Washington— North Carolina voters will determine an array of primaries Tuesday, including governor, U.S. House, and other seats, as well as the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees.
President Joe Biden is the lone Democratic primary contender, but voters can choose “No preference” in either contest. Minnesota U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson tried to get on the ballot, but the State Board of Elections finalized the state parties' candidate lists in January.
Only former President Donald Trump and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley are Republican candidates. A voter tried to exclude Trump from the ballot in December, citing his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The elections board rejected the claim.
Trump and Biden are the leading candidates for a second term. Super Tuesday's large delegate haul from over a dozen states could help them win party nominations. Trump may reach that milestone on March 12; Biden on March 19.
Also on the ballot Primary elections to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper are Tuesday. State Attorney General Josh Stein, former Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan, and three more will run for Democrats. Republican candidates are Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, state Treasurer Dale Folwell, and attorney Bill Graham. Cooper supports Stein, while Trump supports Robinson.
Primaries are also being held for lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, state Senate, state House, and U.S. House seats, including five districts where the incumbent is not running again.
Nonpresidential contests with no candidate exceeding 30% of the vote may advance to a May 14 runoff if the second-place finisher requests it. The North Carolina presidential and state primaries are on Super Tuesday, March 5. Voting ends at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Democratic and Republican presidential primaries and critical state races. Although Biden is the only Democratic presidential contender, he faces a “No Preference” ballot option. Republicans can vote for Trump, Haley, “No Preference” and former candidates Ryan Binkley, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Asa Hutchinson, and Vivek Ramaswamy. Major state races include the Democratic and Republican primaries for governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, secretary of state, attorney general, and U.S. House, state Senate, and state House primaries.
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