# 2010 North Carolina Senate election

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vte :
An election was held on November 2, 2010, to elect all 50 members to North Carolina's Senate. The election coincided with the elections for other offices, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and state house. The primary election was held on May 4, 2010, with a run-off on June 22, 2010.

## Results summary

| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected | Party |
| 1st | Marc Basnight | Dem | Marc Basnight | Dem |
| 2nd | Jean Preston | Rep | Jean Preston | Rep |
| 3rd | Clark Jenkins | Dem | Clark Jenkins | Dem |
| 4th | Edward Jones | Dem | Edward Jones | Dem |
| 5th | Don Davis | Dem | Louis M. Pate Jr. | Rep |
| 6th | Harry Brown | Rep | Harry Brown | Rep |
| 7th | Doug Berger | Dem | Doug Berger | Dem |
| 8th | R. C. Soles Jr.† | Dem | Bill Rabon | Rep |
| 9th | Julia Boseman† | Dem | Thom Goolsby | Rep |
| 10th | Charles Albertson† | Dem | Brent Jackson | Rep |
| 11th | A. B. Swindell | Dem | Buck Newton | Rep |
| 12th | David Rouzer | Rep | David Rouzer | Rep |
| 13th | Michael Walters | Dem | Michael Walters | Dem |
| 14th | Dan Blue | Dem | Dan Blue | Dem |
| 15th | Neal Hunt | Rep | Neal Hunt | Rep |
| 16th | Josh Stein | Dem | Josh Stein | Dem |
| 17th | Richard Y. Stevens | Rep | Richard Y. Stevens | Rep |
| 18th | Bob Atwater | Dem | Bob Atwater | Dem |
| 19th | Margaret Dickson | Dem | Wesley Meredith | Rep |
| 20th | Floyd McKissick Jr. | Dem | Floyd McKissick Jr. | Dem |
| 21st | Larry Shaw† | Dem | Eric Mansfield | Dem |
| 22nd | Harris Blake | Rep | Harris Blake | Rep |
| 23rd | Eleanor Kinnaird | Dem | Eleanor Kinnaird | Dem |
| 24th | Tony Foriest | Dem | Rick Gunn | Rep |
| 25th | William R. Purcell | Dem | William R. Purcell | Dem |
| 26th | Phil Berger | Rep | Phil Berger | Rep |
| 27th | Don Vaughan | Dem | Don Vaughan | Dem |
| 28th | Katie Dorsett† | Dem | Gladys A. Robinson | Dem |
| 29th | Jerry W. Tillman | Rep | Jerry W. Tillman | Rep |
| 30th | Don W. East | Rep | Don W. East | Rep |
| 31st | Pete Brunstetter | Rep | Pete Brunstetter | Rep |
| 32nd | Linda Garrou | Dem | Linda Garrou | Dem |
| 33rd | Stan Bingham | Rep | Stan Bingham | Rep |
| 34th | Andrew C. Brock | Rep | Andrew C. Brock | Rep |
| 35th | Eddie Goodall† | Rep | Tommy Tucker | Rep |
| 36th | Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. | Rep | Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. | Rep |
| 37th | Dan Clodfelter | Dem | Dan Clodfelter | Dem |
| 38th | Charlie Dannelly | Dem | Charlie Dannelly | Dem |
| 39th | Bob Rucho | Rep | Bob Rucho | Rep |
| 40th | Malcolm Graham | Dem | Malcolm Graham | Dem |
| 41st | James Forrester | Rep | James Forrester | Rep |
| 42nd | Austin M. Allran | Rep | Austin M. Allran | Rep |
| 43rd | David W. Hoyle† | Dem | Kathy Harrington | Rep |
| 44th | Jim Jacumin† | Rep | Warren Daniel | Rep |
| 45th | Steve Goss | Dem | Dan Soucek | Rep |
| 46th | Debbie A. Clary | Rep | Debbie A. Clary | Rep |
| 47th | Joe Sam Queen | Dem | Ralph Hise | Rep |
| 48th | Tom Apodaca | Rep | Tom Apodaca | Rep |
| 49th | Martin Nesbitt | Dem | Martin Nesbitt | Dem |
| 50th | John Snow | Dem | Jim Davis | Rep |
† - Incumbent not seeking re-election

### Incumbents defeated in general election

* Don Davis (D-District 5), defeated by Louis M. Pate Jr. (R)
* A. B. Swindell (D-District 11), defeated by Buck Newton (R)
* Margaret Dickson (D-District 19), defeated by Wesley Meredith (R)
* Tony Foriest (D-District 24), defeated by Rick Gunn (R)
* Steve Goss (D-District 45), defeated by Dan Soucek (R)
* Joe Sam Queen (D-District 47), defeated by Ralph Hise (R)
* John Snow (D-District 50), defeated by Jim Davis (R)

