Michael H. Wray

Michael H. Wray (born April 6, 1967) is a Democratic former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. Wray represented the 27th district (including constituents in Halifax and Northampton counties) from 2005 until 2025. Wray is also a small business owner in Gaston, North Carolina.

In 2026, Wray sought to regain his former seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives but was soundly defeated in the Democratic primary by incumbent Rodney Pierce, who won the rematch with approximately 64% of the vote.

North Carolina House of Representatives A former Gaston town commissioner, Wray was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2004.

He had been re-elected a total of 8 times defeating both primary and general election challengers, before being defeated in the 2024 Democratic primary by public school teacher Rodney Pierce.

Wray was a founding member of the North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus in 2011 and serves as the group's Democratic Co-chair in the House. In 2015, Wray became a charter member of the Main Street Democrats Caucus in the North Carolina General Assembly. The Main Street Democrats describe themselves as pro-business, moderate Democrats.

During the 2016 legislative session, Wray was one of 11 Democrats to vote in favor of House Bill 2, the controversial "Bathroom Bill."

Committee assignments 2023–2024 Session Ethics (chair) Finance (Senior Chair) Agriculture (Vice Chair) Alcoholic Beverage Control Energy and Public Utilities Health Insurance Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Wildlife Resources

2021–2022 Session Ethics (chair) Finance (chair) Agriculture (Vice Chair) Energy and Public Utilities Health Insurance Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

2019–2020 Session Appropriations Appropriations - Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources Ethics (chair) Agriculture (Vice Chair) Energy and Public Utilities Health Insurance Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

2017–2018 Session Appropriations Appropriations - Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources Energy and Public Utilities Health Insurance Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Health Care Reform Wildlife Resources University Board of Governors Nominating Transportation

2015–2016 Session Appropriations Appropriations - Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources Commerce and Job Development (Vice Chair) Ethics Health Insurance Public Utilities Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Education - Universities Wildlife Resources Committee on Chowanoke Nation Recognition (Non-Standing) Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations (Non-Standing) Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services (Non-Standing) Committee on Land Development (Non-Standing)

2013–2014 Session Appropriations Commerce and Job Development Health and Human Services Insurance Public Utilities Environment

2011–2012 Session Appropriations Commerce and Job Development Health and Human Services Insurance Public Utilities

2009–2010 Session Appropriations Agriculture Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship Insurance Transportation Wildlife Resources

Electoral history 2024

2022

2020

2018

2016 Wray was challenged in the Democratic primary by Franklin D. Williams Jr. Wray won the primary and was unopposed in the general election.

2014 Wray was challenged in the Democratic primary by Franklin D. Williams Jr. Wray won the primary and was unopposed in the general election.

2012 Wray was challenged in the May 8, 2012 Democratic primary by James Mills. Wray won the primary and defeated Libertarian candidate Jesse Shearin in the general election.

2010 Wray was unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.

2008 Wray was unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.

2006 Wray was challenged in the Democratic primary by Anthony Butler and Howard Ervin. Wray won the primary and was unopposed in the general election.

2004 Wray was one of five candidates to seek the Democratic nomination to fill the vacant District 27 seat in 2004. Other Democratic primary candidates were Richard M. Henderson, Grace M. Edwards, John Soles, and Julius O. Webb. Wray finished second behind Henderson but finished ahead of Henderson in the subsequent runoff election.