North Carolina state executive official elections, 2016

2017 → ← 2015

North Carolina Executive Official Elections

Top Ballot Governor • Lt. Governor Secretary of State • Attorney General Down Ballot Auditor • Insurance Commissioner Agriculture Commissioner Superintendent of Schools • Treasurer Labor Commissioner The Tar Heel State

Key election dates

Filing deadline (partisan): December 21, 2015

Primary date: March 15, 2016

Filing deadline (independents): June 9, 2016

Filing deadline (write-ins): July 26, 2016

General election date: November 8, 2016

Inauguration: January 7, 2017

Ten state executive offices in North Carolina were up for election in 2016:

• Governor
• Secretary of State
• Auditor

• Lt. Governor
• Treasurer
• Agriculture Commissioner

• Attorney General
• Superintendent of Schools
• Labor Commissioner

• Insurance Commissioner

HIGHLIGHTS

Republicans had trifecta control of the state entering the election, but lost it as a result of Governor Pat McCrory's (R) defeat.

The 2016 primaries were winner-take-all as this year's runoff primary was canceled to accommodate the rescheduled U.S. Congressional primaries.

Ballotpedia identified three battleground primary contests, which took place on March 15: Democratic lieutenant governor, Republican attorney general and Democratic treasurer.

Context of the 2016 elections

Primary elections

A primary election is an election in which voters select the candidate they believe should represent a political party in a general election. Primaries usually take place several months before a general election. North Carolina utilizes a hybrid primary system. Parties decide who may vote in their respective primaries. Voters may choose a primary ballot without impacting their unaffiliated status.

In North Carolina, when more than two candidates run in a primary election and one candidate does not receive more than 40 percent of the vote, the second-place candidate can request a runoff primary, sometimes referred to as a second primary. However, because of the redrawing of congressional and state legislative district boundaries, state executive elections in 2016 did not feature a runoff primary. This means the 2016 primary elections for state executives were unique and particularly competitive in that the winning candidate automatically received the party nomination regardless of the percentage of votes received.

North Carolina's primary elections took place on March 15, 2016.

Party control

See also: Party control of North Carolina state government

North Carolina had been under Republican trifecta control since Governor Pat McCrory (R) assumed office in 2013. This represented a fairly rapid shift in partisan control for the state, which had been under Democratic trifecta control as recently as 2010. North Carolina's electoral votes went to the Republican presidential candidate in every election cycle since 1980, with the exception of 2008 when the state voted to elect Barack Obama (D). North Carolina began attracting significant attention as a presidential battleground state with Obama's unexpected 2008 win in the state—the first Democratic candidate to do so since Jimmy Carter (D) in 1976. For the past two presidential elections, the state's presidential preference influenced statewide elections. This influence, coupled with the recent trend of close elections in the state, promised competitive races in 2016.

Both Republican and Democratic candidates gained success in recent elections. Democrat Bev Perdue won the gubernatorial election and Democrat Kay Hagan defeated incumbent Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2008. The state swung back to Republicans in 2012 when Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney narrowly beat President Obama by a margin of 2 percentage points. McCrory defeated his Democratic rival by a small margin of victory that same year. The trend of close statewide elections in North Carolina continued into 2014: Republican Thom Tillis narrowly defeated incumbent Senator Kay Hagan (D) in a statewide race that year, earning 48.8 percent of the vote to Hagan's 47.3 percent.

2016 Elections

Races we watched

See also: Battleground state primaries in North Carolina, 2016

Governor

North Carolina held an election for governor on November 8, 2016. Incumbent Pat McCrory (R) conceded the election on December 5, 2016, after a recount of votes in Durham County verified that Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) would remain ahead.

HIGHLIGHTS

Incumbent Pat McCrory was North Carolina’s first Republican governor in almost 20 years. He was the first North Carolina governor to lose in a bid for re-election.

McCrory competed with Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) in the November election. Polling suggested a competitive race.

Cooper's win of the gubernatorial race broke the Republican trifecta control in North Carolina.

Attorney General

North Carolina held an open election for attorney general on November 8, 2016. Josh Stein (D) won the election, keeping the attorney general's seat in Democratic hands.

