Michael H. Wray (born April 6, 1967) is a Democratic former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. Wray represented the 27th district (including constituents in Halifax and Northampton counties) from 2005 until 2025. Wray is also a small business owner in Gaston, North Carolina.

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.

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.

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. 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.

During the 2016 legislative session, Wray was one of 11 Democrats to vote in favor of House Bill 2, the controversial "Bathroom Bill."

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

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary election, 2024
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticRodney Pierce5,98650.14%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)5,95249.86%
Total votes11,937100%

2022

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary election, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)10,86679.00%
DemocraticJerry McDaniel2,88921.00%
Total votes13,755100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)18,11661.44%
RepublicanWes Tripp11,37038.56%
Total votes29,486100%
Democratic hold

2020

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary election, 2020
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)6,85655.75%
DemocraticKelby Hicks4,53636.89%
DemocraticJerry McDaniel9057.36%
Total votes12,297100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2020
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)23,16966.78%
RepublicanWarren Scott Nail11,52733.22%
Total votes34,696100%
Democratic hold

2018

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)7,31956.15%
DemocraticFranklin D. Williams Jr.5,71643.85%
Total votes13,035100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)16,78369.33%
RepublicanRaymond (Ray) Dyer7,42630.67%
Total votes24,209100%
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.

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)7,41852.39%
DemocraticFranklin D. Williams Jr.6,74147.61%
Total votes14,159100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)29,200100%
Total votes29,200100%
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.

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary election, 2014
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)8,45857.97%
DemocraticFranklin D. Williams Jr.6,13242.03%
Total votes14,590100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2014
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)17,446100%
Total votes17,446100%
Democratic hold

2012

Wray was challenged in the May 8, 2012 Democratic primary by James Mills. Wray won the primary and defeated Libertarian candidate Jesse Shearin in the general election.

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary election, 2012
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)9,05261.71%
DemocraticJames Mills5,61638.29%
Total votes14,668100%
North Carolina House of representatives 27th district general election, 2012
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)29,71490.94%
LibertarianJesse Shearin2,9609.06%
Total votes32,674100%
Democratic hold

2010

Wray was unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)17,701100%
Total votes17,701100%
Democratic hold

2008

Wray was unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)27,387100%
Total votes27,387100%
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.

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)8,55176.71%
DemocraticAnthony Butler1,87816.85%
DemocraticHoward Ervin7186.44%
Total votes100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray (incumbent)13,839100%
Total votes13,839100%
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.

North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary election, 2004
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticRichard M. Henderson2,88229.31%
DemocraticMichael Wray2,87429.23%
DemocraticGrace M. Edwards2,29023.29%
DemocraticJohn Soles1,58616.13%
DemocraticJulius O. Webb2002.03%
Total votes9,832100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district Democratic primary run-off election, 2004
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray2,98251.36%
DemocraticRichard M. Henderson2,82448.64%
Total votes5,806100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2004
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticMichael Wray21,237100%
Total votes21,237100%
Democratic hold
North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded byStanley FoxMember of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 27th district 2005–2025Succeeded byRodney Pierce

External links

  • Personal Website for Campaign & News
  • official NC House website
  • profile
  • Follow the Money - Michael H. Wray campaign contributions