Forecasted victories for favored candidates came to fruition in North Carolina’s biggest statewide races on Tuesday night, especially the race for governor.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and Lt. Governor Mark Robinson handily won their respective Democratic and Republican primaries in the race for governor, setting the stage for a major showdown in the fall for the general gubernatorial election. Stein earned more than 70 percent of the vote during early vote totals and the initial reporting precincts, holding a substantial lead over former state Supreme Court justice Mike Morgan. Robinson, meanwhile, maintained a lead of around 63 percent of the initial votes over State Treasurer Dale Folwell, who trailed by 25o,000 votes.
The two frontrunners reported significant fundraising amounts in the lead-up to the primary election, signaling the gubernatorial race as a key one among North Carolina’s national position as a battleground state this fall. The candidates have taken strong, differing stances behind issues like abortion access, gun control, and LGBTQ+ rights and representation – setting up for a strong reflection on the national temperature on such issues.
Elsewhere in Council of State races, Rachel Hunt handily won the Democratic primary in the race for North Carolina Lt. Governor with around 70 percent of the vote. Her Republican opponent for the fall, however, may not be decided until May. The race between Hal Weatherman and Jim O’Neill at the top of a nine-candidate ballot appeared set to stay under 20 percent for each candidate, setting the stage for a run-off election.
The North Carolina Attorney General race was more straightforward on Tuesday night. Jeff Jackson earned more than 54 percent in the Democratic primary to beat Durham District Attorney Satana Deberry. It sets him up to face Dan Bishop, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary, in a matchup of outgoing U.S. representatives for the general election in the fall.
One of the few surprises on Tuesday night came in the North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction race. Michelle Morrow is projected to beat incumbent Catherine Truitt in the Republican primary, ousting Truitt after one term. Morrow — who has endorsements from far-right figures, has no elected experience, and has home-schooled her own children — is expected to face Democratic nominee and former Guilford County Schools Superintendent Mo Green in November after Green’s decisive primary win over C.R. Katie Eddings.
To see other results, including Orange County’s local races, from Tuesday’s 2024 primary elections, visit the Chapelboro Election Results page. Additional state races can be found on the state Board of Elections’ results dashboard.
Featured photos via the Associated Press.
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