2026 Midterm Election is an important election to our Tar Heel State. On Nov 3 2026, we have a chance to replace departing Republican US Senator Thom Tillis with a Democratic one, Roy Cooper! Currently there are 53 Republican, 45 Democratic and 2 Independent Senators with 33 contested Senate races in the US Senate as of 2026.
North Carolina has 14 gerry-mandered US Congressional Districts. Harnett County is in Congressional District 13, currently represented by Rep Brad Knott. North Carolina's Congressional contingent is made up of 10 Republican and 4 Democrat Representatives. A recent redrawing of US District 1 for North Carolina puts that district, a formerly solid Democratic district, into jeopardy - making the possibility of our North Carolina Congressional contingent 11 Republicans and 3 Democrats.
North Carolina's General Assembly has the upper chamber, or NC Senate, and the lower chamber, the NC House of Representatives. NC Senate has 50 state Senators. Each senator represents approximately 2 counties, based upon population, for 2-year terms. The entire current Senate chamber is up for reelection. There are 30 Republican and 20 Democrat state senators. Harnett is in NC State Senate Dist 12, which also includes Lee County and 4 precincts from Sampson County.
Our lower chamber, the state House of Representatives is 120 members; 71 Republicans and 49 Democrats. Each serve 2-year terms so the entire state House is up for re-election. An important fact of the NC House is called a 'super-majority' and that's when one party gets 72 or more Representatives - they can override gubernatorial vetoes, as has been done in the recent past. Harnett County is split between 2 NC House Districts based upon precincts;
NC House Dist 53 - Black River/Angier, Buies/Neills Creek, Coats/Grove, East and West Averasboro (See Dist 6 & 53 map here)
NC House Dist 6 - NW Harnett, Boones Trail, Central Lillington, Erwin/Duke, Stewarts Creek, Anderson Creek Flat Branch, Anderson Creek Overhills, BBQ Spout Springs, BBQ Benhaven and Johnsonville.
Harnett County has 5 County Commissioner districts (see map) and 5 similar but not the same Board of Education districts (see map). Their terms are 4 years. The current structure on both board is 4 Republicans and 1 Democrat.
Staying informed about upcoming elections empowers you to make decisions that directly impact your community. With some hard work, Harnett County volunteers and subsequently voters, could send Democrats to all 3 levels of government; Federal, State and Local, thereby changing the balance of power. Below are our phenomenal Democratic candidates that we ask you to vote for in November.
November 2026 Election Candidate Slate
Federal races |
Democrat |
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| US Senate | Roy Cooper |  |
Click here to visit website. |
| US Congressional District 13 | Paul Barringer |  |
Click here to visit website. |
State-wide races |
Democrat Candidates |
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| NC Supreme Court Associate Justice | Anita Earls |  |
Anita Earls “I spent my career as an attorney fighting to protect and defend the freedoms of everyday North Carolinians. Now, as your Justice, I’ve continued to uphold the rights enshrined in our State Constitution — like access to healthcare, a sound basic public education, and the right to vote.” |
| NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 01 | John S Arrowood |  |
Judge John Arrowood serves on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, a role he has held since 2017 after previously serving in 2007 to 2008. His experience includes Special Superior Court Judge, appellate staff attorney, certified mediator, accredited arbitrator, and partner at James, McElroy & Diehl, PA. |
| NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 02 | Tobias (Toby) Hampson |  |
Not only has Judge Hampson been serving on the Court of Appeals since 2019, he’s a leading expert in appellate law in North Carolina. He serves on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Appellate Rules Committee and is a Bar-certified specialist in Appellate Practice. |
|
NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 03 |
Christine Marie Walczyk |  |
Statewide Court of Appeals – Seat 3. Judge Christine Walczyk is one of the longest serving trial judges in our state. She believes in due process, equal access to justice, and safeguarding our individual liberties. As the only woman running for the Court in 2026, Judge Walczyk believes in a more balanced and diverse judiciary. |
County-wide races |
Democrat Candidates |
||
| NC Senate District 12 |
Tanya White Anderson |  |
I am Tanya White Anderson, Democratic candidate for Harnett County District 12, with a strong record of community leadership and service. A retired federal worker, veteran, labor advocate, former educator, and grandmother, I am committed to quality education, fair pay, affordability, healthcare transparency, support for families, farmers, and veterans, and putting people first. |
| NC House District 6 | Tony Spears |  |
I've been told & taught to work hard all my life, & that's what has brought me this far. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Sticks & stones....does any of these values matter anymore? Until we ask God to work on our hearts, we can't promise a great deal of "work" or "change". A vote during early voting gets me closer to the House of Representative, November votes, get me inside the HOUSE. |
| NC House District 53 |
Kevin G Thurman |  |
Kevin G. Thurman is a proud Eastern Harnett County native and graduate of Harnett County public schools. The son of a public educator and Vietnam veteran, he earned degrees from Duke University and North Carolina Central University. His work at RTI and Blue Cross NC informs his focus on public policy, healthcare solutions, and community service through his church. |
| County Commissioner District 1 | Barbara McKoy (I) |
 |
3-time incumbent Barbara McKoy is seeking a 4th term to represent District 1 while advocating for all Harnett County residents. She is a champion for seniors and working families, voting for smart growth, safe environs, better schools, affordable housing and strong economic development. She works tirelessly to resolve the Riverside Community’s flooding issues. |
| County Commissioner District 2 | no Democratic candidate |
No Democrat filed to run for County Commissioner Dist 2. You can leave the race unmarked and not vote for the Republican candidate. Your other votes will count. | |
|
Board of Education District 1 |
Sharon McNeill Gainey (I) |  |
Sharon McNeill Gainey is a lifelong Harnett County resident, Erwin High School graduate, retired educator, and current member of the Harnett County Schools Board of Education representing District 1. She advocates for students, families, and educators countywide, stays engaged through school visits and conferences, and is seeking reelection in 2026. |
|
Board of Education District 3 |
no Democratic candidate |
No Democrat filed to run for Board of Education Dist 3. You can leave the race unmarked and not vote for the Republican candidate. Your other votes will count. | |
|
Board of Education District 5 |
no Democratic candidate |
No Democrat filed to run for Board of Education Dist 5. You can leave the race unmarked and not vote for the Republican candidate. Your other votes will count. | |
| County Sheriff |
Reggie Watson |
 |
In 2022, I ran for Sheriff of Harnett County because I believe this office must be led with integrity, accountability, and respect for both the public and deputies. That belief never changed. I stayed engaged and continued listening across our county. When the Sheriff announced his retirement, I felt a renewed duty to step forward again. |
(I) = Incumbent
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