Who Is Running in 2020 Contested Primaries – NC House

There are no primary races in many districts, as many incumbents and candidates will face no opposition. Most candidates will run against an opponent in the general election on November 3, 2020. There are 120 House seats, however this list includes only districts with primary races – incumbents are noted in BOLD.

Not sure who currently represents you? Find your Congressperson, and NC representative here.

District 003: (NOTE: The incumbent, Michael Speciale opted not to run for re-election; there is no Democratic primary) 
Jim Kohr {R} – Campaign website: https://www.jimkohr.com/

Eric Queen {R} – Campaign website: https://www.ericqueen4nc.com/

Guy D. Smith {R} – Campaign website: https://www.guysmithfornchouse.com/

Steve Tyson {R} – Campaign website: https://tysonfornchouse.com/

District 005: There is no Republican primary in this district
Howard J. Hunter, III {D} Three term incumbent – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/representativehowardhunter  Hunter cosponsored multiple medical marijuana bills/decriminalization during his time in office (HB 78-2015 MMJ, HB 317-2015 MMJ, HB 983-2016 MMJ, HB 185-2017 MMJ, HB 994-2018 DECRIM). In 2019, Hunter co-sponsored HB401-Enact Medical Cannabis Act. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2019/H401
Hunter voted Aye on HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016 

Keith Rivers {D} – Campaign website: https://keithriversfordistrict5.nationbuilder.com/

District 006: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Bobby Hanig {R} First term incumbent – Campaign website: https://electbobbyhanig.com/
Hanig’s response to the NC Family Policy Council questionnaire in 2018, “Should NC legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” was NO. http://ncfamilyvoter.com/survey/nchr-Bobby-Hanig.pdf

Rob Rollason {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/realrobrollason/

District 009: There is no Republican primary in this district
Brian Farkas {D} – Campaign website: https://brianfarkas.com/

Jake Hochard {D} – Campaign website: https://www.jake4nc.com/
Hochard responded to NC NORML’s 2020 questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and adult use.

District 012: There is no Republican primary in this district
Deonko Brewer {D} – Campaign website: https://deonko2020.org/

Lenton Credelle Brown {D} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Elect-Lenton-Brown-To-The-NC-House-of-Representatives-District-12-112431813649937/

Virginia Cox-Daugherty {D} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/176109290375170/

District 014: There is no Democratic primary in this district
George Cleveland {R} – Eight term incumbent – Campaign website: https://repgeorgecleveland.net/
Cleveland’s response to the NC Family Policy Council questionnaire in 2018, “Should NC legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” was NO. http://ncfamilyvoter.com/survey/nchr-George-Cleveland.pdf

Cleveland had an Excused Absence on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, and voted Aye on HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Cindy Edwards {R} – Campaign website: http://www.electcindyedwards.com/

District 015: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Phil Shepard {R} – Five term incumbent – Campaign website: https://voice4onslow.com/
Shepard’s response to the NC Family Policy Council questionnaire in 2018, “Should NC legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” was NO. http://ncfamilyvoter.com/survey/nchr-Phillip-Shepard.pdf
Shepard voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Mark Price {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Mark-Price-for-NC-House-District-15-102005197832265/.

District 019: (NOTE: Due to redistricting, the incumbent is now running to represent NC 020)
Charlie Miller {R} – Campaign website: Miller does not have a website, here is a link to an interview with WECT: https://tinyurl.com/CharlieMillerInterview

David Perry {R} – Campaign website: http://perry4nc.com/
Perry responded to NC NORML’s 2020 questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and adult use. Long answer response: “Once I am elected, I will immediately put forth a bill to legalize medical cannabis in North Carolina. My bill would contain no “sin taxes” and the decision on when to prescribe medical cannabis would be left fully to the judgement of doctors and their patients. I will not settle for being stonewalled by other NC House Republicans and will take to the airwaves to loudly fight for your right to make your own medical decisions regarding medical cannabis.” When Perry ran against Davis in 2018, he spoke in support of medical marijuana: “We must combat the opioid crisis in an effective manner. Way too many lives are being lost. Perhaps the easiest way to reduce the opioid addiction rate is by legalizing medical cannabis. By giving doctors another option when treating pain, we can stop opioid addiction before it starts. States that have legalized medical cannabis have seen a 25 to 33 percent reduction in the opioid addiction rate. Research studies increasingly have proven its effectiveness to treat a variety of medical conditions.”

