North Carolina elections to choose members of the Council of State (who head various executive branch departments) were held November 4, 2008.

[1] One of the results of the general election was that women held a majority (six of 10) of the seats on the Council of State for the first time.

Incumbent Secretary of State Elaine Marshall (Democratic) defeated attorney Jack Sawyer (Republican) on November 4, 2008.

Candidates to succeed him included three Democrats—state Sen. Janet Cowell,[10] Michael Weisel,[11] and Buncombe County Commissioner David Young[12]—and one Republican, state Rep. Bill Daughtridge.

[6] Incumbent Commissioner Steve Troxler (Republican) defeated attorney Ronnie Ansley (Democratic).

[16][6] Four Democrats -- Robin Anderson, chair of the State Personnel Commission,[17] Ty Richardson, Mary Fant Donnan, a former N.C. Department of Labor official,[18] and former Labor Commissioner John C. Brooks—filed to run against incumbent Commissioner Cherie Berry (Republican).

[6] Incumbent Commissioner James E. Long (Democratic) surprised observers by not seeking another term.

[23] His chosen successor, assistant Commissioner and former state Rep. Wayne Goodwin, defeated David C. Smith in the Democratic primary by winning about 56 percent of the vote.