Vote for Housing! Our 2026 Primary Report Cards are in.
See which local candidates makes the grade. Early voting through Feb 28. Primary Day is Mar 3.
Every election shapes the kind of region we live in.
But primaries are where the direction is set.
As we wrote in Every Vote Builds a City, local races determine whether we expand housing choices and welcome new neighbors or retreat into scarcity and rising costs. That is why we are grading candidates on housing.
For this round, we focused on the most competitive, contested at large primary elections where the outcome will shape housing policy in the general election and beyond. Uncontested races and jurisdictions without competitive municipal primaries will be covered in our general election guide later this summer. Durham does not have competitive municipal primaries this cycle, so we are providing commentary on relevant statewide races that directly affect local housing policy.
We evaluated candidate questionnaires and public records for consistency, urgency, and clarity of support for expanding housing supply, affordability tools, and zoning reform. Housing is the defining issue of this election cycle.
So, who made the grade?
Raleigh
The Raleigh At-Large Council race is the most competitive in this primary. With Jonathan Lamber-Melton running at the County level, there is an open at-large seat and a six-way competition for the two at-large seats on Council.
We’ll be back to cover the district races before the general.
Click the story below to read our deeper look at each candidate and why they earned their grade.
Wake County
Wake County At-Large County Commission seats also have a competitive primary, with seven candidates vying for just 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.
Click the story below to read our deeper look at each candidate and why they earned their grade.
Orange County
The Orange County Commissioner race is smaller in scale but still consequential for housing policy. With one at-large seat open and a competitive primary field, voters will help determine whether the County continues to advance zoning reform and affordable housing investments or slows that progress.
Orange County’s political landscape can be resistant to growth, which makes clarity and leadership on housing especially important in this race.
Click the story below to read our deeper look at each candidate and why they earned their grade.
Durham
Durham does not have County Commission or City Council races on the ballot this cycle, so we are not issuing local report cards here. However, several competitive Democratic primaries at the federal and state level will directly shape housing policy that affects Durham residents.
In the congressional race between Valerie Foushee and Nida Allam, both candidates have articulated pro-housing priorities. Foushee identifies housing and community development as key issues and has supported federal funding for affordable housing and community investment. Allam, during her time as Durham County Commissioner, has emphasized eviction prevention, affordable housing investment, and housing access as central components of economic equity. While the candidates differ on other policy areas, both recognize that housing affordability and stability require sustained public investment and policy attention.
The state legislative race between Sophia Chitlik and DeDreana Freeman presents clearer contrasts on housing. Chitlik has centered housing policy early in her legislative tenure and has sponsored bills in her first term. Freeman previously served on Durham City Council and received a D in our last local housing scorecard based on her record at the time, including her vote against Durham’s most recent affordable housing bond. Read that prior evaluation here. State lawmakers shape zoning authority, housing finance tools, tax credits, and subsidy programs that directly affect Durham’s ability to build and preserve homes.
Federal and state races can be housing races too, and the outcomes this cycle will influence the policy environment Durham operates within for years to come.
The candidates who advance from these primaries will shape what appears on your ballot this fall and the policy direction our region takes for years to come. If we want cities that say yes to homes, yes to neighbors, and yes to abundance, this is where it starts.
The report cards tell that story at a glance. Read the grades.
Share them with a friend or neighbor who cares about affordability and growth. Ask candidates where they stand.
Every vote builds a city.
These 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.