HIGHLIGHTS

Incumbent Roy Cooper (D) ran for governor in 2016, leaving the attorney general election an open race.

The winners of the March 15 primary elections—state Sen. Buck Newton (R) and former state Sen. Josh Stein (D)—competed in the November 8 general election.

A Republican has not won election to the office of attorney general in North Carolina in over 100 years.

Stein won the general election on November 8, 2016.

Lieutenant Governor

North Carolina held an election for lieutenant governor on November 8, 2016. Incumbent Dan Forest (R) won re-election.

HIGHLIGHTS

Incumbent Dan Forest (R) sought a second term in office.

Democrat Linda Coleman won her party's nomination in the March 15 primary; Forest was unopposed for the Republican nomination and automatically advanced to the general election.

Forest was the first Republican to hold the seat since 1994.

Forest won the general election on November 8, 2016.

Treasurer

North Carolina held an election for state treasurer on November 8, 2016, with a primary on March 15. Republican Dale Folwell won the election, giving the Republican Party control of the seat for the first time since 1876.

HIGHLIGHTS

Incumbent Janet Cowell (D) did not seek re-election to her third term, leaving the election an open race.

Dan Blue III (D), son of state Sen. Dan Blue Jr., defeated Ron Elmer (D) in the March 15 primary election. Dale Folwell (R) was the only Republican candidate to file.

Folwell won the general election on November 8, 2016.

Prior to the 2016 election, the office of treasurer in North Carolina had not been held by a Republican since 1876.

Elections by office

Governor

To view race information, click [show] to expand the full section.

Roy Cooper (D) North Carolina Attorney General since 2000 Pat McCrory (R) Governor of North Carolina since 2012 Lon Cecil (Lib.) Retired engineer Click [show] to view candidates who were defeated in the primary elections.   Ken Spaulding (D) - North Carolina state representative Charles Moss (R) - 2012 gubernatorial candidate C. Robert Brawley (R) - former North Carolina state representative Primary election results North Carolina Governor Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Roy Cooper 68.7% 710,658 Ken Spaulding 31.3% 323,774 Total Votes 1,034,432 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections. North Carolina Governor Republican Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Pat McCrory Incumbent 81.7% 876,885 C. Robert Brawley 10.6% 113,638 Charles Kenneth Moss 7.7% 82,132 Total Votes 1,072,655 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Lieutenant governor

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Linda Coleman (D) Former director of state personnel, former state rep. Dan Forest (R) Lieutenant governor since 2013 Jacki Cole (Lib.) Technology sales and marketing professional Click [show] to view candidates who were defeated in the primary elections or declined to run in this race.   Defeated Holly Jones (D) - YWCA director of member services Ronald Newton (D) - Durham, N.C., businessman Robert Wilson (D) - retired state employee Withdrew J. J. Summerell (Lib.) Most recent position: Chair of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina Past experience: Benefits communications and enrollment firm manager General election Incumbent Dan Forest defeated Linda Coleman and Jacki Cole in the North Carolina lieutenant governor election. North Carolina Lieutenant Governor, 2016 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Dan Forest Incumbent 51.87% 2,370,028      Democratic Linda Coleman 45.28% 2,068,741      Libertarian Jacki Cole 2.85% 130,236 Total Votes 4,569,005 Source: ABC11 Primary elections Democratic primary election Primary election results North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Linda Coleman 51.1% 500,128 Holly Jones 28.7% 281,132 Robert Earl Wilson 10.5% 102,870 Ronald L. Newton 9.6% 94,312 Total Votes 978,442 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections. Republican primary election Incumbent Dan Forest (R) was unopposed for the Republican nomination and did not appear on the primary election ballot.

