Primary Election 2024: Gaston County Democratic ballot
All the info you need to cast an informed vote
Welcome to the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub for the 2024 primary election.
◼️ This page contains information on the races on the Democratic ballot in Gaston County, North Carolina.
You can find information on other ballots — as well as links to sample ballots and voting information — on our general Election Hub page.
In the 2024 primary election, voters casting a Democratic ballot in Gaston County will choose among candidates for:
the N.C. council of state (governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, etc.)
There is also a spot on the ballot for the presidential race. The only Democratic candidate on the ballot is Joe Biden. (You will need to look elsewhere for information on national political races.)
On the Democratic side, there are some intriguing political storylines, including:
Will Democrats put up a candidate for governor who can continue their string of wins against Republicans for North Carolina’s top office?
Will Jeff Jackson beat Durham prosecutor Satana Deberry for the right to take on Republican Dan Bishop for attorney general?
(Profiles were researched and written by Sucharita Kodali and Chloe Appleby and edited by Tony Mecia.)
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger and subscribe to our newsletters here.
The Charlotte Ledger’s election information is presented for free to all, with no ads, through the support of Charlotte Ledger members.
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U.S. Congress District 14
North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District includes northern Mecklenburg and its western and southern edges, plus five counties west of Mecklenburg, including Gaston County:
This is the U.S. Congress seat that was held by Democrat Jeff Jackson but was redrawn to favor Republicans. Jackson is not running for re-election; he is running for state attorney general instead. The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary, a three-person race that includes N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore.
Pam Genant
Genant is a former nurse and Army officer who served during the Gulf War. On her website, she talks about the importance of family farms, taxing billionaires, expanding health care coverage and supporting a strong national defense. In an email to The Ledger, she says that though the gerrymandering created “a district created by and for Tim Moore to divide us,” she would like to “fight to give everyone a shot at the American dream.” She is a resident of Burke County (in the Hickory area, northwest of Mecklenburg County) and was the chair of the Burke County Democratic Party for six years. She is the mother of 2 grown sons and ran against incumbent Patrick McHenry in 2022 for the District 10 house seat (she won 27% of that vote). (Age 57)
➕ Pam Genant candidate questionnaire
Brendan K. Maginnis
Maginnis is a former financial advisor and a 2003 graduate of UNC Greensboro who said he is running because his perception of America “was shattered” when Trump won office. He lives in Charlotte and lists as his key issues voting rights legislation (including limiting “dark money”), racial justice, supporting small business by reducing healthcare and 401k expenses. He also wants to end spam emails, robocalls and “endless car warranty calls.” He previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 (against Cheri Beasley) and placed 8th of 11 candidates in that race. (Age 49)
➕ Brendan K. Maginnis candidate questionnaire
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N.C. Council of State
Governor
Current Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has served two consecutive terms and is therefore ineligible to run in this election.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary, a three-person race that includes Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and state treasurer Dale Folwell. In November, there will also be a Libertarian and a Green Party candidate on the ballot.
Chrelle Booker
Booker is the mayor pro tempore of the town of Tryon, 90 minutes west of Charlotte, and also seems to hold a number of other positions as a Realtor and in broadcasting. She lists housing and job creation as the first two issues on her website. Booker ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 (against Cheri Beasley) and placed 7th among 11 candidates. (Age ~61)
Gary Foxx
Foxx grew up in Sanford, the son of a sharecropper, and was raised by his grandparents. Key issues cited on his website are education, safety and security, and the economy. Asked why he is running, Foxx replied in an email to The Ledger: “I offer a vision of hope and renewal, built on the bedrock of my own experiences and citizen concerns.” He lives in Rocky Mount, east of Raleigh, and appears to have worked in the Edgecombe County sheriff’s office. He is a grandfather and “mentor for many children.” (Age 66)
➕ Gary Foxx candidate questionnaire
Mike Morgan
Morgan is a former state Supreme Court justice who was elected to that role in 2016. He lists public education, access to affordable healthcare and criminal justice reform as three top issues on his website. He also says, “Our economy should encourage entrepreneurs and investment in industries of the future.” He is a graduate of Duke University and N.C. Central University School of Law and was the first Black student to attend his elementary school. His father was the first Black mayor of New Bern. (Age 68)
➕ Mike Morgan candidate questionnaire
Josh Stein
Stein is the current state Attorney General and the son of a Charlotte civil rights lawyer. He leads in fundraising among the Democratic gubernatorial candidates through 2023 and has been endorsed by Gov. Roy Cooper. On his website, he says that he has “taken on powerful special interests” such as Duke Energy with a coal ash settlement and Juul, “winning $40MM” to fight teen vaping. Stein is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. (Age 57)
Marcus Williams
Williams says he has practiced law for 45 years and describes himself as a “fiscal tightwad.” He ran for Attorney General of N.C. in 2016. In an email to The Ledger, he said he is running for governor because “I desire to continue my work and unique Proven Record.” He mentioned successes in community economic development and in the judicial branch. He is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and University of Minnesota law school. (Age 70)
➕ Marcus Williams’ candidate questionnaire
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Lieutenant Governor
Current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican, is not running for re-election because he is running for governor. The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the 11-candidate Republican primary in November.
