2024 North Carolina Council of State elections explained

Election Name:	2024 North Carolina Council of State election
Country:	North Carolina
Type:	legislative
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2020 North Carolina Council of State election
Previous Year:	2020
Next Election:	2028 North Carolina Council of State elections
Next Year:	2028
Seats For Election:	All 10 members of the North Carolina Council of State
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Last Election1:	6
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Last Election2:	4

The North Carolina Council of State elections of 2024 are scheduled to be held on November 5, 2024, to select the ten officers of the North Carolina Council of State. These elections coincide with the presidential election, elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the North Carolina General Assembly and top state courts. Primary elections took place on March 5, 2024, for offices for which more than one candidate filed per party.

The ten members of the North Carolina Council of State are statewide-elected officers serving four-year terms.^[1]

The 2020 elections resulted in a Council of State consisting of 4 Democrats and 6 Republicans.^[2]

Governor

See main article: 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election. Incumbent Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, is prevented by the state constitution from running for a third consecutive term.

Lieutenant governor

See main article: 2024 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican, was eligible to run for a second term, but has decided instead to run for governor.^[3]

Attorney general

See main article: 2024 North Carolina Attorney General election.

Incumbent Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, was eligible to run for a third term, but has decided instead to run for governor.^[4] The announced candidates include two US Congressmen: Jeff Jackson, a Democrat, and Dan Bishop, a Republican.^[5]

Secretary of state

See main article: 2024 North Carolina Secretary of State election.

Incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Elaine Marshall is running for re-election to an eighth term in office.^[6]

State auditor

Election Name:	2024 North Carolina State Auditor election
Country:	North Carolina
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2020 North Carolina Council of State elections#State auditor
Previous Year:	2020
Next Election:	2028 North Carolina Council of State election#State auditor
Next Year:	2028
Election Date:	November 5, 2024
Image1:	NCAE attorney Jessica Holmes (brightened and cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Jessica Holmes
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Nominee2:	Dave Boliek
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
State Auditor
Before Election:	Jessica Holmes
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
Image2 Size:	x150px
Image1 Size:	x150px

Incumbent Democratic Auditor Beth Wood initially said she would run for re-election to a fifth term in office. However, her career was derailed when she pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run charge in March 2023.^[7] On November 1, 2023, Wood announced that she would not seek re-election, and on November 9 announced that she would resign effective December 15.^[8] Governor Roy Cooper appointed Democrat Jessica Holmes to replace Wood. Holmes is a former Wake County commissioner and was the Democratic nominee for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor in 2020.^[9]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Jessica Holmes, incumbent state auditor (2023–present)

Withdrawn

Luis Toledo, former assistant state auditor and candidate for state auditor in 2020^[10] ^[11]
Beth Wood, former state auditor (2009–2023)^[12]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

David Boliek, attorney and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill trustee^[13]

Eliminated in runoff

Jack Clark, public accountant^[14]

Eliminated in primary

Charles Dingee, businessman
Jim Kee, former Greensboro city councilor
Tony Street, businessman and nominee for state auditor in 2020^[15]
Jeff Tarte, former state senator^[16]

Withdrawn

A.J. Daoud, former member of the North Carolina Education Lottery Commission and perennial candidate (running for state treasurer)^[17]
James Upchurch, former Guilford County commissioner

Runoff results

Libertarian primary

Nominee

Bob Drach, retired accountant

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Dave Boliek (R)	Jessica Holmes (D)	Bob Drach (L)	Undecided
YouGov (D)	data-sort-value="2024-08-10"	August 5–9, 2024	802 (RV)	± 3.9%	37%		41%		22%
Cygnal	data-sort-value="2024-08-09"	August 4–5, 2024	600 (LV)	± 3.99%		36%	35%	4%	26%

