# 2004 North Carolina Senate election

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The 2004 North Carolina Senate elections were held on November 2, 2004, to elect members to all fifty seats in the North Carolina Senate. The election coincided with the elections for other offices including the Presidency, U.S. Senate, Governorship, U.S. House of Representatives, Council of State, and state house. The primary election was held on July 20, 2004, with a primary run-off occurring on August 17, 2004. These elections were the first to use new district lines drawn by the General Assembly to account the for changes in population amongst each of the districts after the 2000 census. The 2002 election had been conducted under a map ordered by the North Carolina Superior Court.

## Results summary

| District | Incumbent | Party | Party | Elected | Party |
| 1st | Marc Basnight | | Dem | Marc Basnight | Dem |
| 2nd | Scott Thomas | | Dem | Scott Thomas | Dem |
| 3rd | Clark Jenkins | | Dem | Clark Jenkins | Dem |
| 4th | Robert Lee Holloman | | Dem | Robert Lee Holloman | Dem |
| 5th | John Kerr | | Dem | John Kerr | Dem |
| 5th | Tony Moore | | Rep | John Kerr | Dem |
| 6th | Cecil Hargett | | Dem | Harry Brown | Rep |
| 7th | New seat | New seat | New seat | Doug Berger | Dem |
| 8th | R. C. Soles Jr. | | Dem | R. C. Soles Jr. | Dem |
| 9th | Woody White | | Rep | Julia Boseman | Dem |
| 10th | Charles Albertson | | Dem | Charles Albertson | Dem |
| 11th | A. B. Swindell | | Dem | A. B. Swindell | Dem |
| 12th | Fred Smith | | Rep | Fred Smith | Rep |
| 13th | David Weinstein | | Dem | David Weinstein | Dem |
| 14th | Vernon Malone | | Dem | Vernon Malone | Dem |
| 15th | John Carrington | | Rep | Neal Hunt | Rep |
| 16th | Eric Miller Reeves† | | Dem | Janet Cowell | Dem |
| 17th | Richard Y. Stevens | | Rep | Richard Y. Stevens | Rep |
| 18th | Ralph Hunt† | | Dem | Bob Atwater | Dem |
| 19th | Tony Rand | | Dem | Tony Rand | Dem |
| 20th | Jeanne Hopkins Lucas | | Dem | Jeanne Hopkins Lucas | Dem |
| 21st | Larry Shaw | | Dem | Larry Shaw | Dem |
| 22nd | Harris Blake | | Rep | Harris Blake | Rep |
| 23rd | Eleanor Kinnaird | | Dem | Eleanor Kinnaird | Dem |
| 24th | Hugh Webster | | Rep | Hugh Webster | Rep |
| 25th | Bill Purcell | | Dem | Bill Purcell | Dem |
| 26th | Phil Berger | | Rep | Phil Berger | Rep |
| 27th | Kay Hagan | | Dem | Kay Hagan | Dem |
| 28th | Katie G. Dorsett | | Dem | Katie G. Dorsett | Dem |
| 29th | Jerry W. Tillman | | Rep | Jerry W. Tillman | Rep |
| 30th | New seat | New seat | New seat | Don W. East | Rep |
| 31st | Hamilton Horton Jr. | | Rep | Hamilton Horton Jr. | 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 | Fern Shubert† | | Rep | Eddie Goodall | 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 | Robert Pittenger | | Rep | Robert Pittenger | Rep |
| 39th | Bob Rucho† | | Rep | Robert Pittenger | Rep |
| 40th | New seat | New seat | New seat | Malcolm Graham | Dem |
| 41st | James Forrester | | Rep | James Forrester | Rep |
| 41st | R. B. Sloan Jr. | | Rep | James Forrester | Rep |
| 42nd | Austin M. Allran | | Rep | Austin M. Allran | Rep |
| 43rd | David W. Hoyle | | Dem | David W. Hoyle | Dem |
| 44th | New seat | New seat | New seat | Jim Jacumin | Rep |
| 45th | John Garwood | | Rep | John Garwood | Rep |
| 45th | Virginia Foxx† | | Rep | John Garwood | Rep |
| 46th | Walter H. Dalton | | Dem | Walter H. Dalton | Dem |
| 47th | Joe Sam Queen | | Dem | Keith Presnell | Rep |
| 48th | Tom Apodaca | | Rep | Tom Apodaca | Rep |
| 49th | Martin Nesbitt | | Dem | Martin Nesbitt | Dem |
| 50th | Bob Carpenter | | Rep | John Snow | Dem |
† - Incumbent not seeking re-election
| Party | Party | Candi- dates | Votes | Votes | Seats | Seats | Seats |
| Party | Party | Candi- dates | No. | % | No. | +/– | % |
| | Democratic | 42 | 1,505,822 | 48.155% | 29 | 1 | 58% |
| | Republican | 42 | 1,565,582 | 50.066% | 21 | 1 | 42% |
| | Libertarian | 12 | 46,960 | 1.502% | 0 | | 0% |
| | Write-ins | 2 | 8,687 | 0.278% | 0 | | 0% |
| Total | Total | 98 | 3,127,051 | 100.00% | 50 | | 100.00% |
Senate seats
Democratic
58%
Republican
42% :
Popular vote
Republican
50.07%
Democratic
48.15%
Libertarian
1.50%
Write-ins
0.28% :

