2016 North Carolina Council of State election

The North Carolina Council of State elections of 2016 were held on November 8, 2016 to select the ten officers of the North Carolina Council of State. This elections coincided with the presidential election, elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the Senate and state elections to the General Assembly and judiciary. Primary elections were held March 15.^[1]

The ten members of the North Carolina Council of State are statewide-elected officers serving four-year terms.^[2] The pre-election partisan makeup of the Council of State consisted of 6 Democrats and 4 Republicans. After the election, the partisan makeup was reversed, with 6 Republicans and 4 Democrats winning. Three incumbents were defeated: Governor Pat McCrory (R), Superintendent of Public Education June Atkinson (D), and Commissioner of Insurance Wayne Goodwin (D).

Governor

Republican Pat McCrory, the incumbent, faced Democratic nominee Roy Cooper, the incumbent North Carolina Attorney General, and Libertarian nominee Lon Cecil in the general election. Cooper won with 49% of the vote.^[3]

Lieutenant Governor

Republican Dan Forest, the incumbent, faced Democratic nominee Linda Coleman, a former Director of the Office of State Personnel, former State Representative and nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2012, and Libertarian nominee Jacki Cole in the general election. Forest won with more than 51% of the vote.^[3]

Attorney General

Democrat Roy Cooper, the incumbent, ran for governor.^[4]

Josh Stein, State Senator and former Deputy Attorney General of North Carolina,^[5] was the Democratic nominee for the post, and Buck Newton, another State Senator,^[6] was the Republican nominee. Stein won with just over 50% of the vote.^[3]

Secretary of State

Democrat Elaine Marshall, the incumbent, ran for a sixth term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Elaine Marshall, Incumbent (unopposed in the primary)

Republican primary

Candidates

A.J. Daoud, member of state lottery commission, 2012 candidate^[7]
Michael LaPaglia, businessman^[8]

Results

Republican primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michael LaPaglia	499,919	61.6
	Republican	A.J. Daoud	312,067	38.4
Total votes			811,986	100.0

General election

Results

North Carolina Secretary of State election, 2016^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Elaine Marshall (incumbent)	2,368,091	52.26%	−1.53%
	Republican	Michael LaPaglia	2,163,185	47.74%	+1.53%
Total votes			4,531,276	100.0%	N/A
	Democratic hold

State Auditor

Democrat Beth A. Wood, the incumbent, ran for reelection to a third term.^[10]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Beth A. Wood, incumbent^[10] (unopposed in the primary)

Republican primary

Candidates

Chuck Stuber, former FBI special agent^[11] (unopposed in the primary)

General election

Results

North Carolina State Auditor election, 2016^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Beth Wood (incumbent)	2,259,436	50.07%	−3.64%
	Republican	Chuck Stuber	2,253,394	49.93%	+3.64%
Total votes			4,512,830	100.0%	N/A
	Democratic hold

Stuber called for a recount even before the election results were officially certified, and it seemed likely that the margin of difference between the candidates would remain well under the 10,000-vote threshold that a recount requires.^[12] But as the recount neared completion and the outcome remained the same, Stuber conceded the election on Dec. 9.^[13]

State Treasurer

Janet Cowell, a Democrat and the incumbent Treasurer, announced she would not run for reelection.^[14]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Dan Blue III, attorney, former investment banker, former Wake County Democratic Party chair^[15]^[16]
Ron Elmer, CPA and money manager^[17]

Results

Democratic primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dan Blue III	553,459	58.4
	Democratic	Ron Elmer	393,834	41.54
Total votes			947,293	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Dale Folwell, CPA and former state representative^[18] (unopposed in the primary)

General election

Results

North Carolina State Treasurer election, 2016^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Dale R. Folwell	2,373,022	52.70%	+6.53%
	Democratic	Dan Blue III	2,129,762	47.30%	−6.53%
Total votes			4,502,784	100.0%	N/A
	Republican gain from Democratic

Folwell became the first North Carolina State Treasurer elected from a party other than the Democratic Party since William H. Worth, a Populist, was elected in 1896.^[19]

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Democrat June Atkinson, the incumbent, ran for a fourth term in 2016.^[20] When it was believed that Atkinson was not going to run for re-election, State Rep. Tricia Cotham was considered a potential Democratic candidate.^[21]^[22]

Democratic primary

Candidates

June Atkinson, incumbent
Henry Pankey, retired school principal^[23]

Results

Democratic primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	June Atkinson (incumbent)	776,302	79.8
	Democratic	Henry Pankey	196,703	20.2
Total votes			973,005	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Mark Johnson, Forsyth County School Board member^[24]
Dr. Rosemary Stein, Physician, former Alamance Community College Trustee & GOP Activist^[25]
J. Wesley Sills, teacher^[26]

