Tricia Cotham

In March 2007, Cotham was appointed to represent the 100th district in the North Carolina House of Representatives to replace Rep. Jim Black, who had resigned.{{Cite web|url=https://ncnewsline.com/2008/04/28/primary-in-house-race-down-to-rematch/|title=Primary in House race down to rematch|website=NCNewsline.com|date=April 28, 2008}} She was elected to the House in 2008, and was re-elected in 2010, 2012, and 2014. Cotham was co-chair of the House's K-12 Education subcommittee from 2008–2010.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Cotham is a "former CMS Teacher of the Year and assistant principal of East Mecklenburg and Independence high schools".{{Cite web|url=https://charlotte.axios.com/325615/tricia-cotham-a-charlotte-democrat-switching-parties-is-a-former-educator-from-a-family-of-politicians/|title=Tricia Cotham, a Charlotte Democrat switching parties, is a former educator from a family of politicians |website=Axios |last1=Peralta Soloff |first1=Katie |last2=Chemtob |first2=Danielle |date=April 4, 2023}}

In 2015, Cotham gave a speech on the House floor explaining that she had had an abortion, saying, "This decision was up to me, my husband, my doctor and my God. It was not up to any of you in this chamber."{{Cite web |last= |date=2015-04-23 |title=NC House approves three-day abortion waiting period |url=https://www.wral.com/story/nc-house-approves-three-day-abortion-waiting-period/14601698/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=WRAL |language=en}}

Cotham chose not to run for re-election in 2016 to pursue a U.S. congressional seat.{{cite news |last1=Morrill |first1=Jim |title=Rep. Tricia Cotham won't run for re-election |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article47756880.html |accessdate=23 February 2020 |work=Charlotte Observer |date=3 October 2015 |archive-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112062150/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article47756880.html |url-status=live }} She later said she would consider running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the newly redrawn 12th congressional district.{{cite news |title=Malcolm Graham files paperwork in Congressional District 12 race |url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/former-sen-graham-files-paperwork-in-congressional-district-12-race/166323175/ |accessdate=23 February 2020 |work=WSOC |date=17 March 2016 |archive-date=23 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223200536/https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/former-sen-graham-files-paperwork-in-congressional-district-12-race/166323175/ |url-status=live }} Cotham filed to run for the U.S. House seat on March 21, 2016, but lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Congresswoman Alma Adams.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncsbe.gov/list-of-candidates|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321202239/http://www.ncsbe.gov/list-of-candidates|url-status=dead|title=NC State Board of Elections|archivedate=March 21, 2016}}

In 2019, Cotham and three partners founded the lobbying firm BCHL. She worked as a registered lobbyist, routinely engaging with the leadership in the North Carolina General Assembly.

In 2022, Cotham sought to return to the North Carolina House of Representatives. Some Republican political leaders in North Carolina recruited her to run for office as a Democrat.{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Kate |last2=Perlmutt |first2=David |date=2023-07-30 |title=Inside the Party Switch that Blew Up North Carolina Politics |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/30/us/inside-the-party-switch-that-blew-up-north-carolina-politics.html |issn=0362-4331}} Reporting uncovered the Cotham campaign disengaged with key Democratic allies during the primary, such as Planned Parenthood, and she had a long-rumored romantic relationship with Speaker Tim Moore, though Cotham has denied it. {{Cite web|url=https://www.jezebel.com/turns-out-rep-tricia-cotham-north-carolina-abortion-t-1850691458|title=Turns Out Tricia Cotham was a Plant All Along; Jezebel|website=www.jezebel.com}} Moore has been sued for his personal affairs with other married women. {{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/06/29/nc-house-speaker-tim-moore-lawsuit-affair-scandal|title=NC Speaker Tim Moore's Growing List of Scandals|website=www.axios.com}} This time, she ran for the House in the 112th district, defeating Republican Tony Long, 59.2%-40.8%.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/elections/results/race/2022-11-08-state_house-NC-35771/|title=North Carolina State House - District 112 Election Results | The Indianapolis Star|website=www.indystar.com}} Cotham ran on a platform of raising the minimum wage, protecting voting rights and supporting LGBTQ rights.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/04/04/north-carolina-tricia-cotham/|website=Washington Post|date=April 4, 2023 |last=Rosenzweig-Ziff |first=Dan|title=N.C. lawmaker flips parties, handing state GOP a veto-proof majority}}

In early 2023, Cotham voted to codify the abortion-related Roe v. Wade decision into state law.{{Cite web |last=Wolf |first=Zachary B. |date=May 15, 2023 |title=One vote to redraw the US abortion rights map |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/15/politics/abortion-north-carolina-what-matters/index.html |website=CNN |language=en}}

