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Mirroring the broader national trend, Democrats made significant gains across North Carolina, resulting in one of the most consequential shifts in the state's political landscape since 2010. By Wednesday morning, unofficial results indicated that Democrats had secured enough seats to take control of the state House for the first time in 16 years, with a projected 71 Democrats, 48 Republicans, and one unaffiliated member. Democrats also gained four seats in the state Senate, leaving Republicans with a projected 26–24 majority, down from their previous 30–20 veto-proof supermajority. Several close races remain subject to canvassing and potential recounts.
North Carolina also set a record for the number of ballots cast in a midterm election. More than 2.8 million ballots were cast before Election Day, accounting for approximately 67% of total ballots reported. Registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters accounted for approximately 73% of those early ballots. Wake and Mecklenburg counties recorded the highest early turnout, with approximately 352,000 and 300,000 ballots cast, respectively. As of November 4, unofficial results showed approximately 4.22 million ballots cast statewide, compared to 3.79 million in 2022.
All results remain unofficial pending canvassing and certification. In non-statewide races, losing candidates may request a recount if the margin is 1% or less of the total votes cast following the November 13 county canvass. Recount requests must be submitted by noon on November 17.
Federal Races
In North Carolina's open U.S. Senate race, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper defeated former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley by nearly 20 percentage points. Cooper significantly outraised Whatley, raising nearly $50 million compared to Whatley's $13.7 million, and became the first Democrat elected to represent North Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2008.
Democrats also made significant gains in the congressional races. Despite Republican-led redistricting in 2025, incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis defeated Republican Laurie Buckhout in District 1 by over 10,000 votes. The race attracted $52.9 million in advertising expenditures and reservations, making it the most expensive U.S. House general election on record.
In District 11, Democrat Jamie Ager defeated Republican state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom with 57% of the vote. Balkcom replaced Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards on the ballot after he withdrew from the race in August.
Additional Democratic Victories
- District 6: High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson (D) defeated incumbent Rep. Addison McDowell (R)
- District 9: Richard Ojeda (D) defeated incumbent Rep. Richard Hudson (R)
- District 13: Paul Barringer (D) defeated incumbent Rep. Brad Knott (R)
- District 14: Lakesha Womack (D) defeated incumbent Rep. Tim Moore (R)
Three additional Republican-held congressional races remain uncalled, with margins within the state's 1% threshold for a candidate-requested recount:
- District 3: Incumbent Rep. Greg Murphy (R) leads Raymond Smith (D) by 233 votes.
- District 5: Chuck Hubbard (D) leads incumbent Rep. Virginia Foxx (R) by just 99 votes.
- District 7: Incumbent Rep. David Rouzer (R) leads Kimberly Hardy (D) by 2,425 votes.
These results represent a substantial shift in North Carolina's congressional delegation, which entered the election with 10 Republicans and four Democrats.
Judicial Races
Democratic Justice Anita Earls won reelection to the North Carolina Supreme Court, defeating Republican former state Rep. Sarah Stevens by nearly 740,000 votes. Republicans will retain their 5–2 majority on the court.
Democrats also retained all three seats on the 15-member Court of Appeals that were on the ballot. Incumbent Judges John Arrowood and Toby Hampson won reelection, while Democrat Christine Walczyk won the open seat held by retiring Judge Allegra Collins. Republicans will retain their 12–3 majority.
Constitutional Amendments
North Carolina voters approved all three proposed constitutional amendments:
- Income Tax Cap: Approved by 61.92% of voters, the amendment lowers the constitutional maximum state income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%, applying to both personal and corporate income taxes beginning in 2027. The current individual income tax rate is 3.99%, scheduled to decrease to 3.49% in 2027.
- Property Tax Limits: Approved by 60.42% of voters, the amendment requires the General Assembly to establish limits on increases in local government property tax levies. The specific limits and any exceptions will be determined through future legislation.
- Voter ID: Approved by 59.60% of voters, the amendment extends the state constitution's photo ID requirement to all voting methods, including absentee voting by mail. State law already requires identification for mail-in voting, subject to certain exceptions.
