Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 23, 2026

Carla Cunningham

Carla D. Cunningham is an American politician. She has served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 106th district since 2012. Cunningham was considered a conservative Democrat before she changed her affiliation to Independent after being defeated in the 2026 Democratic primary.

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Carla Cunningham
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 106th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2013
Preceded byMartha B. Alexander
Personal details
Born (1962-01-12) January 12, 1962
Wadesboro, North Carolina, U.S.
PartyDemocratic (before 2026)
Independent (2026–present)
Education

Carla D. Cunningham (born January 12, 1962) is an American politician. She has served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 106th district since 2012.12 Cunningham was considered a conservative Democrat before she changed her affiliation to Independent after being defeated in the 2026 Democratic primary.3

Education, career and politics

She was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina, and graduated from Anson High School in 1980.4 She earned a diploma in nursing from Central Piedmont Community College in 1981, an associate's degree in nursing from Gaston College in 1996, and a bachelor's of science in nursing from Winston-Salem State University in 2009.4 She practiced nursing for more than 30 years.4

In July 2025, Carla Cunningham notably crossed party lines, resulting in a 72-48 vote in the House overriding Democratic Governor Josh Stein veto of a bill that requires North Carolina sheriffs to work closer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to support the mass deportations in the second presidency of Donald Trump. She declared, "All cultures are not equal. Some immigrants come and believe they can function in isolation, I suggest they must assimilate. Adapt to the country they want to live in." Cunningham also drew criticism from her Democratic colleagues for the perceived incendiary floor speech in which she accused immigrants of "destabilizing" communities. She was also a key vote on overriding the veto of two other bills opposed by the Governor and liberal Democrats in the legislature. Cunningham was known as a conservative Democrat.56

She lost her reelection campaign in March 2026 to primary challenger Rodney Sadler.7

Electoral history

2026

North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district Democratic primary election, 20268
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rodney Sadler 7,716 69.96%
Democratic Carla Cunningham (incumbent) 2,401 21.77%
Democratic Vermanno Bowman 912 8.27%
Total votes 11,029 100%

2024

North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district Democratic primary election, 20249
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carla Cunningham (incumbent) 6,209 84.56%
Democratic Vermanno Bowman 1,134 15.44%
Total votes 7,343 100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district general election, 202410
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carla Cunningham (incumbent) 40,633 100%
Total votes 40,633 100%
Democratic hold

2022

North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district general election, 202211
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carla Cunningham (incumbent) 20,559 70.14%
Republican Karen Henning 8,751 29.86%
Total votes 29,310 100%
Democratic hold

2020

North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district general election, 202012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carla Cunningham (incumbent) 34,510 100%
Total votes 34,510 100%
Democratic hold

2018

North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district Democratic primary election, 201813
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carla Cunningham (incumbent) 4,036 88.88%
Democratic Blanche Penn 505 11.12%
Total votes 4,541 100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district general election, 201814
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carla Cunningham (incumbent) 20,261 80.55%
Republican Geovani Opry Sherow 4,892 19.45%
Total votes 25,153 100%
Democratic hold

2016

North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district general election, 201615
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carla Cunningham (incumbent) 27,247 100%
Total votes 27,247 100%
Democratic hold

2014

North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district general election, 201416
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carla Cunningham (incumbent) 12,942 86.64%
Republican Trey Lowe 1,996 13.36%
Total votes 14,938 100%
Democratic hold

2012

North Carolina House of Representatives 106th district general election, 201217
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carla Cunningham 26,577 100%
Total votes 26,577 100%
Democratic win (new seat)
References

References

  1. "Carla Cunningham". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  2. "Carla Cunningham". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  3. Johncox, Cassidy (2026-04-24). "North Carolina state Rep. Carla Cunningham switches voter affiliation from Democrat to unaffiliated". WBTV. Retrieved 2026-04-26.
  4. "About". Carla Cunningham, NC State House. Archived from the original on 2018-08-23. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  5. Thomae, Lucas (2025-07-29). "Democrats' defections doom multiple vetoes from Gov. Stein". Carolina Public Press. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  6. "Immigration veto overruled by NC Republicans with a Charlotte Democrat's help". WUNC. 2025-07-29. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  7. Bonner, Lynn (March 4, 2026). "Veteran Democrat Carla Cunningham suffers huge loss in Charlotte primary". NC Newsline. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  8. [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  9. [2] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  10. [3] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  11. [4] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  12. [5] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  13. [6] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  14. [7] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  15. [8] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  16. [9] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  17. [10] North Carolina State Board of Elections.