Edds to represent district 76

ROWAN COUNTY — Greg Edds is headed to Raleigh for the first time to represent district 76 after his win over Scott Huffman.

Edds, the Republican candidate, amassed 16,091 votes taking roughly 53 percent of the vote in Rowan. His Democratic opponent Huffman totalled 14,166 votes, roughly 47 percent of the vote — a much closer race for district 76 than 2024.

In 2024, the incumbent Republican Harry Warren won the election with 27,060 votes, roughly 62 percent of the vote, while Democrat Alisha Byrd-Clark trailed with 16,329 votes, roughly 38 percent.

While it was a closer race than years past, Edds says he doesn’t think about the divide in voters and wants to represent all of Rowan County.

“Even those folks that got caught up in this polarized race, they know they are sending a guy that has represented them for 12 years enthusiastically, and I will continue to do that in Raleigh,” Edds said.

Edds works for State Farm Insurance in Rowan County and has served on the Rowan County Board of Commissioners for 12 years. He has seen the county through some major developments over the past decade. He expects to take his knowledge of Rowan’s community needs to Raleigh, giving examples of future infrastructure projects at High Rock Lake and Salisbury water intake.

As a freshman legislator, Edds described already being a bit unsure of his place but particularly now entering into the minority caucus.

“It’s really an interesting time because any freshman would tell you the question was ‘how do I fit into the general assembly as a freshman in the majority?’ Now it’s ‘what do you bring as a freshman in the newfound minority?’” Edds said. “I don’t know what role we will play. That will really be up to the new majority.”

On election night, Edds was with outgoing representative Warren, which he described as a full-circle moment. He had been with Warren the night he found out he was taking office for the first time.

He expressed gratitude for constituents putting him in the position and also recognized the gravity of the office.

“I feel this great weight of responsibility to represent all of Rowan County well and just to make sure that we’re doing the right thing for our community,” Edds said. “It’s a real privilege, but it’s also a heavy responsibility that I recognize and take very seriously.”