Sam Watford was a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's 80th House district, including part in Davidson county (Thomasville). He served three terms as Davidson County Commissioner and has served on Davidson County Planning and Zoning Board. Watford is married to Karen Hege Watford, a retired teacher, and has two daughters, Morgan and Jordan.[2] Watford supported, and voted for, the HB 465 - Amending Regulations Regarding Abortion, in 2015.[3]
Committee assignments
[4]
2025–2026 Session
- State and Local Government (Chair)
- Energy and Public Utilities
- Agriculture and Environment
- Finance
- Housing and Development
- Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Reform
2023–2024 Session
- Local Government (Chair)
- Local Government - Land Use, Planning and Development
- Energy and Public Utilities
- Agriculture
- Finance
- Health
2021–2022 Session
- Local Government (Co-Chair)
- State Government Committee (Vice Chair)
- Energy and Public Utilities (Vice Chair)
- Agriculture
- Finance
- Health
- Transportation
2017–2018 Session
- Appropriations
- Appropriations - Transportation
- Energy and Public Utilities (Chair)
- Regulatory Reform (Vice chair)
- Education - Community Colleges
- State and Local Government II
- Elections and Ethics Law
- Homelessness, Foster Care, and Dependency
- University Board of Governors Nominating
2015–2016 Session
- Appropriations
- Appropriations - General Government
- Public Utilities (Vice Chair)
- Agriculture
- Children, Youth and Families
- Education - Community Colleges
- Local Government
Electoral history
2026
North Carolina House of Representatives 80th district Republican primary election, 2026[5]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford (incumbent) |
5,415 |
74.38% |
|
Republican |
Joseph Byrne |
1,865 |
25.62% |
| Total votes |
7,280 |
100% |
2024
North Carolina House of Representatives 80th district general election, 2024[7]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford (incumbent) |
33,897 |
75.70% |
|
Democratic |
Kimberly Titlebaum |
10,884 |
24.30% |
| Total votes |
44,781 |
100% |
|
Republican hold |
2022
North Carolina House of Representatives 80th district general election, 2022[8]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford (incumbent) |
23,182 |
78.46% |
|
Democratic |
Dennis S. Miller |
6,365 |
21.54% |
| Total votes |
29,547 |
100% |
|
Republican hold |
2020
North Carolina House of Representatives 80th district Republican primary election, 2020[9]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford |
4,170 |
43.65% |
|
Republican |
Roger Younts |
3,214 |
33.64% |
|
Republican |
Haley Sink |
2,170 |
22.71% |
| Total votes |
9,554 |
100% |
North Carolina House of Representatives 80th district general election, 2020[10]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford |
32,611 |
75.21% |
|
Democratic |
Wendy Sellars |
10,748 |
24.79% |
| Total votes |
43,359 |
100% |
|
Republican hold |
2018
North Carolina Senate 29th district Republican primary election, 2018[11]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Eddie Gallimore |
11,775 |
55.48% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford |
9,448 |
44.52% |
| Total votes |
21,223 |
100% |
2016
North Carolina House of Representatives 80th district general election, 2016[12]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford (incumbent) |
31,287 |
100% |
| Total votes |
31,287 |
100% |
|
Republican hold |
2014
North Carolina House of Representatives 80th district Republican primary election, 2014[13]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford |
3,203 |
54.45% |
|
Republican |
Roger Younts (incumbent) |
2,679 |
45.55% |
| Total votes |
5,882 |
100% |
North Carolina House of Representatives 80th district general election, 2014[14]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford |
16,459 |
100% |
| Total votes |
16,459 |
100% |
|
Republican hold |
2010
Davidson County Board of Commissioners Republican primary election, 2010[16]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Billy Joe Kepley |
8,217 |
15.80% |
|
Republican |
Don W. Truell |
6,941 |
13.35% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford |
6,811 |
13.10% |
|
Republican |
Todd Yates |
5,359 |
10.31% |
|
Republican |
Larry Allen |
5,253 |
10.10% |
|
Republican |
Eddie Gallimore |
4,525 |
8.70% |
|
Republican |
Dwight D. Cornelison |
3,995 |
7.68% |
|
Republican |
Kenneth "Stump" Cavender |
3,273 |
6.29% |
|
Republican |
Owen Moore |
3,267 |
6.28% |
|
Republican |
Joseph Lee Byerly |
2,276 |
4.38% |
|
Republican |
Eric Osborne |
2,077 |
3.99% |
| Total votes |
51,994 |
100% |
Davidson County Board of Commissioners general election, 2010[17]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Billy Joe Kepley |
28,111 |
18.01% |
|
Republican |
Todd Yates |
27,950 |
17.91% |
|
Republican |
Sam Watford |
27,445 |
17.59% |
|
Republican |
Don W. Truell |
27,407 |
17.56% |
|
Democratic |
Jason Hedrick |
14,835 |
9.51% |
|
Democratic |
Ronald Swicegood |
10,578 |
6.78% |
|
Democratic |
Jeff Switzer |
10,163 |
6.51% |
|
Democratic |
Kevin Williams |
9,571 |
6.13% |
| Total votes |
156,060 |
100% |
References
- ↑ "Younts vies to hold on to House District 80 seat".
- 1 2 3 4 "Biography". Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ↑ "Sam Watford's Voting Records". Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ↑ "Sam Watford". Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections.