State treasurer

Election Name:	2024 North Carolina State Treasurer election
Country:	North Carolina
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2020 North Carolina Council of State elections#State treasurer
Previous Year:	2020
Next Election:	2028 North Carolina Council of State election#State treasurer
Next Year:	2028
Election Date:	November 5, 2024
Image1:	3x4.svg
Nominee1:	Brad Briner
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Nominee2:	Wesley Harris
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
State Treasurer
Before Election:	Dale Folwell
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
Image2 Size:	x150px
Image1 Size:	x150px

Incumbent Republican Treasurer Dale Folwell was eligible to run for a third term, but decided instead to run for governor.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Brad Briner, investment manager for Michael Bloomberg and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill trustee^[18]

Eliminated in primary

A.J. Daoud, former member of the North Carolina Education Lottery Commission and perennial candidate
Rachel Johnson, winery owner

Withdrawn

John Bradford, state representative (running for U.S. House)
James Upchurch, former Guilford County commissioner^[19] ^[20] (ran for state auditor)^[21]

Declined

Dale Folwell, incumbent state treasurer (ran for governor)^[22]

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Wesley Harris, state representative^[23]

Eliminated in primary

Gabe Esparza, tech executive and Small Business Administration official

Results

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Brad Briner (R)	Wesley Harris (D)	Undecided
YouGov (D)	data-sort-value="2024-08-10"	August 5–9, 2024	802 (RV)	± 3.9%	40%		41%	20%
Cygnal	data-sort-value="2024-08-09"	August 4–5, 2024	600 (LV)	± 3.99%		40%	35%	25%

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Election Name:	2024 North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction election
Country:	North Carolina
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2020 North Carolina Council of State elections#Superintendent of Public Instruction
Previous Year:	2020
Next Election:	2028 North Carolina Council of State election#Superintendent of Public Instruction
Next Year:	2028
Election Date:	November 5, 2024
Nominee1:	Michele Morrow
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Nominee2:	Mo Green
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Before Election:	Catherine Truitt
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
Image2 Size:	x150px
Image1 Size:	x150px

Incumbent Republican Superintendent Catherine Truitt ran for re-election to a second term in office, but was eliminated in the Republican primary.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Michele Morrow, nurse and former homeschooling cooperative teacher

Eliminated in Primary

Catherine Truitt, incumbent state superintendent (2021–present)

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Mo Green, former superintendent of Guilford County Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Eliminated in Primary

Kenon Crumble, high school assistant principal
Katie Eddings, personal finance college teacher^[24]

Results

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mo Green (D)	Michele Morrow (R)	Undecided
YouGov (D)	data-sort-value="2024-08-10"	August 5–9, 2024	802 (RV)	± 3.9%		42%	39%	19%
Cygnal	data-sort-value="2024-08-09"	August 4–5, 2024	600 (LV)	± 3.99%	37%		42%	22%
Change Research (D)	May 13–18, 2024	835 (LV)	± 3.8%		41%	40%	19%
SurveyUSA	March 6–9, 2024	736 (RV)	± 4.9%	40%		41%	19%

Results

Commissioner of Agriculture

Election Name:	2024 North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture election
Country:	North Carolina
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2020 North Carolina Council of State elections#Commissioner of Agriculture
Previous Year:	2020
Next Election:	2028 North Carolina Council of State election#Commissioner of Agriculture
Next Year:	2028
Election Date:	November 5, 2024
Image1:	Steve Troxler USDA (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Steve Troxler
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Nominee2:	Sarah Taber
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Commissioner of Agriculture
Before Election:	Steve Troxler
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
Image2 Size:	x150px
Image1 Size:	x150px

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Steve Troxler is running for re-election to a sixth term in office.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Steve Troxler, incumbent commissioner of agriculture (2005–present)

Eliminated in primary

Colby (Bear) Hammonds, rancher

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Sarah Taber, agricultural consultant^[25]

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Nominee

Sean Haugh, former Libertarian Party national political director and perennial candidate

