Is North Carolina Really a Purple State?

Is North Carolina Really a Purple State?

October 4, 2023

By Kirk O’Steen, NC Chamber Political Director

North Carolina is often labeled a “purple state” in politics.  The term refers to a roughly even number of Republican and Democratic voters – think red and blue, which make purple when combined.  The label communicates the political balance of our state and our identity as a swing state with highly competitive statewide elections.  Republicans have had a narrow advantage in federal races over the years, while Democrats have won more Council of State seats in the same span.  However, the truth is a little more complicated.

In last year’s election, the marquee race between Ted Budd and Cheri Beasley determined who would fill Senator Richard Burr’s seat in the US Senate.  While the results were not as close as initially projected, the race was still competitive.  Ted Budd won the race by a margin of 3.2% and carried 82 of North Carolina’s 100 counties.  Beasley was victorious in 18 counties but relied on wide victory margins banked in North Carolina’s most populous counties.

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https://ncchamber.com/2023/10/04/is-north-carolina-really-a-purple-state/