James Dawkins, Jr. {D} – Campaign website: https://sites.google.com/view/dawkins2020/policies
From his campaign website: “Medical Marijuana is a bulwark against the epidemic of opioid abuse we’re facing as a state and a nation, and instituting Medical Marijuana clinics and shops in North Carolina would absolutely save lives. Every state that has initiated it has seen a drop in opioid addiction and deaths. Recreational Marijuana use could be legalized and taxed, supporting addiction services in the state along with adding billions to the state budget. We also have areas in the Piedmont and the Appalachian mountains that would greatly benefit in the form of job opportunities and tax revenue if it were legalized. We must also expunge all non-violent drug offenses from anyone’s criminal record ex post facto. No one should be denied a job, healthcare, an apartment, or their rights simply for these types of offenses.”

Marcia Morgan {D} – Campaign website: https://www.electmarciamorgan.com/

District 020: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Ted Davis, Jr. {R} Four and ½ term incumbent (NOTE: Davis currently represents NC 019, but due to redistricting is running to represent NC 020) – Campaign website:  Not found – Here is an interview WHQR did with Davis and LaNasa: https://www.whqr.org/term/representative-ted-davis#stream/0

Davis headed the House Judiciary I committee in 2018 and would not bring H994-Revise Marijuana Laws up for a hearing in committee: https://clclt.com/charlotte/is-north-carolina-ready-to-take-marijuana-reform-seriously/Content?oid=9902591
Davis voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Justin LaNasa {R} – Campaign website: None found

LaNasa responded to NC NORML’s 2020 questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and adult use. Long answer response: “I am a license hemp farmer in the state of N.C. and running for NC house district 20 Justin LaNasa. Hemp and cannabis is in jeopardy at our state level and could be set back 10 years if something’s not done on a state level. One of many reasons I am running.”

District 021: There is no Republican primary in this district
Raymond E. Smith, Jr. {D} First term incumbent – Campaign website: https://www.smithnchor.org/
Smith co-sponsored H401-Enact Medical Cannabis Act in 2019. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2019/H401

Eugene Pearsall {D} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/EugenePearsallnc/

District 022: There is no Republican primary in this district
Martin (Tony) Denning {D} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Denning-For-NC-House-22-138155490352259/

Albert D. Kirby, Jr. {D} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/kirbylaw21

District 024: There is no Republican primary in this district
Jean Farmer-Butterfield {D} Nine term incumbent – Campaign website: https://www.jeanfarmerbutterfield.com/
Cosponsor of H78-Enact Medical Cannabis Act in 2015. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2015/H78
Farmer-Butterfield voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

John G. McNeil {D} – Campaign website: https://www.jgmcneilhouse.com/home
McNeil responded to NC NORML’s 2020 questionnaire and stated support for medical marijuana, was undecided on decriminalization and opposed to adult use.

District 025: There is no Democratic primary in this district; the Libertarian candidate is unchallenged as well.
John Check {R} – Campaign website: http://checkforhouse.com/about-john/

Steve A. Matthews {R} – Campaign website: None found
Matthews responded to NC NORML’s 2020 questionnaire and stated opposition to medical marijuana, but was for decriminalization and undecided on adult use. Long answer response: “The maybe depends on what other rights one loses with the legalization of cannabis.”

District 026: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Donna McDowell White {R} – Two term incumbent – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/donnawhite4nchouse/

Justin Tate {R} – Campaign website: None found

District 027: There is no Republican primary in this district
Michael H. Wray {D} Eight term incumbent – Campaign website: https://www.wrayfornc.com/
Wray voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Kelby Hicks {D} – Campaign website: https://hicksforhope.com/
Hicks responded to NC NORML’s 2020 questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and adult use. Long answer response: “Marijuana legalization is the key to many of our economic development/revenue problems and would significantly increase the state’s ability to bolster educational resources, as well as afford effective treatment alternatives for many citizens struggling with rising healthcare costs and/or limited access.”

Jerry McDaniel {D} – Campaign website:

District 033: There is no Republican primary in this district; the Libertarian candidate has no challenger,
Rosa U. Gill {D} Five and ½ term incumbent – Campaign website: https://rosagill.com/
Gill voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Antoine Marshall {D} – Campaign website: https://www.marshall4house.com/

District 035: There is no Democratic primary in this district, the Libertarian candidate faces no challenger.
Alma Peters {R} has opted to endorse her primary opponent Fred Von Canon, but cannot remove her name from the race at this time: https://www.facebook.com/voncanonfor35/posts/129201775275980?__tn__=K-R