### Open seats that changed parties

* R. C. Soles Jr. (D-District 8) didn't seek re-election, seat won by Bill Rabon (R)
* Julia Boseman (D-District 9) didn't seek re-election, seat won by Thom Goolsby (R)
* Charles Albertson (D-District 10) didn't seek re-election, seat won by Brent Jackson (R)
* David W. Hoyle (D-District 43) didn't seek re-election, seat won by Kathy Harrington (R)

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Tossup | November 1, 2010 |

## Detailed results
### Districts 1–25
#### District 1

Incumbent Democratic President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight has represented the 1st district since 1985.
North Carolina Senate 1st district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Marc Basnight (incumbent) | 31,270 | 55.40% |
| | Republican | Hood Richardson | 25,169 | 44.60% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 56,439 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 2

Incumbent Republican Jean Preston has represented the 2nd district since 2007.
North Carolina Senate 2nd district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jean Preston (incumbent) | 36,390 | 65.72% |
| | Democratic | Barbara Garrity-Blake | 18,982 | 34.28% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 55,372 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 3

Incumbent Democrat Clark Jenkins has represented the 3rd district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 3rd district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Clark Jenkins (incumbent) | 27,586 | 62.72% |
| | Republican | C. B. Daughtridge | 16,399 | 37.28% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,985 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 4

Incumbent Democrat Edward Jones has represented the 4th district since 2007.
North Carolina Senate 4th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Edward Jones (incumbent) | 29,169 | 62.55% |
| | Republican | Rich Halbert | 17,464 | 37.45% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 46,633 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 5

Incumbent Democrat Don Davis has represented the 5th district since 2009. In a rematch of the 2008 election, Davis was defeated for re-election by Republican Louis M. Pate Jr..
North Carolina Senate 5th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Louis M. Pate Jr. | 25,780 | 54.54% |
| | Democratic | Don Davis (incumbent) | 21,488 | 45.46% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,268 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 6

Incumbent Republican Harry Brown has represented the 6th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 6th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Harry Brown (incumbent) | 21,651 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,651 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 7

Incumbent Democrat Doug Berger has represented the 7th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 7th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Doug Berger (incumbent) | 27,084 | 51.80% |
| | Republican | Michael Schriver | 25,206 | 48.20% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 52,290 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 8

Incumbent Democrat R. C. Soles Jr. has represented the 8th district and its predecessors since 1977. Soles didn't seek re-election and Republican Bill Rabon won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 8th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bill Rabon | 46,216 | 63.55% |
| | Democratic | David Redwine | 26,511 | 36.45% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 72,727 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 9

Incumbent Democrat Julia Boseman has represented the 9th district since 2005. Boseman didn't seek re-election and instead ran for New Hanover County District Court Judge. Republican Thom Goolsby won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 9th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Thom Goolsby | 36,701 | 57.44% |
| | Democratic | Jim Leutze | 27,189 | 42.56% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 63,890 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 10

Incumbent Democrat Charles Albertson has represented the 10th district and its predecessors since 1993. Albertson didn't seek re-election and Republican Brent Jackson won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 10th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brent Jackson | 25,342 | 52.24% |
| | Democratic | Dewey Hudson | 23,167 | 47.76% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,509 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 11

Incumbent Democrat A. B. Swindell has represented the 11th district since 2001. Swindell was defeated for re-election by Republican Buck Newton.
North Carolina Senate 11th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Buck Newton | 30,266 | 52.88% |
| | Democratic | A. B. Swindell (incumbent) | 26,970 | 47.12% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 57,236 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 12

Incumbent Republican David Rouzer has represented the 12th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 12th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Rouzer (incumbent) | 40,242 | 69.66% |
| | Democratic | Jody McLeod | 17,525 | 30.34% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 57,767 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 13

Incumbent Democrat Michael Walters has represented the 13th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 13th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael Walters (incumbent) | 22,728 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,728 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 14

Incumbent Democrat Dan Blue has represented the 14th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 14th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Blue (incumbent) | 40,746 | 65.92% |
| | Republican | Geoffrey M. Hurlburt | 21,067 | 34.08% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 61,813 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 15

Incumbent Republican Neal Hunt has represented the 15th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 15th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Neal Hunt (incumbent) | 44,397 | 60.55% |
| | Democratic | Charles Malone | 28,928 | 39.45% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,325 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 16

