North Carolina, State House, District 97

Note: North Carolina's state legislative district maps are the subject of ongoing legal actions. On June 5, 2017, the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed a federal district court decision finding that 28 state legislative districts had been subject to an illegal racial gerrymander. The district court then ordered state lawmakers to draft remedial maps for use in the 2018 election cycle. The legislature adopted new state House and Senate district maps on August 30, 2017. On October 26, 2017, the district court appointed a special master "to assist the Court in further evaluating and, if necessary, redrawing" the revised district maps. The special master, Nate Persily, issued final recommendations on December 1, 2017. On January 19, 2018, the district court issued an order adopting Persily's recommendations, which incorporated some changes to the maps drawn by the state legislature. However, on February 6, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a partial stay against the district court's order. On June 28, 2018, the high court partially affirmed the district court's decision but returned the case to the lower court for reconsideration regarding its original ruling on districts in Wake and Mecklenburg counties. As a result of these actions, several district numbers and boundaries changed. Consequently, the demographic information in this article might not apply to the newly drawn district boundaries. We will update this information as new developments occur. For more information on redistricting in North Carolina, see this article.

North Carolina House of Representatives District 97
Current incumbent	Jason Saine
Population	78,265
Race	89.36% White, 5.55% Black, 0.32% Native American, 0.56% Asian/Pacific Islander, 2.66% Single Race Other, 1.56% Multi-Race
Ethnicity	6.69% Hispanic, 93.31% Non-Hispanic
Voting age	76.4% age 18 and over

North Carolina's ninety-seventh state house district is represented by Republican Representative Jason Saine.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 78,265 civilians reside within North Carolina's ninety-seventh state house district. North Carolina state representatives represent an average of 79,462 residents, as of the 2010 Census. After the 2000 Census, each member represented approximately 67,078 residents.

About the office

Members of the North Carolina House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. North Carolina legislators assume office the first day of the new General Assembly in January.

Qualifications

Article 2, Section 7 of the North Carolina Constitution states: "Each Representative, at the time of his election, shall be a qualified voter of the State, and shall have resided in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election."

Salaries

State legislators
Salary	Per diem
$13,951/year	$104/day; set by statute.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the state House, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement. The governor must appoint the recommended individual submitted by the political party committee that holds the vacant seat. The appointment must be made by the Governor within seven days of receiving the candidate recommendation. The person selected to the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of North Carolina House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for March 3, 2020. The filing deadline was December 20, 2019.

2018

General election

General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 97

Incumbent Jason Saine (R) defeated Natalie Robertson (D) in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 97 on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jason Saine (R)	70.5	22,122
	Natalie Robertson (D)	29.5	9,252

The results have been certified.

Total votes: 31,374

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 97

Natalie Robertson advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 97 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Natalie Robertson (D)

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 97

Incumbent Jason Saine defeated Nicholas Haag in the Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 97 on May 8, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jason Saine (R)	83.1	6,927
	Nicholas Haag (R)	16.9	1,412

The results have been certified.

Total votes: 8,339

2016

Elections for the North Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 21, 2015.

Incumbent Jason Saine ran unopposed in the North Carolina House of Representatives District 97 general election.

North Carolina House of Representatives, District 97 General Election, 2016

Party	Candidate
	Republican	Jason Saine Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections

Incumbent Jason Saine ran unopposed in the North Carolina House of Representatives District 97 Republican primary.

North Carolina House of Representatives, District 97 Republican Primary, 2016

Party	Candidate
	Republican	Jason Saine Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

Elections for the North Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 28, 2014. Incumbent Jason Saine was unopposed in the Republican primary, while Rosemary Hubbard was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Hubbard was defeated by Saine in the general election.

North Carolina House of Representatives, District 97 General Election, 2014

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jason Saine Incumbent	70.6%	16,604
	Democratic	Rosemary Hubbard	29.4%	6,898
Total Votes			23,502

2012

Elections for the office of North Carolina House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on May 8, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 29, 2012. Incumbent Jason Saine (R) was unopposed in the general election and defeated Jim Klein and Charles E. Newman in the Republican primary.

North Carolina House of Representatives, District 97, General Election, 2012

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jason Saine Incumbent	100%	26,690
Total Votes			26,690

North Carolina House of Representatives District 97 Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jason R. Saine Incumbent	51.6%	5,982
Jim Klein	34.5%	4,003
Charles E. Newman	13.9%	1,615
Total Votes		11,600

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for North Carolina House of Representatives District 97 raised a total of $802,793. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $44,600 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, North Carolina House of Representatives District 97

Year	Amount	Candidates	Average
2016	$297,919	1	$297,919
2014	$158,547	2	$79,274
2012	$43,752	3	$14,584
2010	$47,450	1	$47,450
2008	$20,400	1	$20,400
2006	$66,150	1	$66,150
2004	$81,110	2	$40,555
2002	$58,362	4	$14,591
2000	$29,103	3	$9,701
Total	$802,793	18	$44,600