2018 Legislative Elections
The 2018 elections for legislative seats will, for the first time in many years, have both Democratic and Republican candidates running in all but one district. Currently, the Republicans hold super majorities in both the House and Senate, and the Democrats are making a concerted effort to break the super majorities held by Republicans. Several legislators have announced they are not running for re-election. Reps Larry Bell (D-Duplin), Bert Jones (R-Caswell), Susan Martin (R-Pitt), and Mickey Michaux (D-Durham) are not seeking another term. Rep John Blust (R-Guilford) and Rep Jeff Collins (R-Franklin) also will not seek re-election. Rep Carl Ford (R-Cabarrus) also said he would not seek re-election to the House, but will seek election to Senate District 33, representing Rowan and Stanly counties. Rep Bob Steinberg, representing House District 1, will not seek to return to that seat, but will run for Senate District 1. Sen Bill Cook currently represents District 1, but Cook announced he is going to retire from the Senate.
Rep Sam Watford (R-Davidson) is also not running for re-relection, but he too is running for the Senate, in Senate District 33. Sen Ron Rabin (R-Harnett) and Sen Angela Bryant (D-Halifax) also are not running for re-election, and neither is Sen Tommy Tucker (R-Union), who played a key role in re-writing the state's tax policy since 2011.