Ben Clark
Clark is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. He is a native of Fayetteville and was a state senator for Hoke and Cumberland counties for 10 years. He lists “protecting our democracy” and “supporting our military” as the top issues on his website. In an email to The Ledger, he said, “In the Senate, I brokered the historic 2021 budget that delivered school construction and critical infrastructure projects in every corner of this state.” He was accused of not living in the district where he was serving in 2020. He is the father of two grown children. He says on Facebook that he can attract “rural and small town voters.” (Age 64)
➕ Ben Clark candidate questionnaire
Rachel Hunt
Hunt represented Mecklenburg County in the N.C. House for 4 years and then served as a state senator. She is the daughter of Jim Hunt, the longest-serving governor in N.C. history. She says on her website that her priorities are to invest in public schools, expand access to health care and fight for small-town economies, supporting broadband internet in particular. She is vocal about opposing “MAGA politicians” and “their attempts to eliminate freedoms NC women have had for more than 50 years.” She is also a supporter of “common sense red flag laws” on guns and opposes “taxpayer dollars” going to “unproven and unaccountable private schools.” Hunt is a lawyer by training and according to her LinkedIn profile now runs a college consulting business. She is endorsed by the NC State AFL-CIO and Congressman Jeff Jackson, Emily’s List, and Mayor Vi Lyles. (Age 59)
Mark H. Robinson
Robinson was a former logistics director in the Navy and is no relation to current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican who is running for governor. Robinson is a Samson native, 8th of 10 children, received his B.A. from UNC Chapel Hill and has an MBA from Duke. He retired from the Navy in 2015 and has three children. He is a former employee of Sikorsky Aircraft, the maker of Blackhawk helicopters. Robinson appears to have no experience in politics and says he is running because “I want to help as many people as I can before I leave this earth.” (Age 62)
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Attorney General
Current Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, is not running for re-election because he is running for governor. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Dan Bishop in November. Bishop is a former Mecklenburg County commissioner and a current U.S. congressman who has no opposition in the Republican primary for attorney general.
Satana Deberry
Deberry was elected twice as the district attorney of Durham County and also served as general council of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. She has called herself a “progressive prosecutor” and said she is running to give voters “a choice in this race.” She is known for being a champion of “restorative justice.” She has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton and a JD and MBA from Duke. She lists no issues that she supports on her website. In an email to The Ledger, she said voters should pick her because “I bring compassion and drive to the job, which is how I made the Durham justice system fairer while lowering crime, securing historic convictions, and addressing the most pressing issues.” (Age 54)
➕ Satana Deberry candidate questionnaire
Tim Dunn
Dunn is a native of Fayetteville and a former Marine. He is a lawyer who specializes in “civil, criminal and military litigation.” His website lists no issues that he supports and most of his legal background appears to be from military proceedings. In an email to The Ledger, he said that his priorities as attorney general would be to reduce gun violence and violent crime, protect women’s healthcare rights, protect voter rights for all, improve the juvenile justice system, end the fentanyl and opioid epidemic, and prosecute corporate criminals and environmental polluters. He does not appear to have run for office before. (Age 63)
➕ Tim Dunn candidate questionnaire
Jeff Jackson
Jackson is a former assistant district attorney for Gaston County and was a state senator representing Mecklenburg from 2014-22. He is a veteran and member of the Army National Guard; he enlisted after 9/11 and served in Afghanistan. He is “one of the most recognizable politicians in the county.” He was elected to U.S. House District 14 in 2022 after an unsuccessful bid for a U.S. Senate seat (where Cheri Beasley was the Democratic nominee). He lists a number of accomplishments, including fighting against gerrymandering, standing against discriminatory legislation like HB2, supporting investments in early childhood education, repeatedly calling for raising teacher pay and expanding Medicaid, and passing reforms for the criminal justice system. He has a number of endorsements including the NC AFL-CIO and several Charlotte city council members and county commissioners. Jackson completed his undergrad and master’s at Emory and received his JD from UNC Chapel Hill. He is known for his popular social media following. (Age 41)
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Commissioner of Insurance
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary, which is a three-person race including incumbent Mike Causey.
