican race for Causey at 9:21 p.m. He defeated two Republican challengers: Robert Brawley and Andrew Marcus.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
The superintendent of public instruction leads the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, which oversees the state’s public schools and implements the laws regarding them.
The incumbent, Republican Catherine Truitt, has held the office since 2020 and is seeking reelection for a second term. She is facing a challenger, though: Michele Morrow is also running for the Republican nomination.
The AP called the Democratic race for Maurice (Mo) Green at 9:45 p.m. Green is a former superintendent of Guilford County Schools, the third-largest public school district in the state. He retired as the executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation last year.
In an N&O candidate questionnaire, Green said he wants North Carolina public schools “to be recognized as an excellent school system.”
Green defeated two fellow Democrats to secure his party’s nomination: C.R. Katie Eddings and Kenon Crumble.
The AP had not called the Republican race Wednesday morning. But with all precincts reporting, Morrow led Truitt, in an apparent upset of the one-term incumbent.
Commissioner of Agriculture
The commissioner of agriculture leads the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees and regulates state farm operations, food, drug and cosmetic testing, operation of four state farmers markets and the North Carolina State Fair, among several other areas. Agriculture is the top industry in North Carolina, contributing more than $103 billion to the state’s economy each year.
The incumbent, Republican Steve Troxler, has held the office since 2005. The AP called the Republican race for Troxler at 9:51 p.m.
He defeated one Republican challenger: Colby “Bear” Hammonds, who said he was denied two opportunities to state his case to voters in the weeks leading up to the primary, possibly showcasing the challenges that come with challenging a longtime incumbent.
Sarah Taber was the lone Democrat running for the office. She will automatically appear on the general election ballot in November.
Likewise, Sean Haugh was the lone Libertarian running for the office.
Secretary of State
The secretary of state oversees the state’s businesses, registers trademarks, manages land records and oversees legislative lobbyists.
The incumbent, Democrat Elaine Marshall, has held the office since 1997. She faced no challenger as she runs for her eighth term and will automatically appear on the ballot in November.
The AP called the Republican race for Chad Brown at 11:25 p.m. In an N&O candidate questionnaire, Brown said he would “remove unnecessary burdens, streamline processes, cut red tape and reduce spending” to entice businesses to come to North Carolina.
Brown defeated two Republicans to win the nomination: Jesse Thomas and Christine Villaverde.
Staff writer Brian Gordon contributed.
