Charles Vinson Graham Jr. (born February 26, 1951) is an American politician who served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 47th district.[1][2] Graham, a member of the state-recognized Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, was the only Native American who was serving in the General Assembly[3] until the election of his successor Jarrod Lowery.[4]
Charles Graham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 47th district | |
| In office January 1, 2011 – January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Ronnie Sutton |
| Succeeded by | Jarrod Lowery |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Vinson Graham Jr. February 26, 1951 Pembroke, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Pembroke (BS) Appalachian State University (MEd) Lehigh University (EdS) |
Career
Graham is a former member of the Election Law Committee in the North Carolina State House of Representatives, and of the Subcommittee on Business and Labor in the North Carolina State House of Representatives. He also now serves on seven legislative committees: he is Vice Chair of the Agriculture committee, he serves on the Appropriations committee, he serves as the vice chair of the committee for Commerce and Job Development, he is a member of the insurance committee, he serves in the Subcommittee on Appropriations, Justice and Public Safety, he serves in the Subcommittee on Education, K-12, and also in the Transportation committee.[5]
During the 2016 legislative session, Graham was one of 11 Democrats to vote in favor of the House Bill 2, the controversial "Bathroom Bill."[6] In October 2021, Graham issued an apology for voting in favor of the bill.[7]
2022 congressional campaign
On October 5, 2021, Graham announced he was running for Congress in North Carolina's 9th congressional district.[8][9] His campaign video went viral on Twitter, where it received over 5 million views.[10]
Following redistricting, however, Graham switched to the 7th congressional district.[11]
Electoral history
2022
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Graham | 13,054 | 31.23% | |
| Democratic | Charles E. Evans | 12,263 | 29.34% | |
| Democratic | Steve Miller | 9,744 | 23.31% | |
| Democratic | Yushonda Midgette | 6,738 | 16.12% | |
| Total votes | 41,799 | 100% | ||
2020
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Graham (incumbent) | 14,470 | 52.44% | |
| Republican | Olivia Oxedine | 13,126 | 47.56% | |
| Total votes | 27,596 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2018
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Graham (incumbent) | 11,496 | 58.91% | |
| Republican | Jarrod Lowery | 8,018 | 41.09% | |
| Total votes | 19,514 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2016
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Graham (incumbent) | 5,634 | 58.39% | |
| Democratic | Randall Jones | 4,015 | 41.61% | |
| Total votes | 9,649 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Graham (incumbent) | 17,366 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 17,366 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2014
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Graham (incumbent) | 9,978 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 9,978 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2012
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Graham (incumbent) | 18,322 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 18,322 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2010
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Graham | 4,544 | 51.04% | |
| Democratic | Ronnie Sutton (incumbent) | 4,358 | 48.96% | |
| Total votes | 8,902 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Graham | 7,865 | 66.83% | |
| Republican | Brawleigh Jason Graham | 3,903 | 33.17% | |
| Total votes | 11,768 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2008
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ronnie Sutton (incumbent) | 6,932 | 59.53% | |
| Democratic | Charles Graham | 4,713 | 40.47% | |
| Total votes | 11,645 | 100% | ||
References
External links
- Charles Graham for Congress campaign website
- Representative Charles Graham official legislative website