Primary Results: The Triangle’s Pro-Housing Path to November
Results are in. Now the real work begins.
Across Raleigh, Wake County, Orange County, and key statewide races, voters narrowed the field for November. These contests may not always draw headlines, but they determine who writes the zoning rules, transportation plans, and housing policies that shape everyday life in our cities.
Local elections are where growth becomes real. Where belonging either expands or contracts. Where we decide whether our communities will welcome new neighbors or quietly close the door.
Last night clarified the choices. November will determine the direction of the policies that shape communities across the Triangle.
Raleigh
The Raleigh At-Large Council race was the most competitive in this primary. Six hopefuls were on the primary ballot. As a non-partisan race, the top four of them will move on to the general in November: Stormie Forte, Sana Siddiqui, Clark Rhinehart, and Joshua Bradley.
The top vote-getter in the general election in November will serve a four-year term as an At-Large City Councilor and the 2nd place vote-getter will serve a two-year term as an At-Large City Councilor.
In the Raleigh City Council District C race, four candidates competed for one seat. The top two primary vote-getters, Corey Branch and Jared Ollison, will advance to the general election in November.
We’ll continue covering these campaigns and the other district races through the summer and into the fall. Click the story below to read our deeper analysis of each candidate and see how we graded them on housing.
Wake County
Wake County’s At-Large County Commissioners race also had a competitive Democratic primary, with seven candidates vying for two new seats. Authorized by the state legislature to take effect in 2026, these positions will expand the board to nine members, with the at-large commissioners representing the entire county, following a transition to district-based elections for the other seats.
With the Democratic field narrowed down, November’s race will see Democrats Christine Kushner and Mona Singh compete in the general election against Republicans Gary Hartong and Kyle Stogoski, with the top two vote-getters in the four-way race being elected commissioners.
We’ll continue covering these campaigns through the summer and into the fall. Click the story below to read our deeper analysis of each candidate and see how we graded them on housing.
Orange County
The Democratic Primary in the Orange County At-Large Commissioner race saw Karen Stegman come out on top. November’s election will see a matchup between Stegman and Republican candidate Jeffrey Hoagland.
Orange County also had two district-based commissioner races. In Orange County’s District 1, Jamezetta Bedford will be the Democratic nominee in November.
In District 2, Beth Bronson prevailed over Earl McKee by 32 votes to become the Democratic nominee.
Click the story below to read our deeper analysis of each candidate and see how we graded them on housing.
Durham
Durham does not have County Commission or City Council races on the ballot this year, but several races at the state and federal level made for an exciting primary season in Bull City (and southern Wake County).
In the congressional race between Valerie Foushee and Nida Allam, provisional primary votes are still being counted as of Wednesday, March 4th. Foushee leads by just over 1,000 votes, but this margin is slim enough that Allam is requesting a recount, according to the Daily Tarheel.
This is where the count stands as of 6:30pm on March 4th, 2026:
In the state legislative race between Sophia Chitlik and DeDreana Freeman, Chitlik won by a wide margin over the former Durham City Council member:
Other NC Primary News
There were contentious primaries throughout the state, but most eyes are on the race between Phil Berger and Sam Page. This morning, the count showed Sam Page defeating Berger by just 2 votes, with military overseas and provisional ballots still left to be counted.
While not our typical coverage, a change in state leadership would certainly have an impact on North Carolina’s housing policies. We recommend following Bryan Anderson over at Anderson Alerts to stay up to date on the latest in what is sure to be an extremely close race...
November will decide whether our region doubles down on building together or retreats into the fear of change.
The candidates advancing from the primaries will shape zoning rules, transportation investments, and the practical choices that determine whether new neighbors can find a home here. These decisions are not theoretical. They affect rents, starter homes, small businesses, school enrollment, and whether our cities grow in ways that are resilient and welcoming.
CITYBUILDER exists to win hearts and minds, not just elections. But elections matter. Policy matters. Turnout matters.
November will not be decided by who posts the most online.
It will be decided by who organizes, who educates, and who shows up.
If you believe that everyone deserves housing choices, now is the time to act.
Support pro housing candidates.
Talk to your neighbors.
Host a conversation.
Share our coverage.
Invest in this work.
Become a member.
Growth is good. Building together is better.
Let’s make sure November reflects that.
Candidate assessments are based on candidate questionnaire responses to our housing questionnaire, other published questionnaires and public forums. Our pro-housing questionnaire was developed collaboratively with RDU New Liberals, Yes! in My Triangle YIMBYaction chapter, and Strong Towns Raleigh Local Conversation. Each group may also share candidate recommendations or endorsements.