Incumbent Democrat Josh Stein has represented the 16th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 16th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Josh Stein (incumbent) | 32,248 | 54.89% |
| | Republican | Michael Beezley | 24,466 | 41.64% |
| | Libertarian | Stephanie E. Watson | 2,040 | 3.47% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 58,754 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 17

Incumbent Republican Richard Y. Stevens has represented the 17th district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 17th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard Y. Stevens (incumbent) | 51,391 | 63.75% |
| | Democratic | David Donovan | 29,217 | 36.25% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 80,608 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 18

Incumbent Democrat Bob Atwater has represented the 18th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 18th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bob Atwater (incumbent) | 38,809 | 59.43% |
| | Republican | Roger Gerber | 26,488 | 40.57% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 65,297 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 19

Incumbent Democrat Margaret Dickson has represented the 19th district since 2010.
North Carolina Senate 19th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Wesley Meredith | 25,047 | 51.10% |
| | Democratic | Margaret Dickson (incumbent) | 23,964 | 48.90% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 49,011 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 20

Incumbent Democrat Floyd McKissick Jr. has represented the 20th district since 2007.
North Carolina Senate 20th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Floyd McKissick Jr. (incumbent) | 38,309 | 73.11% |
| | Republican | John Tarantino | 14,092 | 26.89% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 52,401 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 21

Incumbent Democrat Larry Shaw has represented the 21st district and its predecessors since 1995. Shaw didn't seek re-election and Democrat Eric Mansfield won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 21st district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Eric Mansfield | 21,004 | 67.61% |
| | Republican | Wade Fowler | 10,062 | 32.39% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,066 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 22

Incumbent Republican Harris Blake has represented the 22nd district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 22nd district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Harris Blake (incumbent) | 38,331 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,331 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 23

Incumbent Democrat Eleanor Kinnaird has represented the 23rd district and its predecessors since 1997.
North Carolina Senate 23rd district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Eleanor Kinnaird (incumbent) | 36,611 | 64.87% |
| | Republican | Ryan A. Hilliard | 19,828 | 35.13% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 56,439 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 24

Incumbent Democrat Tony Foriest has represented the 24th district since 2007. He was defeated for re-election by Republican Rick Gunn.
North Carolina Senate 24th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rick Gunn | 25,674 | 52.92% |
| | Democratic | Tony Foriest (incumbent) | 20,430 | 42.11% |
| | Libertarian | Barry Coe | 2,412 | 4.97% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,516 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 25

Incumbent Democrat William R. Purcell has represented the 25th district and its predecessors since 1997.
North Carolina Senate 25th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William R. Purcell (incumbent) | 23,363 | 51.25% |
| | Republican | P. Jason Phibbs | 22,219 | 48.75% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 45,582 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Districts 26–50
#### District 26

Incumbent Republican Minority Leader Phil Berger has represented the 26th district since and its predecessors since 2001.
North Carolina Senate 26th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Phil Berger (incumbent) | 43,952 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,952 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 27

Incumbent Democrat Don Vaughan has represented the 27th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 27th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Don Vaughan (incumbent) | 30,161 | 59.66% |
| | Republican | Jeffrey T. "Jeff" Hyde | 20,398 | 40.34% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 50,559 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 28

Incumbent Democrat Katie Dorsett has represented the 28th district since 2003. Dorsett didn't seek re-election and Democrat Gladys A. Robinson won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 28th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gladys A. Robinson | 21,496 | 47.84% |
| | Republican | Trudy Wade | 17,383 | 38.69% |
| | Unaffaliated | Bruce Davis | 6,054 | 13.47% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 44,933 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 29

Incumbent Republican Jerry W. Tillman has represented the 29th district since 2003
North Carolina Senate 29th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jerry W. Tillman (incumbent) | 31,791 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,791 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 30

Incumbent Republican Don W. East has represented the 30th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 30th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Don W. East (incumbent) | 32,422 | 67.83% |
| | Democratic | Ric Marshall | 15,376 | 32.17% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,798 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 31

Incumbent Republican Pete Brunstetter has represented the 31st district since 2006.
North Carolina Senate 31st district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Pete Brunstetter (incumbent) | 43,080 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,080 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 32

Incumbent Democrat Linda Garrou has represented the 32nd district and its predecessors since 1999.
North Carolina Senate 32nd district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Linda Garrou (incumbent) | 24,125 | 65.37% |
| | Republican | Nathan Jones | 12,780 | 34.63% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,905 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 33