Natasha Marcus
Marcus has represented Mecklenburg in the N.C. Senate since 2019. She is a former litigation attorney and worked at a non-profit to help people become financially secure. She says she is “a strong advocate for affordable health care insurance, public schools, reproductive freedom, clean energy, common sense gun safety reform, fair elections, better wages for working people, and environmental policies to combat climate change.” She believes the current commissioner (Republican Mike Causey) has enabled large increases to homeowner insurance rates, and she will work to deliver “affordable, reliable insurance coverage” for all North Carolinians for their homes, vehicles, businesses, and healthcare. She has a video on her website speaking out against N.C.’s new abortion restrictions. She says she is a consistent “champion for people over corporations” and is endorsed by Jeff Jackson. In an email to The Ledger, she said, “I’m in elected office not for personal benefit, but to be a public servant and speak up for those who are marginalized, unrepresented, treated unfairly or taken advantage of by the government.” She would be the first woman elected to be N.C. Commissioner of Insurance. (Age 54)
➕ Natasha Marcus candidate questionnaire
David Wheeler
Wheeler says he is the only Democrat west of Charlotte running for Council of State (he is from Spruce Pine, near Asheville). He says he will fight insurance rate increases and ensure that resolved claims will be paid within 60 days. He also says he will try to get medical debt forgiven or reduced. In an email to The Ledger, he said, “The days of insurance companies having a free ride is over.” He is endorsed by former state Auditor Beth Wood, who resigned last year. Wheeler is an entrepreneur and employee of event management companies and is a graduate of the University of Iowa. He does appear to have any prior public service experience. (Age 58)
➕ David Wheeler candidate questionnaire
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Superintendent of Public Instruction
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary, a two-person race that includes incumbent Catherine Truitt.
Kenon Crumble
Crumble is an assistant principal for a high school in Wake County. He says that has given him “a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our school systems.” He talks about the importance of equity in education and embracing technology. He is pursuing a doctorate and is the father of two. He does not appear to have prior experience in elected office. (Age 46)
➕ Kenon Crumble candidate questionnaire
Carro Rose “Katie” Eddings
Eddings was a public school teacher and assistant principal. The key issues she cites on her website are teacher retention and recruitment (largely tied to compensation and benefits), school safety and mental health support. She has a bachelor’s from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and an MBA from UNC Pembroke. She also served in the Air Force during Desert Storm. She does not appear to have prior experience in elected office. (Age ~60s)
Maurice “Mo” Green
Green is the former superintendent of Guilford County Schools and was a school board attorney for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the CEO of a grant-making organization supporting public schools. He calls himself “a champion of public education in North Carolina.” In an email to The Ledger, he said he is running because he is “deeply concerned about the current direction of the NC public school system.” He raised $100k within the first 10 days of announcing his candidacy in October. He lost his father at the age of 10, is a graduate of Duke University, and has two adult children. (Age 56)
➕ Maurice “Mo” Green candidate questionnaire
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Treasurer
Current Treasurer Dale Folwell, a Republican, is running for governor. The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the three-person Republican primary.
News article:
“Democrats Harris, Esparza vie for State Treasurer nomination” (Business North Carolina)
Gabe Esparza
Esparza has 25+ years of professional corporate experience as a former executive at Disney and American Express and administrator in the U.S. Small Business Administration. He says he is running to bring “economic opportunity and security” to all the state’s citizens. He mentions the importance of the ability of citizens to “retire with confidence.” Esparza is a father of two and has a BA from Stanford and an MBA from Harvard. He lives in Charlotte and is a trustee of Central Piedmont Community College. He is endorsed by the N.C. AFL-CIO. He does not appear to have run for office before. (Age 51)
➕ Gabe Esparza candidate questionnaire
Wesley Harris
Harris has represented Mecklenburg in the N.C. House since 2019. He has a Ph.D. in economics from Clemson and says on his website that he “has become the leading messenger and policy expert for economic and financial issues in the General Assembly.” The key issues he says he wants to focus on are protecting N.C.’s bond ratings, increasing capacity for investment in infrastructure that improves people's lives and ensuring a secure retirement for state employees. His dissertation in 2014 was on why urban poor tend to vote Democratic but not rural poor. He is endorsed by a number of N.C. officials including Alma Adams and Jeff Jackson. He completed his bachelor’s at UNC Chapel Hill and lives in Charlotte’s Ballantyne area. (Age 37)
➕ Wesley Harris candidate questionnaire
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State Courts
N.C. Supreme Court, Associate Justice Seat 6
This N.C. Supreme Court seat is held by Allison Riggs, who was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper in September 2023 to fill a vacancy. The winner will face Republican Jefferson Griffin of Raleigh, who has no opposition.
◼️ State board of elections judicial voter guide
Lora Christine Cubbage
Cubbage has been a superior court judge and was first appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper in 2018. She was also a former assistant district attorney in Guilford County. Cubbage started college at age 29 after being a barber for many years. She realized she had “a higher calling” to affect societal change. She’s a graduate of N.C. A&T State University and UNC Chapel Hill law school and a current resident of Greensboro. (Age ~54)
➕ Lora Christine Cubbage candidate questionnaire
Allison Riggs
Riggs is currently in an Associate Justice role and was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to the seat in 2023. She was formerly on the N.C. Court of Appeals and before that worked at a non-profit that advocates for voting rights. She received a bachelor’s, master’s and JD from the University of Florida. (Age 42)
➕ Allison Riggs candidate questionnaire
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