In a Mecklenburg County primary, Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler secured the Democratic nomination in North Carolina’s heavily Democratic District 106 by defeating incumbent Rep. Carla Cunningham. Sadler received 70% of the vote compared to Cunningham’s 22%, according to unofficial results. As no Republicans filed to run, Sadler is expected to win the seat in November.
Cunningham faced criticism last year for a speech on immigration, where she remarked, “All cultures are not equal,” leading to accusations of racism. She later issued an apology in a campaign video. Cunningham’s voting history included support for Republican initiatives, such as overriding a veto by Gov. Josh Stein.
Another contender, Vermanno Bowman, garnered 8% of the vote. Despite endorsements from the local Fraternal Order of Police and state Sens. Dan Blue and Gladys Robinson, Cunningham could not maintain her seat. Sadler’s campaign reported raising approximately $250,000 by mid-February, while detailed financial disclosures for Cunningham and Bowman were lacking.
In District 100, incumbent Rep. Rodney Pierce defeated Michael Wray with 64% of the vote. Wray, who had sided with Republicans in the past, encouraged voters to switch affiliations to support his campaign. Pierce, endorsed by Stein, will face Republican Kenneth Bentley Jr. in November.
In District 113, Rep. Jake Johnson maintained his role by defeating Mike Hager, a former House member, with 61% of the vote. Johnson, without an opponent in the general election, is set to return to Raleigh.
Hager left his House position in August 2016, later starting a lobbying firm. He previously attempted to run for House Speaker but withdrew his bid.
