2026 North Carolina General Election

2026 North Carolina Primary Election

Democrat

Libertarian

Nonpartisan

Republican

Colby Watson is from Indian Trail, North Carolina. He has a high school diploma. He is married and has two children. He lives in Monroe, North Carolina.

Colby Watson - Ballotpedia

Watson to walk across 8th district in U.S. House campaign ...

Colby Watson is from Indian Trail. He attended Central Piedmont Community College. Colby lives with his wife in Monroe and has two children.

Colby is a federal contractor. He previously worked in the farming and construction industries. He also co-owned a business with his brother that grew to employ more than 50 people.

Linkedin

Colby works as the owner of Garnet Contracting, a construction company.

Colby s campaign for North Carolina s 8th Congressional District representative is his first time running for public office.

Colby 's campaign for U.S, representative for North Carolina's 8th District is his first run for public office.

Plans to eliminate the "carried interest tax loophole," which allows hedge funds to pay lower taxes.

Supports tax credits and subsidies for small businesses to pay employees a living wage.

Supports developing trade policies that promote job growth and encourage employment within the state.

Supports constructing affordable housing in urban and rural areas by removing "unnecessary red tape" and modernizing zoning laws.

Supports constructing affordable housing in urban and rural areas by modernizing zoning laws.

Opposes corporate investments in the housing market.

- Plans to eliminate the "carried interest tax loophole," which allows hedge funds to pay lower taxes.
- Supports tax credits and subsidies for small businesses to pay employees a living wage.
- Supports developing trade policies that promote job growth and encourage employment within the state.
- Supports protecting Social Security.
- Supports constructing affordable housing in urban and rural areas by modernizing zoning laws.
- Opposes corporate investments in the housing market.

Economy

Supports increasing community service for nonviolent offenders, arguing that it is more cost-effective than incarceration and helps repair community damage.

Supports drug rehabilitation programs to reduce crime.

Supports "stronger fentanyl policies and training for law enforcement."

Supports "[s]tronger fentanyl policies and training for law enforcement."

Supports legislation that fights human trafficking.

Supports increased protections and resources for survivors of domestic violence.

Supports closing the "gun show loophole" and mandating background checks for all gun purchases to prevent violent criminals from accessing guns.

Supports closing the "gun show loophole" and mandating background checks for all gun purchases.

- Supports increasing community service for nonviolent offenders, arguing that it is more cost-effective than incarceration and helps repair community damage.
- Supports drug rehabilitation programs to reduce crime.
- Supports "[s]tronger fentanyl policies and training for law enforcement."
- Supports legislation that fights human trafficking.
- Supports increased protections and resources for survivors of domestic violence.
- Supports closing the "gun show loophole" and mandating background checks for all gun purchases.
- Supports "stronger fentanyl policies and training for law enforcement."

Public Safety

Supports access to mental health care and drug rehabilitation programs.

Supports insurance coverage for reproductive health care and additional federal funding for fertility-related research and treatments.

Supports insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments.

Supports reducing the maternal mortality rate and providing additional aid for new mothers, including "baby boxes" for every new birth.

Supports reducing the maternal mortality rate and providing additional aid for new mothers.

Supports access to contraception and abortion, and believes federal law should protect access to abortion in cases of incest, rape, or to protect the mother's health.

Supports access to contraception and abortion.

- Supports the expansion of Medicaid.
- Supports access to mental health care and drug rehabilitation programs.
- Supports insurance coverage for reproductive health care and additional federal funding for fertility-related research and treatments.
- Supports insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments.
- Supports reducing the maternal mortality rate and providing additional aid for new mothers.
- Supports access to contraception and abortion.

Healthcare

Supports increased funding for public schools, including teacher pay raises, school supplies, facility repairs, and arts funding.

Supports families' rights to homeschool and advocates for balancing oversight, like yearly testing, with parental freedom in creating curricula.

Supports including trade programs in high school to ensure that young people can access a free education that prepares them for their future.

Supports including trade programs in high school.

Supports reducing tuition costs and addressing student debt.

- Supports increased funding for public schools, including teacher pay raises, school supplies, facility repairs, and arts funding.
- Supports families' rights to homeschool and advocates for balancing oversight, like yearly testing, with parental freedom in creating curricula.
- Supports including trade programs in high school.
- Supports reducing tuition costs and addressing student debt.

