For 20 years, it was my highest honor to serve you in the North Carolina House of Representatives.  

In 2024, I lost the Democratic nomination by 34 votes after a hotly contested campaign. 

After leaving the General Assembly, I have focused my time here at home working in our family business and meeting with local leadership about my future in politics.

After a lot of prayer and a lot of time talking with leaders across Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties, I recently announced my campaign for re-election to the North Carolina House. 

Our district deserves experienced, effective leadership — leadership that delivers real results, not empty promises and a bunch of political rhetoric.

My opponent hasn’t passed a single bill or brought a single dollar back to the district. 

That’s not just inaction — that’s failed leadership. 

Over my time in the legislature, I’ve secured more than $200 million in state funding for our counties. 

That money has gone to build a new courthouse, upgrade local water systems, support job training programs at our community colleges, and keep essential services — like fire departments and nursing homes — open and running. 

I’ve never been in it for headlines. 

My focus has always been on getting things done for the people who call this place home — and that’s exactly what I’ll keep doing.

One of my proudest accomplishments is helping lead the charge to expand Medicaid, which extended health coverage to more than 600,000 North Carolinians, including over 20,000 right here in our district. 

As a primary sponsor of the bill, I worked side by side with Governor Cooper and leadership in both the House and Senate to get the measure passed.

Medicaid expansion has strengthened our rural hospitals, kept clinics open, and given more people the peace of mind that they can get the care they need. 

But we can’t stop there. 

With one in every five adolescents reporting having a major depressive episode over the past year, we must protect that progress and invest further in mental health care so that families in crisis can get the mental healthcare services they need. 

Education is another top priority for this district. 

Our public schools are the most powerful tool we have to lift up future generations. 

I’ve always supported investments in our public schools, community colleges, and university system. 

Every child in North Carolina deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them to succeed — not just in the classroom, but in life. 

Strong schools build strong communities, and I’ll always fight to give our teachers and students the resources they need. 

Education is the bedrock foundation of opportunity — it’s the soil in which we grow tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and productive citizens. 

When we invest in it, we’re not just funding schools — we’re planting seeds that yield a stronger, more prosperous future for us all.

Now, I know some have criticized me for working with those across the political aisle.

Let me be clear: I’m a Democrat, and proud of it. 

But I believe the goal of public service is to serve the people of District 27 — not to score political points. 

Politics today is broken by polarization, and I won’t contribute to that. 

If working across the aisle helps bring funding to our schools, hospitals, or small towns, then I’ll do it every time. 

Reaching across the aisle isn’t weakness — it’s what effective leadership requires.

My wife, Kay, and I have been married for 34 years. We raised our twin sons, Phillip and Matthew, right here in this community. 

Matthew and his wife, Catherine, live here too. 

My sister Cheryl lives in Roanoke Rapids, and I was raised by two wonderful parents who are still by my side, Harold and Shirley. 

They taught me the values I live by today — work hard, be honest, and respect others.

This district is my home. I’ve dedicated my life to serving it, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together. 

But there’s still more work to do. 

With your support, I’ll return to fighting for better schools, stronger healthcare, lasting economic opportunity, and a brighter future for our families and the generations to come.

Michael H. Wray
Candidate for NC House District 27