Legislative, congressional turnover coming to NC in 2024

RALEIGH (WRAL) — The 2024 elections are shaping up to be a big year for turnover in North Carolina’s legislature and Congressional delegation.

At least four out of the state’s 14 Congressional seats – more than one-quarter – won’t have incumbents running for them in 2024.

North Carolina is accustomed to a lot of turnover in those offices, thanks in part to nearly-constant redistricting in recent years. The state is on its fourth congressional map in four election cycles.

Democrats Jeff Jackson and Kathy Manning have said they aren’t running again. That’s after state lawmakers redrew both of their districts this year to strongly favor Republicans. Jackson is running for state Attorney General, and Manning hasn’t said whether she’ll seek another office.

Democrat Wiley Nickel’s district in the southern Triangle was also redrawn to be strongly Republican, but he has not said yet whether he will seek reelection.

Among Republicans, Dan Bishop and Patrick McHenry have said they won’t seek another term. Bishop is running for attorney general against Jackson.

McHenry’s announcement came as a surprise. He’s served for 18 years, and had previously said he would run again.

Meredith college political science chair David McLennan says it’s likely related to the ouster of his friend, former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

“Congress is not what it was when [McHenry] entered there. And I think it’s a build-up of frustration, and also just anger at the way his closest ally got treated as Speaker,” McLennan said. “I think you’re seeing that around the country, a lot of frustration that Congress is not a functioning body right now.”

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