Michael H. Wray
American politician (born 1967)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael H. Wray (born April 6, 1967) is a Democratic former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.[1][2] Wray represented the 27th district (including constituents in Halifax and Northampton counties) from 2005 until 2025.[3] Wray is also a small business owner in Gaston, North Carolina.
Michael Wray | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 27th district | |
| In office January 1, 2005 – January 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Stanley Fox |
| Succeeded by | Rodney Pierce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael H. Wray April 6, 1967 |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kay |
| Children | 2 |
| Barton College (BA) | |
| Occupation | small business owner |
In 2026, Wray sought to regain his former seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives but was soundly defeated in the Democratic primary by incumbent Rodney Pierce, who won the rematch with approximately 64% of the vote.[4]
North Carolina House of Representatives
A former Gaston town commissioner, Wray was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2004.
He had been re-elected a total of 8 times defeating both primary and general election challengers, before being defeated in the 2024 Democratic primary by public school teacher Rodney Pierce.[5]
Wray was a founding member of the North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus in 2011 and serves as the group's Democratic Co-chair in the House.[6] In 2015, Wray became a charter member of the Main Street Democrats Caucus in the North Carolina General Assembly. The Main Street Democrats describe themselves as pro-business, moderate Democrats.[7]
During the 2016 legislative session, Wray was one of 11 Democrats to vote in favor of House Bill 2, the controversial "Bathroom Bill."[8]
Committee assignments
2023–2024 Session
- Ethics (chair)
- Finance (Senior Chair)
- Agriculture (Vice Chair)
- Alcoholic Beverage Control
- Energy and Public Utilities
- Health
- Insurance
- Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- Wildlife Resources
2021–2022 Session
- Ethics (chair)
- Finance (chair)
- Agriculture (Vice Chair)
- Energy and Public Utilities
- Health
- Insurance
- Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
2019–2020 Session
- Appropriations
- Appropriations - Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources
- Ethics (chair)
- Agriculture (Vice Chair)
- Energy and Public Utilities
- Health
- Insurance
- Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
2017–2018 Session
- Appropriations
- Appropriations - Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources
- Energy and Public Utilities
- Health
- Insurance
- Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- Health Care Reform
- Wildlife Resources
- University Board of Governors Nominating
- Transportation
2015–2016 Session
- Appropriations
- Appropriations - Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources
- Commerce and Job Development (Vice Chair)
- Ethics
- Health
- Insurance
- Public Utilities
- Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- Education - Universities
- Wildlife Resources
- Committee on Chowanoke Nation Recognition (Non-Standing)
- Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations (Non-Standing)
- Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services (Non-Standing)
- Committee on Land Development (Non-Standing)
2013–2014 Session
- Appropriations
- Commerce and Job Development
- Health and Human Services
- Insurance
- Public Utilities
- Environment
2011–2012 Session
- Appropriations
- Commerce and Job Development
- Health and Human Services
- Insurance
- Public Utilities
2009–2010 Session
- Appropriations
- Agriculture
- Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship
- Insurance
- Transportation
- Wildlife Resources
Electoral history
2024
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rodney Pierce | 5,986 | 50.14% | |
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 5,952 | 49.86% | |
| Total votes | 11,937 | 100% | ||
2022
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 10,866 | 79.00% | |
| Democratic | Jerry McDaniel | 2,889 | 21.00% | |
| Total votes | 13,755 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 18,116 | 61.44% | |
| Republican | Wes Tripp | 11,370 | 38.56% | |
| Total votes | 29,486 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2020
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 6,856 | 55.75% | |
| Democratic | Kelby Hicks | 4,536 | 36.89% | |
| Democratic | Jerry McDaniel | 905 | 7.36% | |
| Total votes | 12,297 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 23,169 | 66.78% | |
| Republican | Warren Scott Nail | 11,527 | 33.22% | |
| Total votes | 34,696 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2018
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 7,319 | 56.15% | |
| Democratic | Franklin D. Williams Jr. | 5,716 | 43.85% | |
| Total votes | 13,035 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 16,783 | 69.33% | |
| Republican | Raymond (Ray) Dyer | 7,426 | 30.67% | |
| Total votes | 24,209 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2016
Wray was challenged in the Democratic primary by Franklin D. Williams Jr. Wray won the primary and was unopposed in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 7,418 | 52.39% | |
| Democratic | Franklin D. Williams Jr. | 6,741 | 47.61% | |
| Total votes | 14,159 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 29,200 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 29,200 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2014
Wray was challenged in the Democratic primary by Franklin D. Williams Jr. Wray won the primary and was unopposed in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 8,458 | 57.97% | |
| Democratic | Franklin D. Williams Jr. | 6,132 | 42.03% | |
| Total votes | 14,590 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 17,446 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 17,446 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2012
Wray was challenged in the May 8, 2012 Democratic primary by James Mills.[20] Wray won the primary and defeated Libertarian candidate Jesse Shearin in the general election.[20][21]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 9,052 | 61.71% | |
| Democratic | James Mills | 5,616 | 38.29% | |
| Total votes | 14,668 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 29,714 | 90.94% | |
| Libertarian | Jesse Shearin | 2,960 | 9.06% | |
| Total votes | 32,674 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2010
Wray was unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 17,701 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 17,701 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2008
Wray was unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 27,387 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 27,387 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2006
Wray was challenged in the Democratic primary by Anthony Butler and Howard Ervin. Wray won the primary and was unopposed in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 8,551 | 76.71% | |
| Democratic | Anthony Butler | 1,878 | 16.85% | |
| Democratic | Howard Ervin | 718 | 6.44% | |
| Total votes | 100% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray (incumbent) | 13,839 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 13,839 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2004
Wray was one of five candidates to seek the Democratic nomination to fill the vacant District 27 seat in 2004. Other Democratic primary candidates were Richard M. Henderson, Grace M. Edwards, John Soles, and Julius O. Webb. Wray finished second behind Henderson but finished ahead of Henderson in the subsequent runoff election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Richard M. Henderson | 2,882 | 29.31% | |
| Democratic | Michael Wray | 2,874 | 29.23% | |
| Democratic | Grace M. Edwards | 2,290 | 23.29% | |
| Democratic | John Soles | 1,586 | 16.13% | |
| Democratic | Julius O. Webb | 200 | 2.03% | |
| Total votes | 9,832 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray | 2,982 | 51.36% | |
| Democratic | Richard M. Henderson | 2,824 | 48.64% | |
| Total votes | 5,806 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wray | 21,237 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 21,237 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||