This year's primary races tackle every office from the U.S. Senate to Dogcatcher. Just kidding, there is not an election for dogcatcher.
Each of the races includes candidates who represent the broad range of viewpoints in this region. The election comes at a time when several political observers think North Carolina has become a little more purple.
There are seven people vying for the GOP nod to replace U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis. The outcome of this race could determine if voters will go for the Trump-approved candidate, Michael Whatley, or if the tide will turn against Trump and voters choose someone else.
The race to be the next U.S. Representative from North Carolina 11th District is crammed with candidates from both parties hoping to unseat Chuck Edwards, a Trump endorsee. On the GOP side, Edwards faces Adam Smith, a veteran who played a highly visible role in Hurricane Helene recovery.
On the Democratic side, there are five people hoping to face-off against the GOP winner. That's an unusually high number for a district that leans Republican. The front runner in this race is Jamie Ager, who has raised more money for his campaign than any other candidate – including Chuck Edwards.
The race for three open seats on Asheville’s City Council is also getting people talking. There are 20 people hoping to win the primary. Only the top six vote getters will move on to run the midterm election in November. Of the many issues facing Asheville – housing, hurricane recovery, infrastructure – none of the candidates are talking about an issue that was de rigueur just a few years ago: Reparations.
Here are the unofficial results for all the major races throughout Western North Carolina.
U.S. Senate
Democrats
- Daryl Farrow
- Justin E. Dues
- Roy Cooper - 91.96%
- Robert Colon
- Marcus W. Williams
- Orrick Quick
Republicans
- Margot Dupre
- Richard Dansie
- Michael Whatley - 64.59%
- Elizabeth A. Temple
- Michele Morrow
- Thomas Johnson
North Carolina 11th Congressional District
Democrats
- Zelda Briarwood
- Jamie Ager - 64.93%
- Lee Whipple
- Paul Maddox
- Richard Hudspeth
Republicans
- Chuck Edwards - 70.64%
- Adam R. Smith
North Carolina House of Representatives
NC House of Representatives District 113 (R)
- Jake Johnson - 61.08%
- Mike Hager
NC House of Representatives District 117 (R)
- Jennifer Capps Balkcom - 76.19%
- Christopher Lamar Wilson
NC House of Representatives District 118 (R)
- Jimmy Rogers - 54.70%
- Mark Pless
NC House of Representatives District 119 (R)
- Anna Ferguson
- Mike Clampitt - 56.80%
- Mike Yow
Buncombe County
Sheriff (R)
- Gary Parris - 74.88%
- Vic Morman
Board of Commissioners, District 2 (R)
- Terry Threadwell
- Lonnie Israel - 57.73%
Asheville City Council (Nonpartisan)
- Drew Ball - 16.54%
- Maggie Ullman - 16.24%
- Jeffrey Burroughs - 7%
- Scott Burroughs
- R. Blake Butler
- Tiffany DeBellott
- Dan Ferrell
- Angel Gonzales
- Nina Ireland
- Shaunda Jackson
- Tyler Ladd
- Jess Young McLean
- David Moritz
- S. Antanette Mosley - 6.34%
- Bobby Smith
- Sheneika E. Smith - 6.15%
- CJ Snyder
- Kyle Turner
- Jared Wheatley
- Keith Young - 6.50%
Haywood County
Sheriff (R)
- William (Bill) Wilke
- Mark E. Mease - 57.80%
Jackson County
Sheriff (R)
- Doug Farmer - 72.21%
- Brandon Elders
Cherokee County
Sheriff (R)
- Chris Wood - 80.98%
- Dustin D. Smith
- Sam May
Clay County
Sheriff (R)
- Mark Buchanan - 84.89%
- Joe Shook
Graham County
Sheriff (R)
- Caleb Stiles - 35.51%
- Mitch Millsaps
- Joseph Jones
- Terry Grey
- Cody George
Rutherford County
Sheriff (R)
- Aaron Ellenburg - 81.14%
- Jamie Dunn
- Jason Ray Wease
Swain County
Sheriff (D)
- Douglas “Tank” Anthony
- David Southards - 71.46%
Sheriff (R)
- Wayne Dover
- Brian Kirkland - 87.42%
Mitchell County
Sheriff (R)
- Shane Vance - 51.52%
- Cecil Curtis Hobson, Jr.
Macon County
Sheriff (R)
- Brent Holbrooks - 69.32%
- Bob Cook
Polk County
Sheriff (R)
- Tim Wright- 52.64%
- Clayton Price
- Keith Henderson