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Fuquay-Varina, Wake County

Wake County: Winn Decker leads House District 37 over Erin Paré in unofficial returns

With all 14 precincts in, Democrat Decker led Republican Rep. Paré 26,678 to 22,074. Carolina Journal, ABC11 and NC Newsline also covered the southern Wake seat. Not certified.

UpdatedThis story has changed since it was first published.

By Alexandru Stanciu · Published

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File photo: Abhiram Juvvadi (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

What we know

Confirmed

  • Unofficial results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections for N.C. House District 37, with all 14 of 14 precincts reporting, listed Democrat Winn Decker with 26,678 votes (54.72%) and Republican Erin Pare with 22,074 votes (45.28%).Confirmed by North Carolina State Board of Elections unofficial Wake County results file, accessed Nov. 4, 2026
  • Carolina Journal reported the same 26,678–22,074 unofficial totals, wrote that Decker defeated Paré for the southern Wake seat that includes portions of Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and nearby communities, and described Decker as a Fuquay-Varina resident and first-time legislative candidate.Confirmed by Carolina Journal, Nov. 4, 2026
  • ABC11 independently reported that with all 14 precincts reporting, Decker had 26,678 votes (54.72%) to Paré's 22,074 (45.28%), and that Wake County will have a new representative after the Democrat upset the Republican incumbent.Confirmed by ABC11, Nov. 3–4, 2026
  • NC Newsline independently reported that the Associated Press projected Decker the winner with nearly 55% in unofficial State Board results, and that Paré was seeking a fourth House term after three terms.Confirmed by NC Newsline, Nov. 4, 2026

Still unknown

  • Final certified totals after provisional ballots and the county canvass

What this means for you

Instructions from North Carolina State Board of Elections

This site is not an elections office. Unofficial results are on the State Board's election-results site. Certified results come later from the county canvass. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

What happened

In Wake County, Democrat Winn Decker is leading Republican Rep. Erin Paré for N.C. House District 37 in unofficial returns after the Nov. 3 election.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections' unofficial Wake County file, with all 14 of 14 precincts reporting, listed Decker with 26,678 votes (54.72%) and Erin Pare with 22,074 (45.28%). Those figures are not certified. Outlets spell the incumbent's name Paré.

Carolina Journal reported the same totals and wrote that the southern Wake seat includes portions of Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and nearby communities. It described Decker as a Fuquay-Varina resident and first-time legislative candidate. ABC11 independently carried the same all-precinct count and wrote that Wake County will have a new representative after the Democrat upset the Republican incumbent. NC Newsline separately reported that the Associated Press projected Decker the winner with nearly 55% in unofficial State Board results, and that Paré was seeking a fourth term after three.

Certification follows the county canvass. This site is not an elections office. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Related coverage

Why it matters

House District 37 is a southern Wake County seat that Republicans held. Readers need the unofficial margin and independent outlet coverage before certification.

Updates

  1. Nov 4, 2026, 6:08 AM

    First file from unofficial NCSBE House District 37 tallies (14 of 14 precincts) plus Carolina Journal, ABC11 and NC Newsline.

Sources

  1. Wake County unofficial results file (NCSBE enr/20261103/data/results_92.txt: NC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 037; Winn Decker DEM 26,678 / 54.72%; Erin Pare REP 22,074 / 45.28%; 14 of 14 precincts)

    Official sourcePublished by North Carolina State Board of Elections · Checked Nov 4, 2026, 6:12 AM

  2. Decker wins NC House District 37 race in southern Wake County (Carolina Journal / Andrew Pomeranz, Nov. 4, 2026: 26,678–22,074; Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner; Decker Fuquay-Varina resident. Text-only.)

    Published by Carolina Journal · Checked Nov 4, 2026, 6:12 AM

  3. Rep. Erin Paré loses NC House reelection bid to Decker (ABC11 live updates entry: all 14 precincts; Decker 26,678 / 54.72%; Paré 22,074 / 45.28%. Text-only.)

    Published by ABC11 · Checked Nov 4, 2026, 6:12 AM

  4. Democrats sweep Triangle area legislative races (NC Newsline / Clayton Henkel, Nov. 4, 2026: AP projected Decker winner at nearly 55%; Paré three terms. Text-only.)

    Published by NC Newsline · Checked Nov 4, 2026, 6:12 AM

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