### Incumbents defeated in primary election

* John Carrington (R-District 15), defeated by Neal Hunt (R)

### Incumbents defeated in general election

* Cecil Hargett (D-District 6), defeated by Harry Brown (R)
* Joe Sam Queen (D-District 47), defeated by Keith Presnell (R)
* Bob Carpenter (R-District 50), defeated by John Snow (D)

### Newly created seats

* District 7, won by Doug Berger (D)
* District 30, won by Don W. East (R)
* District 40, won by Malcolm Graham (D)
* District 44, won by Jim Jacumin (R)

### Seats eliminated by redistricting

* Tony Moore (R-District 5) lost a redistricting race to John Kerr (D)
* Bob Rucho (R-District 39) didn't seek re-election after the 40th district was merged with his district
* R. B. Sloan Jr. (R-District 41) lost re-nomination to James Forrester (R-District 42) after the 42nd district was merged with the 41st district
* Virginia Foxx (R-District 45) ran for the U.S. House after the 30th district was merged with her district.

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Rothenberg | Lean D | October 1, 2004 |

## 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Marc Basnight (incumbent) | 45,367 | 64.69% |
| | Republican | Ron Toppin | 24,759 | 35.31% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 70,126 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 2

Incumbent Democrat Scott Thomas has represented the 2nd district and its predecessors since 2001.
North Carolina Senate 2nd district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Scott Thomas (incumbent) | 37,123 | 54.46% |
| | Republican | Chuck Tyson | 29,966 | 43.96% |
| | Libertarian | Richard C. Evey | 1,073 | 1.57% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 68,162 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 3

Incumbent Democrat Clark Jenkins has represented the 3rd district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 3rd district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Clark Jenkins (incumbent) | 36,343 | 66.04% |
| | Republican | Beverly Moore | 18,686 | 33.96% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 55,029 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 4

Incumbent Democrat Robert Lee Holloman has represented the 4th district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 4th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Lee Holloman (incumbent) | 44,249 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 44,249 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 5

The new 5th district includes the homes of Incumbent Democrat turned Republican Tony Moore, who has represented the 5th district since 2003 and Incumbent Democrat John Kerr, who has represented the 7th district and its predecessors since 1993. Kerr defeated Moore in the general election.
North Carolina Senate 5th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Kerr (incumbent) | 34,162 | 56.80% |
| | Republican | Tony Moore (incumbent) | 25,987 | 43.20% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 60,149 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 6

