Amidst low voter turnout, an indictment of an elected official and the loss of a long-term state legislator, the stage was set for the November elections.
North Carolina held a second primary on Tuesday, July 17. A second primary is held when one candidate does not receive 40% of the vote. A third primary is not part of North Carolina’s election laws. Therefore, the candidate with the most votes in the second primary is the winner, regardless of the percentage difference.
“Low voter turnout seems to be the norm for Primary Elections and Tuesday’s election proved this to be true,” said Pam Melton NCCUL Director of Political Affairs. “In addition to low voter turnout, other unfortunate political news overshadowed the elections.”
Representative William Wainwright, who was serving his eleventh-term in the NC House, passed away on Tuesday afternoon. Also on election day, Representative Stephen LaRoque was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he misappropriated federal funding from nonprofits that he runs.
“While these events are newsworthy and of course with the loss of Rep. Wainwright, extremely sad, we shouldn’t forget the significance of Tuesday’s election results,” stated Melton. “Three significant races to the credit union industry were determined in the election.”
The November line-up for NC Congressional District 8 was determined in Tuesday’s race. The election pitted long-term political insider Richard Hudson, who once served as Congresswoman Virginia Foxx’s Chief of Staff, against Scott Keadle, dentist and Iredell County Commissioner. Hudson handedly defeated Keadle by capturing 63.7% of the votes.
The race is tremendously important because our friend and credit union advocate, Congressman Larry Kissell, will face Hudson in November.
“We recognize that we need to get involved in this race and determine how we can continue to support Congressman Kissell,” explained Melton. “We are currently evaluating our next steps and will present recommendations to the Governmental Affairs Committee later this year.”
Another important race was the US House District 9 rematch between Jim Pendergraph, Vice-Chair of Mecklenburg County Commissioners and former State Senator Robert Pittenger. In a hotly contested battle Pittenger bested Pendergraph by winning 52.9% of the vote.
“District 9, which is currently retiring Congresswoman’s Sue Myrick’s seat, is a very strong Republican District. While Pittenger will face a Democrat in the General Election, he is the likely winner,” explained Melton. “The League has been working on relationship building efforts with both candidates since the first primary and will continue to work on these efforts with Pittenger.”
Finally, the US House District 11 race between businessmen Mark Meadows and Vance Patterson was determined on July 17. Meadows enjoyed an early and strong lead over Patterson by getting 76.3% of the votes. Meadows will face Democrat, Hayden Rogers, who was Chief of Staff to the current seat-holder, Rep. Heath Shuler.
“The League had successful meetings with both Meadows and Patterson,” said Melton. “Meadows attended the Western Chapter meeting shortly after the May 8 Primary. It’s these types of grassroots initiatives that will help credit unions build strong relationships with our elected leaders.”
July 17 Second Primary Election Results
Congressional
US House District 8 (GOP): Richard Hudson (R-Cabarrus) defeated Scott Keadle (R-Iredell) with 63.7 percent of the vote and faces incumbent Rep. Larry Kissell (D-Montgomery) in the General Election.
US House District 9 (GOP): Former state Sen. Robert Pittenger (R-Mecklenburg) defeated Jim Pendergraph (R-Mecklenburg) with 52.9 percent of the vote and faces Jennifer Roberts (D-Mecklenburg) and Curtis Campbell (L-Mecklenburg) in the General Election.
US House District 11 (GOP): Mark Meadows (R-Macon) defeated Vance Patterson (R-Burke) with 76.3 percent of the vote and faces Hayden Rogers (D-Cherokee) in the General Election.
Statewide Council of State
Lieutenant Governor (GOP): Dan Forest (R-Wake) defeated Tony Gurley (R-Wake) with 67.9 percent of the vote and faces Linda Coleman (D-Wake) in the General Election.
Secretary of State (GOP): Ed Goodwin (R-Chowan) defeated Kenn Gardner (R-Wake) with 54.5 percent of the vote and faces incumbent Elaine Marshall (D-Wake) in the General Election.
Insurance Commissioner (GOP): Mike Causey (R-Guilford) defeated former Co-Speaker of the N.C. House Richard Morgan (R-Moore) with 57.4 percent of the vote and faces incumbent Wayne Goodwin (D-Richmond) in the General Election.
Superintendent of Public Instruction (GOP): John Tedesco (R-Wake) defeated Richard Alexander (R-Union) with 54.4 percent of the vote and faces incumbent June Atkinson in the General Election.
Labor Commissioner (DEM): Former state Labor Commissioner John Brooks (D-Wake) defeated Marlow Foster (D-Wake) with 54.2 percent of the vote and faces incumbent Cherie Berry (R-Catawba) in the General Election.
NC General Assembly
NC Senate District 12 (GOP): Ronald Rabin (R-Harnett) defeated former state Rep. Don Davis (R-Harnett) with 52.3 percent of the vote and faced Brad Salmon (D-Harnett) in the General Election.
NC Senate District 21 (DEM)*: Robert Clark, III (D-Hoke) defeated Billy King (D-Cumberland) with 59.8 percent of the vote and faces no opposition in the General Election.
NC Senate District 41 (GOP)*: Jeff Tarte (R-Mecklenburg) defeated John Aneralla (R-Mecklenburg) with 51.2 percent of the vote and faces no opposition in the General Election.
NC Senate District 44 (GOP): David Curtis (R-Lincoln) defeated appointed incumbent Sen. Chris Carney (R-Iredell) with 59.2 percent of the vote and faces Ross Bulla (D-Lincoln) in the General Election.
NC House District 6 (GOP): Mattie Lawson (R-Dare) defeated former state Rep. Arthur Williams (R-Beaufort) with 67.1 percent of the vote and faces Paul Tine (D-Dare) in the General Election.
NC House District 32 (DEM): Nathan Baskerville (D-Vance) defeated Jim Crawford, III (D-Vance) with 76.6 percent of the vote and faces Scott Bynum (R-Warren) in the General Election.
NC House District 109 (GOP)*: Dana Bumgardner (R-Gaston) defeated former state Rep. Wil Neumann (R-Gaston) with 52.8 percent of the vote and faces no opposition in the General Election.
*Second Primary winners who face no opposition in the General Election and have won election to the N.C. General Assembly.