Here are the candidates for NC governor, attorney general and other statewide elections
Candidate filing for the 2024 North Carolina primary election is over, and several new candidates are seeking statewide office. We’re updating this list of who’s running.
In 2024, North Carolina voters will choose the state’s next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, secretary of state, labor commissioner, state auditor, state treasurer, agriculture commissioner and insurance commissioner. All 10 of those people serve on the Council of State. There are no joint-ticket elections, and in many years the governor and lieutenant governor are from different political parties.
No matter the outcome, the makeup of the council will shift significantly, with several elected officials leaving or pursuing other seats at the same table. The demographics are likely to shift as well in terms of gender and race.
Here’s who is running in the primary for North Carolina statewide executive office.
Democrats for governor: Stein, Morgan
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is finishing his second and final term. There are four Democrats trying to replace him, with Attorney General Josh Stein and former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan being the most prominent and well-known candidates.
▪ Stein
▪ Morgan
▪ Chrelle Booker
▪ Marcus Williams
▪ Gary Foxx
Stein had been Cooper’s heir apparent for years when he announced his run in January. For most of the year, Stein was the only one in the race and racked up several endorsements.
A former state senator and two-term attorney general, Stein has drawn national attention for some of his work in the office, including lawsuits against drug and tobacco companies, The News & Observer previously reported.
Cooper endorsed Stein in early September, as did many other Democrats, before Stein had a competitor.
Morgan announced his campaign for governor in September, just after he stepped down from the bench.
He released a campaign ad on social media that describes his childhood in Eastern North Carolina, where he was one of the first Black students to integrate his elementary school and then become the first Black drum major at his high school before going on to a career in the judiciary.
His top campaign issues are education, affordable health care, addressing gun violence, “pocketbook issues” and “reformatting” criminal justice.
If Morgan won the primary and the general election, he would be the first Black governor of the state. Morgan was quick to criticize Stein for holding a campaign event at an HBCU, Shaw University, in Southeast Raleigh near where Morgan lives.
At the same campaign event, Cooper made his case for why Democrats should support Stein.
“I know that the key to our progress moving forward, we need the right person to take it over when I leave,” Cooper said, adding that Democrats need a person with integrity and grit who will work hard and has experience. “We need a person who can win, and that person is Josh Stein,” Cooper said.
Stein said at his Raleigh campaign rally this fall that Democrats have “to build on Medicaid expansion and get hospital and drug prices under control. Now, none of us should have to worry whether our kids are safe when they’re at school or at play in the neighborhood. Or our loved ones are safe when they’re at work or at worship. So we must make our community safer: tackle violent crime, confront the fentanyl crisis and recruit and retain well-trained law enforcement officers to serve our communities.”
Republicans for governor: Robinson, Folwell, Graham, Wells
▪ Mark Robinson
▪ Dale Folwell
▪ Bill Graham
Robinson is the first Black lieutenant governor of North Carolina and would be the state’s first Black governor if he wins the primary and general elections.
On his campaign website, he says “We deserve to be represented by someone who knows us, has lived like us, and will serve the people of this state.”
Robinson had no political experience before his lieutenant governor race, gaining attention for a viral speech on gun rights at a Greensboro City Council meeting. Since then, much of what he says has been controversial, including many insulting comments about various groups of people.
Robinson, who entered the race in April at a rally at Ace Speedway in Alamance County, is part of the MAGA wing of the Republican Party that supports former President Donald Trump. Robinson has spoken at Trump rallies and other ultra-conservative events. He often speaks at churches, including a visit in July where he disparaged transgender people, school teachers and people who don’t stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, among others, and questioned climate change.
In October, when Cooper was in Japan for an economic development event, Robinson issued a proclamation as acting governor in support of Israel in the wake of an attack from Hamas. At a news conference about it, Robinson walked back earlier antisemitic remarks on social media.
State Treasurer Folwell, known for going after hospitals with calls to be more transparent on pricing of medical services, alluded to Robinson’s controversies by saying his own campaign is about courage, not rage.
