Terri Mrazek was the victor in the Republican primary for
the at-large seat on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. She got 66 percent of the vote against political newcomer Mike Barresi.

This was Mrazek’s fourth run at a commission seat, having been unsuccessful in 2020, ‘22 and ‘24.

She will go on to face Dan Besse, the unofficial winner of the Democratic primary.

Phil Byrd beat Billy Queen in the Republican primary for Guilford County Sheriff.

Byrd retired as captain from the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office in 2014 after a 30-year career.

He faces Democratic incumbent and current Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers in November’s general election.

In a closely watched race after a year of financial troubles, the unofficial results are in for the WS/FCS Board of Education primary.

The field was large, with 34 candidates in Tuesday’s primary.

Ronda Mays was the top vote-getter in the at-large contest with 16 percent.

Two more Democrats will advance to the general election for the at-large seat, but Valerie Brockenbrough, Elisabeth Motsinger and Linda Winikoff are within a fraction of a percent from each other. This meets the requirement for a recount.

Democratic incumbents Trevonia Brown-Gaither and Alex Bohannon will advance for District 1.

And Lee Childress, Susan Conway, Marie Jackson and Curtis Fentress move forward in District 2.

In the District 2 Republican primary, Robert Weiss and Jill Berlin got the most votes. Two more candidates will advance to the general election, but Allen Daniel, Robert Barr, Tracy Lesser and Derrick Hinson are all within a sliver of each other — signaling the potential for a recount.

Incumbent Dan Besse defeated realtor Que Shavers in the Democratic primary contest for an at-large seat on the Forsyth County Commission.

Besse is an attorney who’s held the seat since 2022 and has been in local government for decades. He’s known for working across the aisle to advance progressive policies.

Republicans Benita Finney and Mark White were the top two vote-getters in Tuesday’s primary for the Davie County Board of Commissioners.

Finney is an incumbent and currently the board chair. She was elected in 2022.

They beat out four others, including incumbent Brent Shoaf. Because no democrats are running, both automatically secure seats on the board.

Matt Mizell, Dexter Short, Dwight Cornelison and Robbie Beasley are the winners of the Republican primary for Davidson County Board of Commissioners.

They were the top four vote-getters in a field of 12, beating incumbents Karen Watford and Steve Shell.

Retired Yadkin County Schools Superintendent Todd Martin received the most votes in the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners Republican primary. Martin was the only non-incumbent on the ballot. The other candidates, Ricky Oliver, Frank C. Zachary and Cliff Collins are separated by less than 1%, which meets the requirements for a recount. The top three vote-getters move on.

The two Democratic candidates in the Alamance County Board of Commissioners race advancing to November’s election are Burlington pastor Ramona Allen and Mebane City Council Member Sean Ewing. Both campaigned on strengthening public education. They beat Warren L. Parks, Jr.

Incumbent Board Chair Kelly Allen and Steve Carter are the top two vote-getters for the Republican primary. Tax policy has been a central focus in this race, with a property revaluation on the horizon. Allen says her stance will depend on the results of the property revaluation. Carter says the tax rate should be revenue-neutral. They both move on to the general election.

Ray Russell bested David Luther in the Democratic primary for the District 2 seat on the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.

Russell will now have a shot at filling one of the two electoral districts created by Senate Bill 759. That legislation resulted in the current board being filled by five Republicans.

Russell will face Republican Savva Kostis in the general election.

With all precincts reporting, David Allen won the Republican primary for the Randolph County Commission District 3 seat over Carrie Slotasky. Allen has held the position since 2014.

Allen is one of two Randolph commissioners who voted against a recent decision to dissolve the library board following controversy around a children’s book about a transgender boy.

Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and ex-Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley have won their respective party nominations for a North Carolina U.S. Senate seat.

Their wins in Tuesday’s primary elections set up a high-stakes showdown in the fall. Both clinched their elections in crowded fields to replace retiring Sen. Thom Tillis. He isn’t seeking a third term.

Cooper’s entry lifted Democratic hopes for regaining Senate control of the chamber.

Whatley ran after receiving the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

According to North Carolina elections officials, primary turnout is strong across the state and, for the most part, smooth.

State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes says a precinct in Warren County was damaged by fire on Monday. A mobile voting unit was dispatched, and voting continued without interruption. Hayes also announced that recent updates to tabulation software in Cumberland County may lead to minor delays in results. He added that this was an isolated issue.

We're confident that all North Carolina county boards of elections will report results as quickly as possible tonight,” he says. “As always, we urge the public to be patient as county boards complete all required procedures to close the polls and report accurate, unofficial results. 

According to Hayes, this year’s early voting participation is up roughly 25% from the 2022 primary. County boards will begin uploading results at 7:30 p.m. when polls close. All voters who are in line by 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballot.

Voters turned out in droves to cast ballots during North Carolina’s early voting period, which ended Saturday.

More voters showed up early to the polls this year than in the 2022 midterms, and even the 2024 presidential primary.

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