The ten members of the North Carolina Council of State are statewide-elected officers serving four-year terms.[2] The pre-election partisan makeup of the Council of State consisted of 6 Democrats and 4 Republicans. After the election, the partisan makeup was reversed, with 6 Republicans and 4 Democrats winning. Three incumbents were defeated: GovernorPat McCrory (R), Superintendent of Public Education June Atkinson (D), and Commissioner of Insurance Wayne Goodwin (D).
Additionally, Republicans flipped the Treasurer in an open race from the Democrats, while Democrats held the open Attorney General race.
RepublicanPat McCrory, the incumbent, faced Democratic nomineeRoy Cooper, the incumbent North Carolina attorney general, and Libertarian nominee Lon Cecil in the general election. Cooper won with 49% of the vote.[3]
RepublicanDan Forest, the incumbent, faced Democratic nomineeLinda Coleman, a former director of the Office of State Personnel, former state representative andnominee for lieutenant governor in 2012, and Libertarian nominee Jacki Cole in the general election. Forest won with more than 51% of the vote.[3]
Josh Stein, state senator and former deputy attorney general of North Carolina,[5] was the Democratic nominee for the post, andBuck Newton, another state senator,[6] was the Republican nominee. Stein won with just over 50% of the vote.[3]
Stuber called for a recount even before the election results were officially certified, and it seemed likely that the margin of difference between the candidates would remain well under the 10,000-vote threshold that a recount requires.[12] But as the recount neared completion and the outcome remained the same, Stuber conceded the election on Dec. 9.[13]
Folwell became the firstNorth Carolina State Treasurer elected from a party other than the Democratic Party since William H. Worth, a Populist, was elected in 1896.
DemocratJune Atkinson, the incumbent, ran for a fourth term in 2016.[19] When it was believed that Atkinson was not going to run for re-election, State Rep.Tricia Cotham was considered a potential Democratic candidate.[20][21]
Johnson became the first Republican (or member of any party other than the Democratic Party) elected Superintendent since 1896, whenCharles H. Mebane was elected.[26]
Steve Troxler received more votes than any other candidate in North Carolina in 2016. As of 2021, this is the last statewide election in which the Republican candidate wonWake County andChatham County.
Mike Causey, former lobbyist and failed GOP nominee for state Insurance Commissioner in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2012, and losing candidate for Congress in 2014[31]
Joe McLaughlin, former Onslow County commissioner[32]
Ron Pierce, General Contractor, Ex-Airline Mechanic & Army Veteran[33]
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