Former President Donald Trump has emerged victorious once again from North Carolina, marking his third consecutive win in the Tar Heel State and securing its 16 electoral votes for his 2024 presidential campaign. The state, classified as one of the key battlegrounds, saw Trump garner 50.5% of the votes compared to his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, who received over 48%. This result was projected by the Associated Press less than two hours after polls closed on election night.
The significance of this victory can't be overstated. North Carolina, which was projected as one of the most competitive states this election season, had previously been called much later during the 2020 presidential election due to its close margins. The speed with which results were tallied this year stands in stark comparison to the lengthy 10-day wait for results back then.
Trump's ability to maintain his support within North Carolina, where he had previously won narrow victories, has been credited to several strategic campaigning efforts. His campaign was supported by numerous rallies across the state, including efforts to renew the excitement among Republican base voters. These included sharp criticisms aimed at Harris, whom he publicly labeled as “stupid” and “a lunatic.” These comments came during his rallies, where he particularly targeted her economic policies, predicting dire consequences like the so-called “Kamala crash.”
On the Democratic side, Harris’ campaign had also ramped up its efforts, hoping to capitalize on recent political changes, including President Joe Biden's exit from the race earlier this summer. With Harris taking the helm as the Democratic nominee, her strategy included numerous state visits—about 20 as Vice President—with hopes of energizing voters dissatisfied with Trump's past terms.
Despite the enthusiasm behind Harris’ campaign, her efforts fell short against Trump, who managed to hold together the coalition of voters he had successfully courted during his previous two terms. Polling throughout the campaign indicated tight races, but they often fell within the margin of error, illustrating just how divided voter sentiments remain across North Carolina.
Historically, North Carolina has oscillated between Democratic and Republican candidates. It has voted for the Republican candidate five out of the last six presidential elections, with Obama being the last Democrat to win the state back in 2008 with merely 0.32 percent margin. Trump capitalized on traditional Republican strengths, particularly among rural voters who play a pivotal role during elections.
Though the Trump campaign projected confidence, there were murmurs of concern among conservatives about Lt. Governor Mark Robinson's influence on the election. Robinson has attracted controversy due to his history of incendiary remarks, raising questions about whether his presence as the Republican gubernatorial candidate might hurt turnout. Interestingly, Republicans managed to maintain their hold on the state’s presidential vote even with the additional spotlight on Robinson.
Despite the severe impacts of Hurricane Helene—rampaging through North Carolina weeks earlier, resulting in significant fatalities and recovery challenges—voter turnout remained strong, demonstrating resilience among the community. Early voting had surged prior to the election, signaling strong engagement among voters to voice their choices.
Yet, Trump's win did not come without challenges. Throughout the campaign, he faced backlash from his critics, particularly surrounding allegations of misinformation related to disaster funding, which he wrongly claimed was used to house undocumented immigrants. These claims stirred discontent, but they didn't seem to translate to any long-term electoral harm.
Looking ahead, Trump’s campaign may now leverage this momentum as he navigates the rest of the electoral map. Winning North Carolina is not just another notch of success but also solidifies his stronghold as he strides toward the final stretch of the election race.
Overall, the outcome of the North Carolina election marks both continuity and change. While the state remains firmly within the Republican camp, the simultaneous victory of Democrat Josh Stein over Republican Mark Robinson for the governor’s seat indicates underlying tensions and possibilities for continued contestation among voters. This split-ticket voting trend could become emblematic of North Carolina’s complex political identity moving forward.
