North Carolina’s 2026 elections are already reshaping the landscape of healthcare, public policy, and the work of nurse leaders—and many of the most consequential decisions will occur well before Election Day. This session provides nurse leaders with a clear, timely, and actionable understanding of how North Carolina’s evolving political environment will influence the March 3 primary elections and the subsequent 2026 midterms. Participants will explore the impact of newly drawn electoral maps on competitive districts, examine the state’s shifting political climate, and consider how changing power dynamics may influence legislative priorities related to nursing and patient care. Special attention will be given to key state legislative races and policy debates with direct implications for healthcare delivery, workforce regulation, patient access, and organizational advocacy. Designed to support informed engagement, this session equips nurse leaders with the insights needed to anticipate legislative trends, understand the stakes of the upcoming elections, and strengthen NCONL’s collective voice in shaping healthcare policy across North Carolina.