NC Democrat who flipped competitive House seat announces he won’t seek reelection
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Bryan Cohn will not seek reelection in 2026 after flipping HD-32 in 2024.
- His exit leaves Democrats defending narrow margin to block a GOP supermajority.
- Cohn endorsed Curtis McRae; Sossamon and Pamela Ayscue plan Republican bids for HD-32.
North Carolina House Rep. Bryan Cohn, a Democrat representing Vance and Granville counties whose 2024 victory helped break the Republican supermajority, announced Friday that he would not seek reelection.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, from strengthening local infrastructure and supporting small businesses, to standing up for working families and rural communities that too often get overlooked,” Cohn, who represents House District 32, said in a statement. “...At this point in my life, however, I need to refocus my time and energy on my family and on growing my small business here at home.”
Cohn is the only House Democrat not seeking reelection in 2026, a year in which the party hopes to keep Republicans from regaining a veto-proof supermajority that could thwart Gov. Josh Stein’s efforts to reject conservative legislation.
In his statement, Cohn endorsed his former colleague on the Oxford City Board of Commissioners, Curtis McRae, in the Democratic primary for his seat.
“Curtis is a proven leader with a deep understanding of our communities, a strong work ethic, and a genuine commitment to service,” Cohn said.
Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliot is also running in the Democratic primary for Cohn’s seat.
In the 2024 election, Cohn beat incumbent Republican Rep. Frank Sossamon by just over 0.5 percentage points, making it one of the closest House races of the year.
Cohn’s victory was essential in breaking the Republican supermajority, which had been able to successfully override former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes for the previous two years.
Sossamon challenged the election’s results, but a recount affirmed Cohn’s 228-vote win, and he was certified as the victor in January.
Now, Sossamon is running to take back the seat in 2026.
“I’m running because I believe our district deserves a representative who listens first, works alongside the people, and never forgets the values that built our communities,” he said on social media earlier this month after filing his candidacy. “I’m running because I believe in Vance and Granville Counties, and I believe in what we can accomplish when we stand together.”
He’ll face public school teacher Pamela Ayscue in the Republican primary.
District 32 abuts North Carolina’s northern border and includes the cities of Henderson, Butner, Creedmoor and Oxford.
