Democrats Poised to Take North Carolina State House
Democrats are set to win control of the North Carolina State House for the first time in 16 years following the November 4 midterm elections.
Unofficial results from the November 4, 2026, midterm elections indicate that Democrats are poised to take control of the North Carolina State House for the first time in over 16 years. The party won 71 seats, potentially securing a supermajority, while narrowing the Republican majority in the State Senate to a 26-24 advantage.
Governor Josh Stein and Democratic leaders attributed the shift to voter frustration over the cost of living, specifically regarding healthcare, electricity, and housing. House Democratic Leader Robert Reives announced he will run for Speaker of the House on January 13, stating that voters chose to end more than 15 years of Republican control.
Democrats plan to advance long-stalled legislation and push for an independent redistricting commission to end gerrymandering. However, leaders from both parties suggested a need for bipartisan compromise and purple legislation due to the narrow margins in the Senate. Democratic State Senator Julie Mayfield noted that the divided legislature would likely prevent extreme legislation from either party.
House Speaker Destin Hall described the results as disappointing and cited a difficult national political environment for Republicans. Meanwhile, former NCGOP District 11 Chair Michele Woodhouse urged Republican leaders to return to the party's traditional messaging.