Education

As of January 2, 2026, Colby Watson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Supports reducing bureaucratic hurdles for veterans to access their entitled benefits.

Supports recognizing a Palestinian state and believes the U.S. should stop funding Israel.

- Supports ending the war in Ukraine.
- Supports reducing bureaucratic hurdles for veterans to access their entitled benefits.
- Supports recognizing a Palestinian state and believes the U.S. should stop funding Israel.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports reducing or eliminating "dark money" in politics.

Supports reducing or eliminating the influence of money in politics.

Supports banning gerrymandering at the federal level.

Supports banning gerrymandering, the practice of drawing voting districts in a way that gives one political party or candidate an advantage over others, at the federal level.

- Supports reducing or eliminating the influence of money in politics.
- Supports banning gerrymandering, the practice of drawing voting districts in a way that gives one political party or candidate an advantage over others, at the federal level.

Voting & Elections

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Colby Watson

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Jesse is General Counsel. He works at a healthcare software company based in Charlotte, where he leads legal strategy and ensures compliance in the healthcare industry.

North Carolina's 8th Congressional District election, 2026 - Ballotpedia

As of January 2, 2026, Jesse Oppenheim did not have a website or any information online.

Jesse Oppenheim

Jesse Oppenheim graduated from Kenyon College and earned a law degree from Brooklyn Law School.

Jesse works at a healthcare software company based in Charlotte, where he leads legal strategy and ensures compliance in the healthcare industry.

Jesse's campaign for U.S. representative for North Carolina's 8th District is his first run for public office.

- Supports expanding access to capital for local businesses by strengthening Small Business Administration (SBA) lending through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and credit unions.
- Supports upgrading infrastructure by funding broadband, water and sewer replacements, and energy improvements with EDA [Economic Development Administration], EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], and USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] Rural Development programs.
- Supports building small business support hubs at local community colleges and chambers to provide legal and accounting clinics, e-commerce and marketing help, and hiring assistance.
- Supports creating disaster restart tools like microgrants, bridge loans, and mitigation funds for floodproofing utilities and equipment.
- Supports opening federal procurement to local firms by unbundling contracts, expanding set-asides, and enhancing APEX Accelerator services to help small businesses compete.
- Supports lowering operating costs through energy-efficiency grants and Main Street revitalization funds for facades, lighting, and build-outs.
- Supports setting measurable targets for rural, minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses.
- Supports funding more Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and mobile clinics in underserved areas.
- Supports strengthening mental health support by increasing funding for suicide prevention, PTSD and substance use treatment, and peer-to-peer programs, and integrating these services with local community health centers and schools.
- Supports reducing the claims backlog by hiring more staff, modernizing case management, and establishing performance standards to ensure veterans receive timely benefits.
- Supports expanding SkillBridge and registered apprenticeships with manufacturers, hospitals, and public safety agencies.
- Supports making professional licenses portable across states, expanding MyCAA-style education and training support, prioritizing remote and flexible federal jobs for spouses, increasing fee assistance and available slots for childcare, and offering microgrants for spouse-owned small businesses.
- Supports the enforcement of reemployment rights for veterans.
- Supports increasing housing support, expanding legal assistance, and addressing predatory lending and scams targeting service members and veterans.
- Supports directing federal grants and tax incentives towards solar farms, battery storage, and grid upgrades to enhance reliability and prevent blackouts.
- Supports making clean energy affordable for families and small businesses by expanding tax credits, rebates, and low-interest loans for solar and efficiency upgrades.
- Supports incentivizing developers and large commercial property owners to install solar panels on warehouses, big box stores, and new developments.
- Supports prioritizing clean energy projects on rooftops, brownfields, and non-productive land, and requiring developers to restore sites to their original condition when projects end.
- Supports farmers who want to participate in clean energy by helping them lease small portions of their land while keeping the rest in production, giving them added income without losing their agricultural base.
- Supports funding clean energy and electrical trade programs at community colleges to build a skilled local workforce.
- Supports reducing foreign energy dependence by increasing local power production.
- Supports bringing federal funding into local water and sewer projects through EPA and USDA programs.
- Supports expanding financing tools to hold developers accountable for contributing to the infrastructure their projects require.
- Supports modernizing rural water systems with grants and low-interest loans to replace outdated infrastructure in smaller counties.
- Supports regional infrastructure planning that lets fast-growing and rural counties work together instead of competing for resources.
- Supports passing the Lumbee Fairness Act.
- Supports securing funding for healthcare, housing, and education to benefit Lumbee families and strengthen the region.
- Supports UNC Pembroke and small business programs that turn recognition into long-term opportunity.
- Supports collaborating with Lumbee leaders to ensure federal programs honor tribal sovereignty, culture, and community needs.
- Supports securing long-term funding for wildfire prevention and habitat restoration.
- Supports using funds from the Great American Outdoors Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund to improve infrastructure in Uwharrie.
- Supports collaboration between various agencies and private landowners for effective forest management.
- Supports using grants to enhance recreational infrastructure in Troy, Badin, Mount Gilead, and Albemarle, aiming to boost local economies through increased visitor spending in shops and restaurants.
- Supports improving safety and visitor experience by enhancing broadband and cell coverage in collaboration with counties, providers, and the Forest Service.
- Supports funding conservation corps crews, AmeriCorps placements, and paid apprenticeships tied to community colleges to create year-round jobs for veterans and young people.
- Supports environmental conservation efforts to safeguard clean water.

