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North Carolina AFL-CIO Endorses Statewide Candidates 2026 Elections

Jeremy Sprinkle
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For Immediate Release

December 18, 2025 

North Carolina AFL-CIO Endorses Statewide Candidates 2026 Elections 

Union members conducted research, interviewed candidates, and voted to recommend labor champions to state and federal office in the March 3rd primary elections.

Raleigh, NC – On Friday, December 12th, North Carolina’s federation of labor unions convened the NC State AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) to screen and endorse candidates for state and federal office next year. Roughly five dozen union members representing affiliates in both the private and public sectors from across the state interviewed candidates, asked tough questions, and selected the best candidates for working people in elections for the U.S. Senate, N.C. Supreme Court, and N.C. Court of Appeals.

The NC State AFL-CIO endorses former Gov. Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate and endorses the re-election of current Associate Justice Anita Earls for N.C. Supreme Court, both based on their records in office as tireless advocates for the freedom and opportunity of working people. 

“It’s getting harder and harder to fill up your grocery basket and pay your utility bill because Washington is broken,” said Roy Cooper. “I’ve worked with the North Carolina AFL-CIO as Governor to expand Medicaid and to make our state better for working people, and I am honored to once again receive their endorsement and support.”

“I have spent my career fighting for voting rights and standing up for those with less, which is why I deeply appreciate the endorsement of the NC State AFL-CIO,” said Justice Anita Earls. “This is a critical race for our State Supreme Court, and I look forward to winning it together.”

None of the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate or N.C. Supreme Court accepted an invitation to also seek the endorsement of the largest federation of union members in the state.

The state labor federation also endorsed candidates for the N.C. Court of Appeals, including incumbents Judge John Arrowood and Judge Toby Hampson for Seats 1 and 2 respectively, but declined to endorse in the Democratic primary for Seat 3.

“The power of working people is going to be more important than ever in the 2026 elections, and we are proud to endorse candidates who will work to ensure good jobs and safe workplaces for workers across North Carolina,” said state AFL-CIO President Braxton Winston.

2026 Endorsed Candidates:

  • U.S. Senate: Roy Cooper
  • N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice: Anita Earls
  • N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 1: John Arrowood
  • N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 2: Toby Hampson

The 2026 primary elections are on Tuesday, March 3rd, and the 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 one-hundred twenty-five thousand union members, fighting for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers’ rights, consumer protections, and quality public services on behalf of ALL working people.