Folwell has not shied away from criticizing those in his own party, including Republicans in the General Assembly who exempted state lawmakers from public records law in the state budget this year.
Salisbury attorney and businessman Graham joined the race in October with $5 million of his own money. Graham put up much of that for statewide television and digital advertisements, the first of which began airing in late October. Graham, who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor, said that if wins, he will cut taxes, put people back to work, “go after violent criminals including the death penalty for human traffickers and drug dealers” and “require public schools to give parents a say in their kids’ education.”
In December, Graham garnered the endorsement of Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, according to The National Review. Tillis was the state House speaker before going ton Congress.
More candidates for governor
▪ Shannon W. Bray, a Libertarian.
▪ Mike Ross, a Libertarian.
▪ Wayne Turner of the Green Party.
Candidates for NC lieutenant governor
The office itself is mostly a bully pulpit, as the General Assembly removed most of its power over the years. The lieutenant governor is Senate president and may preside over the chamber, though only voting to break a tie. Lieutenant governors also serve on several boards, including the State Board of Education. Sometimes being lieutenant governor has been a stepping stone to governor, as it was with former Gov. Bev Perdue, the first and only female governor in North Carolina.
Candidates in the primary include 11 Republicans and three Democrats:
▪ Republican former state Sen. Deanna Ballard of Watauga County, who is now a consultant for the evangelical organization Samaritan’s Purse. In the Senate, she was an education committee chair.
▪ Peter Boykin of Mebane, who describes himself as the “true ‘We The People,’ grassroots, Americans First, Constitutionalist” candidate.
▪ Rep. Jeffrey Elmore, a state House member and a teacher in Wilkes County schools.
▪ Allen Mashburn, a pastor and insurance agent from Greensboro.
▪ Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.
▪ Seth Woodall, an attorney from Eden.
▪ Hal Weatherman, who has not held elected office but has worked in politics for former Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and former U.S. Reps. Sue Myrick and Madison Cawthorn.
▪ Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill.
▪ Rivera Douthit, an evangelist from Mooresville.
▪ Marlenis Hernandez Novoa, a paramedic and firefighter from Raleigh.
▪ Ernest Reeves of Greenville.
▪ Democratic former state Sen. Ben Clark of Raeford, who unsuccessfully ran for a U.S. House seat last year.
▪ State Sen. Rachel Hunt, who represents a district in Mecklenburg County. She’s the daughter of former four-term Gov. Jim Hunt.
▪ Democrat Mark H. Robinson of Sampson County.
▪ Dee Watson, a Libertarian.
Candidates for NC attorney general
This is likely the highest profile statewide race other than governor. There is no incumbent with Stein running for governor. Two candidates are members of Congress.
▪ Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson of Charlotte, who announced his run after Republican state lawmakers drew him out of his district.
▪ Democrat Satana Deberry, who is the district attorney for Durham County.
▪ Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop, who already has support from the influential campaign funder Club for Growth.
▪ Democrat Tim Dunn of Fayetteville, who spent 33 years in the Marine Corps. Now a colonel in the Marine Reserves, Dunn practices law.
Candidates for state auditor
Democratic State Auditor Beth Wood, nearly a year after a hit-and-run after a holiday party in downtown Raleigh in her state vehicle, announced she is not running for reelection and would resign on Dec. 15.
Gov. Roy Cooper appointed former Wake County Commissioner Jessica Holmes to replace Wood. Holmes said she would run for the full four-year term as well, which means that she’ll go into the election with the advantage of being an incumbent with a year of experience.
Here’s who’s running for auditor:
▪ Holmes, a Democrat who has been appointed to serve the remainder of Wood’s term.
▪ Republican Jack Clark, a certified public accountant.
▪ Republican David Boliek, board member and former chair of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees.
▪ Republican Charles Dingee, former chair of the Wake County Young Republicans.
▪ Republican Jim Kee, a former Greensboro City Council member.
▪ Republican Jeff Tarte, a former state senator and mayor of Cornelius.
▪ Republican Anthony Wayne Street, who ran for auditor in 2020, and was previously put on probation in connection to a stalking charge.