Fred Von Canon {R} – Campaign website: https://votevoncanon.com/

District 036: There is no Democratic primary in this district, the Libertarian candidate will not face a challenger.
Kim Coley {R} – Campaign website: https://www.trustkimcoley.com/

Gil Pagan {R} – Campaign website: https://gilforwake.com/

District 037: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Jeff Moore {R} – Campaign website: https://jeffmoorenc.com/

Erin Pare {R} – Campaign website: https://erinfornc.com/

Anna Powell {R} – Campaign website: https://voteannapowell.com/

District 038: The incumbent, Yonne Lewis Holley is running for Lieutenant Governor; there is no Republican primary in this district, and the Libertarian candidate has no challenger 
Quanta Monique Edwards {D} – Campaign website: https://www.edwards4nc.com/

Abe Jones {D} – Campaign website: https://abejonesfornchouse.com/

District 043:
Elmer Floyd {D} Six term incumbent – Campaign website: https://elmerfloyd.com/
Floyd voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Kimberly Hardy {D} – Campaign website: https://www.kimberlyhardyfornc.com/
Hardy responded to NC NORML’s 2020 questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana and decriminalization. Long answer response: “Thank you for contacting my campaign! I favor decriminalization if it also means commutation and automatic record expungement for people who have been charged with marijuana-related offenses. Thanks again!” 

Clarence Wilson Goins, Jr {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/ClarenceGoinsforNCHouse/

Diane Wheatley {R} – Campaign website: None found

District 044: There is no Republican primary in this district
Billy Richardson {D} Four and ½ term incumbent – Campaign website: https://www.electbillyrichardson.com/
In response to NC Family Policy Council’s question, “Should NC legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” Richardson answered YES: http://ncfamilyvoter.com/survey/nchr-William-Richardson.pdf
Richardson voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Terry Johnson {D} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/TerryJohnson2020/

District 045: There is no Republican primary in this district
Keith Byrd {D} – Campaign website: https://www.byrdhousenc45.com/

Frances Vinell Jackson {D} – Campaign website: None found

District 052: There is no Democratic primary in this district
James L. (Jamie) Boles, Jr. {R} Six term incumbent – Campaign website: https://www.jamiebolesnc.com/
Boles voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Bob Temme {R} – Campaign website: https://bobtemme.com

District 053: There is no Republican primary in this district and the Libertarian candidate faces no challenger
Sally Weeks Benson {D} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/

John C. Fitzpatrick, Jr. {D} – Campaign website: None found

District 056: There is no Republican primary in this district
Verla Insko {D} – Twelve term incumbent – Campaign website: https://verlainsko.com/
In response to NC Family Policy Council’s question, “Should NC legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” Insko  answered YES: http://ncfamilyvoter.com/survey/nchr-Verla-Insko.pdf
Insko voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Insko co-sponsored HB766-Revise Marijuana Laws in 2019: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2019/H766

Joe Parrish {D} – Campaign website: No website, this link includes an interview with him, and an article he wrote on why he’s running: https://www.triangletalkshow.com/shows/2019/6/13/joe-parrish-for-nc-house-dist-56-tts-62-2020

District 059: There is no Democratic primary in this district
John Hardister {R} Four term incumbent – Campaign website: https://jonhardister.com/
Hardister voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016
In response to a cancer patient regarding the medical marijuana bills HB185/SB648/SB579, Hardister said “This is something that I would likely support,” he wrote in an email on May 16. “I believe we should allow doctors to do what is in the best interest of their patients. I will defer to medical experts and law enforcement to determine the best way forward.” https://yesweekly.com/north-carolina-should-legalize-medical-marijuana/
In another interview, “I haven’t had the time to do extensive research on it,” Hardister said. “We need to seek input from medical experts and law enforcement.” https://tinyurl.com/HardisterInterview

Allen Chappell {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/AllenChappellDistrict59/

District 060: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Ryan Blankenship {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/blankenship4nc/

Frank Ragsdale {R} – Campaign website: None found 

District 064: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Dennis Riddell {R} Four term incumbent – Campaign website: http://riddell4nchouse64.com/
In response to NC Family Policy Council’s question, “Should NC legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” Riddell answered UNDECIDED: http://ncfamilyvoter.com/survey/nchr-Dennis-Riddell.pdf
Riddell voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Peter McClelland {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/PeterforNC64/
McClelland responded to NC NORML’s 2020 questionnaire and expressed conditional support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and adult use. Long answer response: “I’m not opposed to legalization or decriminalization in itself. But I am opposed to doing so if it would make enforcement of other laws aimed at trafficking harder drug more difficult for local law enforcement. I’d start at being pro-legalization, but I’d be very open to persuasion for local needs should a vote on the issue arise.”