Results

Republican primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mark Johnson	441,865	53.3
	Republican	Rosemary Stein	272,131	32.9
	Republican	J. Wesley Sills	114,274	13.8
Total votes			828,270	100.0

General election

Results

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2016^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mark Johnson	2,285,783	50.60%	+4.84%
	Democratic	June Atkinson (incumbent)	2,231,903	49.40%	−4.84%
Total votes			4,517,686	100.0%	N/A
	Republican gain from Democratic

Johnson became the first Republican (or member of any party other than the Democratic Party) elected Superintendent since 1896, when Charles H. Mebane was elected.^[27]

Commissioner of Agriculture

Republican Steve Troxler, the incumbent, ran for a fourth term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Walter Smith, former Mayor of Boonville, former USDA official and nominee in 2012^[28] (unopposed in the primary)

Republican primary

Candidates

Andy Stevens^[29]
Steve Troxler, incumbent

Results

Republican primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steve Troxler (incumbent)	634,100	68.8
	Republican	Andy Stevens	287,948	31.2
Total votes			922,048	100.0

General election

Results

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture election, 2016^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Steve Troxler	2,524,445	55.56%	+2.34%
	Democratic	Walter Smith	2,018,872	44.44%	−2.34%
Total votes			4,543,317	100.0%	N/A
	Republican hold

Steve Troxler received more votes than any other candidate in North Carolina in 2016. As of 2021, this is the last statewide election in which the Republican candidate won Wake County and Chatham County.

Commissioner of Labor

Republican Cherie Berry, the incumbent, ran for reelection to a fifth term.^[30]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Mazie Ferguson^[29]
Charles Meeker, attorney and former Mayor of Raleigh^[31]

Results

Democratic primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Charles Meeker	531,273	56.5
	Democratic	Mazie Ferguson	408,243	43.5
Total votes			939,516	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Cherie Berry, incumbent^[30] (unopposed in the primary)

General election

Results

North Carolina Commissioner of Labor election, 2016^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Cherie Berry (incumbent)	2,505,628	55.19%	+1.93%
	Democratic	Charles Meeker	2,029,227	44.70%	−2.04%
	n/a	Write-ins	5,067	0.11%	N/A
Total votes			4,539,922	100.0%	N/A
	Republican hold

Commissioner of Insurance

Democrat Wayne Goodwin, the incumbent, ran for re-election to a third term in 2016.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Wayne Goodwin, incumbent^[29] (unopposed in the primary)

Republican primary

Candidates

Mike Causey, former lobbyist and failed GOP nominee for state Insurance Commissioner in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2012, and losing candidate for Congress in 2014^[32]
Joe McLaughlin, former Onslow County commissioner^[33]
Ron Pierce, General Contractor, Ex-Airline Mechanic & Army Veteran^[34]

Withdrawn

Heather Grant, Yadkinville nurse and Republican primary candidate for US Senate in 2014^[35]^[36]

Results

Republican primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Causey	340,936	41.2
	Republican	Joe McLaughlin	272,846	33.0
	Republican	Ron Pierce	214,126	25.8
Total votes			827,908	100.0

General election

Results

North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance election, 2016^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Causey	2,270,841	50.40%	+2.26%
	Democratic	Wayne Goodwin (incumbent)	2,234,953	49.60%	−2.26%
Total votes			4,505,794	100.0%	N/A
	Republican gain from Democratic

Causey became the first Republican ever elected to the office of North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance.^[37]

References

^ "WRAL: North Carolina primaries officially on March 15 with signing". Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
^ "Article III". North Carolina Constitution. State of North Carolina. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j NC State Board of Elections Unofficial General Election Results
^ Samantha Lachman (April 2, 2015). "For North Carolina Attorney General, Running For Governor Will Mean Taking On His Top Client". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
^ Patrick Gannon (November 27, 2013). "Josh Stein says he'll run for NC Attorney General in 2016". The News & Observer. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
^ Colin Campbell (June 1, 2015). "NC Sen. Buck Newton launches run for attorney general". The News & Observer. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
^ Republican to launch campaign for NC secretary of state
^ News & Observer: Second Republican joins NC secretary of state race
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g State Board of Elections Council of State primary results
^ ^a ^b Lynn Bonner (May 4, 2015). "Beth Woods to seek third term as state auditor". News & Observer. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
^ News & Observer: Former investigator Chuck Stuber running for NC state auditor
^ WRAL.com: NC GOP calls recount push a public service
^ News & Observer: Republican Chuck Stuber concedes NC state auditor race to Beth Wood
^ WRAL: NC Treasurer Cowell won't seek re-election
^ "Blue, Stephens & Fellers". Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
^ News & Observer: Dan Blue III running for state Treasurer
^ "Ron Elmer candidate for state treasurer". NCSPIN. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
^ News & Observer: Republican Dale Folwell to run for state treasurer
^ William H. Worth
^ EducationNC
^ PoliticsNC Council of State Update
^ Michaels on NC Spin: Atkinson won’t run again in 2016
^ Scott Sexton (April 16, 2015). "Sexton: Henry Pankey's qualifications for N.C. superintendent more than just a kids' book". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
^ Winston-Salem Journal: Johnson strongly considering run for state superintendent
^ "Dr. Rosemary Stein for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction". Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
^ News & Observer: Harnett teacher in GOP primary for state superintendent
^ Documenting the American South
^ "Smith to run for state office". The Yadkin Ripple. November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c State Board of Elections candidate lists Archived March 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a ^b AJ Daoud (March 1, 2015). "Berry announces reelection". twitter. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
^ WRAL.com: Meeker seeks Labor seat
^ Candidate filing from NC State Board of Elections^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ News & Observer: Filing for 2016 election ends
^ http://www.piercecampaign.com/
^ NC GOP 3rd Congressional District (April 25, 2015). "Heather Grant considering run for Insurance Commissioner". facebook. Retrieved June 5, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ News & Observer: Republican Heather Grant drops out of insurance commissioner race
^ Carolina Journal: Three GOP Challengers Hope To Be First Republican Insurance Commissioner

External links

NC State Board of Elections

[1] "WRAL: North Carolina primaries officially on March 15 with signing". Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.

[NCconstitution-2] "Article III". North Carolina Constitution. State of North Carolina. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2015.

[ncsbe-general-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j NC State Board of Elections Unofficial General Election Results

[4] Samantha Lachman (April 2, 2015). "For North Carolina Attorney General, Running For Governor Will Mean Taking On His Top Client". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 26, 2015.

[Eye-5] Patrick Gannon (November 27, 2013). "Josh Stein says he'll run for NC Attorney General in 2016". The News & Observer. Retrieved April 26, 2015.

[6] Colin Campbell (June 1, 2015). "NC Sen. Buck Newton launches run for attorney general". The News & Observer. Retrieved June 5, 2015.

[7] Republican to launch campaign for NC secretary of state

[8] News & Observer: Second Republican joins NC secretary of state race

[ncsbe-cos-9] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g State Board of Elections Council of State primary results

[Lynn_Bonner-10] Lynn Bonner (May 4, 2015). "Beth Woods to seek third term as state auditor". News & Observer. Retrieved May 5, 2015.

[11] News & Observer: Former investigator Chuck Stuber running for NC state auditor

[12] WRAL.com: NC GOP calls recount push a public service

[13] News & Observer: Republican Chuck Stuber concedes NC state auditor race to Beth Wood

[14] WRAL: NC Treasurer Cowell won't seek re-election

[15] "Blue, Stephens & Fellers". Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.

[16] News & Observer: Dan Blue III running for state Treasurer

[Ron_Elmer-17] "Ron Elmer candidate for state treasurer". NCSPIN. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.

[18] News & Observer: Republican Dale Folwell to run for state treasurer

[19] William H. Worth

[20] EducationNC

[21] PoliticsNC Council of State Update

[22] Michaels on NC Spin: Atkinson won’t run again in 2016

[Scott_Sexton-23] Scott Sexton (April 16, 2015). "Sexton: Henry Pankey's qualifications for N.C. superintendent more than just a kids' book". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved September 5, 2015.

[24] Winston-Salem Journal: Johnson strongly considering run for state superintendent

[25] "Dr. Rosemary Stein for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction". Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2015.

[26] News & Observer: Harnett teacher in GOP primary for state superintendent

[27] Documenting the American South

[28] "Smith to run for state office". The Yadkin Ripple. November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.

[ncsbe-29] State Board of Elections candidate lists Archived March 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine

[AJ_Daoud-30] AJ Daoud (March 1, 2015). "Berry announces reelection". twitter. Retrieved April 26, 2015.

[31] WRAL.com: Meeker seeks Labor seat

[32] Candidate filing from NC State Board of Elections^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[33] News & Observer: Filing for 2016 election ends

[34] ttp://www.piercecampaign.com/

[35] NC GOP 3rd Congressional District (April 25, 2015). "Heather Grant considering run for Insurance Commissioner". facebook. Retrieved June 5, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[36] News & Observer: Republican Heather Grant drops out of insurance commissioner race

[37] Carolina Journal: Three GOP Challengers Hope To Be First Republican Insurance Commissioner

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Governor

Lieutenant Governor

Attorney General

Secretary of State

Democratic primary

Candidates

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Results

State Auditor

Democratic primary

Candidates

Republican primary

Candidates

General election

Results

State Treasurer

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

General election

Results

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Results

Commissioner of Agriculture

Democratic primary

Candidates

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Results

Commissioner of Labor

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

General election

Results

Commissioner of Insurance

Democratic primary

Candidates

Republican primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

Results

General election

Results

See also

References

External links