Democrats celebrated a wave of victories in North Carolina’s midterm elections, flipping key congressional seats and securing statewide wins in a major shift for the traditionally purple state. Among the winners were several unconventional candidates, including one served a felony warrant during her campaign and another with a history of fiery anti-Trump rhetoric.
Unexpected Upsets
In one of the most shocking upsets, Democrat Womack defeated Republican Tim Moore, the longest-serving state House Speaker in North Carolina history, despite raising just $59,000 to Moore’s $2 million. Womack’s campaign was rocked days before the election when Charlotte’s WBTV reported she was served a felony warrant related to a 2020 charge for failing to return a rental car.
Another surprise winner was Democrat Ojeda, who unseated National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson by just over 2 percentage points. Ojeda, a former West Virginia state senator, had drawn little media scrutiny despite his controversial past, including threats against Trump administration official Stephen Miller and leadership in a teacher strike.
Statewide Democratic Sweep
The congressional wins came alongside Democratic victories in four statewide races, including Roy Cooper’s defeat of Michael Whatley for the U.S. Senate seat. This marks the first time a Democrat will hold the seat since Kay Hagan’s single term ended in 2015.
At the state level, Democrats took control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2010, while Republicans are expected to maintain a narrow majority in the state Senate pending a recount in one race. Incumbent Democrat Anita Earls held her seat on the state Supreme Court, and the party swept three races on the state Court of Appeals.
Underdog Victories
In the 6th District, Democrat Jefferson pulled off another upset, defeating first-term Republican incumbent Addison McDowell despite being outspent nearly 7-to-1. Jefferson, the mayor of High Point, raised just over $200,000 compared to McDowell’s $1.4 million war chest.
Democrat Barringer also scored an unlikely win after moving to North Carolina from Maryland specifically to challenge Republican Brad Knott, a former federal prosecutor. Knott’s campaign had shown signs of trouble in October, prompting last-minute attack ads focusing on Barringer’s recent relocation.
Races Still Undecided
Two congressional races remain too close to call, with provisional and absentee ballots potentially deciding the outcomes in the 3rd and 5th Districts. Republican incumbents Greg Murphy and House Rules Committee Chair Virginia Foxx are fighting to hold their seats against the Democratic wave.
Democrats successfully defended both seats that were targeted by both parties, with Don Davis winning reelection in NC-01 and Jamie Ager taking NC-11, a seat once held by his grandfather.
Source: www.breitbart.com โ https://www.breitbart.com/midterm-election/2026/11/05/meet-accidental-winners-north-carolinas-congressional-delegation/