Strong Democratic turnout flips at least 5 US House seats across North Carolina

In unofficial results from election night, North Carolina voters appear to have ousted at least half of North Carolina’s Republican U.S. House delegation in a string of upset elections in what were drawn to be safe Republican seats.

Rep. Richard Hudson, 9th Congressional District incumbent and National Republican Congressional Committee chairman, narrowly lost his seat to Democrat Richard Ojeda, a former West Virginia state representative and veteran.

With all precincts reporting, Ojeda won 51% of the vote to Hudson’s 49%.

“The people of NC-09 looked at the guy running the entire Republican money machine, and they fired him,” Ojeda said in a statement. “This win belongs to every teacher, every nurse, every veteran, every family at Fort Bragg and every working person who’s sick and tired of watching the billionaire class take everything.”

Democrat and political newcomer Paul Barringer defeated Republican Rep. Brad Knott in the 13th Congressional District. With all precincts reporting, Barringer won 51% to Knott’s 48%.

Democrats see opening for Barringer in NC-13 race against freshman Republican Knott

“Even with such an uphill battle, this campaign and our supporters stood up and made it clear that our community wants a representative who will fight to lower costs, stand up to corruption, and help protect access to health care,” Barringer said in a statement.

Democrat and High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson ousted 6th Congressional District incumbent Republican Addison McDowell in a Triad area race. As of midnight Tuesday night, Jefferson had 51% to McDowell’s 49% with all precincts reporting.

Congressman and longtime former N.C. House Speaker Republican Tim Moore lost his 14th Congressional District seat to opponent Democrat Lakeshia Womack. With all precincts reporting, Womack won 51% to Moore’s 49%.

Democrat Jamie Ager flipped the 11th Congressional District, formerly held by Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards, who ended his reelection campaign amid scandal. He defeated Edwards’ replacement on the ballot, Republican state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, 57% to 41% with all precincts reporting.

And Republican incumbent Virginia Foxx in the 5th District was down by 99 votes to Democrat Chuck Hubbard with all precincts reporting, while incumbent Rep. Greg Murphy in the 3rd District was ahead by less than one percentage point. Both are subject to a recount.

These districts were all drawn as safe Republican seats. But this wasn’t a normal year.

Democrats banked a strong lead in early voting, which was up 36% overall over 2022. Black early voter turnout across the state reached roughly 584,000, up 52% compared to 2022, according to an analysis by the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Unaffiliated voters also turned out in unprecedented numbers for a midterm.

In the meantime, the president’s approval ratings sank into the high 30s in the state as gas prices and inflation surged. The Associated Press’ Voter Poll found that North Carolina voters’ two top issues this year were the economy and “the state of democracy,” tied for first place at 35%. Immigration and crime, the issues GOP candidates most frequently campaigned on, ranked far lower, at 12% and 4% respectively.

County boards of election must still count provisional ballots, some absentee ballots, and military ballots, which don’t have to be in until 5 p.m. Nov. 12.

Voters and candidates may also file election protests alleging illegalities or irregularities. 

County boards of election are scheduled to meet on Nov. 13 to certify election results.