District 066: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Joey Davis {R} – Campaign website: https://www.davisnchouse.com/

Ben Moss {R} – Campaign website: https://www.benmossfornc.com/

District 071: There is no Republican primary in this district
Evelyn Terry {D} Four time incumbent – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Representative-Evelyn-Terry-637231046293519/
Terry voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and had an Excused Absence on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016
Terry co-sponsored HB78-Enact Medical Cannabis Act and HB317-Medical Marijuana for Terminally Ill Patients in 2015. Terry co-sponsored HB401-Enact Medical Cannabis Act in 2019 https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2019/H401

Kanika Brown {D}
Campaign website: Not found – this article compares her with Terry: https://tinyurl.com/ContrastBrownTerry

District 072: The incumbent is running for Congress, there is no Republican primary in this district
Amber M. Baker {D} – Campaign website:https://www.facebook.com/pg/vote4amberbaker/posts/

Lashun Hutley {D} – Campaign website: https://www.huntley4nc.com/

District 075:
Donny Lambeth {R} Four term incumbent  Campaign website: https://www.donnylambeth.com/
Lambeth voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Jacob Baum {R} – Campaign website: https://baumfornchouse.com/

Gardenia Henley {D} – Campaign website: http://thepeoplescandidate.org/home.htm

Elisabeth Motsinger {D} – Campaign website: None found for current campaign 

District 080: The incumbent is running for NC Senate; there is no Democratic primary in this district
Haley Sink {R} – Campaign website: https://www.haleysink.com/

Sam Watford {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/samwatfordnchouse/

Roger Younts {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/voterogeryounts/

District 082: The incumbent opted not to run due to illness, and died in February 2020
Kristin Baker {R} – Campaign website: https://www.electkristinbaker.com/

William G. Hamby, Jr. {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamGHambyJr/

Parish Moffitt {R} – Campaign website: http://www.moffittnchouse.com/

William F. Pilkington {D} – Campaign website: https://www.wp4nc.com/

Aimy Steele {D} – Campaign website: https://aimysteele2020.com/

District 083: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Larry Pittman {R} Four and ½ term incumbent – Campaign website: http://ncfamilyvoter.com/survey/nchr-Larry-Pittman.pdf

Pittman voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016
In response to NC Family Policy Council’s question, “Should NC legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” Pittman answered NO with the note “Extracts are already being used. Nobody needs to smoke it.”

Jay White {R} – Campaign website: https://www.jaywhitefornc.com/

District 093: There is no Republican primary in this district
Ray Russell {D} First term incumbent – Campaign website: https://rayfornc.com/

Turner Doolittle {D} – Campaign website: None found
From the Watauga Democrat “On the Issues”: “I very strongly support the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana possession and use, as well as expunging nonviolent possession charges. I believe that the illegal status and resultant incarceration has only been a drain on the state’s budget and a detriment to our communities.”
https://www.wataugademocrat.com/election/on-the-issues-n-c-house-district-democratic-primary-candidates/article_33a6df1f-3912-5992-abf3-249fe4e456f4.html

District 102: There is no Republican primary in this district
Becky Carney {D} Nine term incumbent – Campaign website: https://www.beckycarney.com/
Carney sponsored HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, HB 78-Enact Medical Cannabis Act,  HB317-Medical Marijuana for Terminally Ill Patients and HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015, HB185-Legalize Medical Marijuana in 2017, and HB401 in 2019. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2019/H401 
Carney voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends in 2014, had an Excused Absence on HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute in 2015 and voted Aye on HB992-Amend Industrial Hemp Program in 2016

Leroy Dean {D} – Campaign website: None found

Anthony Forman {D} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/forman4changenc/

Jonathan Peebles {D} – Campaign website: https://www.jonathanpeebles.com/

District 117: The incumbent decided not to run again
Danae Aicher {D} Per her campaign website, Aicher endorses Josh Remillard: https://danaeaichernc.com/danae-aicher-endorses-josh-remillard/

Josh Remillard {D} – Campaign website: http://www.joshremillard.com/

Dennis Justice {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/DennisJusticeNC/

Tim Moffitt {R} – Campaign website: https://www.timmoffitt.com/

District 119: There is no Democratic primary in this district
Mike Clampitt {R} – Campaign website: None found

Ron Mau {R} – Campaign website: http://ronmau.nationbuilder.com/