GOP keeps super-majorities in General Assembly

Despite a few losses, Republicans held on to their veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly in Tuesday's election.

Posted 3:58 p.m. Nov 5, 2014 — Updated 11:52 p.m. Nov 5, 2014

Laura Leslie

RALEIGH, N.C. — Despite a few losses, Republicans held on to their veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly in Tuesday's election.

NC House balance of power: 74-46

House Republicans lost four seats, including two members of House Speaker Thom Tillis' leadership team.

In Buncombe County , Rep.Tim Moffitt lost his seat to Democrat Brian Turner in one of the House's most acrimonious contests.

In Wake County, Rep. Tom Murry lost a closely contested race to Cary Mayor Pro Tem Gayle Adcock.

In Henderson County, Rep. Nathan Ramsey lost a similarly close contest to Democrat John Ager.

In Lee County, Rep. Mike Stone lost by a hefty margin to Democratic challenger Brad Salmon.

However, House Republicans also picked up an open Person County seat vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. Winkie Wilkins.

That's a net GOP loss of three seats, bringing the House balance of power to 74 Republicans and 46 Democrats. That figure still exceeds the 72 votes needed to override a veto by Gov. Pat McCrory.

N.C. Senate balance of power: 34-16

The Senate Republicans successfully defended four seats that had been targeted by Democrats seeking to take away Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger's veto-proof majority.

Wake County Sen. Chad Barefoot fended off Democratic challenger Sarah Crawford by a comfortable margin in a race that cost more than $1 million.

In Cumberland County, Sen. Wesley Meredith fought off a challenge from Democrat Billy Richardson, a former lawmaker, in what was probably the Senate's nastiest race.

New Hanover County Sen. Mike Lee, who was appointed following the resignation of Sen. Thom Goolsby, held on to the seat against a challenge from Democrat Elizabeth Redenbaugh.

In a Wake County race so close it could be subject to a recount, Republican Johnny "Mac" Alexander narrowly defeated Democrat Tom Bradshaw for the open seat vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Neal Hunt. The margin of victory was 717 votes out of more than 80,000 votes cast - less than 1 percent.

Bradshaw campaign adviser Gary Pearce said Bradshaw hasn't yet decided whether to seek a recount.

In addition, Republicans picked up the seat of Democratic Sen. Gene McLaurin in Richmond County, bringing the balance of power in the Senate to 34 Republicans and 16 Democrats. That's four votes more than the 30 needed to override a gubernatorial veto – an even larger veto-proof majority than the Senate GOP had going into Tuesday's race.

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