2026 North Carolina General Election

2026 North Carolina Primary Election

Democrat

Libertarian

Nonpartisan

Republican

Don Brown (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia

Don Brown is from Plymouth, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina and a law degree from Campbell University. 

Don ran for U.S. Congress in North Carolina's District 8 in 2024 but did not win. 

Don is an author, an attorney, and a small business owner. He also served in the U.S. Navy from 1985 to 2001. 

Wants to codify the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce waste and prevent future administrations from reversing cost-cutting measures.

Supports major federal government downsizing, including reducing the non-military federal workforce and the number of federal agencies, requiring balanced budgets with spending below revenue, and applying savings toward reducing the national debt.

Supports protecting North Carolina shrimpers by enforcing trade laws and preventing unfair foreign competition.

Supports protections for small businesses during public health emergencies, including requiring due process before government-ordered closures and prohibiting distinctions between “essential” and “nonessential” workers.

Supports eliminating the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) and federal income tax, replacing them with a national consumption-based tax system and tariffs to generate federal revenue.

- Wants to codify the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce waste and prevent future administrations from reversing cost-cutting measures.
- Supports major federal government downsizing, including reducing the non-military federal workforce and the number of federal agencies, requiring balanced budgets with spending below revenue, and applying savings toward reducing the national debt.
- Supports protecting North Carolina shrimpers by enforcing trade laws and preventing unfair foreign competition.
- Supports protections for small businesses during public health emergencies, including requiring due process before government-ordered closures and prohibiting distinctions between “essential” and “nonessential” workers.
- Supports eliminating the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) and federal income tax, replacing them with a national consumption-based tax system and tariffs to generate federal revenue.

Economy

Supports nationwide constitutional carry, allowing individuals to carry firearms across state lines without permits and opposing red flag laws.

- Supports nationwide constitutional carry, allowing individuals to carry firearms across state lines without permits and opposing red flag laws.

Public Safety

Supports prohibiting vaccine and mask mandates.

- Supports prohibiting vaccine and mask mandates.
- Opposes access to abortion.

Healthcare

Supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, arguing education policy should not be federally controlled.

- Supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, arguing education policy should not be federally controlled.

Education

As of January 2, 2026, Donald M. (Don) Brown’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Supports limiting the authority of federal judges in areas such as immigration and military policy.

- Supports limiting the authority of federal judges in areas such as immigration and military policy.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports congressional term limits, backing a constitutional amendment to limit members of Congress to a maximum of 12 years of service.

- Supports congressional term limits, backing a constitutional amendment to limit members of Congress to a maximum of 12 years of service.

Voting & Elections

Ethics & Conduct

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Donald M. (Don) Brown

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Brown, Temple seek to upend Whatley for GOP nomination in NC's ...

Elizabeth Temple lives in Smithfield, North Carolina. 

Elizabeth previously worked as a teacher. 

Elizabeth Anne Temple's campaign for the U.S. Senate seat to represent North Carolina.

Elizabeth Anne Temple - Ballotpedia

Elizabeth Temple previously ran for the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2024 and as a Smithfield town council member in 2025, but did not win. 

Meet Elizabeth Temple: Candidate for US Senate

Aims to "address significant issues such as wealth inequality [and homelessness] though continued Capitalism, not Socialism or Communism."

- Aims to "address significant issues such as wealth inequality [and homelessness] though continued Capitalism, not Socialism or Communism."

As of January 2, 2026, Elizabeth A. Temple did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to develop leadership qualities and "clear messaging like President Trump has" in youth.

- Wants to develop leadership qualities and "clear messaging like President Trump has" in youth.

Plans to focus on legislation that addresses potential artificial intelligence risks in warfare, job dislocation, birth rates, and wealth and income inequality.

- Plans to focus on legislation that addresses potential artificial intelligence risks in warfare, job dislocation, birth rates, and wealth and income inequality.

Wants to make it a requirement that all elected officials " in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as Mayors, be born in the city, town, state, and country that they represent."

Believes in "promoting prosperity for black Americans over further immigration."

- Opposes undocumented immigration.
- Wants to make it a requirement that all elected officials " in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as Mayors, be born in the city, town, state, and country that they represent."
- Believes in "promoting prosperity for black Americans over further immigration."

