CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 2024 North Carolina State Treasurer race pits a Mecklenburg County lawmaker against a former investment manager for Michael Bloomberg's family office.
Democrat Wesley Harris, who has been a member of the North Carolina House since 2018, will face Republican Brad Briner, who is best known for being the chief information officer for billionaire Michael Bloomberg.
Regardless of who wins, North Carolina will have a new state treasurer as Dale Folwell isn't seeking another term. Folwell unsuccessfully challenged Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the Republican primary for governor. He's also under investigation for the alleged misuse of state vehicles.
North Carolina's state treasurer is primarily responsible for managing the state's pension and health care plans, investments and unclaimed property. The office also provides financial support to local governments. North Carolina is reportedly one of just three states with a sole trustee model, meaning a single individual is responsible for the investment of pension fund assets instead of a board or department.
Rep. Wesley Harris
Harris, who grew up in Taylorsville, has a bachelor's degree in economics from UNC-Chapel Hill and earned his doctorate at Clemson University. According to his campaign website, Harris is the only Ph.D. economist in the General Assembly.
Harris represents North Carolina's 105th House District, which includes parts of Pineville and Ballantyne to the South Carolina line along U.S. 521. He's served three terms in the House since he was first elected in 2018. He lives in south Charlotte.
He's picked up several endorsements from elected officials, including U.S. Reps. Alma Adams, Deborah Ross, Don Davis, Jeff Jackson, Kathy Manning and Valerie Foushee. Former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts also endorsed Harris for treasurer, as did the North Carolina Associated of Educations Great Public School Fund and North Carolina Police Benevolent Association.
Harris said he wants to maintain North Carolina's sole trustee model, arguing removing it would give more power to the General Assembly. Harris' campaign website says one of his goals is to depoliticize the office, saying it shouldn't be a "playground for partisan games."
This is the first time Harris has run for an office other than the House seat he's held for three terms.
Running against Harris is Republican Brad Briner. Born in Dallas, Texas, Briner was the youngest of four brothers. Briner wanted to follow in his father's footsteps as an investor, leading him to the University of North Carolina, where he earned his bachelor's degree. Briner was appointed to the UNC Board of Trustees last November and lives in Chapel Hill with his wife and four children.
He then attended Harvard Business School before joining Willett Advisors, the New York City investment firm that serves as the family office of Michael Bloomberg.
This is the first time Briner has run for public office. He defeated Rachel Johnson and A.J. Daoud in the Republican primary in March. Briner's campaign website claims North Carolina's retirement system has averaged a 6.2% return over the past 20 years, with Briner saying the state has underperformed similar-sized states during that period.
WCNC Charlotte will have live election coverage of all the local and statewide elections starting at 7 p.m. on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and all election results can be found by texting the word ELECTION to 704-329-3600 or going to WCNC Charlotte's election page.
