Source: The Assembly
When state House Republicans redrew district lines last year, they placed Democratic Rep. Lindsey Prather into a Republican-leaning district in Buncombe County. She faced off against Republican Ruth Smith, a personal injury lawyer who has challenged Asheville’s affirmative action policies in federal court.
Prather’s northern Buncombe County district includes areas severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, while others fared comparatively better. With her home still without potable water, Prather shifted from campaigning to assisting residents in finding recovery resources, often through 160-character text messages.
Three weeks post-Hurricane Helene, Prather noticed a shift in conversations with constituents. They wanted not only voting information but also discussions on policy issues—like building codes, school funding, and support for small businesses and gig workers facing unemployment challenges. Prather ultimately won the election with 51.4% of the vote, stating, “When you’re in a disaster, it matters who your leaders are.”
In the November election, Prather and the Democrats gained one additional seat in the State House, bringing their total to 49 out of 120, breaking the Republican supermajority. Now, Democrats can block Republicans from overriding any vetoes from Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein.
The election saw other significant changes. First-term Republican Rep. Ken Fontenot lost to Democrat Dante Pittman in Nash and Wilson counties. Democrats also flipped seats in north Mecklenburg County, where Beth Helfrich defeated former Huntersville Mayor Melinda Bales, and in Granville and Vance counties, where Bryan Cohn narrowly unseated Rep. Frank Sossamon.
In the Senate, Republicans solidified their supermajority, achieving a 31-19 split, though two races are within the recount range. This shift maintains significant Republican power, a position they held following Rep. Tricia Cotham’s switch to the GOP last year, enabling them to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes and pass conservative legislation on issues like abortion and juvenile justice.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President, Heather Williams, said, “That unchecked GOP power ends today with Gov.-elect Josh Stein and an incoming Democratic caucus that can sustain his vetoes of extreme Republican overreach.”
Before the new legislative session begins in January, Republicans may leverage their current supermajorities to pass final legislation. They could override Cooper’s veto to fully fund private school scholarships and further limit gubernatorial powers.
Redistricting has left only a few competitive districts, often described by Western Carolina University political scientist Chris Cooper as “shoulder districts”—not fully urban, suburban, or rural. Candidates elected in these areas, whether Republican or Democrat, tend to adopt moderate and pragmatic stances. Republican Rep. Erin Paré, a two-term incumbent and prominent GOP figure, is one such candidate. Paré, the only Republican legislator in Wake County, secured her seat with 51.5% of the vote, focusing on business modernization, environmental regulations, and ABC permit fee adjustments.
In one of the most closely watched races, Cotham narrowly defeated Democrat Nicole Sidman. After her party switch, Cotham’s district was redrawn to favor her, and she received a show of support on Election Day from House Speaker Tim Moore, who joined her at a Charlotte polling place.
The state House will change as Speaker Tim Moore prepares to transition to Congress, with Rep. Destin Hall, a Republican attorney, likely to succeed him. Rep. Jason Saine, known for his work on the budget and sports gambling legalization, retired in August. Former Rep. Chuck McGrady commented that without a supermajority, Republicans may need a more strategic approach, engaging selectively with Democrats on key issues.
House Democratic leader Rep. Robert Reives voiced concerns about Republicans pressuring Democrats to vote with them by controlling funding and projects.
When the legislature reconvenes in mid-November, Republicans are expected to push through final supermajority votes, including one to override Cooper’s veto on Opportunity Scholarships and cooperation mandates with ICE. Former Rep. McGrady noted that, until January, the legislature has a window to pass significant legislation.
The next session may include debates on tightening voter ID exemptions and possibly reducing the governor’s powers further. Though some Republicans may want to avoid further restrictions on abortion access, other measures could be pursued, such as increased funding for crisis pregnancy centers or limits on reproductive healthcare locations.
With legalized sports betting in place, the legislature may also revisit efforts to expand gambling, though conservative members remain hesitant. Proponents argue that identifying new revenue sources will be critical for addressing the forecasted budget shortfalls and aiding Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.
