North Carolina’s fast-growing school voucher program is now funding nearly $600 million in taxpayer-backed scholarships for private school students, and Republican-led lawmakers have handed Gov. Josh Stein another school-choice defeat.

Spending on Opportunity Scholarships reached $589 million in 2026, up from $4.6 million in 2015, and now supports more than 100,000 private-school students, Axios reported, citing data from the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. The program has surged since lawmakers expanded eligibility, climbing from $79.5 million in 2022 to $432.2 million in 2025.

The new numbers landed as House Bill 87 became law June 3 after the General Assembly overrode Stein’s veto. The bill, the Educational Choice for Children Act, opts North Carolina into a federal school-choice tax credit launching in 2027, allowing taxpayers in participating states to claim up to $1,700 annually for donations to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations.

Stein said after the override that he vetoed the measure because the state was still waiting for “sound guidance” from the federal government. He argued lawmakers should put more money into public schools, while saying he sees potential for public-school students to benefit through tutoring, after-school programs and summer learning.

Supporters and opponents split sharply over the override, with school-choice advocates calling it a win for parents and teachers union leaders arguing it undercuts public schools.The spending spike has drawn oversight. State Auditor Dave Boliek’s office is auditing the Opportunity Scholarship program and expects to release results later this year. With voucher spending still projected to grow, the audit could shape North Carolina’s next fight over school choice.

North Carolina held primaries for the upcoming mid-terms, including key races for the GOP and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

In the newly redrawn District 1, retired Army Col. Laurie Buckhout won the crowded GOP primary by about 40%, clearing the North Carolina runoff threshold and avoiding the intraparty fight. This gives Col. Buckhout a rematch with Democratic Incumbent Rep. Don Davis. 

The newly redrawn district gives Buckhout a stronger path to the capitol than it did in 2024. Col. Buckhout narrowly defeated Davis The new district lines moved an area with a Trump 2024 margin from 51%, to include areas increasing it to 55%. This election is crucial for the N.C. GOP since this could result in a flip of a seat in an already razor thin margin in the House. (RELATED:North Carolina Senate Race Heats Up as Cooper, Whatley Pull in Millions)

The GOP saw a strong showing for their endorsed candidates across the board. Rep. Virginia Foxx won the 5th District GOP primary with 74.55% of the vote. Rep. David Rouzer dominated in the 7th District with 80.48%. Rep. Pat Harrigan won the 10th District primary with 87.69%, while Rep. Chuck Edwards defeated Adam Smith in the 11th District GOP primary with 70.09%. Freshman Rep. Brad Knott won the 13th District primary with 89.93%, and Rep. Tim Moore took 83.02% in the 14th.

The closest race came on the Democratic side in the 4th District, where Rep. Valerie Foushee held only a 1,200-vote, 0.98-point lead over Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam on election night. All other democratic primaries were won in similar landslide fashion. (RELATED:NC Budget Bust: Lawmakers Flee Raleigh as State Remains Only in Nation Without Spending Plan)

The North Carolina State Board of Elections delayed statewide results until 8:30 p.m. after voting was extended by one hour at the Littleton precinct in Halifax County. The board said the site opened late because of an electronic poll book synchronization issue and that backup procedures were not immediately used. State officials emphasized that minor disruptions can happen across more than 2,600 polling places. Despite the reported anomalies, there have not been any reported issues with the voting collection.

In the midst of a big mid-term cycle for Republicans, the race for the vacant North Carolina senate seat has heated up as campaign funds have entered the tens of millions. 

Senator Thom Tillis currently occupies one of the Tar Heel State’s Senate Seats, and announced he will not be seeking re-election this coming cycle. Tillis vocally disapproved of Trump in recent weeks.

In the 2026 first quarter, Republican Michael Whatley’s campaign managed to raise around $5 million. However, Democratic challenger Roy Cooper more than doubled Whatley’s fundraising, accumulating $13.8 million. Cooper announced he would run to replace Senator Tillis when Tillis said he wouldn’t run for the seat again. Cooper was succeeded due to term limits in 2024 by current Democratic governor Josh Stein.

During Cooper’’s time in office, his power was relatively limited due to the Republican super majority in the legislative branch. Once the super majority was removed, Cooper vetoed multiple bills. Some of this vetoed legislation includes: increased jail time/punishment for Doctors who don’t resuscitate infants who survive abortions, a requirement that county sheriff’s offices cooperate with ICE, and the approval of a sweeping school choice scholarship program. 

Cooper’s campaign is centered around a motto of “Make Stuff Cost Less.” However, Cooper’s campaign supports a wide range expansion of government subsidized health care. Cooper also claims to support farmers and wants to lower the cost of groceries. When in office, Cooper vetoed legislation for the protection of hog farmers against lawsuits. 

Michael Whatley, served as the DNC chair since he was elected in 2024. Whatley oversaw the GOP red wave in the 2024 General, when republicans took the House, Senate, and Presidency. After his success, Whatley was reelected and Trump-endorsed as RNC chair in 2025. Due to his position in the RNC, Whatley is heavily campaigning his strong relationship with President Trump. 

 Whatley has been a big proponent of tax cuts, for citizens and corporations to do business. Whatley said he has seen tax cuts as the route to achieve job creation and a strong economy. Whatley mentions prioritizing, small businesses, farmers, and manufacturers, who he labels as “job creators.” (RELATED: New Poll Shows NC Republican Base Will Walk Away From 2026 Senate Race If SAVE America Act Dies In The Senate)

“The real conversation that we’re having today is how do we create more jobs, how do you create better jobs, how do we make sure people are going to take home more money, and how do we make sure that people are going to keep more money that they could use for their households in North Carolina?” Whatley said.  

On a foreign policy front, Whatley believes the U.S. should remain on track with Trump’s handling of Iran, while continuing to prevent their possession of nuclear weapons. Whatley is also a supporter that the U.S. should continue to strive for the goal of being the number one energy producer.

(RELATED: Gov. Stein Demands Pay Raises While Doing Nothing To Break The Two-Year Legislative Stalemate He Helped Create)

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