NC primary elections could see high-profile Republicans, Democrats lose their seats

Powerful incumbents of both parties, including NC Sen. Phil Berger and Democratic US. Rep. Valerie Foushee face surprisingly tight primary challenges on Tuesday. 

No, you’re not dreaming: North Carolina is yet again at the cusp of an election that could have huge ramifications for the state and country. 

Tuesday is Election Day and this 2026 North Carolina primary has everything: High-profile US Senate and House races that in November could help decide whether Republicans maintain control of Congress; a  surprisingly tight race between a far-right conservative sheriff and the most powerful Republican in the state; and several Democratic primary challengers seeking to oust long time incumbents.

In a normal election cycle, midterm elections, and especially midterm primary elections, see less voter turnout than presidential elections. But this is far from a normal cycle. 

Trump supporters don’t usually come out in full force when he is not directly running for office, but though his name is not on the ballot this year, his policies are all over it, and candidates of both parties have found it impossible to ignore the Trump effect.

Early voting data so far shows huge turnout already. 

In this primary, 700,965 North Carolinians voted during the in-person early voting period, which ended on Saturday, Feb. 28. In the 2022 primaries, that number was 559,095. This year’s early voting total is even bigger than the primary election early voting numbers in the 2024 election. 

But for those who have not yet cast their ballot, tomorrow is your last chance to decide which candidates represent your party affiliation in various races in November.

Here are some tips from election officials for Election Day voters and a look at some of the key races and other potential developments.

When, how, and where to vote

The North Carolina Board of Elections offers some tips for Election Day voters:

Who can vote? Unlike in the general election, your party designation restricts which election you can vote in during the primaries. Only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary and only registered  Republicans can vote in the Republican primary. Unaffiliated voters, the largest voting designation in the state, can vote in either primary, but can vote in only one.

When? The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters in line when the polls close at  7:30 p.m. will be able to cast a ballot. 

Where? You can only vote at your assigned location. You can find it here.

Do you need an ID? Yes. North Carolina requires a Voter ID, but most people will be able to use their valid North Carolina driver’s license. You can find a list of all accepted IDs here. If you don’t have your ID on you, you can still cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted as long as you bring your ID to your county board of election before noon on Friday March 6. 

Need help? Ask. North Carolina offers curbside voting for voters with disabilities or for those who are otherwise unable to physically enter the voting area without assistance. Tell an election worker at the site if you need assistance.

Feel threatened? It is illegal to harass or try to intimidate voters at the polls. So if you feel threatened or harassed, be sure to tell an election official. 

Want to practice: Sample ballots are a good way to find out who you may need to Google before going into the voting booth. You can find your sample ballot at the NCBOE website, here.

Races to watch

NC Sen. Phil Berger, the Senate majority leader, is the most powerful Republican in the state and could lose on Tuesday. Sheriff Sam Page of Rockingham County, a far-right conservative, has given Berger a far tougher match than expected, and Berger has spent a lot of money and invested a lot of time in a district he won by 16,000 votes in 2024. 

Page has accused Berger of not being far-right enough. If Berger loses, it will be a huge earthquake in North Carolina politics, toppling a Republican power player who was endorsed by Trump.

All eyes on the US Senate race

Democrat Roy Cooper, the popular former governor, has never lost an election. He will not lose tomorrow either and will be the Democratic nominee for Senate in November. 

The Republican primary, however, is far less certain. Trump has endorsed Michael Whatley, a Republican operative and Trump loyalist, but Michele Morrow, a far-right conservative who once called for Cooper and President Barack Obama to be executed for treason, is also running, casting herself as the true voice for NC Republicans.

Whoever wins the Republican primary faces a steep uphill climb against Cooper. Cooper leads most polls by significant margins.

US Congress, Durham

US Rep. Valerie Foushee, a Durham Democrat first elected to Congress in 2022, is facing a tough challenge from Nida Allam, a county commissioner and the first Muslim to be elected to office in any capacity in North Carolina. She is a close ally of Sen. Bernie Sanders and has been hitting Foushee hard on immigration and the war in Gaza.

Foushee has openly opposed the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration tactics, including its operations last year in North Carolina, but Allam accuses her of not being vocal enough. 

The district leans heavily Democratic, so whoever wins the primary will almost surely win the general election and represent the district in Congress.

US Congress, Eastern North Carolina

US Rep. Don Davis won re-election in 2024 by 6,000 votes, defeating his Republican opponent in an area Trump won easily. State Republicans redrew the Congressional map last year, kicking him out of that district and putting him in a far more conservative district. The new district covers several counties from the middle of the state to the coast. 

Anti-Trump momentum is growing however as voters in those districts continue to struggle with food and fuel prices, which are a direct result of Trump policies. It is still a tough race for Davis, who does not have a primary opponent, but may not be as insurmountable as Democrats feared when the maps were redrawn.

There are several Republicans vying for the party nomination, including Laurie Buckhout, a retired US Army colonel whom Davis defeated two years ago, and NC. Sen Bobby Hanig.

Democratic primaries

A handful of North Carolina Democrats who bucked their party on some key votes last year are also facing tight primaries.

NC Reps. Carla Cunningham, Shelly Willingham, and Nasif Majeed all have primary opponents, in part, because of their votes for Republican bills. 

Cunningham, who represents Mecklenburg County, is perhaps the most vulnerable. She was the only Democrat last summer who voted to override Stein’s veto of a bill that forces sheriffs to cooperate with ICE.

Because of her vote, the bill passed.

In remarks on the House floor, Cunningham explained her support of the bill by claiming that too many immigrants came to the United States refusing to assimilate. While she said she supported some legal immigration, “it’s time to turn the conveyor belt off,” she said.

“If you ask me to line up behind another group of people to raise awareness about their plight, I unapologetically say no.”

“All cultures are not equal,” she said.

Cunningham is facing the Rev. Rodney Sadler, a Baptist minister who has confronted Cunningham’s anti-immigrant rhetoric with Bible verses and quotes from Jesus.