Attorney general

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Josh Stein (D) State senator, 2009-2016 Buck Newton (R) State senator since 2011 Click [show] to view candidates who were defeated in the primary elections.   Marcus W. Williams (D) - 2014 state senate candidate, 2012 U.S. House candidate Jim O'Neill (R) - district attorney, Forsyth County General election Josh Stein defeated Buck Newton in the North Carolina attorney general election. North Carolina Attorney General, 2016 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Josh Stein 50.22% 2,276,410      Republican Buck Newton 49.78% 2,256,178 Total Votes 4,532,588 Source: ABC11 Primary elections Primary election results North Carolina Attorney General Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Josh Stein 53.4% 510,003 Marcus W. Williams 46.6% 445,524 Total Votes 955,527 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections. North Carolina Attorney General Republican Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Buck Newton 54.9% 503,880 Jim O'Neill 45.1% 414,073 Total Votes 917,953 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Secretary of state

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Elaine Marshall (D) Incumbent secretary of state since 1996 Michael LaPaglia (R) Consultant Click [show] to view candidates who were defeated in the primary elections.   AJ Daoud (R) - Businessman and 2012 candidate General election Incumbent Elaine Marshall defeated Michael LaPaglia in the North Carolina secretary of state election. North Carolina Secretary of State, 2016 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Elaine Marshall Incumbent 52.22% 2,339,783      Republican Michael LaPaglia 47.78% 2,141,132 Total Votes 4,480,915 Source: ABC11 Primary elections Democratic primary election Elaine Marshall (D) was the only Democrat to file for the election; she automatically advanced to the general election. Republican primary election North Carolina Secretary of State Republican Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Michael LaPaglia 61.6% 499,919 A. J. Daoud 38.4% 312,067 Total Votes 811,986 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Treasurer

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Dan Blue III (D) Attorney, former investment banker Dale Folwell (R) State representative, 2005-2013 Click [show] to view candidates who were defeated in the primary elections   Ron Elmer (D) - Investment manager General election Dale Folwell defeated Dan Blue III in the North Carolina treasurer election. North Carolina Treasurer, 2016 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Dale Folwell 52.75% 2,348,938      Democratic Dan Blue III 47.25% 2,104,114 Total Votes 4,453,052 Source: ABC11 Primary elections Democratic primary election North Carolina Treasurer Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Dan Blue III 58.4% 553,459 Ron Elmer 41.6% 393,834 Total Votes 947,293 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections. Repubilcan primary election Dale Folwell (R) was unopposed for the Republican nomination and therefore did not appear on the March 15 primary ballot.

Agriculture commissioner

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Walter Smith (D) Board member, North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Steve Troxler (R) Incumbent commissioner of agriculture since 2005 Click [show] to view candidates who were defeated in the primary elections.   Andrew Stevens (R) - Activist General election Incumbent Steve Troxler defeated Walter Smith in the North Carolina agriculture commissioner election. North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner, 2016 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Steve Troxler Incumbent 55.62% 2,498,988      Democratic Walter Smith 44.38% 1,994,038 Total Votes 4,493,026 Source: ABC11 Primary elections Democratic primary election Walter Smith was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. He did not appear on the March 15 primary election ballot, instead automatically advancing to the general election. Republican primary election North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Republican Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Steve Troxler 68.8% 634,100 Andy Stevens 31.2% 287,948 Total Votes 922,048 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Auditor

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Beth Wood (D) Incumbent state auditor since 2009 Charles Stuber (R) Former chief investigator, State Board of Elections

Insurance commissioner

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Wayne Goodwin (D) Incumbent commissioner of insurance since 2009 Mike Causey (R) Adopt-A-Highway coordinator for NC Department of Transportation Click [show] to view candidates who were defeated in the primary elections.   Joe McLaughlin (R) - Former Oslow County commissioner Ronald "Ron" Pierce (R) - Businessman General election Mike Causey defeated incumbent Wayne Goodwin in the North Carolina insurance commisioner election. North Carolina Insurance Commisioner, 2016 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Mike Causey 50.44% 2,247,595      Democratic Wayne Goodwin Incumbent 49.56% 2,208,241 Total Votes 4,455,836 Source: ABC11 Primary elections Democratic primary election Wayne Goodwin was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. He automatically advanced to the November general election and therefore did not appear on the March 15 primary ballot. Republican primary election North Carolina Labor Commissioner Republican Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Mike Causey 41.2% 340,936 Joe McLaughlin 33% 272,846 Ronald (Ron) Pierce 25.9% 214,126 Total Votes 827,908 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Labor commissioner

