"Moderation" is the best description of what North Carolina’s landscape looks like following the election. Democrats have likely gained enough seats in the legislature to overcome the Republican supermajority. That means Governor-elect Josh Stein’s veto pen will actually have ink in it next year. The Republican leadership will have to work with Stein to ensure that major legislation, including the state budget, is enacted. That should mean fewer bills on social issues and more focus on moderate legislation.

For businesses, expect to see the legislature continue its work on regulatory reform and reducing taxes. The new governor may have to agree with the legislature on those issues in order for him to have a meaningful role in negotiating a state budget.

Governor

Attorney General Josh Stein (D) defeated Lt. Governor Mark Robinson (R) by 14 points, 54.82% to 40.18%. This was the most lopsided governor’s race in recent history. Stein has announced his transition chairs and is starting work on his administration.

Council of State

Along with governor, North Carolina elects a Council of State to run many state agencies. Heading into the election, Republicans held six of those seats with Democrats in the other three. As a result of the election, the Council of State will consist of five Democrats and five Republicans. This is important because the legislature recently added a requirement that the governor obtain approval of the Council of State prior to taking certain executive actions. Governor-elect Stein will be able to get any such measures through the new Council of State. As a member of the Council of State, he will have a vote.

The Council of State will have newcomers in six of the nine offices. Here are the winners:

Lieutenant Governor: Rachel Hunt (D)

Attorney General: Jeff Jackson (D)

State Auditor: Dave Boliek (R)

Commissioner of Agriculture: (i) Steve Troxler (R)

Commissioner of Insurance: (i) Mike Causey (R)

Commissioner of Labor: Luke Farley (R)

Secretary of State: (i) Elaine Marshall (D)

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Mo Green (D)

State Treasurer: Brad Briner (R)

General Assembly

Democrats’ efforts to break the Republican veto-proof majority in the legislature appear to have yielded one additional seat. Multiple seats flipped parties in the North Carolina House, but each party’s gains were largely offset by losses.

In Granville and Vance counties north of the Triangle, Rep. Frank Sossamon (R) appears to have narrowly lost to Bryan Cohn (D) who serves on the town commission in Oxford. And in the Wilson area, Dante Pittman (D) finished ahead of Rep. Ken Fontenot (R).

Republicans still have overwhelming majorities in both chambers but are not guaranteed to override vetoes. This should lead to more moderate legislation emerging next session.

Sen. Phil Berger (R) will be Senate President Pro Tempore again in 2025 with Rep. Destin Hall (R) taking over as Speaker of the House.

Courts

There was one Supreme Court seat up for election this year along with three seats on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Republicans appear to have swept all four of those races.

Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin (R) leads Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs (D) by just 10,000 votes so that race is likely headed to a recount. However, we do not expect a recount to change the outcome of that race.

If the Griffin victory stands, Republicans will have a 6-1 majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court.

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