A startling development has emerged in North Carolina’s political landscape: Lakeshia M. Alston, a woman who consistently voted in Democratic primaries, has filed to run as a Republican for State Senate District 22 in 2026.
The news ignited a firestorm of debate, particularly among conservatives, after images of Alston’s candidacy filing circulated widely. She appears in the official photo fully veiled in a black niqab, revealing only her eyes, a visual that has intensified scrutiny and speculation.
Currently, Alston is the sole Republican candidate in the race, a fact that fuels concerns about potential manipulation. Many question whether this is a deliberate tactic to disrupt the Republican primary process and ultimately favor Democratic candidates in the general election.
Records from the North Carolina State Board of Elections reveal a consistent pattern of Democratic participation dating back to 2008. Alston actively voted in Democratic primaries in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 – a clear indication of her long-held political affiliation.
North Carolina law requires candidates to be officially affiliated with their chosen party for at least 90 days before filing for a primary. Alston’s filing on December 17th suggests a recent switch from the Democratic Party, occurring after the 2024 elections where she still cast a Democratic ballot.
Adding to the mystery, Alston has not publicly explained her political shift. Attempts to uncover her campaign platform have been unsuccessful; she has no visible campaign website or published policy statements.
Her presence on X, formerly Twitter, is minimal. The account, @LakeshiaAlston1, appears abandoned, with only two followers and a profile picture dating back to 2012, offering no insight into her current political ambitions.
District 22 is a reliably Democratic area, currently represented by a Democrat. The Democratic primary already features two candidates, intensifying the potential impact of a Republican nominee with a questionable background.
North Carolina’s semi-open primary system allows unaffiliated voters to participate in either party’s primary, creating a vulnerability in low-turnout elections. Alston’s unopposed path to the Republican nomination could leave the party in a difficult position.
If she were to win the primary, Republicans would face the dilemma of supporting a candidate with a documented history of Democratic voting or potentially conceding the seat to the Democrats. The situation presents a significant strategic challenge.
As of now, the North Carolina Republican Party has remained silent on the matter. However, pressure is mounting for the party to investigate Alston’s candidacy and actively recruit a legitimate conservative challenger before the filing deadline arrives.
