There weren?t many surprises last night in races for the N.C. Senate. The House is a different matter. Incumbent Democrats got knocked off in races that weren?t on pundits? radar ? districts 46 and 65.
In the first race, GOP?er Gaston Prigden upset eight-term incumbent Democrat Douglas Yongue 52-48 percent. Democrats have a 56-21 percent advantage in voter registration in the district, so the upset here was quite a surprise.
In district 65, unaffiliated conservative candidate Bert Jones beat Democratic incumbent Nelson Cole 56-44 percent. The most likely scenario is that Jones will caucus with Republicans. Again, another surprise.
Two other House races are very narrow. In district 45, incumbent Democrat Rick Glazier has a 24-vote lead over Republican Jackie Warner. In district 44, Democrat Diane Parfitt barely is hanging onto a 70-vote advantage over Republican Johnny Dawkins.
Regardless of how these races turn out, Republicans have picked up at least 14 seats in the House, by my count ? five more than was needed to win a majority.