General election

Polling

Commissioner of Labor

Election Name:	2024 North Carolina Commissioner of Labor election
Country:	North Carolina
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2020 North Carolina Council of State elections#Commissioner of Labor
Previous Year:	2020
Next Election:	2028 North Carolina Council of State election#Commissioner of Labor
Next Year:	2028
Election Date:	November 5, 2024
Nominee1:	Luke Farley
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Nominee2:	Braxton Winston II
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Commissioner of Labor
Before Election:	Josh Dobson
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
Image2 Size:	x150px
Image1 Size:	x150px

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Josh Dobson, is not running for re-election to a second term in office.^[26]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Luke Farley, attorney^[27]

Eliminated in primary

Jon Hardister, state representative (2013–present)^[28]
Chuck Stanley, construction manager and candidate for commissioner of labor in 2020
Travis Wilson, grocery stocker

Withdrawn

Ben Moss, state representative (2021–present)^[29]

Declined

Josh Dobson, incumbent commissioner of labor (endorsed Hardister)

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Braxton Winston II, at-large Charlotte city councilor^[30]

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Luke Farley (R)	Braxton Winston II (D)	Undecided
YouGov (D)	data-sort-value="2024-08-10"	August 5–9, 2024	802 (RV)	± 3.9%	40%	40%	20%
Cygnal	data-sort-value="2024-08-09"	August 4–5, 2024	600 (LV)	± 3.99%		40%	36%	25%

Commissioner of Insurance

Election Name:	2024 North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance election
Country:	North Carolina
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2020 North Carolina Council of State elections#Commissioner of Insurance
Previous Year:	2020
Next Election:	2028 North Carolina Council of State election#Commissioner of Insurance
Next Year:	2028
Election Date:	November 5, 2024
Image1:	Mike Causey 2 (alt crop).jpg
Nominee1:	Mike Causey
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Nominee2:	Natasha Marcus
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Commissioner of Insurance
Before Election:	Mike Causey
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
Image2 Size:	x150px
Image1 Size:	x150px

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Mike Causey is running for re-election to a third term in office.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Mike Causey, incumbent insurance commissioner (2017–present)

Eliminated in primary

Robert Brawley, former state representative and candidate for governor in 2016^[31]
Andrew Marcus, attorney

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Natasha Marcus, state senator^[32]

Eliminated in primary

David Wheeler, businessman^[33]

