The North Carolina presidential race went to Barack Obama. Obama defeated Republican John McCain by a 49.7% to 49.4% margin in North Carolina. Obama’s victory is the first time since 1976 that a Democratic presidential contender has carried the state.
Obama’s coattails were very long in North Carolina, helping Democrats capture the US Senate seat, the Governor’s office and a number of offices down the ballot.
State Senator Kay Hagan (D) defeated incumbent US Senator Elizabeth Dole (R) by a 52% to 44% vote.
On the congressional level, Democrats picked up a seat when Democrat Larry Kissell defeated Republican incumbent Robin Hayes. North Carolina’s congressional delegation will now have 8 Democrats and 5 Republicans.
In the Governor’s race, Democratic Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue defeated Republican Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory by a 50.1% to 46.9% margin.
In the state House, the Democrats retained control and will keep a 68-52 majority. Democrats lost two incumbent seats but picked up two new ones. Several races are still very close, so the margin could change, but not control.
In the state Senate, Democrats also retained control, but by a lesser margin. The current margin of 31 to 19 will be reduced to 30 to 20. Republicans won the seat of Sen. Walter Dalton, who ran successfully for Lt. Governor.
Lt. Governor – Democratic State Senator Walter Dalton took the open seat.
State Treasurer – Democratic State Senator Janet Cowell defeated State Representative Bill Daughtridge.
Attorney General – Democrat Roy Cooper kept his seat.
State Auditor – Democrat Beth Wood defeated Republican incumbent Les Merritt
Commissioner of Agriculture – Republican Steve Troxler retained his seat in one of the few bright spots for Republicans in the state.
Commissioner of Insurance – Democrat Wayne Goodwin will succeed retiring Democrat Jim Long.
Commissioner of Labor – Republican incumbent Cherie Berry kept her seat in a close race.
Secretary of State – Democratic incumbent Elaine Marshall kept her seat.
Superintendent of Public Instruction – Democratic incumbent June Atkinson defeated former Republican House Co-Speaker Richard Morgan.
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