GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Republican candidates held leads in all three North Carolina General Assembly races affecting Wayne County following Tuesday’s 2026 midterm elections.
Unofficial election night results showed Republican Buck Newton leading the North Carolina Senate District 4 race, while Republicans Jimmy Dixon and John Bell held advantages in their respective North Carolina House of Representatives contests.
While Republicans maintained leads across all three districts, the results in Wayne County showed some closer margins, particularly in the House District 4 race.
Buck Newton Leads NC Senate District 4 Race
In the race for North Carolina Senate District 4, Republican Buck Newton led Democratic challenger Jessica “Jess” Rivera.
Newton received 27,827 votes districtwide, representing 52.08%, compared to Rivera, who received 25,603 votes, or 47.92%.
Newton held a districtwide lead of 2,224 votes.
In Wayne County, the contest was also competitive. Newton received 19,826 votes, while Rivera received 18,504 votes.
The Wayne County results gave Newton a lead of 1,322 votes locally.
Jimmy Dixon Leads NC House District 4 Race
In the race for North Carolina House of Representatives District 4, Republican Jimmy Dixon held a lead over Democrat Vernon Moore.
Dixon received 13,780 votes across the district, representing 55.16%, while Moore received 11,204 votes, or 44.84%.
Dixon led Moore by 2,576 votes districtwide.
However, Wayne County voters were more closely divided.
Dixon received 4,723 votes in Wayne County, compared to Moore, who received 4,475 votes.
Just 248 votes separated the two candidates in Wayne County, making it one of the closest local legislative contests on election night.
John Bell Leads NC House District 10 Race
In the race for North Carolina House of Representatives District 10, Republican John Bell led Democratic challenger Zyaire Webb.
Bell received 16,019 votes, representing 54.86%, compared to Webb, who received 13,180 votes, or 45.14%.
Bell held a lead of 2,839 votes in the districtwide results.
The contest was another key legislative race affecting Wayne County, with voters deciding representation in the North Carolina House.
2026 North Carolina General Assembly Election Results
Unofficial election night totals
NC Senate District 4
| Candidate | Districtwide Votes | Percentage | Wayne County Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buck Newton (R) | 27,827 | 52.08% | 19,826 |
| Jessica “Jess” Rivera (D) | 25,603 | 47.92% | 18,504 |
NC House District 4
| Candidate | Districtwide Votes | Percentage | Wayne County Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Dixon (R) | 13,780 | 55.16% | 4,723 |
| Vernon Moore (D) | 11,204 | 44.84% | 4,475 |
NC House District 10
| Candidate | Districtwide Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| John Bell (R) | 16,019 | 54.86% |
| Zyaire Webb (D) | 13,180 | 45.14% |
Wayne County Voter Turnout Reaches 50%
Wayne County recorded a voter turnout of 50.04%, with 38,788 ballots cast out of 77,521 registered voters.
The unofficial results show Republican candidates maintaining leads in all three General Assembly races affecting Wayne County, although voting margins varied significantly between the districts.
The North Carolina General Assembly plays a major role in shaping state policies, including education funding, transportation improvements, public safety, economic development, and state budget decisions that directly impact Wayne County residents.
All election night results remain unofficial and are subject to change as election officials complete the canvassing process.
The Wayne County Board of Elections is scheduled to conduct its official canvass on Friday, November 13, 2026.
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