RALEIGH, N.C. — Following the recent elections, North Carolina Democrats have secured an additional position within the state’s top elected offices, resulting in a balanced Council of State made up of ten executive branch roles, split equally between five Republicans and five Democrats. Among the Democratic winners was outgoing state Senator Rachel Hunt, who emerged successful in her bid for lieutenant governor.
In the ongoing contest for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court, Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs was trailing Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin, as about 5.5 million votes were cast. The counting of provisional and absentee ballots is still in progress. Under state regulations, Riggs may request a recount should the final margin fall within a tight range.
Riggs, one of only two registered Democrats on the seven-member court, tweeted on X that her team was actively monitoring the counting process and expects to provide clearer guidance on their next steps within the next 24 to 36 hours.
Hunt, who clinched victory against Republican Hal Weatherman and two other competitors, is the daughter of former four-term governor Jim Hunt. Her win was a part of a broader success story for Democrats in securing several top council positions, including Josh Stein, who defeated Republican Mark Robinson in the gubernatorial race, and Jeff Jackson, who beat Dan Bishop for the attorney general post. Notably, Stein is currently the attorney general, while Robinson holds the position of lieutenant governor.
The council also saw a change in two additional key roles: the state auditor and the superintendent of public instruction. Republican Dave Boliek emerged victorious over Democratic Auditor Jessica Holmes and a third-party candidate. In the education sector, Democrat Mo Green triumphed over Republican Michele Morrow, who had advanced to the general election after winning her primary against GOP Superintendent Catherine Truitt.
Incumbents who retained their positions included Democratic Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Republican Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, and GOP Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. In the remaining council roles, Republicans continued to succeed in securing the positions of state treasurer and labor commissioner, following incumbent Republicans who opted not to run for reelection.
Republican Brad Briner won against Democrat Wesley Harris, becoming the new state treasurer, succeeding Dale Folwell, who made an unsuccessful run for governor. Additionally, Republican Luke Farley defeated Democrat Braxton Winston to assume the role of labor commissioner. Current Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson opted not to pursue reelection and announced his resignation effective at the end of the day on Wednesday, expressing a desire to explore new opportunities in the private sector after two decades of public service. The state constitution allows Governor Cooper the authority to appoint an interim department leader to serve out the remainder of Dobson’s term.
In the appellate level races, Republicans dominated by winning all three available positions on the state’s Court of Appeals. Among them were incumbent Judge Valerie Zachary, District Court Judge Chris Freeman, and former state legislator Tom Murry, who claimed victory against sitting Judge Carolyn Thompson, a Democrat.
