North Carolina's 51st House district is one of 120 districts in the North Carolina House of Representatives. It has been represented by Republican John Sauls since 2017.
Geography Since 2023, the district has included all of Lee County, as well as part of Moore County. The district overlaps with the 12th and 21st Senate districts.
District officeholders Multi-member district Representative Party Dates Notes Representative Party Dates Notes Representative Party Dates Notes Representative Party Dates Notes Counties District created January 1, 1983. Marie Colton() Democratic January 1, 1983 – January 1, 1995 Redistricted from the 43rd district. Martin Nesbitt() Democratic January 1, 1983 – January 1, 1995 Redistricted from the 43rd district. Lost re-election. Narvel Crawford() Democratic January 1, 1983 – January 1, 1995 Redistricted from the 43rd district. Gordon Greenwood() Democratic January 1, 1983 – January 1, 1993 Redistricted from the 43rd district. 1983–1993 All of Buncombe and Transylvania counties. Part of Henderson County. 1993–2003 Part of Buncombe County. Wilma Sherill() Republican January 1, 1995 – January 1, 2003 Redistricted to the 116th district. Larry Linney() Republican January 1, 1995 – January 1, 1997 Lost re-election. Lanier Cansler() Republican January 1, 1995 – April 8, 2001 Resigned. Martin Nesbitt() Democratic January 1, 1997 – January 1, 2003 Redistricted to the 114th district. Vacant April 8, 2001 – April 11, 2001 Mark Crawford() Republican April 11, 2001 – January 1, 2003 Appointed to finish Cansler's term. Redistricted to the 115th district and lost re-election.
Single-member district Representative Party Dates Notes Counties John Sauls() Republican January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2007 Retired. 2003–2005 All of Lee County. Parts of Harnett and Moore counties. 2005–2013 All of Lee County. Part of Harnett County. Jimmy Love Sr.() Democratic January 1, 2007 – January 1, 2011 Lost re-election. Mike Stone() Republican January 1, 2011 – January 1, 2015 Lost re-election. 2013–2019 Parts of Lee and Harnett counties. Brad Salmon() Democratic January 1, 2015 – January 1, 2017 Lost re-election. John Sauls() Republican January 1, 2017 – Present Retiring. 2019–2023 All of Lee County. Part of Harnett County. 2023–Present All of Lee County Part of Moore County.
Election results 2026
2024
2022
2020
2018
2016
2014
2012
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
References