Elizabeth Temple Pledges to Support Congressional Term Limits ...

Believes elected officials should be born in the state or town they represent.

Supports term limits for congress members.

- Supports North Carolina's voter ID laws.
- Believes elected officials should be born in the state or town they represent.
- Supports term limits for congress members.

As of January 2, 2026, Elizabeth A. Temple’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Elizabeth A. Temple

- Supports North Carolina's voter ID laws.
- Believes elected officials should be born in the state or town they represent.

Michael Whatley is from Blowing Rock, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina, a master's degree in religion from Wake Forest University, a master's degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame, and a law degree from Notre Dame Law School. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Gaston County. They have three children.

Michael Whatley - Ballotpedia

Michael previously served as the chairman of the republican National Committee and chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. He has also worked as chief of staff to Senator Elizabeth Dole, a senior official in the George Bush administration, and a federal law clerk. 

Michael previously served as the chair of the North Carolina Republican Party.

This is Michael's first time running for public office. 

RNC chair says 'big, beautiful bill' key part of GOP's strategy to win seats in midterm elections

'Big, beautiful bill' will make US economy stronger: Republican National Committee Chair

Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump that cut tax rates and reduced funding for food stamps.

- Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump that cut tax rates and reduced funding for food stamps.

Opposes defunding the police and stated, "I will always Back the Blue and fight to ensure they have the support that they need to protect our communities."

- Opposes defunding the police and stated, "I will always Back the Blue and fight to ensure they have the support that they need to protect our communities."

Opposes abortion, but supports prenatal care, birth control, and in vitro fertilization.

Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump that added partial work requirements for Medicaid coverage.

- Opposes abortion, but supports prenatal care, birth control, and in vitro fertilization.
- Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump that added partial work requirements for Medicaid coverage.

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

Republican’s oil ties a focus in North Carolina Senate race

Has previously lobbied for offshore drilling and against regulations on fracking, power plant emissions, and auto efficiency.

- Has previously lobbied for offshore drilling and against regulations on fracking, power plant emissions, and auto efficiency.

Whatley running on strong economy, safe communities, respected America

Illegal Immigrant Crime Could Tip The Scales In North Carolina’s Crucial Senate Race

Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump, which gives billions of dollars for border security and immigration enforcement.

Opposes sanctuary cities, which prohibit local police officers from working with immigration officers.

Supports deporting "violent, criminal, illegal aliens."

Supports local cooperation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

- Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump, which gives billions of dollars for border security and immigration enforcement.
- Opposes sanctuary cities, which prohibit local police officers from working with immigration officers.
- Supports deporting "violent, criminal, illegal aliens."
- Supports local cooperation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

As Trump continues to remake RNC in his image, new memo outlines what that looks like

New RNC zeroes in on 'election integrity,' hires Trump ally who denied 2020 results

Michael Whatley on the SAVE Act

Advocates for "an aggressive, proactive effort to ensure that it will be easy to vote and hard to cheat."

Supports expanding early voting efforts, "ballot harvesting where legal," and absentee and mail-in ballot programs.

Stated, "We must build and activate the most effective election integrity program that has ever existed to safeguard our elections... Every tool that the other side has used, we need to wield for ourselves."

Supports voter ID requirements, believes only American citizens should vote, wants states to "clean up the voter rolls," and urges for "basic protections" for mail in ballots.

- Advocates for "an aggressive, proactive effort to ensure that it will be easy to vote and hard to cheat."
- Supports expanding early voting efforts, "ballot harvesting where legal," and absentee and mail-in ballot programs.
- Stated, "We must build and activate the most effective election integrity program that has ever existed to safeguard our elections... Every tool that the other side has used, we need to wield for ourselves."
- Supports voter ID requirements, believes only American citizens should vote, wants states to "clean up the voter rolls," and urges for "basic protections" for mail in ballots.

Michael Whatley

- Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump, which gives billions of dollars for border security and immigration enforcement.
- Opposes sanctuary cities, which prohibit local police officers from working with immigration officers.

- Advocates for "an aggressive, proactive effort to ensure that it will be easy to vote and hard to cheat."
- Supports expanding early voting efforts, "ballot harvesting where legal," and absentee and mail-in ballot programs.
- Stated, "We must build and activate the most effective election integrity program that has ever existed to safeguard our elections... Every tool that the other side has used, we need to wield for ourselves."

