Election 2026: Cunningham, Kidwell in pivotal House primaries

(The Center Square) – Reps. Carla Cunningham, a Democrat, and Keith Kidwell, a Republican, lead the list of incumbents facing primary challenges in the quest to retain their seats in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Republicans are one seat short this two-year session of not needing a Democrat to vote with them to assure three-fifths majority regardless of how many of the 120 are present for veto overrides. Cunningham five times helped the eight overrides of first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein last summer.

Kidwell has drawn some internal party ire tied to agricultural legislation, and tactics in the chamber. The topics involved include shrimp trawling and a farm bill with relation to chemical companies; in the past, he stayed steadfast in opposition to Medicaid expansion.

The House is majority Republican 71-49, having been no closer than 65-55 (2018 election result) since the historic 2010 midterms. The majority party is expected to retain status.

Republicans have 28 primaries and Democrats 16.