Incumbent Republican Stan Bingham has represented the 33rd district and its predecessors since 2001.
North Carolina Senate 33rd district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Stan Bingham (incumbent) | 38,859 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,859 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 34

Incumbent Republican Andrew C. Brock has represented the 34th district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 34th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Andrew C. Brock (incumbent) | 36,969 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,969 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 35

Incumbent Republican Eddie Goodall has represented the 35th district since 2005. Goodall didn't seek re-election and Republican Tommy Tucker won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 35th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tommy Tucker | 44,624 | 71.38% |
| | Democratic | Ed McGuire | 17,890 | 28.62% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,514 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 36

Incumbent Republican Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. has represented the 36th district and its predecessors since 1991.
North Carolina Senate 36th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. (incumbent) | 37,403 | 69.02% |
| | Democratic | Mike Helms | 16,790 | 30.98% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 54,193 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 37

Incumbent Democrat Dan Clodfelter has represented the 37th district and its predecessors since 1999.
North Carolina Senate 37th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Clodfelter (incumbent) | 24,956 | 61.45% |
| | Republican | C. Morgan Edwards | 15,656 | 38.55% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,612 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 38

Incumbent Democrat Charlie Dannelly has represented the 38th district and its predecessors since 1995.
North Carolina Senate 38th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Charlie Dannelly (incumbent) | 33,692 | 68.67% |
| | Republican | Cedric Scott | 15,369 | 31.33% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 49,061 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 39

Incumbent Republican Bob Rucho has represented the 39th district and its predecessors since 2008 and previously from 1997 to 2005.
North Carolina Senate 39th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bob Rucho (incumbent) | 48,373 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,373 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 40

Incumbent Democrat Maclom Graham has represented the 40th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 40th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Malcolm Graham (incumbent) | 32,168 | 58.16% |
| | Republican | John Aneralla | 23,145 | 41.84% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 55,313 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 41

Incumbent Republican James Forrester has represented the 41st district and its predecessors since 1991.
North Carolina Senate 41st district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James Forrester (incumbent) | 43,461 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,461 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 42

Incumbent Republican Austin M. Allran has represented the 42nd district and its predecessors since 1987.
North Carolina Senate 42nd district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Austin M. Allran (incumbent) | 37,429 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,429 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 43

Incumbent Democrat David W. Hoyle has represented the 43rd district and its predecessors since 1993. Hoyle didn't seek re-election and Republican Kathy Harrington won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 43rd district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Kathy Harrington | 28,504 | 69.54% |
| | Democratic | Jim Long | 12,488 | 30.46% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,992 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 44

Incumbent Republican Jim Jacumin has represented the 44th district since 2005. Jacumin didn't seek re-election and Republican Warren Daniel won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 44th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Warren Daniel | 26,314 | 58.87% |
| | Democratic | Beth Jones | 17,300 | 38.71% |
| | Libertarian | Richard C. Evey | 1,083 | 2.42% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 44,697 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 45

Incumbent Democrat Steve Goss has represented the 45th district since 2007. Goss was defeated for re-election by Republican Dan Soucek.
North Carolina Senate 45th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dan Soucek | 34,777 | 59.96% |
| | Democratic | Steve Goss (incumbent) | 23,223 | 40.04% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 58,000 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 46

Incumbent Republican Debbie A. Clary has represented the 46th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 46th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Debbie A. Clary (incumbent) | 32,007 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,007 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 47

Incumbent Democrat Joe Sam Queen has represented the 47th district since 2007, and previously from 2003 to 2005. Queen was defeated for re-election by Republican Ralph Hise.
North Carolina Senate 47th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ralph Hise | 31,846 | 55.82% |
| | Democratic | Joe Sam Queen (incumbent) | 25,209 | 44.18% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 57,055 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 48

Incumbent Republican Tom Apodaca has represented the 48th district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 48th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Apodaca (incumbent) | 43,457 | 65.94% |
| | Democratic | Chris Dixon | 22,447 | 34.06% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 65,904 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 49

Incumbent Democratic Majority Leader Martin Nesbitt has represented the 49th district since 2004.
North Carolina Senate 49th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Martin Nesbitt (incumbent) | 33,254 | 59.37% |
| | Republican | R. L. Clark | 22,757 | 40.63% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 56,011 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 50

Incumbent Democrat John Snow has represented the 50th district since 2005. He was defeated for re-election by Republican Jim Davis.
North Carolina Senate 50th district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Davis | 31,041 | 50.13% |
| | Democratic | John Snow (incumbent) | 30,880 | 49.87% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 61,921 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |