Ten seats are open in North Carolina’s state legislative elections this year, meaning no incumbents filed. That is the fewest open seats since 2010 and means newcomers could represent as little as 6% of the legislature next year. The average number of open seats each cycle from 2010 to 2024 was 24.
Thirty-nine incumbents face primary contests in North Carolina’s state legislative elections this year, tying 2010 and 2018 for the most since 2010.
Ten of the contested incumbents are Democrats, and 29 are Republicans. For Democrats, that is up 25% from eight in 2024. Contested Republican incumbents are up 164% from 11 in 2024.
North Carolina has 60 contested state legislative primaries this year, up from 43 in 2024. The average number of contested primaries in North Carolina each cycle from 2010 to 2024 was 67.
Twenty-one of this year’s primaries are for Democrats, up 11% from 19 last cycle, and 39 are for Republicans, up 63% from 24 last cycle.
In total, 376 major party candidates filed to run—195 Democrats and 181 Republicans. All 120 House seats and all 50 Senate seats are up for election.
North Carolina has had a divided government since 2017, when former Gov. Roy Cooper (D) took office. Republicans currently have a 71-49 majority in the House and a 30-20 majority in the Senate.
North Carolina's state legislative primaries are scheduled for March 3.
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