The North Carolina gubernatorial primary is shaping up to be a significant race leading up to the November elections. Among the 11 gubernatorial races to watch, the North Carolina contest for the governor's seat is expected to be highly competitive.
In the Republican primary, the first black lieutenant governor in North Carolina's history, endorsed by Donald Trump, is a prominent candidate. Trump has referred to him as 'Martin Luther King Jr. on steroids.' However, the candidate has faced criticism for making disparaging remarks about LGBTQ+ individuals and engaging in anti-Semitic rhetoric, including dabbling in Holocaust denialism.
On the Democratic side, the current Attorney General, Josh Stein, holds a lead in the primary race. Stein is ahead by approximately 4,000 votes and enjoys an advantage in polling, fundraising, and endorsements. Notably, the incumbent Governor Roy Cooper, who is term-limited, has endorsed Stein, further boosting his campaign.
As the primary election progresses, Stein maintains a lead of 4,356 votes, representing just 1% of the total votes counted so far. The race is expected to intensify as the candidates continue to campaign and engage with voters in North Carolina.
