Labor Movement Drives Key Primary Wins Across North Carolina
For Immediate Release
March 4, 2026
Labor Movement Drives Key Primary Wins Across North Carolina
Union voters and working people powered primary victories for endorsed candidates Cooper, Sadler, Pierce, Levy, and union members across North Carolina, putting pro-worker champions on the ballot in November.
Raleigh, NC – On Tuesday, March 3rd, voters across North Carolina cast ballots in primary elections for critical races. With strong support from union members and other working people, dozens of North Carolina State AFL-CIO-endorsed candidates will be on the ballot for the general election in November.
Former Governor Roy Cooper, whose long track record of expanding health care access and economic opportunities for working people secured him the backing of the largest federation of labor unions in the state, decisively won his primary and will continue his campaign to represent working North Carolinians in the United States Senate.
The momentum extended further down the ballot. Reverend Dr. Rodney Sadler won the primary in House District 106 with nearly 70% of the vote, and Veleria Levy won in House District 99. These candidates’ victories represent a new generation of leadership and the collective power of working people to affect change.
Union members across the state also secured exciting primary wins, including Sophia Chitlik (SAG-AFTRA) for NC Senate District 22, Lorenza Wilkins (SMART) for NC House District 25, Rodney Pierce (AFT) for NC House District 27, and Rob Zapple (SAG-AFTRA) for New Hanover Commissioner at-large.
“We congratulate all of our endorsed candidates who won! The labor movement is primed to mobilize for leaders who will uplift working families and champion the pocketbook issues we care about,” said NC State AFL-CIO President Braxton Winston. “I want to thank our members who were inspired to knock on doors, make phone calls, and get out the vote. Recent anti-worker veto overrides in our state legislature made clear that this election was a critical fight for our futures.”
North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls and North Carolina Court of Appeals Justices John Arrowood and Toby Hampson did not face primary opponents, but won the NC State AFL-CIO's endorsement in December based on their records in office as tireless defenders of freedom, fairness, and opportunity for working people.
The victories of so many of the NC State AFL-CIO’s endorsed candidates are a recognition of the political power of working people and the urgency of confronting issues like protecting workers’ rights, expanding access to affordable healthcare, defending public education, and safeguarding democracy for all North Carolinians.
“Our members are not finished,” said Winston. “We will continue to educate and empower workers to make their voices heard at the polls in November so we can elect candidates who will build a stronger, better state for us all.”
The NC State AFL-CIO will release a full slate of endorsements in the coming months. North Carolina's General Election will be on Tuesday, November 3rd.
Contact: Jeremy Sprinkle, [email protected], 336-255-2711.
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The North Carolina State AFL-CIO is the largest association of local unions and union councils in North Carolina, representing over a hundred thousand union members, fighting for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers’ rights, consumer protections, and quality public services on behalf of ALL working people.