On April 4, 2023, WRAL-TV reported that Cotham had changed her party registration from Democratic to Republican.{{cite news |url=https://www.wral.com/story/democrat-cotham-defects-giving-gop-veto-proof-majority-in-nc-house/20796429 |title=Democrat Cotham defects, giving GOP veto-proof majority in NC House |date=April 4, 2023 |work=WRAL-TV |first1=Will |last1=Doran |first2=Paul |last2=Specht |first3=Laura |last3=Leslie |access-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404214717/https://www.wral.com/story/democrat-cotham-defects-giving-gop-veto-proof-majority-in-nc-house/20796429 |url-status=live }} On April 5, 2023, Cotham announced that she had left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party. Cotham's move gave House Republicans a veto-proof majority that allowed them to pass legislation without negotiating with North Carolina's Democratic governor, Roy Cooper. Cotham stated that fellow Democrats had criticized her on Twitter, called her names, and had been "coming after [her] family, coming after [her] children". She also said the turning point was a situation in which she was hounded for using the American flag on social media and on her vehicles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/north-carolina-lawmaker-officially-leaves-dems-gop-says-turning-point-american-flag-criticism|title=North Carolina lawmaker officially leaves Dems for GOP, says turning point was American flag criticism|first=Aaron|last=Kliegman|date=April 5, 2023|website=Fox News|access-date=April 5, 2023|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405163745/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/north-carolina-lawmaker-officially-leaves-dems-gop-says-turning-point-american-flag-criticism|url-status=live}} In another interview, she said "she felt bullied by Democrats and wanted to switch to a party that felt more welcoming".{{Cite news |last1=Corasaniti |first1=Nick |last2=Vigdor |first2=Neil |date=2023-04-05 |title=Democrat's U-Turn to Join the G.O.P. Upends North Carolina Politics |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/05/us/politics/tricia-cotham-north-carolina.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2023-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406005535/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/05/us/politics/tricia-cotham-north-carolina.html |url-status=live }}

In May 2023, Cotham voted in favor of a ban on abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy.{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2023 |title=Wavering Democrat sticks with party on abortion vote; Cotham votes with rest of GOP |work=The News & Observer |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article273995325.html |first=Josh |last=Bergeron |access-date=15 May 2023 }} Cotham's deciding vote{{Cite news |last=Kitchener |first=Caroline |last2=Roubein |first2=Rachel |date=2023 |title=North Carolina bans abortion past 12 weeks, overriding governor veto |language=en-US |work=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/16/north-carolina-senate-overrides-governors-veto-abortion-ban/ |issn=0190-8286}} enabled Republicans to override Gov. Cooper's veto and enact the legislation.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/abortion-north-carolina-veto-override-tricia-cotham-a91342de76cd8463a637f634b4dbcf36|title=How one North Carolina lawmaker's defection from the Democratic Party upended abortion protections|date=May 19, 2023|website=AP NEWS}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wral.com/story/with-abortion-vote-did-tricia-cotham-flip-flop-on-protecting-reproductive-rights/20866211/|title=With abortion vote, did Tricia Cotham flip-flop on protecting reproductive rights?|date=May 17, 2023|website=WRAL.com}} North Carolina Rep. Wesley Harris accused Cotham of having lied to the voters, Alexis McGill Johnson of Planned Parenthood admonished Cotham, and former aides spoke out against her "abortion betrayal".{{Cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2023/05/17/shame-and-outrage-as-former-democrat-paves-the-way-for-north-carolina-abortion-ban/|title="Shame": Protests and outrage as former Democrat paves the way for North Carolina abortion ban|date=May 17, 2023|website=Salon}}

Cotham's mother, Pat Cotham, was elected to the Democratic National Committee in 2010.{{cite web |first=Jane |last=Stancill |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cotham_wins_spot_on_democratic_national_committee |work=News & Observer |title=Cotham wins spot on Democratic National Committee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401164511/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cotham_wins_spot_on_democratic_national_committee |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |date=2010-08-02 }} As of 2023, Pat Cotham is a member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, having been first elected in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://bocc.mecknc.gov/pat-cotham |website=BOCC.MeckNC.gov|title=Pat Cotham, At Large|access-date=June 16, 2023}}

Tricia Cotham was married to state Democratic Party chair Jerry Meek in late 2008.{{cite web |url=https://journalnow.com/democratic-party-head-in-n-c-will-step-down/article_ec185f04-a503-5f17-9b69-c3ac202186d0.html |title=Democratic party head in N.C. will step down |date=2008-11-21 |access-date=2023-05-24 }} The two have since divorced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/party-switch-gop-veto-proof-control-north-carolina/ |date=April 5, 2023 |title=Republicans gain veto-proof control in North Carolina after Democrat switches parties |website=CBS News |access-date=2023-04-06|archive-date=2023-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406061225/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/party-switch-gop-veto-proof-control-north-carolina/|url-status=live}}

Cotham has two sons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/nc-house-member-mecklenburg-gives-birth-2nd-child/223457917/|title=NC House member from Mecklenburg gives birth to 2nd child|date=September 30, 2013|website=WSOC TV}} She is a Christian.{{Cite web|url=https://fox40jackson.com/headlines/charlotte-democrat-switched-parties-after-being-called-ammosexual-critiqued-for-invoking-jesus-christ/|title=Charlotte Democrat switched parties after being called 'ammosexual,' critiqued for invoking Jesus Christ |work=WDBD FOX 40 |first=Charles |last=Creitz |date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=April 5, 2023|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405235507/https://fox40jackson.com/headlines/charlotte-democrat-switched-parties-after-being-called-ammosexual-critiqued-for-invoking-jesus-christ/|url-status=live}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 105th district general election, 2024[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/05/2024&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1285] North Carolina State Board of Elections.

