Former legislator challenges Beth Helfrich for north Mecklenburg House seat

Beth Helfrich, who flipped North Carolina House District 98 blue in 2024, is defending her seat against former legislator John Rhodes this fall, WFAE reported. The district includes parts of north Mecklenburg such as Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville.

John Rhodes previously held the seat in the early 2000s and is running on a platform of ultra-conservative values to regain the position, according to WFAE. The race is anticipated to be competitive.

Helfrich cited her opposition to the 2023 12-week abortion ban passed by the General Assembly as a motivating factor in her decision to run. She emphasized her commitment to representing her constituents’ interests rather than a supermajority’s priorities.

During her first term, Helfrich sponsored legislation aimed at redirecting $390 million from school vouchers to reduce the state’s subsidized childcare waitlist, authored bills protecting IVF, and pushed for data centers to pay for their own utilities to avoid rate hikes for consumers. She also supported criminal justice reform legislation known as Iryna’s Law, despite opposition from some in her party.

The race will be closely watched as it reflects broader political dynamics in north Mecklenburg and the state legislature.

What we're watching: The outcome of this race could influence education funding, reproductive rights, and criminal justice policies in the region.