Legislative Races
North Carolina's legislative races drew considerable attention Tuesday night as election returns revealed Democratic gains that exceeded many expectations. Republicans have controlled both chambers of the General Assembly since 2011, but 16 years after losing their majority, Democrats are poised to regain control of the state House of Representatives.
Based on unofficial results as of November 4, Democrats appear to have flipped 22 Republican-held House seats, while unaffiliated candidate April Montgomery is leading in another Republican-held seat in House District 51. The projected composition of the House is now 71 Democrats, 48 Republicans, and one unaffiliated member, pending canvassing and any potential recounts.
Democrats also made gains in the state Senate, flipping four Republican-held seats and increasing their representation from 20 to 24 members. Republicans are currently projected to retain control of the chamber with a narrower 26–24 majority, down from their previous 30–20 supermajority. However, the Senate District 24 race between incumbent Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson) and Catina Hamm (D) remains within the threshold for a recount, with Sen. Britt leading by just 268 votes. Should that result change, the Senate would be evenly divided at 25–25, with Democratic Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt casting tie-breaking votes.
Republican Incumbent Defeats
Based on unofficial results, the following Republican incumbents appear to have lost their reelection bids in races outside the recount threshold:
- Senate District 4: Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) lost to Jessica (Jess) Rivera (D).
- Senate District 7: Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) lost to Jessica Bichler (D).
- Senate District 11: Sen. Lisa Stone Barnes (R-Nash) lost to former state Rep. James D. Gailliard (D).
- House District 5: Rep. Bill Ward (R-Pasquotank) lost to Sam Davis III (D).
- House District 25: Rep. Allen Chesser (R-Nash) lost to Lorenza M. Wilkins (D).
- House District 26: Rep. Donna McDowell White (R-Johnston) lost to L'Bertrice Solomon (D).
- House District 35: Rep. Mike Schietzelt (R-Wake) lost to Evonne S. Hopkins (D).
- House District 37: Rep. Erin Paré (R-Wake) lost to Winn Decker (D).
- House District 43: Rep. Diane Wheatley (R-Cumberland) lost to Janene Ackles (D).
- House District 59: Rep. Alan Branson (R-Guilford) lost to Elma Hairston (D).
- House District 64: Rep. Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance) lost to LeVon Barnes (D).
- House District 73: Rep. Jonathan Almond (R-Cabarrus) lost to Thomas J. Monks (D).
- House District 74: Rep. Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth) lost to Amy Taylor North (D).
- House District 75: Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth) lost to Jen Wiles (D).
- House District 82: Rep. Brian Echevarria (R-Cabarrus) lost to Chris Bishopp (D).
- House District 105: Rep. Tricia Ann Cotham (R-Mecklenburg) lost to Ken McCool (D).
- House District 109: Rep. Donnie Loftis (R-Gaston) lost to Mark Carver (D).
- House District 119: Rep. Anna Ferguson (R-Jackson), appointed in April following Rep. Mike Clampitt's death, lost to Mark Burrows (D).
Republican-Held Open Seats Flipped
In addition to incumbent defeats, Democratic candidates are leading or have been declared winners in several Republican-held open seats. An unaffiliated candidate is also leading in another such district.
- Senate District 34: April Cook (D) defeated Kevin Crutchfield (R), who defeated incumbent Sen. Chris Measmer in the Republican primary.
- House District 7: Mark Speed (D) defeated Cory Thornton (R), succeeding retiring Rep. Matthew Winslow.
- House District 51: April Montgomery (Unaffiliated) leads Charles Taylor (R) by 382 votes, succeeding retiring Rep. John Sauls. (Note: at this time, the vote count falls outside of the 1% threshold for a recount.)
- House District 117: Lynne Russo (D) defeated Chelsea Walsh (R), succeeding Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, who ran for Congress.
Close Legislative Races Currently Within the Recount Threshold
Six legislative races currently fall within North Carolina's 1% threshold for a candidate-requested recount. All remain unresolved pending canvassing, with the following candidates leading:
- Senate District 24: Incumbent Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson) leads Catina Hamm (D) by 268 votes.
- House District 9: Claire Kempner (D) leads incumbent Rep. Timothy Reeder (R-Pitt) by 175 votes.
