North Carolina voters delivered a blunt message in the March 3, 2026, primary: incumbency offered no guarantee of safety. At least eight sitting state legislators lost their primaries, reflecting voter frustration in both parties.
On the Democratic side, Reps. Shelly Willingham, Nasif Majeed and Carla Cunningham were defeated after each broke with their party on key votes, including efforts to override some of Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes. Willingham lost to Patricia Smith. Majeed was defeated by Levy, and Cunningham lost to the Rev. Rodney Sadler. Reporting tied those losses to dissatisfaction among Democratic voters over the incumbents’ votes on veto overrides and other issues, including immigration and LGBTQ-related legislation.
Republican voters also turned out incumbents. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Keith Kidwell lost to farmer Darren Armstrong after a dispute tied to the annual farm bill, including Kidwell’s opposition to a provision that would have protected pesticide companies from some lawsuits. In Rockingham County, attorney Seth Woodall defeated Rep. Reece Pyrtle. Woodall told WUNC News, “I think it just has to do with the ability to actually be effective in Raleigh. We need more leaders who care more about Rockingham County than they do Raleigh, and that’s what I’m here for.”
Other challengers also prevailed. Pharmacist Caroline Eason defeated longtime Rep. Kelly Hastings in House District 110. Former Rep. Kevin Crutchfield defeated first-term Sen. Chris Measmer in Cabarrus County, and Haywood County school board member Jimmy Rogers unseated Rep. Mark Pless.
Analysis of the results showed that Republican establishment figures were especially vulnerable in several races, while Democrats who had broken with party leadership also faced swift backlash from primary voters. The same analysis noted that 10 current lawmakers chose not to seek reelection, meaning that, even before the general election, more than one in 10 current state legislators will not return to Raleigh next year.
One important correction: Phil Berger should not be described as having lost. As of March 24, 2026, his race against Sam Page remained unresolved, with Page leading by 23 votes and recount activity still underway.
The November general election will show whether this primary-season upheaval leads to meaningful policy change or simply reshuffles the political lineup.
Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.