- Supports expanding federal COPS and SAFER grants to help local police, fire, and EMS departments hire and train staff.
- Supports gun control, advocating for enhanced background checks and closing loopholes.
- Believes in addressing the opioid and fentanyl crisis by boosting federal support for treatment, prevention, and law enforcement to combat trafficking.
- Supports expanding funding for community health clinics, school-based counselors, and crisis response teams to prevent violent emergencies.
- Supports investing in community-based crime prevention through after-school programs, job training, and small business revitalization.
- Supports law enforcement.

- Plans to lower premiums, reduce drug costs, and address the lack of healthcare in rural areas by investing in community clinics.
- Supports access to quality mental health and substance abuse services.

- Supports legislation that ties infrastructure funding to school repairs and modernization in local communities.
- Supports raising teacher pay by expanding federal support for recruitment and retention, such as Title II grants, to help keep teachers in North Carolina, especially in rural districts.
- Supports expanding career and technical education by strengthening community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeships to provide students with pathways to well-paying jobs without crippling debt.
- Supports closing the "digital divide."

- Supports directing federal grants and tax incentives towards solar farms, battery storage, and grid upgrades to enhance reliability and prevent blackouts.
- Supports making clean energy affordable for families and small businesses by expanding tax credits, rebates, and low-interest loans for solar and efficiency upgrades.
- Supports incentivizing developers and large commercial property owners to install solar panels on warehouses, big box stores, and new developments.
- Supports prioritizing clean energy projects on rooftops, brownfields, and non-productive land, and requiring developers to restore sites to their original condition when projects end.
- Supports farmers who want to participate in clean energy by helping them lease small portions of their land while keeping the rest in production, giving them added income without losing their agricultural base.
- Supports funding clean energy and electrical trade programs at community colleges.
- Supports reducing foreign energy dependence by increasing local power production.
- Supports bringing federal funding into local water and sewer projects through EPA and USDA programs to reduce costs for homeowners.
- Supports expanding financing tools that hold developers accountable for contributing to the infrastructure their projects require.
- Supports modernizing rural water systems with grants and low-interest loans to replace outdated infrastructure.
- Supports regional infrastructure planning that encourages collaboration between fast-growing and rural counties.
- Supports securing long-term funding for wildfire prevention and habitat restoration.
- Supports using funds from the Great American Outdoors Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund to improve infrastructure in Uwharrie National Forest.
- Supports using Good Neighbor Authority, stewardship contracts, and Joint Chiefs’ partnerships to help the U.S. Forest Service, the North Carolina Forest Service, counties, and private landowners plan and deliver multi-year projects together.
- Supports using the Recreational Trails Program and Federal Lands Access Program to boost local economies through improved outdoor recreation infrastructure.
- Supports improving safety and visitor experience in national forests by enhancing broadband and cell coverage through targeted investments in recreation corridors and high-use sites, in coordination with counties, providers, and the Forest Service.
- Supports funding conservation corps crews and paid apprenticeships to create year-round environmental jobs.
- Supports protecting clean water by replacing failing stream crossings, stabilizing eroding banks, and restoring wetlands.

- Supports funding more Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and mobile clinics in underserved areas.
- Supports strengthening mental health support by increasing funding for suicide prevention, PTSD and substance use treatment, and peer-to-peer programs, and integrating these services with local community health centers and schools.
- Supports reducing the claims backlog by hiring more staff, modernizing case management, and establishing performance standards to ensure veterans receive timely benefits.
- Supports expanding SkillBridge and registered apprenticeships with manufacturers, hospitals, and public safety agencies in the district.
- Supports making professional licenses portable across states, expanding education and training support, prioritizing remote federal jobs, increasing childcare assistance, and offering microgrants for spouse-owned small businesses.
- Supports the National Guard and Reserve.
- Supports protecting housing and financial stability for veterans by increasing housing support, expanding legal assistance, and addressing predatory lending and scams.
- Supports securing funding for healthcare, housing, and education to benefit Lumbee families and strengthen the region.
- Supports UNC Pembroke and small business programs that turn recognition into long-term opportunity.
- Supports collaborating with Lumbee leaders to ensure federal programs honor tribal sovereignty, culture, and community priorities.
- Supports securing long-term funding for wildfire prevention and habitat restoration.

- Supports banning individual stock trading by Congress members.
- Supports transparency in campaign financing and reducing special interest influence.

- Supports expanding access to capital for local businesses by strengthening Small Business Administration (SBA) lending through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and credit unions.
- Supports upgrading infrastructure by funding broadband, water and sewer replacements, and energy improvements with EDA, EPA, and USDA Rural Development programs.
- Supports building small business support hubs at local community colleges and chambers to provide legal and accounting clinics, e-commerce and marketing help, and hiring assistance.
- Supports creating disaster restart tools like microgrants, bridge loans, and mitigation funds for floodproofing utilities and equipment.
- Supports opening federal procurement to local firms by unbundling contracts, expanding set-asides, and enhancing APEX Accelerator services to help small businesses compete.
- Supports lowering operating costs through energy-efficiency grants and Main Street revitalization funds for facades, lighting, and build-outs.
- Supports setting measurable targets for rural, minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses.
- Supports funding more Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and mobile clinics in underserved areas.
- Supports strengthening mental health support by increasing funding for suicide prevention, PTSD and substance use treatment, and peer-to-peer programs, and integrating these services with local community health centers and schools.
- Supports reducing the claims backlog by hiring more staff, modernizing case management, and establishing performance standards to ensure veterans receive timely benefits.
- Supports expanding SkillBridge and registered apprenticeships with manufacturers, hospitals, and public safety agencies.
- Supports making professional licenses portable across states, expanding MyCAA-style education and training support, prioritizing remote and flexible federal jobs for spouses, increasing fee assistance and available slots for childcare, and offering microgrants for spouse-owned small businesses.
- Supports the enforcement of reemployment rights for veterans.
- Supports increasing housing support, expanding legal assistance, and addressing predatory lending and scams targeting service members and veterans.
- Supports directing federal grants and tax incentives towards solar farms, battery storage, and grid upgrades to enhance reliability and prevent blackouts.
- Supports making clean energy affordable for families and small businesses by expanding tax credits, rebates, and low-interest loans for solar and efficiency upgrades.
- Supports incentivizing developers and large commercial property owners to install solar panels on warehouses, big box stores, and new developments.
- Supports prioritizing clean energy projects on rooftops, brownfields, and non-productive land, and requiring developers to restore sites to their original condition when projects end.
- Supports farmers who want to participate in clean energy by helping them lease small portions of their land while keeping the rest in production, giving them added income without losing their agricultural base.
- Supports funding clean energy and electrical trade programs at community colleges to build a skilled local workforce.
- Supports reducing foreign energy dependence by increasing local power production.
- Supports bringing federal funding into local water and sewer projects through EPA and USDA programs.
- Supports expanding financing tools to hold developers accountable for contributing to the infrastructure their projects require.
- Supports modernizing rural water systems with grants and low-interest loans to replace outdated infrastructure in smaller counties.
- Supports regional infrastructure planning that lets fast-growing and rural counties work together instead of competing for resources.
- Supports passing the Lumbee Fairness Act.
- Supports securing funding for healthcare, housing, and education to benefit Lumbee families and strengthen the region.
- Supports UNC Pembroke and small business programs that turn recognition into long-term opportunity.
- Supports collaborating with Lumbee leaders to ensure federal programs honor tribal sovereignty, culture, and community needs.
- Supports securing long-term funding for wildfire prevention and habitat restoration.
- Supports using funds from the Great American Outdoors Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund to improve infrastructure in Uwharrie.
- Supports collaboration between various agencies and private landowners for effective forest management.
- Supports using grants to enhance recreational infrastructure in Troy, Badin, Mount Gilead, and Albemarle, aiming to boost local economies through increased visitor spending in shops and restaurants.
- Supports improving safety and visitor experience by enhancing broadband and cell coverage in collaboration with counties, providers, and the Forest Service.
- Supports funding conservation corps crews, AmeriCorps placements, and paid apprenticeships tied to community colleges to create year-round jobs for veterans and young people.
- Supports environmental conservation efforts to safeguard clean water.

Jesse Oppenheim works at a healthcare software company based in Charlotte, where he leads legal strategy and ensures compliance in the healthcare industry.

Kevin Clark is from Fort Meade, Maryland. He served in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 2011. He is currently the Richmond County's Democratic Party Chairman. Kevin Clark is a long-time activist forged in the fires of the civil rights, women's, and peace movements of the sixties and seventies. He is a combat veteran and has served around the world. He built schools, hospitals, and entire communities.

Challengers plentiful in first week of midterm filing | North Carolina ...

Kevin Clark is from Fort Meade, Maryland. He lives in Rockingham, North Carolina.

Kevin is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces A team operator and civil affairs officer. He served in the Army from 1985 to 2011. He is also the Richmond County Democratic Party chairman.

Kevin Clark for NC Senate District 29

Kevin currently works as the Richmond County Democratic Party Chair. He previously worked as an activist. He served in the U.S. Army for 27 years.

Kevin previously ran for North Carolina State Senate District 29 in 2024 but did not win. He is currently the Richmond County Democratic Party Chairman.

Kevin previously ran for the North Carolina State Senate to represent District 29 in 2024, but did not win.

Supports lowering costs for working families and "strengthening local economies."

Supports raising the minimum wage "so full-time work is not a poverty wage."

Supports federal initiatives to increase housing supply.

Supports expanding affordable housing programs to reduce homelessness and encouraging "smart development that lowers costs."

Believes in protecting family farms from corporate consolidation and expanding access to federal agricultural grants and loan programs.

- Supports lowering costs for working families and "strengthening local economies."
- Supports raising the minimum wage "so full-time work is not a poverty wage."
- Supports federal initiatives to increase housing supply.
- Supports expanding affordable housing programs to reduce homelessness and encouraging "smart development that lowers costs."
- Believes in protecting family farms from corporate consolidation and expanding access to federal agricultural grants and loan programs.

Supported addressing drug addiction within local communities and implementing effective measures to defeat the crisis.

- Supported addressing drug addiction within local communities and implementing effective measures to defeat the crisis.

Promised to push for comprehensive and accessible systems for affordable housing and healthcare.

- Promised to push for comprehensive and accessible systems for affordable housing and healthcare.

Supported fully funding public schools and state colleges.

Supports securing federal education grants.

Supports "[advocating] for compliance with North Carolina’s constitutional obligation to fully fund a basic education."

- Supported fully funding public schools and state colleges.
- Supports securing federal education grants.
- Supports "[advocating] for compliance with North Carolina’s constitutional obligation to fully fund a basic education."

Advocated for equitable distribution of resources for infrastructure.

Supports modernizing water and utility systems, expanding broadband access in rural communities, and investing in modern transportation.

- Advocated for equitable distribution of resources for infrastructure.
- Supports modernizing water and utility systems, expanding broadband access in rural communities, and investing in modern transportation.

As of January 2, 2026, Kevin Clark’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kevin Clark

- Supported fully funding public schools and state colleges.

- Advocated for equitable distribution of resources for infrastructure.

As of January 2, 2026, Kevin Clark did not have a website or any information online.

- Your U.S. representative represents the interests of your district in the U.S. House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. North Carolina currently has 14 U.S. representatives.
- U.S. representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become federal law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain areas of policy, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the speaker of the house or majority/minority leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms and there are no term limits. U.S. representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.
-  Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen for seven years, and an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected. 

Your representative and federal lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives.

North Carolina U.S. Representative, District 8, Democratic Primary

Election results

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