▪ Libertarian Bob Drach of Wilmington.
Candidates for state treasurer
With Folwell seeking a different office, there is no incumbent. Candidates for state treasurer are:
▪ Democratic state Rep. Wesley Harris, an economist from Charlotte.
▪ Democrat Gabe Esparza of Charlotte, who previously served as a senior official in the U.S. Small Business Administration. If he wins the primary and general election, Esparza would be the first Latino treasurer.
▪ Republican A.J. Daoud of Pilot Mountain, a former NCGOP district chair and lottery commissioner.
▪ Republican Rachel Johnson of Winston-Salem.
▪ Republican Brad Briner, a recently appointed member of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, and co-chief investment officer of Willett Advisors, an investment firm founded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg that manages his philanthropic assets.
Candidates for labor commissioner
Current Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson, a Republican, is not seeking a second term. The commissioner is known for having their photo in elevators across the state, among other things. Unlike his predecessor Cherie Berry, Dobson no longer wants to include the commissioner’s photo in elevators.
The candidates are:
▪ Republican state Rep. Jon Hardister of Guilford County. He’s in his sixth House term and stepped down from his position as majority whip in the House to focus more on his campaign. Hardister said he would bring back the elevator photos of the commissioner.
▪ Democratic Charlotte City Council member Braxton Winston, who was first elected to his at-large council seat in 2017.
▪ Republican Luke Farley, an attorney and political newcomer.
▪ Republican Travis Wilson of Union County.
▪ Republican Chuck Stanley, a construction safety manager and volunteer firefighter from Columbus County.
Candidates for superintendent of public instruction
▪ Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt, who leads the public school system of North Carolina, is running for her second term in office.
▪ Republican Michele Morrow, a nurse and home-school parent who previously ran unsuccessfully for the Wake County School Board.
▪ Democrat C.R. “Katie” Eddings, a personal finance teacher at Lee Early College High School in Sanford.
▪ Democrat Mo Green, the former superintendent of Guilford County Schools and former executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
▪ Democrat Kenon Crumble, a Wake County Public School System assistant principal from Clayton.
Candidates for agriculture commissioner
▪ Incumbent longtime Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, a Republican, recently announced his will run for another term.
▪ Republican Colby Hammonds, an agricultural consultant and army veteran from Holly Springs.
▪ Democrat Sarah Taber, a crop scientist and former farm worker from Fayetteville.
▪ Sean Haugh, a Libertarian.
Candidates for secretary of state
▪ Democratic Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, who has served since 1997, is running for reelection. She is the first woman elected to a statewide, executive-branch office in North Carolina.
Republicans challenging Marshall are:
▪ Gaston County Commission Chair Chad Brown, who unsuccessfully ran in the 2020 primary for secretary of state.
▪ Jesse Thomas of Cary, a former health care executive, who originally announced a run for governor, saying he’ll bring “common sense to Raleigh” and wants to “reset the temperature” of politics.
▪ Christine Villaverde, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress from North Carolina’s 2nd district in 2022.
Candidates for insurance commissioner
▪ Incumbent Republican Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is seeking reelection. Causey has recently been at odds with some Republicans in the legislature, who removed his role as state fire marshal in the 2023 budget.
“I am a fighter. I am an advocate for the people of North Carolina standing up and fighting even when the odds are against me and the fix is in — I will go to the mat fighting for what’s right and fair for our consumers and insurance policy holders,” Causey said in a statement when he filed in December.
▪ Republican Robert Brawley, a former state lawmaker who has a background in insurance, is running against him.
▪ Andrew Marcus, a Republican.
▪ Democratic state Sen. Natasha Marcus of Mecklenburg County announced her run on Dec. 11. She has served in the state Senate since 2018, and in the 2023 redistricting process was drawn into a Republican-leaning district that already has an incumbent.
▪ Democrat David Wheeler, after first saying he would leave the race to make way for Marcus, decided he would run after all.
This story was originally published November 10, 2023 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Here are the candidates for NC governor, attorney general and other statewide elections."
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