Table of contents

• Federal races
• State Legislature
• Judge races
• Bertie County
• Camden County
• Chowan County
• Currituck County
• Dare County
• Gates County
• Hertford County
• Hyde County
• Martin County
• Pasquotank County
• Perquimans County
• Tyrrell County
• Washington County

By Miles and Nicole Layton

After a long day at the polls, voters across northeastern North Carolina settled several high-profile primary contests on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, setting the stage for competitive general election matchups in November. 

Statewide, a total of 1,505,264 ballots were cast in this election. That’s 19.64% of the 7,664,465 registered voters. These are the unofficial primary election results. The results won’t be official until canvassing is done.

In the March 2024 primary, 1,800,118 votes were cast statewide, but that was a presidential year, numbers are usually higher in those years. In the May 2022 primary, 1,432,819 ballots were cast.

This year, more people went out to the polls during an off-year election than in the past, but it’s still around that 20% of all registered voters.

Federal races

In the US Senate race, Roy Cooper defeated his opponents with 758,808 votes. Others running in the Democratic primary included Justin Dues (22,169 votes), Marcus Williams (20,190), Daryl Farrow (9,674), Orrick Quick (7,218) and Robert Colon (6,739).

Cooper will face Republican Michael Whatley (404,199 votes) in the general election. Other competing in the Republican primary were Donald Brown (97,589), Thomas Johnson (35,378), Michele Morrow (34,961), Elizabeth Temple (23,794), Richard Dansie (14,929) and Margot Dupre (14,817).

In the Republican race for 1st Congressional District, Laurie Buckhout (26,542) defeated Asa Buck (23,137), Bobby Hanig (10,903), Eric Rouse (3,613) and Ashley Nicole Russell (2,967) to become the standard-bearer. Buckhout will face incumbent Democrat Don Davis in November in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in the state, maybe the nation. 

Buckout noted that Republicans are united and ready to send a fighter to Washington.

“I spent my career as a U.S. Army Colonel leading troops in combat and defending this country,” she said in a post on her campaign’s Facebook page. “Now I’m ready to take that same mission-first leadership to Washington — to stand up to weak politicians like Don Davis and fight for safer communities, a stronger economy, and the people of Eastern North Carolina.”

Buck encouraged his supporters to “move forward with the same zeal and commitment to Eastern North Carolina that made this campaign such a pleasure to be a part of.”

Hanig thanked the thousands of people who made the election possible, as well as his family and supporters.

“I want to congratulate every candidate that had the COURAGE to put themselves out there to truly make a difference at every level of government! I am proud to have campaigned alongside some of the finest people this state has to offer!” Hanig said. “No one, and I mean no one, understands what it takes to run for a public office unless they have done it!! Win or lose, you have already done this state a great service and should hold your head high!”

State Legislature

At the state legislative level, Republican voters in North Carolina Senate District 1 chose Jerry Tillett (7,529) over Jay Lane (6,270), Dave Forsythe (3,148) and Cole Johnson (2,924) in what had been described as a hard-fought campaign. Tillett will run against Democrat Melissa Zehner in the General Election.

Forsythe, a Gates County Commissioner, thanked his supporters. “Your hard work and moral support is appreciated.”

Speaking of Senate, it looks like Sam Page (13,077) beat President Pro Tem and powerbroker Phil Berger (13,075) in the Republican Primary for District 26. Well, that’s going to be a thing… wow! … I’ll say it, I’m sure there’s a lot of happy shrimpers and commercial fisherman when they hear the news.

In North Carolina House District 1, Ed Goodwin (5,069) prevailed over John Spruill (4,580) in another closely contested primary. Goodwin will face Democrat Claude Harris III in the general election.
Goodwin said he was thankful for the chance to keep serving the district’s residents.

“Campaigns can be tough, but now is the time for grace and unity. We are all Republicans, and we all want what is best for North Carolina,” he said. “The primary is behind us. Now we turn our focus to the real challenge ahead — defeating the liberal agenda and protecting the conservative values that make our state strong: faith, family, freedom, and opportunity.”

In House District 79, Darren Armstrong (7,430) defeated Keith Kidwell (6,779) in the Republican Primary. Kidwell has served in the General Assembly since 2019.

Armstrong said he received a call from Kidwell, who offered to work together during the transition.

“I am thankful for his years of service and his willingness to work together in the best interest of our communities,” Armstrong said. “In the months ahead, I look forward to continuing to travel throughout the district and talking more about how we can deliver lasting results for our region. Thank you all!”

Kidwell thanked his supporters, voters and everyone who worked on his campaign. “We left nothing on the table.”
“It has been a pleasure serving the people of the 79th House District for nearly eight years. We will continue doing the job and working for our constituents,” he said. “God bless the 79th District, the great state of North Carolina, and God bless America.”

Judge races

For NC Court of Appeals, Judge Seat 1, Republican Michael Byrne (300,883) defeated Matt Smith (282,853). For Seat 3, Democrat Christine Marie Walczyk (491,188) defeated James Weldon Whalen (296,590).

For District Court Judge District 2, Seat 2, Lloyd Williams (6,194) defeated Shannon A. Jarvis (4,565) in the Republican primary.

There are other judge seats up for grabs during the General Election, but the candidates did not face an opponent so there was no primary election.

---

Bertie County

Out of 12,280 registered voters, 3,911 ballots – 31.85% – were cast. Ron Roberson (1,582) defeated Aaron Rascoe (1,499) in the Democratic Party primary for Board of Commissioners District 5.

Incumbent Tyrone Ruffin (2,832) defeated Allen White (356) in the Democratic Party primary for sheriff.

Camden County

Out of the county’s 8,430 registered voters, 1,420 ballots (16.84%) were cast. There were no local primaries.

Chowan County

Out of the county’s 10,007 voters, 2,190 (21.88%) cast ballots. Chowan County did not have any local primary elections.

Currituck County

Out of 24,186 registered voters, 3,997 ballots – 16.53% – were cast.
Matt Beickert (2,542) defeated Denise Hall (1,009) in the Republican Primary for Board of Commissioners At-Large.

Mike Payment (2,412) defeated Ronda Galko (1,139) in the Republican primary for Board of Commissioners District 3.

Steve Hedrick (1,969) defeated Charles Gray (1,431) in the Republican primary for Board of Commissioners District 5.

Dare County

Out of 32,207 total voters, 9,345 ballots – 29.02% – were cast.

David Twiddy (2,771) defeated Mike Burrus (2,204) and Edgar L. Barns (1,912) in the Republican primary for Board of Commissioners District 1.

In Board of Commissioners District 2’s Republican primary, Rob Ross (4,106) defeated Christian Thomas Hayman (2,169).

In the Board of Education District 1 Republican Primary, Stephen Nichols (2,729) defeated Christie Baer (2,016) and Shannon Walters (1,553).

In the Sheriff Republican primary, Rodney Rawls (3,064) defeated Jimmy Pierce (2,589), Jeff Deringer (999) and Teddy Daniels (698).

Gates County

Out of 8,197 registered voters, 2,332 ballots – 28.45% – were cast in this primary election.

Regarding the county’s local sales and use tax referendum, the votes against the measure were 1,664, while votes for were 546.

For Board of Election District 1, Sallie Ryan (1,355) defeated Brian Silvers (832), while there were eight write-in candidates.

For BOE District 3, Danny Hale (1,179) defeated Lola Rountree (1,085). There were three write-in votes.

For BOE District 5, Nick Lolies (1,355) defeated L. Ray Brothers (836), and four write-ins.

For BOE District 2, Angela “JoJo” Legg (1,189) defeated Adam Williams (712) and Shari Earhart (317). There were three write-in votes.

Hertford County

out of 13,459 registered voters, 2,330 voters – 17.31% – cast ballots.

In the Town of Harrellsville Mayor race, there were eight write-in votes

In the Town of Harrellsville Council Member race, there were 23 write-in votes, while Thomas Grimes had 14 votes, Deborah Baker had 12 and Lisa Hunnicutt had 12. The top five voter-getters will be on council.

Hyde County

Of the county’s 3,013 registered voters, 1,123 – 37.27% – cast ballots in the primary election.

Regarding the local sales and use tax referendum, 764 votes were cast against the measure while 330 were for, meaning the referendum fails.

There were no local primary races in Hyde County.

Martin County

Out of the county’s 16,228 registered voters, 2,858 (17.61%) cast ballots.

In regards to the Town of Robersonville mixed beverage election, 97 ballots were cast for the measure while 49 were cast against it.

There were no local primary contests in Martin County.

Pasquotank County

Of the county’s 30,174 registered voters, 6,007 – 19.91% – cast ballots in this election.

In the Clerk of Superior Court Republican Primary, Jennifer Thompson (2,199) defeated Christopher Terry (1,626).

In the Republican primary for sheriff, Tommy Wooten (2,994) defeated Nina Daniels (958).

Perquimans County

Out of 10,439 registered voters, 2,045 (19.59%) cast ballots.

In the Board of Education race, Kristy Corprew (749) defeated Matt Winslow (667), Annie White (533) and eight write-in votes.

Tyrrell County

Of 2,371 registered voters, 723 (30.49%) cast ballots.

In the Board of Education race, Jana Liverman Rawls (266) defeated Joni Marie Liverman (219), Karen Page Clough (145), Monica Liverman (81) and two write-in votes.

Washington County

Out of 8,067 registered voters, 2,312 (28.66%) cast ballots.

In the Democratic primary for sheriff, Arlo Norman (1,376) defeated William Downing (212).

In the Board of Education District 1 Democratic primary, Sherri Blount Gilliam (849) defeated Gregory Boston (397) and Khandus Jackson (302).

In the Board of Education District 2 Democratic primary, Lois Clark (889) defeated Julie Tallerico Simpson (666).