Democrats Flip Two State House Seats in Wake County
Newcomers Winn Decker and Evonne Hopkins defeated incumbents by roughly ten points, ending fifteen years of Republican control in the North Carolina state House.
By Anthony Foster ·
Democrats took control of the North Carolina state House on Tuesday by flipping two seats in Wake County. This shift ends a fifteen year Republican hold on the chamber. The party now commands a majority in the lower house for the first time in a decade and a half.
The results came in wide. In southern Wake County, education policy consultant Winn Decker defeated three term Republican representative Erin Paré by about ten points. In northern Wake County, family law attorney Evonne Hopkins won her rematch against freshman Republican representative Mike Schietzelt by a similar margin. Both victories far exceeded predictions that would have called the races among the closest in the state.
David McLennan, a political scientist who recently retired from Meredith College, attributed the swing to demographic changes in suburban areas. He noted that the districts slightly favored Republicans two years ago. However, the Civitas Partisan Index rated them as true toss-ups this cycle.
McLennan told the INDY on Wednesday that the results reflect a structural change. He described the large margins as a clear repudiation of Republican politics and the Trump administration. He stated that more people who favor Democratic politics are now living in these districts.
Decker said in a statement that his campaign focused on affordability, public school resources, and community infrastructure. He emphasized the need for a representative who listens and works across differences. Hopkins, in her own statement, thanked her volunteers and highlighted her career helping people through difficult moments. She pledged to fight for lower costs and affordable healthcare.
Wesley Knott, the Wake County Democratic Party chair, credited the wins to high turnout. He estimated that registered Democratic turnout reached the high 60 percent range. This figure is high for a midterm election year. The county overall saw 60 percent turnout. Knott said the party spent years organizing and educating voters in these competitive districts.
With the two seats secured, Wake County’s legislative delegation is now entirely Democratic. McLennan said this gives the county more voice in budget issues and legislation. He noted that metropolitan areas often faced disadvantages during previous Republican majorities. The new House majority will need to work with some Republican senators to pass bills, a challenge McLennan deemed possible.
The loss is particularly painful for state Republicans, who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads for Paré. She received donations from corporate political action committees including Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, and UnitedHealth Group. She also supported by interest groups such as the NC Home Builders Association. McLennan said the loss shows how decisively southern Wake has turned away from the GOP.
Paré conceded to Decker in a social media post Tuesday night. She wished him the best but criticized his status as a renter. She wrote that it is a great time for him to become a permanent resident in the district. Paré stated she is proud of her six years of service and is looking ahead to future opportunities.
Presumptive Speaker Robert Reives said the new majority will prioritize education funding and economic relief. These were key issues for both Decker and Hopkins. Knott warned that Democrats must deliver on campaign promises to maintain their power. He said voters will reward them if they use their new influence to improve lives.
