(The Center Square) – Rep. Tricia Cotham, who rose to notoriety for her party switch earlier this year, will try to remain in the North Carolina House of Representatives in the 2024 election cycle rather than other speculated openings that included Congress.
Cotham, R-Mecklenburg, in a Saturday morning social media post said, “My home is full of family today. After our prayers and talks, I’ve decided that I will seek reelection to keep representing Mecklenburg County and I look forward to meeting the voters of HD-105.”
Cotham, an educator by trade, represents District 112. All districts were recently redrawn, putting her in the new 105th. The changes presented her options to run for the district her home is in, possibly move elsewhere in the Charlotte area to a more Republican-friendly area, or to run for Congress. District 105 is expected to be among the competitive districts next November.
Saying Democrats “picked the wrong chick” to try and control, Cotham on April 5 said she was leaving Democrats to join the Republican Party. It made the House membership 72 Republicans and 48 Democrats, a supermajority of three-fifths required should the chamber attempt to override a governor’s veto. The Senate was already at 30 Republicans, 20 Democrats, also a supermajority as needed for gubernatorial override.
Cotham, who turns 45 on Sunday, said, “If you don’t do exactly what the Democrats want you to do, they will try to bully you. They will cast you aside.”
She cited the example of emojis on her social media, and her vehicle – the American flag and praying hands.
Republican National Convention Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said, “Even in a Biden district in a purple state, Democrats are reading the writing on the wall: liberal policies are too extreme and they’re failing Americans. Ahead of 2024, Republican momentum is growing and we are proud to welcome Tricia Cotham to the Republican Party.”
The veto-proof supermajorities have helped Republicans in this session alone overturn 19 vetoes of Gov. Roy Cooper. The General Assembly had 13 failed attempts to overturn Cooper vetoes in the sessions of 2019-20 and 2021-22.
Several other incumbents made their intentions known rolling into Monday morning. That list included Sen. Vickie Sawyer, R-Mecklenburg, and Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, each of whom will seek reelection to their respective chambers.
