Donald Trump won North Carolina with 51 percent of the vote to Democrat Kamala Harris’ 48 percent, giving him a key battleground state that helped propel him to a second term in the White House.
Trump won North Carolina by 191,627 votes, significantly higher than his 2020 margin of 74,483 votes, part of a nationwide red shift that swept the country. With just a handful of states’ votes still to be counted, Trump’s Electoral College lead over Harris stood at 277 to 224. By Wednesday morning, major news outlets had called the race for Trump.
Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris by nearly 200,000 votes in North Carolina, handing him a crucial battleground state. // Credit: North Carolina State Board of Elections
North Carolina will keep a Democrat in the governor’s office with Josh Stein defeating his scandal-ridden Republican challenger, Mark Robinson, with 55 percent of the vote.
Democrats also won the following statewide races:
Lieutenant governor: Rachel Hunt
Attorney general: Jeff Jackson
Secretary of state: Elaine Marshall
Superintendent of public instruction: Maurice (Mo) Green
Republicans won the following offices:
Auditor: Dave Boliek
Commissioner of agriculture: Steve Troxler
Insurance commissioner: Mike Causey
Commissioner of labor: Luke Farley
Treasurer: Brad Briner
As expected, Republican Chuck Edwards easily won re-election over Democrat Caleb Rudow, 57 to 43 percent, to represent western North Carolina’s 11th district in Congress.
Buncombe County voters remained reliably blue with 61 percent selecting Harris for president compared to 37 percent for Trump. Rudow won 61 percent of the county vote over Edwards, and Democrats led in all state offices from governor to treasurer.
In local races, Democrat Amanda Edwards defeated unaffiliated Van Duncan for Buncombe County Board of Commissioners chair with 61 percent of the vote. Democrats won the other three county commission races with Jennifer Horton defeating Paul Benjamin in District 1, Terri Wells beating Bruce O’Connell in District 2, and Parker Sloan running unopposed in District 3.
In Asheville City Council races, incumbents Sage Turner and Kim Roney won, along with newcomer Roberto “Bo” Hess. Hess fills the seat vacated by Sandra Kilgore, who did not run for re-election.
All four city of Asheville bond referendums passed easily, with voters approving bonds for housing, transportation, parks and recreation, and public safety.
In North Carolina Senate District 49, Democrat Julie Mayfield won re-election with 69 percent of the vote. In District 46, Republican Warren Daniel prevailed with 53 percent of the vote.
In the North Carolina House, Democratic incumbent Lindsey Prather won District 115 with slightly more than 51 percent of the vote. Democrat Eric Ager won in District 114 with nearly 60 percent of the vote. Brian Turner, the Democratic candidate in District 116, ran unopposed.
View the complete results for Buncombe County here, including races for the county and city of Asheville school boards, and the towns of Black Mountain, Montreat and Biltmore Forest.
Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Email skestin@avlwatchdog.org. The Watchdog’s reporting is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-28 12:56:00
(The Center Square) – Persistent dry and windy conditions, along with downed trees from Hurricane Helene six months ago, remain troublesome for wildfires in the Carolinas.
The Table Rock Fire, largest of several, has crossed from Pickens County in South Carolina to Transylvania County in North Carolina.
In an update from the South Carolina Forestry Commission on Thursday evening, the Tabe Rock fire grew significantly during the day and the Persimmon Ridge fire only modestly. The Table Rock fire is estimated 8,679 acres and the Persimmon Ridge fire 1,992 acres.
Three counties are home to four other significant size fires in the Tarheel State: Deep Woods and Black Cove in Polk County, Alarka in Swain County, and Rattlesnake Branch in Haywood County.
“Excessive storm debris and timber damage from Hurricane Helene has created many challenges for firefighting efforts,” a release from the North Carolina Forest Service said Friday morning. “One factor is the loss of tree canopy. More ground cover is receiving direct sunlight, accelerating the rate in which fuels dry out.”
The Black Cove fire that originated March 19 is 3,288 acres in size and 17% contained, the Forest Service says. It is approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda in the Green River Gorge.
The Deep Woods fire, also a March 19 start, is 3,373 acres in size and 30% contained, the Forest Service says. It is about 5 miles northwest of Columbus in the Green River Gorge and the adjacent Holbert Cove community.
The Fish Hook fire that began March 20 is 199 acres in size and 95% contained, the Forest Service says. This fire is about 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring near Lake Adger.
Other fires of size are burning near Sylva and Leicester.
Burning bans are in effect throughout North and South Carolina.
SUMMARY: A wildfire in Western North Carolina has become the highest priority in the U.S. The Black Cove Complex fire near Saluda has burned over 6,500 acres, with over 500 firefighters working to contain it. Authorities warn residents in mountain communities, like Buncombe County, to prepare evacuation bags in case orders are issued. The fire has triggered statewide concerns, with varying levels of fire danger across the state. A statewide burn ban is in effect, and officials are hopeful that rain expected this weekend will help control the blaze. Aircraft are being used to drop water and fire retardant to assist firefighting efforts.
More firefighters are arriving in Western North Carolina now that the Fire Service says a fire burning there is now the highest priority in the U.S.
SUMMARY: In late March 1963, Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller *The Birds* premiered, and in honor of its anniversary, Scott Mason revisits Elm City’s own bird phenomenon. Every afternoon, flocks of hundreds of thousands of starlings and blackbirds gather, creating a stunning, synchronized spectacle. The birds swarm the same fields at the same time, a behavior observed for over 20 years. Local residents are captivated by the sight, though some remain curious about the birds’ nature. Experts believe the birds flock for food and protection. This “bird ballet” continues to awe those lucky enough to witness it each day.
It was around this time in March 1963 when the movie “The Birds” premiered. The Tar Heel Traveler revisits Elm City’s very own thrilling version of the birds.
