As election results move closer to state certification, it is clear that North Carolina will send a congressional delegation to Washington with a different balance of perspectives, including several members who explicitly campaigned on public education. Their ability to translate those campaign commitments into federal policy will be worth watching. Meanwhile, a change in leadership in the North Carolina House could have significant ripple effects for public education across the state.
North Carolina’s Congressional Representation
North Carolina is likely sending 11 Democrats to Washington, including a record of six Black members: U.S. Reps. Alma Adams, Valerie Foushee, and Don Davis, and newly elected members LaKesha Womack, Cyril Jefferson, and Raymond Smith.
Reps. Davis, Ross, Foushee, and Adams will return to Congress, while seven Democrats won seats previously held by Republicans. Raymond Smith defeated Rep. Greg Murphy in NC-03, Chuck Hubbard appears to have defeated Rep. Virginia Foxx in NC-05, Cyril Jefferson defeated Rep. Addison McDowell in NC-06, Richard Ojeda defeated Rep. Richard Hudson in NC-09, Jamie Ager won the open seat previously held by Rep. Chuck Edwards in NC-11, Paul Barringer defeated Rep. Brad Knott in NC-13, and LaKesha Womack defeated Rep. Tim Moore in NC-14.
Many returning and incoming members campaigned on support for public schools, teachers, and education funding. Their stated priorities could bring greater attention to federal investments in education, educator workforce issues, and the role of public schools in economic development.
New Leadership and Education as a Priority for State Spending
North Carolina House Democratic Leader Robert Reives, the presumptive next Speaker of the House, has identified education as a priority for state spending in the upcoming biennium. He has emphasized that improving public education requires more than increasing teacher pay– it also means improving teachers’ working environments, providing classroom resources, and giving educators the time and support they need to do their jobs. A new statewide report identified nearly $18 billion in public school facility needs, adding another critical challenge to the state’s education funding needs.
Reives has also identified the Opportunity Scholarship program as an area where he sees potential for bipartisan reform. He questioned the use of public dollars to subsidize private school tuition for families with high incomes, particularly as the state struggles to adequately fund public education.
The state’s future revenue presents a significant barrier in addressing these priorities. The General Assembly’s scheduled personal and corporate income tax cuts are projected to reduce state revenue by approximately $900 million in FY 27 and nearly three times that amount by 2028. Personal income taxes will drop to 2.99% by 2033, while corporate taxes are scheduled to zero out by 2030. Compounding the impending fiscal cliff is the passage of the constitutional amendments by voters that will restrict both state and local revenues needed for education and other public services.
On the Senate side, four Republicans–Sens. Ralph Hise (Mitchell), Brent Jackson (Sampson), Todd Johnson (Union), and Jim Burgin (Harnett)–are seeking to replace Phil Berger as Senate President Pro Tempore. The outcome of the closely contested Senate District 24 race between Republican Sen. Danny Britt and Democratic challenger Catina Hamm will determine whether Republicans retain their Senate majority. If they do, those vying for leadership will still need to convince Senate Democrats of their vote, giving the minority party some leverage in the direction of the chamber.
While House Democrats are scheduled to meet next week to select their legislative leadership, both Chambers will formally elect leadership when the new General Assembly convenes in January.
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