On Tuesday, North Carolina voters will participate in Republican primary runoffs for a congressional district seat, as well as the statewide positions of lieutenant governor and auditor. One of the primary races is for the 13th Congressional District, where Kelly Daughtry, who had previously suspended her campaign, is listed on the ballot alongside Brad Knott, the candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Runoffs were triggered by the second-place finisher in the March primary, as the top vote-getter failed to secure more than 30% of the vote. Turnout for the runoffs is expected to be significantly lower than the primary, with only around 26,000 ballots cast as of Wednesday.
David McLennan, a political science professor at Meredith College, described the runoffs as “low-octane affairs,” with less public campaigning and more focused efforts to mobilize committed supporters. The runoff voting is open to registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters who either voted Republican in the March primary or did not vote. In the congressional race, Daughtry acknowledged that her pathway to victory was no longer feasible after Knott received Trump’s endorsement. However, she remains on the ballot, raising the possibility of an unexpected outcome. If she were to win but decline the nomination, local Republicans would need to appoint a new nominee.
The 13th District’s runoff winner will face Democratic nominee Frank Pierce in the general election. The district’s current congressman, Democrat Wiley Nickel, opted not to seek reelection due to the district’s political shift following redistricting. The runoff for lieutenant governor features Hal Weatherman and Jim O’Neill, with Weatherman having secured the top spot in the primary. The winner will face Democratic nominee Rachel Hunt, daughter of former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt. Weatherman and O’Neill share similar policy positions, with Weatherman endorsed by current Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, who is running for governor.
The runoff for state auditor pits first-place primary finisher Jack Clark against Dave Boliek. The winner will challenge Democratic State Auditor Jessica Holmes, who was appointed to the position following Beth Wood’s resignation. Clark, a certified public accountant, and Boliek, an attorney, offer differing backgrounds for the role. The lieutenant governor and state auditor are part of the Council of State, consisting of 10 executive branch officials elected statewide. The last time Council of State races went to primary runoffs was in 2012, reflecting the rarity of such occurrences in North Carolina politics. Despite the lower turnout expected for the runoffs, these races play a crucial role in shaping the state’s political landscape.
