# 1996 North Carolina Council of State election

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vte :
The North Carolina Council of State election of 1996 was held on 5 November 1996, to elect the Council of State. All the races were won by Democrats. All were incumbents except for Elaine Marshall, who won the post of Secretary of State, and Michael E. Ward, who was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction. Both Marshall and Ward succeeded fellow Democrats.
As of 2024 this is the last election where Democrats held all council offices.

## Governor

The 1996 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1996. The general election was fought between the Democratic nominee, incumbent Governor Jim Hunt and the Republican nominee, state representative Robin Hayes. Hunt won by 56% to 43%, winning his fourth term as governor.
1996 North Carolina gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Hunt (incumbent) | 1,436,638 | 55.98 |
| | Republican | Robin Hayes | 1,097,053 | 42.75 |
| | Libertarian | Scott D. Yost | 17,559 | 0.68 |
| | Natural Law | Julia Van Witt | 14,792 | 0.58 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,566,042 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

## Lieutenant Governor

1996 North Carolina lieutenant governor election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dennis A. Wicker (incumbent) | 1,500,206 | 54.50 |
| | Republican | Steve Arnold | 1,315,825 | 44.52 |
| | Natural Law | John Dainotto | 23,948 | 0.97 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,866,383 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

## Attorney General

1996 North Carolina Attorney General election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Easley (incumbent) | 1,453,196 | 59.07 |
| | Republican | Robert H. Edmunds Jr. | 1,007,027 | 40.93 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,460,223 | |

## State Auditor

1996 North Carolina State Auditor election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ralph Campbell (incumbent) | 1,184,665 | 49.92 |
| | Republican | Jack Daly | 1,129,050 | 47.58 |
| | Libertarian | Robert Dorsey | 40,835 | 1.72 |
| | Natural Law | Theodore Janowski | 18,643 | 0.79 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,373,193 | |

## Commissioner of Agriculture

1996 North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James A. Graham (incumbent) | 1,409,801 | 57.80 |
| | Republican | Tom Davidson | 980,224 | 40.18 |
| | Natural Law | R. Gaines Steer | 25,052 | 1.03 |
| | Libertarian | Eugene Paczelt | 24,217 | 0.99 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,439,294 | |

## Commissioner of Insurance

1996 North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James E. Long (incumbent) | 1,388,894 | 56.74 |
| | Republican | Mike Causey | 1,010,782 | 40.93 |
| | Libertarian | Sean Haugh | 26,258 | 1.07 |
| | Natural Law | Stephen Wolfe | 21,939 | 0.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,447,873 | |

## Commissioner of Labor

1996 North Carolina Commissioner of Labor election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harry Payne (incumbent) | 1,212,057 | 50.98 |
| | Republican | Tracy Walker | 1,082,537 | 45.53 |
| | Natural Law | Mary Ann Cooke | 58,342 | 2.45 |
| | Libertarian | Seth Fehrs | 24,574 | 1.03 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,377,510 | |

## Secretary of State

1996 North Carolina Secretary of State election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Elaine Marshall | 1,333,994 | 53.48 |
| | Republican | Richard Petty | 1,126,701 | 45.17 |
| | Libertarian | Stephen Richter | 20,734 | 0.83 |
| | Natural Law | Lewis Guignard | 12,896 | 0.52 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,494,325 | |

## Superintendent of Public Instruction

1996 North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael E. Ward | 1,243,423 | 52.00 |
| | Republican | Vernon Robinson | 1,103,288 | 46.14 |
| | Libertarian | Chris Spruyt | 26,431 | 1.11 |
| | Natural Law | Starr Von Stade | 18,036 | 0.75 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,391,178 | |

## State Treasurer

1996 North Carolina State Treasurer election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harlan E. Boyles (incumbent) | 1,219,594 | 50.62 |
| | Republican | Ann Duncan | 1,144,749 | 47.52 |
| | Libertarian | Lewis Hunter | 31,492 | 1.31 |
| | Natural Law | Peter Lyda | 13,251 | 0.55 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,409,086 | |