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tricia Cotham (incumbent)

| votes = 27,303

| percentage = 50.20%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Nicole Sidman

| votes = 27,087

| percentage = 49.80%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 54,390

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 112th district Democratic primary election, 2022[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/17/2022&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1817 2022 North Carolina House Primary Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173615/https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05%2F17%2F2022&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1817 |date=2022-09-20 }} North Carolina State Board of Elections.

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tricia Cotham

| votes = 2,385

| percentage = 47.81%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Yolanda Holmes

| votes = 1,559

| percentage = 31.25%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Jay Holman

| votes = 853

| percentage = 17.10%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Rodney Moore

| votes = 192

| percentage = 3.85%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 4,989

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 112th district general election, 2022[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2022&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1273 2022 North Carolina House General Election Results] North Carolina State Board of Elections.}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Tricia Cotham|votes=15,389|percentage=59.22%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Tony Long|votes=10,597|percentage=40.78%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=25,986|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box new seat win|winner=Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina's 12th congressional district Democratic primary election, 2016[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=06/07/2016&county_id=0&office=FED&contest=1034 2016 U.S. House Primary Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005231524/https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=06%2F07%2F2016&county_id=0&office=FED&contest=1034 |date=2022-10-05 }} North Carolina State Board of Elections.

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Alma Adams (incumbent)

| votes = 12,400

| percentage = 42.51%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Malcolm Graham

| votes = 8,428

| percentage = 28.89%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tricia Cotham

| votes = 6,165

| percentage = 21.13%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Carla Cunningham

| votes = 1,255

| percentage = 4.30%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Gardenia Henley

| votes = 444

| percentage = 1.52%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Rodney Moore

| votes = 245

| percentage = 0.84%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Rick Miller

| votes = 235

| percentage = 0.81%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 29,172

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 100th district general election, 2014[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1020 2014 North Carolina House General Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006165731/https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11%2F04%2F2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1020 |date=2022-10-06 }} North Carolina State Board of Elections.

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tricia Cotham (incumbent)

| votes = 12,707

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 12,707

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 100th district general election, 2012[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2012&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1170 2012 North Carolina House General Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005224156/https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11%2F06%2F2012&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1170 |date=2022-10-05 }} North Carolina State Board of Elections.

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tricia Cotham (incumbent)

| votes = 24,217

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 24,217

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 100th district general election, 2010[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2010&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1166 2010 North Carolina House General Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001214625/https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11%2F02%2F2010&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1166 |date=2022-10-01 }} North Carolina State Board of Elections.

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tricia Cotham (incumbent)

| votes = 9,578

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 9,578

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 100th district Democratic primary election, 2008[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/06/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1055 2008 North Carolina House Primary Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006220054/https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05%2F06%2F2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1055 |date=2022-10-06 }} North Carolina State Board of Elections.

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tricia Cotham (incumbent)

| votes = 7,685

| percentage = 78.83%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Lloyd Scher

| votes = 2,064

| percentage = 21.17%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 9,749

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 100th district general election, 2008[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1173 2008 North Carolina House General Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405024425/https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11%2F04%2F2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1173 |date=2023-04-05 }} North Carolina State Board of Elections.

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tricia Cotham (incumbent)

| votes = 19,548

| percentage = 74.07%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom White

| votes = 6,843

| percentage = 25.93%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 26,391

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=House&nUserID=576 Official legislative page]
• [https://twitter.com/triciacotham Twitter]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20230405171139/https://www.triciacotham.org/ Official campaign site (archived)]

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-nc-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Jim Black}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 100th district|years=2007–2017}}

{{s-aft|after=John Autry}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=David Rogers}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 112th district|years=2023–2025}}

{{s-aft|after=Jordan Lopez}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Wesley Harris}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 105th district|years=2025–Present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

{{North Carolina House of Representatives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cotham, Tricia}}

Category:1978 births

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:Christians from North Carolina

Category:Democratic Party members of the North Carolina House of Representatives

Category:Republican Party members of the North Carolina House of Representatives

Category:Living people

Category:People from Matthews, North Carolina

Category:Politicians from Charlotte, North Carolina

Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education alumni

Category:Women state legislators in North Carolina

Category:University of North Carolina at Charlotte alumni

Category:21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly