2010 N.C. Primary Results (statewide races)

U.S. Senate (Democratic)*

Elaine Marshall -- 36%
Cal Cunningham -- 27%
Ken Lewis -- 17%
Marcus Williams -- 8%
Susan Harris -- 7%
Ann Worthy -- 4%

*Since no candidate won at least 40% of vote, top two vote-getters advance to Jun. 22 run-off

U.S. Senate (Republican)

Richard Burr -- 80%
Brad Jones -- 10%
Eddie Burks -- 6%
Larry Linney -- 4%

N.C. Court of Appeals (Calabria Seat -- nonpartisan)**

Ann Marie Calabria -- 37%
Jane Gray -- 36%
Mark Klass -- 27%

N.C. Court of Appeals (Elmore Seat -- nonpartisan)

Steven Walker -- 38%
Rick Elmore -- 29%
Leto Copeley -- 18%
Al Bain -- 15%

**Top two vote-getters in respective N.C. Court of Appeals races advance to November general election.

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Turnout Low in N.C. Primary Election
U.S. Senate Democratic contest headed for June run-off

By Bryan Warner
Published: May 5, 2010

RALEIGH - Just 14 percent of registered North Carolina voters went to the polls for this year’s primary election, according to the State Board of Elections. 

The number is a sharp decline from the 36 percent turnout seen in 2008 when North Carolina played an unusually important role in determining the Democratic presidential nomination.  This year’s primary proved much quieter, with the only statewide races being those for U.S. Senate and N.C. Court of Appeals.

polling place

Voter turnout was weak in the state’s most populous counties, with 11 percent in Durham, 11 percent in Wake and just 7 percent in Mecklenburg. Several smaller counties fared better in terms of voter participation, with Tyrrell County -- the least populous -- leading the entire state at 46 percent turnout.

In the U.S. Senate contest, none of the six Democratic contenders was able to win the necessary 40 percent to claim the nomination outright.  Secretary of State Elaine Marshall led with 36 percent of the vote, while former state senator Cal Cunningham -- seen as the favorite of the national Democratic Party -- garnered 27 percent of the ballots cast.  The two are slated to go head-to-head in a runoff election on Jun. 22.

The cost of the runoff election is estimated to be between $4-$5 million and will be absorbed by the state’s 100 counties, according to Johnnie McLean, deputy director of the State Board of Elections.

Among the other races headed for a June runoff are the Republican primaries for U.S. House District 8, featuring Tim D'Annunzio and Harold Johnson, U.S. House District 12, with Scott Cumbie and Greg Dority advancing, and U.S. House District 13, pitting Bill Randall against Bernie Reeves.

Meanwhile, incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr easily won his re-nomination fight, taking 80 percent of the vote against three challengers in the GOP primary.

In contests for the N.C. Court of Appeals, both incumbents moved on to the November general election.  Judge Rick Elmore will square off against Steven Walker, currently a clerk for N.C. Supreme Court Justice Ed Brady.  Judge Ann Marie Calabria will face Wake County District Court Judge Jane Gray.