Primary Night in North Carolina and Texas Raises Questions for Democrats
Valerie Foushee and Nida Allam have faced off in one of North Carolina’s closest and most closely watched Democratic primaries of 2026. Source: ABC 11.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, all eyes will be on the outcomes of the House and the Senate for Trump's last two years in office. On March 3, voters cast their ballots for the North Carolina and Texas primaries, with heated races for both Democratic and Republican candidates. These primary races have been among the most closely watched across the states, as incumbents, former state officials, and left and right-leaning challengers gear up for the November elections. In Texas and North Carolina, Democratic results have raised major questions about party values, with Chapel Hill’s district, NC-4, serving r as a prime example.
In North Carolina's Fourth District, a tight race resulted in the victory of Valerie Foushee, who will serve her third term in Congress in the upcoming session. Congresswoman Foushee received 49.2% of the vote and will go against the Republican opposition in the General Election. Foushee was endorsed by top state Democrats and organizations, including former Governor Roy Cooper, who is running for Senate, Governor Josh Stein, Former Representative David Price, and the Congressional Black Caucus. Congresswoman Foushee ran on key issues of Trump's attack on Democracy, the abuse of the DHS and ICE, with her co-sponsoring the "Melt ICE Act,” and her progressive history during her previous terms. Given the overwhelming Democratic advantage in North Carolina’s Fourth District, Valerie Foushee is virtually guaranteed to retain her seat against her Republican opponent in the general election.
Nida Allam, Foushee’s challenger and Durham County Commissioner, received 48.2% of the vote, within the metrics of a recount, and conceded the election. Nida Allam was endorsed by major progressive players, including Senator Bernie Sanders, Justice Democrats, and Leaders We Deserve, promising a more progressive representation for North Carolina's most Democratic-leaning district. Nida Allam ran left of Foushee and criticized her opponent on campaign finance issues, although both have called for an end to Citizens United.
Valerie Foushee's victory raises important questions about the Democratic Party’s priorities in the larger triangle area, with voters in the fourth district (especially in Chapel Hill) seemingly favoring an experienced representative from the NC area. North Carolina's primaries are over, with former Governor Cooper and Valerie Foushee going into a fiery general election season, along with the winners in Texas from that same night.
James Talarico, a state representative in Texas, won the Democratic Primary for Senate in a competitive race with previous Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Talarico has focused his campaign on a populist agenda of “top-to-bottom” class politics. Talarico has become a Senate hopeful for the Democratic party, challenging the undecided Republican, either incumbent Sen. John Cornyn or Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Early polling puts Talarico ahead of both, but with similar challenges in the past, the path to a Democratic Senator of Texas is an uphill battle.
Looking forward, the midterm elections will be tense for both parties. North Carolina has a solid chance to elect Democratic candidates into the Senate, with former Governor Cooper in North Carolina and James Talarico in Texas. Valerie Foushee’s victory in NC’s District Four will mark her third term representing the larger Triangle area. With a potential Democratic wave, eager voters and organizations will be watching Congress as a chance for real change in the latter half of Trump’s tumultuous second presidency.