Congratulations Republican Primary Winners

With Franklin County's 2026 Primary Season coming to a close, Republicans now move to ensure Franklin County's candidates prevail in the November General Election.

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, 18.53% of Franklin County's eligible voters participated in Primary voting. Those 10,397 voters, along with voters from the other North Carolina counties, decided Republican Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee Chair, and Democrat Roy Cooper will face off for North Carolina's U.S. Senate seat. Whatley received 2,411 votes in Franklin County (56.97%).

Meanwhile, Republican Brad Knott, incumbent, District 13 U.S. House of Representatives, received 89.4% of the Franklin County Republican ballots cast. 

Franklin County Republican ballot voters selected Michael Byrne as their preferred candidate to vie for NC Court of Appeals Seat No. 1, giving him 2,532 (62.99%) votes.

In the only local County Commissioner Primary race, incumbent Harry Foy won his Republican Primary for At-Large Seat 6 with 2,757 (65.74%) of the Republican ballots cast.

Board of Education Election Changed This Year

The Board of Education Primary Election remained nonpartisan this year, yet voters selected the top two vote getters during the Primary. Those two finalists will compete this Fall, and the winner will be decided during the General Election.

• Jennifer Paylor (Republican) led the At-Large Seat 7 contest, pulling in 39.85% of the county's votes.
• Republicans Scott Graham (48.61%) and Meghan Jordan (38.81%) will compete for the District 1 seat.
• Republicans Jonathan Vanderford (42.89%) and Chris Perry (32%) will compete for the District 5 seat.

For more detailed information from the North Carolina State Board of Elections, click here.

The Franklin County Board of Elections will have a series of Meetings from March 6 through March 13 to finalize vote totals. The Board of Elections Canvass - 2026 Primary will begin at 11:00 a.m., March 13, at the Franklin County Board of Elections Conference Room, Suite 300, 279 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, North Carolina 27549.  For more information on the various meetings, click here.