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Ballot Explained

U.S. House · November 3, 2026

Who's running in North Carolina's 12th congressional district

2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.

Candidates
2
Incumbent
Alma Adams
Parties
Democratic · Republican
State primary
Mar 3

Candidates appear in ballot order. We do not rank them, score them, or recommend one — here is how this is put together, and here is what the office actually does.

2 candidates · ballot order · Alma Adams currently holds this seat

Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.

What they say they stand for

Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.

  • Black maternal health, the subject of the caucus she co-founded.
  • Abortion rights; she is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the National Organization for Women PAC.
  • LGBTQ equality; she is endorsed by Equality North Carolina.
  • Environmental protection; she is endorsed by the Sierra Club.
  • Historically Black colleges and universities, drawing on her years teaching at Bennett College.
  • A negotiated two-state settlement in the Middle East; she is endorsed by J Street.

What they’ve actually done

Documented record from official sources.

  • U.S. Representative since November 2014; re-elected in 2024 with 74.0%.
  • North Carolina state representative for twenty years; art professor at Bennett College for forty years.
  • Co-founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus.
  • Beat Monaca Maye Williamson in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary.

Arguments in favor

We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.

Arguments against

We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.

What we couldn’t verify

  • No published criticism of Adams by name could be found. Searched: her name with 'criticism', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Jack Codiga's campaign, against her Democratic primary opponent, and against Charlotte Observer, WCNC, WFAE and WBTV coverage. Because no case against her exists on the record, no case for her is presented either, rather than showing her own side's case unanswered.
  • She is endorsed by Bend the Arc, Equality North Carolina, J Street, the National Organization for Women PAC, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the Sierra Club, the Working Families Party and the Young Democrats of North Carolina; those are recorded here rather than presented as a one-sided argument.
  • Her 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Their campaign site ↗Sources:almaadamsforcongress.comwcnc.comballotpedia.orgen.wikipedia.org

What they say they stand for

Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.

  • Equal justice under the law.
  • Abolishing the Federal Reserve and returning to gold and silver as the basis of the currency.
  • Free-market economic policy.

What they’ve actually done

Documented record from official sources.

  • Works as a finance professional.
  • Beat Addul Ali in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary.
  • Has not held elected office.

Arguments in favor

We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.

Arguments against

We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.

What we couldn’t verify

  • No published criticism of Codiga by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', against Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee material, against Alma Adams's campaign, and against Charlotte Observer, WCNC and WFAE coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
  • No campaign website for him could be located; his positions above come from Ballotpedia's survey.
  • His endorsements and fundraising were not established from sources read; the district has been safely Democratic.
Sources:ballotpedia.orgwcnc.comballotpedia.org

Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.

North Carolina held its primary on March 3, 2026. Democratic incumbent Alma Adams beat Monaca Maye Williamson for renomination; Republican Jack Codiga beat Addul Ali. The district covers central Mecklenburg County, including much of Charlotte, and has been safely Democratic. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and WCNC reporting. Neither candidate is shown with arguments for or against: no published criticism of either by name from someone opposing them could be found, and presenting a case for one side only would tilt the page.

This is one contest on a longer ballot

A North Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.

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Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at North Carolina State Board of Elections.

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