National Democrats are targeting these 13 NC General Assembly races in 2026 | Opinion
National Democrats have their eye on North Carolina, anticipating the opportunity to break and prevent supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the group dedicated to electing Democrats to state legislatures across the country, has identified North Carolina as a “powerbuild” state in 2026 with the goal of gaining ground and protecting Gov. Josh Stein’s veto. Republicans are one seat short of a supermajority in the House, but Democrats need to pick up at least one seat to break the supermajority in the Senate.
The DLCC announced an initial list of 50 target races Monday, including 13 House and Senate districts in North Carolina, the most of any state so far. It’s clear the party sees an opportunity in North Carolina, perhaps bolstered by recent polling that suggests a plurality of voters want Democrats in the legislature.
Here are the House races Democrats are targeting:
- House District 24: Democratic incumbent is running for reelection in this district in Nash and Wilson counties. Pittman narrowly defeated the Republican incumbent in 2024, which helped Democrats break the House supermajority.
- House District 32: This district in Granville and Vance counties was also a Democratic pickup that helped break the supermajority in 2024.
- House District 35: This is just one of two House districts in Wake County that is still represented by a Republican. The incumbent is Mike Schietzelt.
- House District 37: Wake County’s other Republican House district is represented by Erin Paré.
- House District 48: Democratic incumbent Garland Pierce has represented this district in the Sandhills since 2005, making him one of the few Democrats to represent the area.
- House District 74: This district in Forsyth County narrowly favors Republicans and is currently represented by Jeff Zenger.
- House District 98: This Mecklenburg County district was another Democratic flip in 2024, and incumbent Beth Helfrich is hoping she can win the district again.
- House District 105: Ken McCool is looking to unseat incumbent Tricia Cotham in the Mecklenburg County district she just barely won in 2024.
- House District 115: This toss-up district in Buncombe County is represented by Democratic incumbent Lindsey Prather, who is running for reelection.
They’re also targeting four Senate races:
- Senate District 11: This district includes Franklin, Nash and Vance counties, and it’s a toss-up currently held by a Republican, Lisa Stone Barnes.
- Senate District 18: Democratic incumbent Terence Everitt is looking to defend his seat in yet another toss-up district in Granville and Wake counties.
- Senate District 34: This Cabarrus County seat leans Republican and is currently held by Chris Measmer, who was appointed a year ago after former Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton resigned.
- Senate District 42: Democrat Woodson Bradley is hoping to repeat her 2024 win in Mecklenburg County’s only competitive Senate seat.
Deputy Opinion Editor Paige Masten is covering politics and the 2026 elections for The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer.
