Johnson Defeats Hager in Mail-Heavy HD-113 GOP Primary

Incumbent state Rep. Jake Johnson prevails in Republican contest defined by aggressive direct-mail strategy.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Incumbent state Rep. Jake Johnson defeated former legislator Mike Hager in Tuesday's Republican primary for state House District 113, concluding a campaign defined in large part by an aggressive direct-mail strategy. Johnson earned 61.08% of the vote compared to Hager's 38.92%, carrying all four counties within the district.

Why it matters

The mail-heavy nature of this state legislative race highlights the continued importance of direct voter outreach through physical mailers, even in an increasingly digital political landscape. The outcome also underscores the power of incumbency and legislative experience in Republican primaries in North Carolina.

The details

Voters in the district received a total of 36 mailers tied to the race, with 25 supporting Johnson either directly from his campaign committee or through political action committees. Hager's campaign sent 11 mailers, all funded and distributed by his own committee. Johnson's materials emphasized his legislative record, budget allocations, disaster recovery funding, tax policy, and public safety initiatives, while Hager's mailers focused on his prior service in the General Assembly, work with local municipalities, and advocacy on economic development and mental health issues.

  • The March 3 primary concluded the Republican contest for state House District 113.
  • Campaign finance reports filed with the State Board of Elections in the coming weeks will provide additional detail about total spending by the candidates and outside groups.

The players

Jake Johnson

Incumbent state representative who serves as deputy House majority whip and chairs the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

Mike Hager

Former state legislator who previously served as House majority leader before resigning in 2016 to care for family members. He currently works as a lobbyist for Lake Lure.

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What they’re saying

“Congratulations to all that won and thanks to all that ran. I appreciate the hard work and competitiveness that Rep. Johnson put into our race. I fully support him and his future work to help Rutherford County become a better and more affordable place to live.”

— Mike Hager (Carolina Journal)

“After an extremely hard-fought campaign, I want to thank God, my family, and our friends across the district. Due to the hard work of so many of you, we were able to get our message out and deliver victories in all four counties. I will continue working to stand up for our shared values and address the concerns that impact daily lives here in the district.”

— Jake Johnson (Carolina Journal)

What’s next

The district's geographic footprint spanning foothill and mountain communities makes retail campaigning and voter outreach complex. Campaign finance reports filed with the State Board of Elections in the coming weeks will provide additional detail about total spending by the candidates and outside groups.

The takeaway

This mail-heavy state legislative race highlights the continued importance of direct voter outreach through physical mailers in North Carolina politics, even as campaigns increasingly leverage digital tools. The outcome also underscores the power of incumbency and legislative experience in Republican primaries in the state.