With Democrats taking control of Congress, Stein hopes for more Western NC recovery funds

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is hoping the newly-elected Democratic majorities in Congress will move more quickly than Republican incumbents have to send hurricane recovery funding for Western North Carolina, he told reporters Wednesday. 

A blue tsunami hit the Tar Heel State Tuesday night as Democrats coasted to victory in the U.S. Senate and flipped at least five seats in the U.S. House. At the state level, unofficial results show Democrats winning a near-supermajority in the North Carolina House and gaining seats in the Senate.

Nationally, Democrats flipped both chambers in Congress. By winning North Carolina and six other seats, Democrats stand to hold at least 54 seats in the U.S. Senate, while Republicans have 44. Races in Alaska and Mississippi are yet to be called, although Democrats narrowly lead in both. In the U.S. House, Democrats also won a sizable majority. 

North Carolina will send more Democrats than Republicans to Congress next year. Former Gov. Roy Cooper, who was serving at the time the storm hit in 2024, is among the new faces heading to Washington in January. 

“Senator-elect Cooper understands very well the needs of Western North Carolina,” Stein told reporters outside the Executive Mansion in Raleigh on Wednesday. “His voice will be loud and important, and I am eager to work with him.”

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate. North Carolina’s GOP senators, Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, have pressed Washington for more Hurricane Helene aid, but Congress hasn’t delivered.

The federal government has provided about $11 billion towards recovery funding from Helene. 

“It sounds like a lot until you realize the damage was $60 billion,” Stein said. “I want this Congress to act before the year ends, but if this Congress doesn’t, I’m going to work with Senator-elect Cooper to make sure that people of Western North Carolina are supported.”

Stein said Democrats flipped the North Carolina House “in dramatic fashion.”

Looking ahead at the 2027 legislative session, the governor said his priorities are making the right investments in the budget, supporting the recovery and economic development of Western North Carolina, and setting conditions for continued economic success.

He said he’s eager to work with Rep. Robert Reives, D-Chatham, and Sen. Sydney Batch, D-Wake, who are expected to become House Speaker and Senate Democratic leader, respectively. The caucuses will hold leadership elections in the upcoming weeks.

“There is a lot that’s going right for North Carolina,” Stein said. “I want to make sure that we continue that momentum so that more people can actually feel the real benefits, the tangible benefits of this economic growth.”