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Charles Meeker (D) Mayor of Raleigh, 2001-2011 Cherie Berry (R) Incumbent commissioner of labor since 2001 Click [show] to view candidates who were defeated in the primary elections.   Mazie Ferguson (D) - Attorney General election Incumbent Cherie Berry defeated Charles Meeker in the North Carolina labor commissioner election. North Carolina Labor Commissioner, 2016 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Cherie Berry Incumbent 55.29% 2,479,451      Democratic Charles Meeker 44.71% 2,005,037 Total Votes 4,484,488 Source: ABC11 Primary elections Democratic primary election North Carolina Labor Commissioner Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Charles Meeker 56.5% 531,273 Mazie Ferguson 43.5% 408,243 Total Votes 939,516 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections. Republican primary election Cherie Berry was unopposed for the Republican nomination and therefore did not appear on the March 15 primary ballot.

Superintendent of public instruction

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June Atkinson (D) Incumbent superintendent of public instruction since 2005 Mark Johnson (R) Attorney, former teacher Click [show] to view candidates who were defeated in the primary elections.   Henry Pankey (D) - High school principal J. Wesley Sills (R) - High school teacher Rosemary Stein (R) - Pediatrician General election Mark Johnson defeated incumbent June Atkinson in the North Carolina superintendent of schools election. North Carolina Superintendent of Schools, 2016 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Mark Johnson 50.64% 2,262,274      Democratic June Atkinson Incumbent 49.36% 2,205,483 Total Votes 4,467,757 Source: ABC11 Primary elections North Carolina Superintendent of Schools Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes June Atkinson 79.8% 776,302 Henry J. Pankey 20.2% 196,703 Total Votes 973,005 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections. North Carolina Superintendent of Schools Republican Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Mark Johnson 53.3% 441,865 Rosemary Stein 32.9% 272,131 J. Wesley Sills 13.8% 114,274 Total Votes 828,270 Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Voter registration

For full information about voting in North Carolina, contact the state election agency.

Registration

To vote in North Carolina, one must meet the following requirements:

☐ The individual must be a U.S. citizen.
☐ The individual must be a resident of North Carolina.
☐ Before voting, the individual must have lived in the county he or she intends to vote in for at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
☐ The individual must be at least 18 years of age by the time of the next general election.
☐ The individual "must rescind any previous registration in another county or state."
☐ "If previously convicted of a felony, the person’s citizenship rights must be restored."

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

North Carolina does not permit online voter registration.

Past elections

To view the full electoral history for North Carolina state executive offices, click [show] to expand the full section.

2015 There were no state executive elections in North Carolina in 2015. 2014 There were no elections in North Carolina in 2014. 2013 There were no elections in North Carolina in 2013. 2012 Ten state executive offices were up for election including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, superintendent of schools, agriculture commissioner, insurance commissioner and labor commissioner. North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2012 North Carolina down ballot state executive elections, 2012 North Carolina state executive official elections, 2012

State profile

Demographic data for North Carolina
	North Carolina	U.S.
Total population:	10,035,186	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	48,618	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	69.5%	73.6%
Black/African American:	21.5%	12.6%
Asian:	2.5%	5.1%
Native American:	1.2%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0.1%	0.2%
Two or more:	2.4%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	8.8%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	85.8%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	28.4%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$46,868	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	20.5%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in North Carolina. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in North Carolina

North Carolina voted Republican in six out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, six are located in North Carolina, accounting for 2.91 percent of the total pivot counties.

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. North Carolina had six Retained Pivot Counties, 3.31 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.

More North Carolina coverage on Ballotpedia

• Elections in North Carolina
• United States congressional delegations from North Carolina
• Public policy in North Carolina
• Endorsers in North Carolina
• North Carolina fact checks
• More...

See also

North Carolina government:

• North Carolina state executive offices
• North Carolina State Legislature
• North Carolina courts

Previous elections:

• State executive official elections, 2015
• State executive official elections, 2014

Ballotpedia exclusives:

• State executives compensation
• State of the state addresses
• Who runs the states?

External links

Suggest a link

• State of North Carolina: Official Website

Footnotes

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