2024 Election Day: Donald Trump projected to be next president by ABC News

North Carolina has been one of the several swing states to watch as it shifted from a lean Republican to a toss-up state after Kamala Harris joined the presidential race.

The state and its 16 electoral votes play a major role in the presidential election. Both candidates spent much of their campaigns here.

As Election Day votes continue to trickle in, Trump leads Harris in North Carolina, 51% to 48%.

"I'm not surprised," Karyn Mulligan, NCGOP vice chairwoman, said.

The North Carolina Republican Party gave this reaction:

"I'm not surprised," Karyn Mulligan, NCGOP vice chairwoman, said.

ABC11 asked what she thinks are key issues for North Carolinians, including unaffiliated voters.

"I think it was the economy. You know, we are not better off than we were four years ago," Mulligan said. "And I think that's what drove people to the polls."

North Carolina is also home to the country's most competitive gubernatorial race this year where State Attorney General Josh Stein is projected to defeat Lt. Governor Mark Robinson.

Democrats are projected to have won enough seats in the House to break the Republican supermajority in the state legislature.

That would restore meaningful veto power for incoming Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.

"Tonight marks a monumental shift in the balance of power in North Carolina and is a testament to the DLCC's work alongside many partners and allies to challenge unchecked Republican power in the state," said Heather Williams, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee president. "Republicans have wielded their toxic supermajorities to enact an extreme agenda - including an egregious abortion ban that was wildly out of step. That unchecked GOP power ends today with Gov.-elect Josh Stein and an incoming Democratic caucus that can sustain his vetoes of extreme Republican overreach. Newly elected Democrats will play a key role in holding Republicans accountable as we work together to eventually overcome the egregious gerrymandering and other structural barriers to true representation in North Carolina."

Despite that shift in power, Republicans maintained a supermajority in the state Senate.

"I can confidently say Republicans will retain a supermajority in the Senate and will hold a strong majority in the House," said Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham. "I'm thankful for the men and women who put their names forward and ran for office. Senate Republicans had an incredible slate of candidates and they're going to represent their constituents well."

Berger said the results affirm voters' "faith in Republicans to guide the state."

"Our platform of low taxes, job creation, quality education, and educational freedom spoke to North Carolinians then. Now, the voters are returning Republican majorities to the legislature for the eighth consecutive election," Berger added. "Republicans in the General Assembly will continue to honor that platform and work tirelessly for all North Carolinians. As we prepare for the upcoming biennium, at the top of our minds is supporting western North Carolina as the recovery process continues."

Neither candidate in the race to be the next North Carolina Superintendent of Public Education will speak Tuesday night, according to both of their campaigns.

Democrat Mo Green is leading Republican Michele Morrow after the majority of votes have been counted.

Morrow, a nurse and a homeschooler, sent shockwaves throughout the state education field when she upset incumbent state Superintendent Catherine Truitt in the GOP primary.

Green is the former superintendent of Guilford County Schools, one of the largest districts in the state, and he came out of retirement for this race at the behest of Gov. Roy Cooper.

Although Green is in the lead, the close nature of the race means it remains unclear who will ultimately claim victory.

ABC News has projected that former President Donald Trump has won North Carolina, a key battleground state.

"Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump and Sen. JD Vance on their historic victory in North Carolina," said Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley. "After four years of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden's failed leadership, North Carolinians turned out in droves to restore a strong economy, secure border, and peace through strength under President Trump. It is clearer than ever: North Carolina is Trump Country."

North Carolina was a critical state for both candidates. Harris, Trump, as well as their running mates, visited North Carolina numerous times, including in the final days before Election Day.

Trump's win is a serious blow to Democrats' path to 270 electoral votes.

On Oct. 30, Trump held a rally in Rocky Mount as he worked to shore up support in battleground North Carolina. He told the crowd "The fate of our nation is in your hands. And this is a very important state."

On Monday, Trump rallied voters at Dorton Arena in Raleigh.

Trump has now carried the state for three election cycles, defeating Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.

ABC News has projected that former President Donald Trump has won North Carolina, a key battleground state.