Council of State Races Coverage

'Authentic and transparent:' New state auditor sworn in after Beth Wood's guilty plea, resignation

A day after outgoing State Auditor Beth Wood finalized a plea deal for misusing a state vehicle, the governor's choice to replace her has been sworn in.

Travis Fain and Eric Miller, WRAL reporters

Major turnover coming in top NC state government jobs

Six of 10 Council of State seats will have new leaders after the 2024 elections as top politicians look to move up or retire.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Plenty of legislative, congressional turnover coming to NC in 2024

Halfway through the filing period for the 2024 elections, 10% of North Carolina's legislative seats and more than a quarter of its Congressional seats won't have incumbents running in 2024, thanks in part to redistricting and an unusual number of open seats on the Council of State.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

The Wrap: Two supreme courts and a surprise announcement

The week in North Carolina politics from WRAL's NC Capitol team.

Cooper, Council of State inauguration

Gov. Roy Cooper and members of the Council of State take their oaths of office on the grounds of the Executive Mansion, followed by Cooper's inaugural address.

On the Record, Nov. 14, 2020: New faces on the Council of State

From public schools to workplaces, North Carolina has new leadership in roles that affect our daily lives. Meet the new superintendent of public schools and secretary of labor.

Jenna Wadsworth's TikTok video on Trump's coronavirus

Jenna Wadsworth, the Democratic candidate for North Carolina agriculture commissioner, discusses President Donald Trump's coronavirus infection in a brief video posted on TikTok.

On social media, NC candidate smirks over Trump's COVID test

Jenna Wadsworth, a Democrat running for commissioner of agriculture, asks followers: Is this your favorite October surprise?

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

On Facebook, NC's Republican candidate for lieutenant governor lashes out, insults

Black people, Hollywood, women and LGBT people are all targets for first-time candidate Mark Robinson.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Seven candidates for statewide office in Wednesday forum on food and farms

Candidates for commissioner of labor, agriculture and education to attend; public can watch, submit questions.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Auditor's race ends amid statewide recount

Although a statewide recount hasn't been completed, Republican Chuck Stuber conceded the state auditor's race Friday to Democratic incumbent Beth Wood.

Laura Leslie

Split-ticket voting leads to mix of Democratic, Republican wins in NC

North Carolina tipped into the red column Tuesday night in its presidential and Senate races. But below that on the ballot, results got a bit more messy.

Laura Leslie

GOP wave capturing statewide races

A wave led by presidential candidate Donald Trump appeared to be carrying Republican candidates to victory in most Council of State races Tuesday night.

Kathy Hanrahan

WRAL poll: McCrory, Cooper in virtual tie

The race between Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper has tightened in recent weeks, and the two men are in a virtual tie days out from the election, according to the results of an exclusive WRAL News poll released Tuesday.

Matthew Burns

Fact Check: Have 13 GOP-backed laws been struck down?

A candidate in the attorney general's race says his opponent has backed 13 laws struck down by the courts. Is that number right?

Mark Binker

Office of State Treasurer paid candidate's firm $180,000 over past eight years

Dan Blue III says his family's law firm will no longer work for the Office of State Treasurer if he is elected to the post.

Mark Binker

Candidates for state treasurer go 'On the Record'

Republican Dale Folwell and Democrat Dan Blue III talk about what they see as the biggest challenges facing the next state treasurer.

Mark Binker

Ten years after NC's last execution, AG candidates concur death penalty should stay law

It has been 10 years since North Carolina carried out an execution. Candidates for attorney general say they will do what they can to restart executions, but progress is limited by a number of court challenges.

Mark Binker

Four candidates in winner-take-all Democratic lieutenant governor race

Four Democrats are vying to face Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest in November.

Laura Leslie

Senator, prosecutor seek Republican nod for AG

With Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper running for governor, Republicans hope to win the statewide seat that has been in Democratic hands for decades.

Laura Leslie

Familiar names file for statewide, federal offices

Incumbents in gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races will face primary as well as general election challenges, and familiar names will dot primary ballots for Congress, Court of Appeals and other races.

Mark Binker and Cullen Browder

New state independent spending PAC to back Forest

David Longo, whose family and employees donated heavily to Lt. Gov. Dan Forest's 2012 campaign, is the treasurer for Truth & Prosperity Inc., which will back Forest.

Mark Binker

NC Treasurer Cowell won't seek re-election

North Carolina Treasurer Janet Cowell has been writing and calling donors and colleagues to say that she will not seek re-election in 2016.

Mark Binker

Stein steps into 2016 AG race

A day before a series of appearances across the state, state Sen. Josh Stein announced Sunday via an email to supporters that he's running for attorney general in 2016.

Laura Leslie