Gaston businessman Michael Wray, a Democrat, officially filed today seeking re-election to his long-held seat in NC House District 27, including Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties.

“This campaign is about standing up for the people in our district.  It’s about results — not political rhetoric,” said Mr. Wray, who served 20 years in the General Assembly before losing the Democratic nomination by less than 34 votes in the March 2024 primary. “During my tenure in the NC House, I brought home more than $200 million in state funds for local projects and programs. These funds have been used by county government, our cities and towns, community groups, and local nonprofit organizations.” 

Wray said these monies have been used to build a new courthouse, renovate an existing county office building, repair local water systems, keep a nursing home open and purchase new fire trucks.

Wray said, “I am not going to apologize for working in the back rooms of the state legislature to make sure that our region gets money from the state budget.”

As a state lawmaker, Wray was instrumental in the passage of Medicaid Expansion, which provided healthcare coverage to more than 20,000 residents in the district and more than 600,000 residents across the state. “Now, more than ever, we are going to need representation in Raleigh who can get things done.  We need someone who will work to protect rural communities and provide affordable healthcare,” he said. “I will go to Raleigh and fight for the people in Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties. We need someone in the State House who can stand up and make sure we are represented.” 

Wray is a small businessman who operates an insurance agency and hardware store in Gaston.  He and his family are also involved in the timber industry and some farming operations. 

He said he is proud to call Northampton County home and his mission in politics has been to make sure the region gets what’s due in state funding. “This primary election is about making sure we have a state representative in Raleigh who can deliver results and state funds for our region. We need a state representative who can pass legislation and can secure state funds for our three counties and our local organizations. That’s what this campaign is all about.”