- House District 20: Tim Merrick (D) leads Dane Scalise (R) by 101 votes in the open seat held by retiring Rep. Ted Davis Jr.
- House District 62: Shelly Headen (D) leads incumbent Rep. John Blust (R-Guilford) by 233 votes.
- House District 63: Ian Baltutis (D) leads Ryan Moffitt (R) by 236 votes in the open seat held by retiring Rep. Stephen Ross.
- House District 93: Charlie Wallin (D) leads incumbent Rep. Ray Pickett (R-Watauga) by 228 votes.
Implications for Lawmaking
While Republicans are positioned to retain control of the Senate, they will no longer hold enough seats to override Gov. Josh Stein's vetoes without support from Democrats. Republicans have relied on their Senate supermajority and a near-supermajority in the House over the past several years, allowing them to advance major policy priorities and, with occasional Democratic support in the House, override gubernatorial vetoes.
The new balance of power will fundamentally change the legislative process in Raleigh. With Democrats controlling the House, Republicans narrowly controlling the Senate, and Gov. Stein retaining his veto authority, legislation will require greater bipartisan cooperation and negotiation to advance through both chambers. The shift also creates the potential for increased legislative gridlock when the two chambers disagree on major policy priorities.
Leadership Changes
Both chambers will also see changes in leadership next year. The Senate will elect a new president pro tempore following longtime Senate leader Phil Berger's defeat by Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page in the March Republican primary. Several Republican senators have expressed interest in succeeding Berger, including Sens. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett), Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell), Brent Jackson (R-Sampson), and Todd Johnson (R-Union). Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover), previously considered a contender for the position, lost his reelection bid to Democrat Jessica Bichler.
Democrats will also select a new Speaker of the House when the chamber convenes in January. Current House Minority Leader Rep. Robert Reives (D-Chatham) is positioned to assume the speakership following the Democratic takeover. Current Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) publicly congratulated Reives and his caucus on their election-night victory, acknowledging the significant shift in legislative control.
You can find a breakdown of each race by candidate followed by their percentage of the vote here.
2026 Election Insights from NAA:
What the 2026 election results mean for the future of housing policy.
The Big Picture
From local ballot measures to the Congressional campaign trail, housing affordability was once again a defining issue of this year’s midterm election.
Here are key insights as of the morning of November 4, 2026, and what they mean for the rental housing industry and the future of housing policy.
Change in Congress
Democrats Take Control: Democrats will regain control of both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate when the 120th Congress convenes on January 3, 2027. For the latest results, access the live map from the Associated Press.
- A Closer Look: Democrats overwhelmingly outperformed election predictions, flipping key seats in states nationwide. In the Senate alone, Democrats flipped seats in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. Once final votes are tallied, they are expected to assume significant majorities in both chambers as they enter a period of split government with President Trump in the White House.
- What This Means for Housing: Both chambers will return later this month to elect new leadership, including of the committees with jurisdiction over housing policy. In the House, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43) is widely expected to take back the gavel of the House Financial Services Committee, as is Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.-05) in the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee.
- Deeper Dive: Both Reps. Waters and Cleaver have been longstanding champions of housing policy and were steadfast partners in advancing the landmark 21st Century ROAD to Housing Law (ROAD) last Congress.
Looking Ahead: The new Congress is expected to take up housing policy as a core focus area. To help establish a strong foundation of meaningful and lasting policy solutions, NAA recently joined events with the Bipartisan Policy Center, the New Democratic Coalition and a GOP housing coalition roundtable.
What’s Left This Congress: Republicans will maintain control of both chambers until the new Congress convenes in January. Lawmakers will return to Washington later this month with several timely items to address, including a December 11 federal government funding deadline. NAA is working diligently to advance the Respect State Housing Act, which would conclusively stop enforcement of the CARES Act 30-day notice requirement, in the weeks ahead.
Housing Ballot Measures
Across the country, several states and localities placed ballot measures pertaining to housing policy on the ballot this year. In total, NAA is tracking the results of 15 ballot measures across six states that could impact policy ranging from rent control to development.
Read the entire update here.
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