RALEIGH, N.C. — The veto of North Carolina’s Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein may turn out to be more impactful than that of the outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper, depending on the outcome of a legislative district election that currently leans toward the Democratic party.
As of Tuesday’s elections, Democrats secured victories in 48 out of 120 state House seats, with a narrow lead in a closely contested race against a Republican incumbent. Although provisional and absentee ballots are still being processed, if the Democrats maintain their edge, it could elevate their total to 49 seats—one more than the number necessary to dismantle the Republicans’ veto-proof majority in the House when the new legislative session begins in January.
Since the beginning of 2023, Republicans have maintained a three-fifths majority in both the House and the Senate, granting them the ability to override Cooper’s vetoes. This power has allowed them to advance conservative policies primarily unfettered, addressing topics like abortion, education, and election laws. Despite the race results not being fully resolved, Democrats were quick to celebrate the House results early Wednesday, viewing them as a means to safeguard Stein’s vetoes against Republican proposals. Stein won decisively against Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in this week’s election.
House Minority Leader Robert Reives remarked, “The supermajority has operated without sufficient checks, pushing extreme agendas that have excluded many North Carolinians.” On the other hand, GOP Rep. Destin Hall, selected by House Republicans to take over from House Speaker Tim Moore after he was elected to Congress, downplayed the projected loss of seats, suggesting that the balance of power in the legislature would remain largely stable. Hall noted that Republicans have often persuaded Democrats to join in overriding vetoes.
“I’m confident that we’ll maintain a working supermajority for practical purposes,” Hall stated during a news briefing alongside Republican Senate leader Phil Berger. “We expect to pass legislation akin to what we have done in the past.” He did acknowledge the possibility that the supermajority may hold. The critical race in question involves first-term GOP Rep. Frank Sossamon from Granville County, who as of Wednesday was trailing behind Democrat Bryan Cohn by fewer than 200 votes out of approximately 43,000 cast in a closely contested three-candidate election.
In the Senate, Republicans retained their supermajority by securing the necessary 30 seats in the 50-member chamber. Unofficial results suggest that two Senate races in Wake and Mecklenburg counties remain exceedingly tight, with margins of less than 40 votes in each.
Over the past year, Republicans have successfully enacted more than two dozen bills by leveraging veto overrides. These include measures restricting most abortions after 12 weeks, banning gender-affirming healthcare for minors, and limiting early grades’ LGBTQ+ instruction. They have also modified election laws and restricted the governor’s power to make appointments to certain boards and commissions.
Soon, Republican leaders plan to deliberate an override of a recent veto that sought to eliminate a significant waitlist for private school vouchers while instructing sheriffs to assist federal immigration agents in locating jail inmates. Cooper, whose term ends at the year’s close, commented that breaking the GOP supermajority in the state House would pave the way for beneficial legislation while curbing harmful measures. Stein’s campaign and Cooper collectively channeled millions into supporting legislative candidates.
As a former state senator, Stein pledged during his campaign to veto any legislation that seeks to impose additional restrictions on abortion. He emphasized that recovery from Hurricane Helene, public safety, and education are issues that transcend party lines, stating, “We must come together across our differences and get to work.”
Berger added that he anticipates a relationship with Stein that mirrors the one the GOP had with Cooper, who found some common ground with Republicans concerning economic development. However, he stressed, “There is no doubt that, from a philosophical angle, he positions himself entirely differently than legislative Republicans.”
Notably, most vetoes recorded since 2023 stemmed from Representative Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County switching to the Republican Party, which enabled the GOP to gain the necessary seats for veto overrides. Cotham, initially targeted by Democrats, had a slight lead over her challenger Wednesday in yet another competitive race yet to be conclusively called.