Results

General election

Polling

Notes

Partisan clients

External links

NC State Board of Elections

Official campaign websites for Agriculture Commissioner

Official campaign websites for Auditor

Official campaign websites for Treasurer

Official campaign websites for Superintendent

Official campaign websites for Labor Commissioner

Official campaign websites for Insurance Commissioner

Notes and References

Web site: Article III. North Carolina Constitution. State of North Carolina. April 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327090239/http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Legislation/constitution/article3.html. March 27, 2017. dead.
https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2020&county_id=0&office=COS&contest=0 State Board of Elections: General Election results for Council of State
News: Mikkelsen . Emily . Stamps . Brayden . Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson announces run for governor at cloudy Ace Speedway rally . 22 April 2023 . Fox 8 . 22 April 2023.
Web site: 2023-01-18 . North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces 2024 bid for governor, takes aim at likely GOP rival . 2023-10-31 . WUNC . en.
Web site: 2023-10-18 . 2024 North Carolina attorney general race: A complete list of candidates . 2023-10-31 . WUNC . en.
Web site: Mercer . Matt . Council of State will look much different in 2025 . . 16 August 2023 . 30 March 2023.
Web site: Specht . Paul . State Auditor Beth Wood, who was convicted of hit-and-run, to seek reelection . . 2 September 2023 . 22 June 2023.
Web site: Mikelsen . Emily . State Auditor Beth Wood to resign effective December 15 after grand jury indictment . . 15 November 2023 . 9 November 2023.
Web site: Fain . Travis . Lovingood . Chris . Holmes to replace Wood as state auditor . . 9 December 2023 . 30 November 2023.
Web site: Bonner . Lynn . Democrat Luis Toledo declares candidacy for NC state Auditor . NC Newsline . 15 November 2023 . 3 November 2023.
News: NC Newsline . January 27, 2024 . Ballot bites: A flurry of candidate filings and another redistricting lawsuit . December 5, 2023 . Finally, Democrat Luis Toledo will drop out of the race for state auditor.
Web site: Campbell . Colin . NC state auditor says she won't run for reelection . . 5 November 2023 . 1 November 2023.
Web site: Pender . Abby . Livingston . Walker . David Boliek, member of BOT, to run for State Auditor . . 19 October 2023 . 21 September 2023.
Web site: Fain . Travis . UNC Board of Trustees chair may join crowded Republican field in 2024 NC auditor's race . . 2 September 2023 . 1 September 2023.
News: 2024 Primary Candidate List By Contest – Federal and State Only (PDF) . December 4, 2023 . North Carolina State Board of Elections.
News: Jeff Tarte will run for NC Auditor in 2024. Cornelius Today . November 29, 2023 .
Web site: Battaglia . Danielle . Bajpai . Avi . Mecklenburg lawmaker leaves statewide race to run for Congress, setting up GOP primary . . 8 December 2023 . On Friday, A.J. Daoud, a former North Carolina lottery commissioner and state party leader who was running for state auditor, told The N&O he would run in the GOP primary for treasurer instead..
News: Bloomberg’s money manager running for NC state treasurer. Business NC . December 15, 2023 . Mildenberg, David .
Web site: Doyle . Steve . Guilford County commissioner who switched parties announces run for state treasurer as Republican . . 15 November 2023 . 27 March 2023.
Web site: Ex-Commissioner James Upchurch Finds Georgia Peachy. Yost. Scott. December 1, 2023. December 11, 2023.
News: Yost . Scott . Commissioner James Upchurch Now Running For State Auditor . 6 November 2023 . The Rhino Times of Greensboro . 19 May 2023.
Web site: Robertson . Gary . North Carolina treasurer running for governor in 2024 . The Seattle Times . 25 March 2023.
Web site: 2023-03-13 . Democrat Harris running for N. Carolina treasurer in 2024 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401153232/https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-state-treasurer-2024-elections-democrat-060a81b5bd3edb5dfa38c4c0b0e9c6e4 . 2023-04-01 . Associated Press.
Web site: Lee teacher announces bid for state superintendent . The Rant . 19 October 2023 . 30 June 2023.
Web site: 2023-10-31 . 2024 North Carolina Council of State races: A complete list of candidates . 2023-10-31 . WUNC . en.
Web site: Fain . Travis . In a surprise, NC labor commissioner won't run for re-election . . 6 December 2022.
Web site: Farley formally enters that GOP race for Labor Commissioner . NC Political News . 19 October 2023 . 24 July 2023.
News: Two NC House Republicans look to succeed Dobson . 21 December 2022 . The North State Journal . 21 December 2022.
Web site: Moss ends bid for NC labor commissioner . The Carolina Journal . 3 March 2024 . 19 July 2023.
Web site: Harrison . Steve . Braxton Winston to run for NC labor commissioner in 2024; won't seek another City Council term . . 19 October 2023 . 29 April 2023.
Web site: Roush . Chris . Brawley files to run for NC insurance commissioner . Business North Carolina . 19 October 2023 . 3 August 2023.
Web site: Fain . Travis . Democratic senator, targeted in redistricting, jumps into NC insurance commissioner's race . . 15 December 2023 . 11 December 2023.
Web site: David Wheeler of Spruce Pine Announces Run for NC Commissioner of Insurance – Vows to Fight for Rural NC in Raleigh . Concho Valley Homepage . 19 October 2023 . 31 May 2023.