North Carolina 2026 primary election: Votes are in, next steps ahead

Former State Rep. Dr. Raymond Smith has emerged as the projected winner in the Democratic primary for North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District, securing 56.6% of the vote with 23,438 votes over opponent Allison Jaslow, with all 191 precincts reporting.

The race drew heightened attention as it marked the first election since lawmakers redrew the state's congressional maps last October, adding Greene, Lenoir, Wayne, and Wilson counties to the district.

Smith, a former educator and combat veteran who previously represented Wayne and Sampson counties in the state legislature, capitalized on his high name recognition and deep community ties.

Former State Rep. Dr. Raymond Smith has emerged as the projected winner in the Democratic primary for North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District.

"Unfortunately, my opponent does not live in the district. She is not from the district and has nothing in common with the district. So, being a native son of this district, knowing this district, having served this district, I feel is very important that the right candidate go forward - and the right candidate should be someone who has familiarity with the district," Smith said after polls closed.

With Wayne County now part of District 3, Smith is seen to have an advantage going into the general election, where he will face Republican incumbent Greg Murphy.

Murphy, who has represented the district for seven years and is a supporter of President Donald Trump, has campaigned on reducing the cost of living and improving community safety.

The November matchup between Smith and Murphy is expected to be closely watched, as both candidates tout strong records of public service and deep connections to the region.

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Senate Leader Phil Berger trailed Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page by just two votes in the GOP primary for Senate District 26.

Page collected 13,077 votes to 13,075 for Berger.

Berger, the most powerful Republican state politician of recent times, trailed by significant margins for much of the evening before closing with just a couple of votes, with all 48 precincts reporting.

A recount is expected after such a close result.

Page was up on Berger by 2 votes.

GOP candidate Laurie Buckhout has won her primary in Congressional District 1.

Buckhout's win sets up a high-profile House race against Democrat Don Davis. It's a rematch of a November 2024 contest in eastern North Carolina.

"I'm grateful to the voters across Eastern North Carolina who rallied behind our campaign tonight. Republicans are united and ready to send a fighter to Washington," Buckhout said. "Don Davis has spent his time in Congress doing little for this district while voting for the largest tax hike in American history and siding with Washington insiders instead of eastern North Carolina's farmers, workers, and small businesses. I spent my career as a U.S. Army Colonel leading troops in combat and defending this country. Now I'm ready to take that same mission-first leadership to Washington - to stand up to weak politicians like Don Davis and fight for safer communities, a stronger economy, and the people of Eastern North Carolina."

Laurie Buckhout's win sets up a high-profile House race against Democrat Don Davis. It's a rematch of a November 2024 contest in eastern North Carolina.

The decorated combat veteran and Bronze Star recipient will now face off again against the incumbent Davis in the November general election. The two faced off in November 2024 in a contest that Davis emerged as the winner by less than two percentage points in one of the tightest House races in the country.

However, this year's rematch will look different. Republican mapmakers redrew the district last year in an effort to make it significantly more favorable to the GOP.

In Tuesday's primary, Davis ran unopposed. His campaign said he would be spending the evening in Washington, D.C., and watching the results as they came in.

"At this point, we can only focus on what we can focus on. They already made their plans to make things," said voter Kamiya Battle. "They're redrawing the margins in different states as well. We can only show up and do what we can do to make things happen."

"I'm not worried about Democrat or Republican," added Erin Pace of Rocky Mount. "I just do the best I can."

With Buckhout as the clear winner, Davis now faces a much steeper climb to hold onto his seat.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) congratulated Buckhout.

"Congratulations to Laurie Buckhout on her primary win! As a retired Army Colonel and former Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Policy, Buckhout has what it takes to defeat do-nothing Don Davis this fall. In Congress, Laurie will be a strong advocate for Eastern North Carolina and help President Trump improve national security, grow the economy, and ensure the success of America's farmers," said NRCC Spokesman Reilly Richardson.

The RNC also took aim at Davis.

"Don Davis betrayed North Carolina, voting in lockstep with Joe Biden's agenda that delivered sky-high costs, rising crime, and an open border, while standing in the way of the America First priorities North Carolinians voted for. Don Davis is a spineless career politician who puts the radical left ahead of his district, and Laurie Buckhout will send him into permanent retirement this November, RNC spokeswoman Emma Hall said.

Democrats quickly attacked Buckhout.

"Laurie Buckhout has no real interest in serving the people of eastern North Carolina. Her priority is acting as another rubber-stamp for the same Washington politicians who are making everyday life more expensive for North Carolinians," said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene. "While Don Davis was busy fighting for affordable health care, lowering costs, and bringing money back home, Laurie was rubbing shoulders with Washington elites and doing everything she could to stay out of North Carolina. This November, voters are going to send Don Davis - a trusted fighter - back to Congress."

Buckhout won against a strong challenge from Asa Buck as well as three other candidates in the GOP field. She finished with nearly 40% of the vote with all 292 precincts reporting. Buck finished second with 34.45% of the tally.

The winner of November's general election between Buckhout and Davis could ultimately have an impact on the balance of power for the U.S. House in Washington.

Michael Whatley, backed by President Donald Trump, prevailed in a field of spirited contenders in the Republican Senate primary. GOP voices quickly reacted to his victory.

NCGOP:
"We are proud to stand behind Michael Whatley as our nominee and are energized to elect a leader who will fight every day for lower taxes, safe communities, and strong borders for North Carolina families. The contrast could not be clearer in this race: Republicans will always stand for the American people, and Radical Roy Cooper will join out-of-touch Washington Democrats to side with illegal aliens and violent criminals."

RNC Statement:

"Congratulations to my friend Michael Whatley on his primary victory," said RNC Chairman Joe Gruters. "I've seen firsthand how hard Michael works - he's a true workhorse and a relentless fighter for President Trump and the America First agenda. He cares deeply about North Carolina and will put the state FIRST by delivering safer communities, a stronger economy, and secure borders. Republicans are united and ready to win."

RNC Regional Office

"Whether it's releasing 3,500 violent criminals, turning North Carolina into a sanctuary for illegals, or forcing girls to share locker rooms with men, Roy Cooper has proven time and again that he puts the radical left's agenda ahead of North Carolinians. In November, voters will reject this corrupt career politician and send Michael Whatley to the Senate to keep their communities safe, put more money back in their pockets, and put North Carolina first," said RNC spokeswoman Emma Hall.

NRSC:

"While Michael Whatley will fight alongside President Trump in the U.S. Senate to put violent criminals behind bars and keep North Carolina safe, Roy Cooper puts criminals like Iryna Zarutska's killer first. Cooper's incompetent hurricane recovery and support for higher taxes, soft-on-crime policies, and biological males in women's sports are out of step with working families," said NRSC Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia.

Whatley will face Democrat Roy Cooper in November.