U.S. Senate

All North Carolina voters will see four candidates on the 2026 general election ballot. U.S. Senators serve six-year terms. One of North Carolina's two U.S. Senate seats is up for election this year.

U.S. Senators serve six-year terms representing the state’s 11 million residents at the federal level—voting on legislation, confirming appointments, ratifying treaties, and securing state funding. The U.S. Senate currently stands at 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and two independents who caucus with Democrats.

The Candidates & Key Dynamics

Major Party Nominees: Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper faces Republican Michael Whatley.
Third-Party Candidates: Libertarian Shannon Bray and Green Party candidate Michael Dublin will also appear on the ballot.
Open Seat: Current Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is not seeking reelection, citing D.C. gridlock. Democrats have not won a Senate seat in North Carolina since 2008. (Junior Republican Sen. Ted Budd's seat is up in 2028.

Federal Election Information

Michael Dublin (G)

Shannon Bray (L)

Michael Whatley (R)

Roy Cooper (D)

U.S. House of Representatives

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms—casting votes on legislation, serving on committees, passing federal funding, and overseeing the executive branch. Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for seven years, and a resident of the state they represent.

Statewide Landscape: All voters will see one House race on their ballot based on their registration. Across North Carolina's 14 districts, 37 candidates are running, including 13 incumbents. The delegation currently consists of 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats.

District 14 Focus

The Geography: District 14 covers a rural-suburban area in the western Charlotte region, spanning Burke, Rutherford, Cleveland, and Gaston counties, eastern Polk County, and parts of western and northern Mecklenburg County.
Political Climate & Race: The district carries a Republican partisan leaning (Cook PVI: R+8). Incumbent Republican Tim Moore faces Democratic challenger LaKesha Womack.

LaKesha Womack (D)

Tim Moore (R)

State Election Information

NC General Assembly

Every two years, the entire North Carolina General Assembly (the state Senate and House of Representatives) is up for election. The legislature sets state tax rates, passes the annual budget, and enacts laws that directly affect daily life across North Carolina.

Burke County Representation & Races

NC Senate (District 46): Represents Burke, McDowell, and part of Buncombe County. Incumbent Republican Warren Daniel faces Democratic challenger Kyle Whisnant.
NC House of Representatives (District 86): Covers Burke County. Incumbent Republican Hugh Blackwell faces Democratic challenger Wesley E. Hendrix.

NC Senate (District 46)

Kyle Whisnant (D)

Warren Daniel (R)

NC House of Representatives (District 86)

NC Statewide Judicial Offices

Justices on the NC Supreme Court and judges on the NC Court of Appeals serve staggered eight-year terms. Because these appellate seats are elected statewide, all Burke County voters will see all four of these judicial races on their general election ballot:

NC Supreme Court

NC Supreme Court (Seat 1): Incumbent Democrat Anita Earls faces Republican challenger Sarah Stevens.

NC Court of Appeals

NC Court of Appeals (Seat 1): Incumbent Democrat John Arrowood faces Republican challenger Michael Byrne.
NC Court of Appeals (Seat 2): Incumbent Democrat Toby Hampson faces Republican challenger George Bell.
NC Court of Appeals (Seat 3): Democrat Christine Walczyk faces Republican Craig Collins for the open seat.