Incumbent Democrat Cecil Hargett has represented the 6th district since 2003. Hargett lost re-election to Republican Harry Brown.
North Carolina Senate 6th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Harry Brown | 21,624 | 52.38% |
| | Democratic | Cecil Hargett (incumbent) | 18,514 | 44.84% |
| | Libertarian | Mathew Tillman | 1,148 | 2.78% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,286 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 7

The new 7th district includes all of Franklin, Granville, Vance, and Warren Counties. Democrat Doug Berger won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 7th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Doug Berger | 35,091 | 56.87% |
| | Republican | Harold N. Frazier | 26,616 | 43.13% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 61,707 | 100% |
| | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) |

#### District 8

Incumbent Democrat R. C. Soles Jr. has represented the 8th district and its predecessors since 1977.
North Carolina Senate 8th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | R. C. Soles Jr. (incumbent) | 39,897 | 54.26% |
| | Republican | Jack Swann | 33,627 | 45.74% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,524 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 9

Incumbent Republican Minority Leader Patrick J. Ballantine had represented the 9th district and its predecessors since 1995. Ballantine ran for governor and resigned his seat on April 20, 2004. Fellow Republican Woody White was appointed to replace him on May 5, 2004. White ran for re-election to a full term, but he lost re-election to Democrat Julia Boseman.
North Carolina Senate 9th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Julia Boseman | 40,486 | 50.55% |
| | Republican | Woody White (incumbent) | 39,601 | 49.45% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 80,087 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

#### District 10

Incumbent Democrat Charles Albertson has represented the 10th district and its predecessors since 1993.
North Carolina Senate 10th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Charles Albertson (incumbent) | 37,570 | 61.97% |
| | Republican | Rich Jarman | 23,054 | 38.03% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 60,624 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 11

Incumbent Democrat A. B. Swindell has represented the 11th district and its predecessors since 2001.
North Carolina Senate 11th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | A. B. Swindell (incumbent) | 40,234 | 60.37% |
| | Republican | Dennis Nielsen | 26,417 | 39.63% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 66,651 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 12

Incumbent Republican Fred Smith has represented the 12th district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 12th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Fred Smith (incumbent) | 48,674 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,674 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 13

Incumbent Democrat David Weinstein has represented the 13th district and its predecessors since 1997.
North Carolina Senate 13th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | David Weinstein (incumbent) | 37,829 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,829 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 14

incumbent Democrat Vernon Malone has represented the 14th district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 14th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Vernon Malone (incumbent) | 45,727 | 64.11% |
| | Republican | John Odoom | 25,595 | 35.89% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 71,322 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 15

Incumbent Republican John Carrington has represented the 15th district and its predecessors since 1995. Carrington lost re-nomination to fellow Republican Neal Hunt, who won the general election.
North Carolina Senate 15th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Neal Hunt | 59,970 | 84.58% |
| | Libertarian | Lee Griffin | 10,934 | 15.42% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 70,904 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 16

Incumbent Democrat Eric Miller Reeves has represented the 16th district and its predecessors since 1997. Reeves retired and Democrat Janet Cowell won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 16th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Janet Cowell | 45,396 | 59.44% |
| | Republican | Mark A. Bradick | 28,995 | 37.97% |
| | Libertarian | Jason P. Mara | 1,979 | 2.59% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 76,370 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard Y. Stevens (incumbent) | 55,908 | 58.74% |
| | Democratic | Norwood Clark | 37,432 | 39.33% |
| | Libertarian | Ryan Maas | 1,844 | 1.94% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 95,184 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 18

Incumbent Democrat Wib Gulley, who had represented the 18th district and its predecessors since 1993, resigned on March 19, 2004. Ralph Alexander Hunt was appointed to finish Hunt's term on April 21, 2004. Hunt didn't seek a full term and Democrat Bob Atwater won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 18th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bob Atwater | 46,875 | 58.04% |
| | Republican | Christine Mumma | 32,709 | 40.50% |
| | Libertarian | Jon Guze | 1,186 | 1.47% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 80,770 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 19

Incumbent Democratic Majority Leader Tony Rand has represented the 19th district and its predecessors since 1995.
North Carolina Senate 19th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tony Rand (incumbent) | 43,413 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,413 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 20

Incumbent Democrat Jeanne Hopkins Lucas has represented the 20th district and its predecessors since 1993.
North Carolina Senate 20th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jeanne Hopkins Lucas (incumbent) | 55,050 | 90.24% |
| | Libertarian | Ray Ubinger | 5,953 | 9.76% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 61,003 | 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.
North Carolina Senate 21st district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Larry Shaw (incumbent) | 27,866 | 61.21% |
| | Republican | Richard D. Evans | 16,434 | 36.10% |
| | Libertarian | Brian Irving | 1,225 | 2.69% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 45,525 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Harris Blake (incumbent) | 35,605 | 51.73% |
| | Democratic | Oscar Harris | 33,229 | 48.27% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 68,834 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Eleanor Kinnaird (incumbent) | 49,730 | 65.40% |
| | Republican | Robert E. "Whit" Whitfield | 26,307 | 34.60% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 76,037 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 24

Incumbent Republican Hugh Webster has represented the 24th district since 1995.
North Carolina Senate 24th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Hugh Webster (incumbent) | 35,989 | 57.94% |
| | Democratic | Tony Foriest | 26,127 | 42.06% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,116 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 25

Incumbent Democrat Bill Purcell has represented the 25th district and its predecessors since 1997.
North Carolina Senate 25th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bill Purcell (incumbent) | 37,319 | 81.53% |
| | Independent | Jerry Lineau Gattis (write-in) | 8,457 | 18.47% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 45,776 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Districts 26–50
#### District 26

Incumbent Republican Phil Berger has represented the 26th district and its predecessors since 2001.
North Carolina Senate 26th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Phil Berger (incumbent) | 59,618 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 59,618 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 27

Incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan has represented the 27th district and its predecessors since 1999.
North Carolina Senate 27th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kay Hagan (incumbent) | 49,573 | 65.85% |
| | Republican | Bobby Coffer | 23,910 | 31.76% |
| | Libertarian | Rusty Sheridan | 1,797 | 2.39% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 75,280 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 28

Incumbent Democrat Katie G. Dorsett has represented the 28th district since 2003.
2008 North Carolina Senate District 28th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Katie G. Dorsett (incumbent) | 47,583 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,583 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jerry W. Tillman (incumbent) | 42,292 | 70.56% |
| | Democratic | Charles K. Moss | 17,644 | 29.44% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 59,936 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 30

The new 30th district includes all of Alleghany, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin counties and has no incumbent. Republican Don W. East won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 30th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Don W. East | 40,611 | 64.67% |
| | Democratic | Melvin T. Jackson | 22,188 | 35.33% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,799 | 100% |
| | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) |

#### District 31

Incumbent Republican Hamilton Horton Jr. has represented the 31st district and its predecessors since 1995.
North Carolina Senate 31st district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Hamilton Horton Jr. (incumbent) | 62,098 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,098 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Linda Garrou (incumbent) | 38,903 | 69.69% |
| | Republican | W. R. "Bill" Dowe | 16,920 | 30.31% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 55,823 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Stan Bingham (incumbent) | 54,801 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 54,801 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Andrew C. Brock (incumbent) | 41,800 | 63.31% |
| | Democratic | Larry C. Brown | 24,223 | 36.69% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 66,023 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 35

Incumbent Republican Fern Shubert has represented the 35th district since 2003. Shubert ran for governor. Fellow Republican Eddie Goodall won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate District 35th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Eddie Goodall | 55,204 | 99.59% |
| | Independent | Cornelius F. "Neal" Brantley Jr. (write-in) | 230 | 0.41% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 55,434 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. (incumbent) | 46,848 | 81.42% |
| | Libertarian | Mike Helms | 10,692 | 18.58% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 57,540 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Clodfelter (incumbent) | 40,902 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,902 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Charlie Dannelly (incumbent) | 47,898 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,898 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 39