Michael Whatley is from Blowing Rock, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a master's degree in religion from Wake Forest University, a master's degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame, and a law degree from Notre Dame Law School. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Gaston County. They have three children.

Michael is a partner at HBW Resources, where he has been since 2007. He previously worked as an executive vice president for the Consumer Energy Alliance from 2007 to 2019, as a principal deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy under the George W. Bush presidential administration from 2001 to 2003, and as legal counsel to U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell from 2000 to 2001. 

Michael previously served as chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party from June 2019 to March 2024. He then served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from March 2024 to August 2025. He declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2026.

Michele Morrow is from Nashua, New Hampshire. She has a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina. She and her husband have five children.

Michele Morrow - Ballotpedia

Michele Morrow - North Carolina Health News

Michele is a public education advocate and a leader of statewide groups that oppose Critical Race Theory in schools. She previously ran for North Carolina's superintendent of public instruction and served as a senior advisor for the U.S. Department of Education under President Donald Trump.

GOP candidate for NC schools chief has spread falsehoods ...

Former Republican State Superintendent candidate Michele Morrow ...

Michele previously worked as a nurse and educator. 

Michele's campaign for North Carolina U.S. senator is her first time running for public office. She previously ran for a seat on the Wake County Board of Education in 2022 but did not win. In 2023, she won the Republican primary for North Carolina state superintendent of public instruction but lost in the general election.

Michele Morrow Launches Bid for U.S. Senate

Michele Morrow enters Republican primary for NC's open US ...

Michele previously ran for a seat on the Wake County Board of Education in 2022 and North Carolina state superintendent of public instruction in 2023, but did not win. 

Wants to reduce regulations that limit small businesses and "job creators."

Supports reducing taxes for working families and businesses.

Wants to audit federal programs to eliminate fraud and redirect funds towards infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and internet, in North Carolina.

Supports policies aimed at "strengthening families," including tax incentives for marriage, child-rearing, and homeschooling, and limits on explicit content in media and schools.

Supports protecting Medicare and Social Security for seniors while reducing fraud and maintaining program sustainability without raising taxes.

- Wants to reduce regulations that limit small businesses and "job creators."
- Supports reducing taxes for working families and businesses.
- Wants to audit federal programs to eliminate fraud and redirect funds towards infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and internet, in North Carolina.
- Supports policies aimed at "strengthening families," including tax incentives for marriage, child-rearing, and homeschooling, and limits on explicit content in media and schools.
- Supports protecting Medicare and Social Security for seniors while reducing fraud and maintaining program sustainability without raising taxes.

Supports increased funding for law enforcement and first responders and opposes reductions in police funding.

Supports tougher sentencing for repeat offenders, drug traffickers, and gang members, and opposes no-bail policies.

- Opposes gun control policies.
- Supports increased funding for law enforcement and first responders and opposes reductions in police funding.
- Supports tougher sentencing for repeat offenders, drug traffickers, and gang members, and opposes no-bail policies.

Supports restricting abortion access, including heartbeat laws, defunding Planned Parenthood, and expanding adoption and support services for pregnant individuals.

Opposes the Affordable Care Act and supports replacing it with market-based healthcare reforms, including expanded Health Savings Accounts and allowing insurance sales across state lines.

Supports addressing the opioid crisis through border security, expanded treatment options, and accountability for pharmaceutical companies.

Supports telemedicine and rural healthcare initiatives to improve access to care, especially in underserved and disaster-affected areas.

Supports integrating mental health reforms into public safety efforts to prevent violent incidents.

- Supports restricting abortion access, including heartbeat laws, defunding Planned Parenthood, and expanding adoption and support services for pregnant individuals.
- Opposes the Affordable Care Act and supports replacing it with market-based healthcare reforms, including expanded Health Savings Accounts and allowing insurance sales across state lines.
- Supports addressing the opioid crisis through border security, expanded treatment options, and accountability for pharmaceutical companies.
- Supports telemedicine and rural healthcare initiatives to improve access to care, especially in underserved and disaster-affected areas.
- Supports integrating mental health reforms into public safety efforts to prevent violent incidents.

Opposes "critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in public schools."

Opposes teaching about diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools.

Opposes education that argues racism is ingrained into society as a whole, particularly through policies, laws, institutions, and structures.

Supported the Parents’ Bill of Rights, which mandates informing parents if their child requests to use different pronouns or a different name at school.

Supports school voucher programs that allow qualifying families to use public money to pay for charter or private schools.

Supports "armed resource officers, strict discipline policies, and background checks for all staff" in schools.

Supports policies defining participation in women’s sports based on biological sex, not gender identity.

- Opposes teaching about diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools.
- Opposes education that argues racism is ingrained into society as a whole, particularly through policies, laws, institutions, and structures.
- Supported the Parents’ Bill of Rights, which mandates informing parents if their child requests to use different pronouns or a different name at school.
- Supports school voucher programs that allow qualifying families to use public money to pay for charter or private schools.
- Supports "armed resource officers, strict discipline policies, and background checks for all staff" in schools.
- Supports policies defining participation in women’s sports based on biological sex, not gender identity.

Supports energy independence, which is a country's ability to produce all the energy it needs without relying on foreign imports, believing it will lower costs.

Supports building resilient infrastructure like flood controls, power grids, and emergency systems to protect against future storms.

- Supports energy independence, which is a country's ability to produce all the energy it needs without relying on foreign imports, believing it will lower costs.
- Supports building resilient infrastructure like flood controls, power grids, and emergency systems to protect against future storms.

Supports finishing the border wall and funding technology, personnel, and other resources to reduce undocumented immigration.

Opposes sanctuary city laws, which ban local police officers from working with immigration enforcement officers.

Supports  prioritizing "skilled workers who benefit America" for legal immigration.

Supports "President Trump's mass deportation efforts to remove threats and restore order, while fighting for resources to combat the gangs and cartels infiltrating our communities."

Supports funding federal disaster relief and accountability for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rather than sending foreign aid.

- Supports finishing the border wall and funding technology, personnel, and other resources to reduce undocumented immigration.
- Opposes sanctuary city laws, which ban local police officers from working with immigration enforcement officers.
- Supports  prioritizing "skilled workers who benefit America" for legal immigration.
- Supports "President Trump's mass deportation efforts to remove threats and restore order, while fighting for resources to combat the gangs and cartels infiltrating our communities."
- Supports funding federal disaster relief and accountability for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rather than sending foreign aid.

Supports restricting mail-in voting to "those that actually need it."

Wants to reduce early voting to five days, including one Saturday to "save millions of dollars."

- Supports restricting mail-in voting to "those that actually need it."
- Wants to reduce early voting to five days, including one Saturday to "save millions of dollars."

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

Michele Morrow

- Opposes teaching about race, racism, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools.
- Supported the Parents’ Bill of Rights, which mandates informing parents if their child requests to use different pronouns or a different name at school.
- Supports school voucher programs that allow qualifying families to use public money to pay for charter or private schools.
- Supports "armed resource officers, strict discipline policies, and background checks for all staff" in schools.
- Supports policies defining participation in women’s sports based on biological sex, not gender identity.

Plans to implement "fair, commonsense discipline policies."

Richard Dansie is from Murray, Utah. He has a bachelor's degree in information technology from Western Governors University. He lives with his wife, Bonny, in Durham.

Richard is a Senior Network Security Engineer specializing in advanced network security engineering and enterprise-level problem solving. He previously served in Army intelligence for the U.S. Army.

Richard works as a senior network security engineer. He previously served in the U.S. Army.

Richard Dansie’s campaign for U.S. Senate is his first entry into politics.

Richard Dansie - Ballotpedia

Richard's campaign for U.S. senator for North Carolina is his first run for public office.

For Candidate Richard Dansie on Issue economy:  
Aims to stop subsidizing dependency and reinforce responsibility, work, and upward mobility.

Plans to "reinforce responsibility, work, and upward mobility," by reducing welfare and public aid.

Believes in cutting federal bureaucracy and returning power to families, states, and citizens, stating that people use their own money better than the government does.

Believes in reducing bureaucracy and returning power to families and states stating that people use their own money better than the government does.

- Plans to "reinforce responsibility, work, and upward mobility," by reducing welfare and public aid.
- Believes in reducing bureaucracy and returning power to families and states stating that people use their own money better than the government does.

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

Advocates for ending the medicalization of normal life and reducing dependence on drugs and pharmaceutical quick fixes, emphasizing the need for discipline, purpose, and real recovery.

Advocates for a national physician registry.

- Advocates for ending the medicalization of normal life and reducing dependence on drugs and pharmaceutical quick fixes, emphasizing the need for discipline, purpose, and real recovery.
- Advocates for a national physician registry.
- Wants medical claims reform.

For Candidate Richard Dansie on Issue education: Supports removing porn, gender ideology, and sexualization from schools and public life to protect children and restore national moral health.

Supports removing sexualization from schools and public life to protect children.

- Supports removing sexualization from schools and public life to protect children.

Believes in a performance-based compensation system where one percent of verified reductions in federal spending is set aside and distributed evenly among all members of Congress.

- Believes in a performance-based compensation system where one percent of verified reductions in federal spending is set aside and distributed evenly among all members of Congress.

Richard Dansie

- Advocates for ending the medicalization of normal life and reducing dependence on drugs and pharmaceutical quick fixes, emphasizing the need for discipline, purpose, and real recovery.

- Believes in reducing bureaucracy and returning power to families and states stating that people use their own money better than the government does.

Youtube

Thomas is from Garner, North Carolina. He attended Richard Montgomery High School. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from the United States Air Force Academy. He has a master's degree in space commercialization from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology. He lives with his wife, Amanda Bradley Johnson, and their four children in the Timber Drive East neighborhood of Garner.

Thomas Johnson (North Carolina)

Thomas has a bachelor's degree in political science from the United States Air Force Academy. He has a master's degree in space commercialization from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology. He lives with his wife, Amanda Bradley Johnson, and their four children.

Thomas previously served in the U.S. Air Force and as a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) fellow. He is also a small business owner for a strategy consulting firm. 

Proposes to reduce grocery bills in North Carolina by $200 a month through tax credits for grocery stores and incentives to lower supply chain costs.

Proposes reducing grocery bills in North Carolina by $200 a month through tax credits for grocery stores and incentives to lower supply chain costs.

- Proposes reducing grocery bills in North Carolina by $200 a month through tax credits for grocery stores and incentives to lower supply chain costs.

iVG – North Carolina Voter Guide

Believes Evangelical Christian churches should have the right to freely gather, even during national or state emergencies.

Believes the government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation online.

- Believes Evangelical Christian churches should have the right to freely gather, even during national or state emergencies.
- Believes the government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation online.

Supports dramatically improving healthcare for American military veterans and tying healthcare outcomes to the compensation and job security of healthcare providers and VA leaders.

Supports improving veterans’ healthcare by holding VA leaders and providers accountable for patient outcomes through pay and job security.

Opposes the participation of transgender women in women's sports.

- Supports improving veterans’ healthcare by holding VA leaders and providers accountable for patient outcomes through pay and job security.
- Opposes the participation of transgender women in women's sports.

Opposes eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, stating higher education provides crucial talent to businesses.

- Opposes eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, stating higher education provides crucial talent to businesses.

Believes coal and oil is the most reliable energy source that will supply a growing demand for electricity.

Wants to make North Carolina's hydrogen, bio-fuel, and solar industries to grow.

- Believes coal and oil is the most reliable energy source that will supply a growing demand for electricity.
- Wants to make North Carolina's hydrogen, bio-fuel, and solar industries to grow.

Opposes the existence of "sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons."

Supports legal immigration, especially in science, engineering, and technology sectors.

- Opposes the existence of "sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons."
- Supports legal immigration, especially in science, engineering, and technology sectors.
- Said, "We live in a multipolar world where the People's Republic of China is contesting our leadership... I want American ideals to thrive..."
- Believes the United States' relationship with Israel is crucial.

Thomas Johnson

- The U.S. senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 U.S. senators. North Carolina, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- U.S. senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. U.S. senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate, and vote on bills that may become national law. 
- U.S. senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court justices and presidential cabinet members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees that focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. U.S. senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

One of two federal lawmakers representing North Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

North Carolina U.S. Senator, Republican Primary

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