Michael H Wray

Current office and 2026 campaign

Michael H. Wray is a former North Carolina state representative who ran in the 2026 Democratic primary for House District 27 (Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties), seeking to reclaim the seat he lost in 2024. He lost the rematch to incumbent Rodney Pierce, who won with approximately 64% of the vote ¹².

Background and education

Born April 6, 1967, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Wray earned a B.A. from Barton College and lives in Gaston, NC ¹.

Career

Wray was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2004 and served from January 2005 to January 2025 - 10 terms, per the General Assembly's record of his service ¹³. He is a small business owner in Gaston and previously served as a Gaston town commissioner before his legislative career ¹³.

Office history

Wray lost the March 5, 2024 Democratic primary for District 27 to Rodney Pierce by 34 votes (5,986 to 5,952, 50.14% to 49.86%) ¹². He ran again in the 2026 primary rematch and lost, with Pierce winning approximately 64% of the vote ¹².

Legislative record and accomplishments

In the 2023-2024 session, Wray chaired the House Ethics Committee and served as Senior Chair of the Finance Committee ¹. He was a founding member of the North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus in 2011 and a charter member of the Main Street Democrats Caucus in 2015, a group that describes itself as pro-business, moderate Democrats ¹. NC Newsline reported he was one of a handful of Democrats who voted with Republicans to override 14 of then-Gov. Roy Cooper's 25 vetoes in the 2023-2024 session; Wray said in a statement he prioritized "working in the back rooms of the State Legislature" to bring state funding to his rural district ².

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