2026 Democratic Primary candidates for NC Legislature
Amanda p.cook
NC House District 60, Incumbent, Guilford County
Amanda Cook currently represents District 60, by appointment, and seeks to retain that seat. She is challenged by 3 candidates in the March 3, 2026 primary
rodney D. pierce
NC House District 27,
Incumbent,
Halifax, Northampton & Warren Counties
Rodney Pierce won the seat by 85 votes in 2024. He is now challenged by his primary opponent from that election.
Dante Pittman
NC House District 24, Incumbent, Wilson & Nash Counties
I am a proud homegrown product of Wilson County. After graduation from Wilson County Public Schools and UNC-Chapel Hill, I returned home to serve my community. I am focused on enhancing public education, creating more economic opportunities and expanding high quality healthcare access in order for families in eastern North Carolina to prosper.
Evonne Hopkins
NC House District 35, North Wake County
Evonne is a wife, mother, and proud owner/operator of the Raleigh Law Center, where she works with children and their families every day. She believes public schools should be fully funded, healthcare is a right, and essentials should be affordable. In addition, she will advocate for clean air and water, smart growth,and public safety.
Shelly Headen
NC House District 62, Guilford County
As a mother, CPA with years of work experience, small business owner, and cattle farmer, Shelly Headen understands both the challenges and opportunities facing NC families. She is committed to fully funding public schools, expanding access to affordable healthcare and housing, and ensuring that taxpayers' money is used responsibly.
Whitney Olive
NC House District 63, Alamance County
With a background in education and community advocacy, Whitney is committed to putting people over politics and fighting for strong schools, affordable healthcare, and accountable leadership that works for all.
LeVon Barnes
NC House District 64, Alamance County
I am a father, husband, teacher and coach who knows what it takes to raise a family here in Alamance County. From the kitchen table to the classroom, I am fighting for everyday people who make this community home. My priorities are simple: make life affordable, make Raleigh work for us and not the few, invest in our kids, rebuild our communities and protect our freedoms.
Amy Taylor North
NC House District 74, Forsyth County
Amy Taylor North is a small business owner, mother, and community volunteer in West Forsyth County. A bold, energetic, and creative spitfire, she turned heads in 2024 - coming within two points of flipping the seat with the help of hundreds of volunteers. Amy will fight for small businesses, strong public schools, community safety, fundamental freedoms, and healthcare rights.
Beth Helfrich
NC House District 98, Incumbent, Mecklenburg County
Beth is a third-generation District 98 native and graduate of the North Mecklenburg IB Program and Davidson College. After fifteen years working as a teacher and senior school administrator, Beth left the classroom in 2020 to launch her own writing company; serve her kids’ local public school as PTO President and a School Improvement Team member; and work part-time for her local, independent bookstore. She is an ardent champion of area nonprofits, small businesses, public schools and libraries, progressive causes, and cross-sector collaborations.
Ken McCool
NC House District 105, Mecklenburg County
Ken McCool, life-long resident of Matthews, is president of a family business. As an elected town official, he spent years fighting effectively for affordable housing, high-paying jobs, public safety, and smart growth. He's proven he knows how to win campaigns and is running for a seat Republican Tricia Cotham won by only 278 votes out of 53,000 cast in 2024.
Lindsey Prather
NC House District 115, Incumbent, Buncombe County
I have been an educator in the NC public school system, community leader and public servant. I continue the fight for Buncombe County and all who live in the mountains and to protect what matters most to working families. I voted to expand Medicaid, protect voting rights and give every child a sound, basic education. I stood strong against the GOP's abortion ban, private school voucher expansion and attempts to whitewash social studies curriculum. I am fighting for good government, quality education, access to healthcare and equality for all.