The new 39th district includes the homes of incumbent Republicans Bob Rucho, who has represented the 39th district and its predecessors since 1997, and Robert Pittenger, who has represented the 40th district since 2003. Rucho retired and Pittenger was elected here.
North Carolina Senate 39th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Robert Pittenger (incumbent) | 64,948 | 89.08% |
| | Libertarian | Andy Grum | 7,965 | 10.92% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 72,913 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 40

The new 40th district is based in Mecklenburg County and had no incumbent. Democrat Maclom Graham won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 40th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Malcolm Graham | 42,096 | 57.88% |
| | Republican | Brian Sisson | 30,633 | 42.12% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 72,729 | 100% |
| | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) |

#### District 41

The new 41st district includes the homes of incumbent Republicans R. B. Sloan Jr., who has represented the 41st district since 2003, and James Forrester, who has represented the 42nd district and its predecessors since 1991. Forrester defeated Sloan in the Republican primary and was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 41st district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James Forrester (incumbent) | 50,458 | 68.93% |
| | Democratic | Rita W. McElwaine | 22,741 | 31.07% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,199 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 42

The new 42nd district overlaps with much of the former 44th district. Incumbent Republican Austin M. Allran, who has represented the 44th district and its predecessors since 1987, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 42nd district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Austin M. Allran (incumbent) | 51,623 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 51,623 | 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.
North Carolina Senate 43rd district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | David W. Hoyle (incumbent) | 28,264 | 53.76% |
| | Republican | Russell Fleming | 24,311 | 46.24% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 52,575 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 44

The new 44th district includes all of Burke and Caldwell counties and has no incumbent. Republican Jim Jacumin won the open seat.
North Carolina 44th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Jacumin | 38,567 | 61.54% |
| | Democratic | Richard Cornwell Avery | 24,100 | 38.46% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,667 | 100% |
| | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) |

#### District 45

The new 45th district includes the homes of Incumbent Republicans Virginia Foxx, who has represented the 45th district and its predecessors since 1995, and John Garwood, who has represented the 30th district and its predecessors since 1997. Foxx ran for the U.S. House and Garwood was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 45th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Garwood (incumbent) | 47,005 | 61.69% |
| | Democratic | Jim Cain | 29,192 | 38.31% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 76,197 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 46

Incumbent Democrat Walter H. Dalton has represented the 46th district and its predecessors since 1997.
North Carolina Senate 46th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Walter H. Dalton (incumbent) | 32,595 | 53.43% |
| | Republican | James "Jim" Testa | 28,409 | 46.57% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 61,004 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 47

Incumbent Democrat Joe Sam Queen has represented the 47th district since 2003. Queen lost re-election to Republican Keith Presnell.
North Carolina Senate 47th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Keith Presnell | 37,791 | 52.56% |
| | Democratic | Joe Sam Queen (incumbent) | 34,115 | 47.44% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 71,906 | 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, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Apodaca (incumbent) | 47,832 | 61.99% |
| | Democratic | Matthew C. Rogers | 29,327 | 38.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 77,159 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 49

Incumbent Democrat Martin Nesbitt has represented the 49th district since his appointment in 2004. Nesbitt was elected to a full term.
North Carolina Senate 49th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Martin Nesbitt (incumbent) | 43,727 | 61.40% |
| | Republican | R. L. Clark | 27,492 | 38.60% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 71,669 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 50

Incumbent Republican Bob Carpenter has represented the 50th district and its predecessors since 1989. Carpenter lost re-election to Democrat John Snow.
North Carolina Senate 50th district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Snow | 35,722 | 49.39% |
| | Republican | Bob Carpenter (incumbent) | 35,438 | 49.00% |
| | Libertarian | Ben Lamm | 1,164 | 1.61% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 72,324 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |