Sean Haugh

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Sean Haugh

Libertarian Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Personal

Profession

Delivery driver

Contact

Campaign website

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Sean Haugh (Libertarian Party) ran for election for North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Sean Haugh lives in Durham, North Carolina. As of 2023, Haugh was retired. Before that, his career experience included delivering pizzas.

Elections

2024

See also: North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner election, 2024

General election

General election for North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Steve Troxler defeated Sarah Taber and Sean Haugh in the general election for North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Troxler (R)	52.6	2,922,483
		Sarah Taber (D)	44.9	2,496,474
		Sean Haugh (L)	2.4	135,513

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,554,470
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Sarah Taber advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Steve Troxler defeated Colby Hammonds in the Republican primary for North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Troxler	69.1	644,720
		Colby Hammonds	30.9	288,347

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 933,067
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Sean Haugh advanced from the Libertarian primary for North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Haugh in this election.

2022

See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 31

Incumbent Zack Hawkins defeated Sean Haugh in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 31 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Zack Hawkins (D)	84.2	24,814
		Sean Haugh (L)	15.8	4,658

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 29,472
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Zack Hawkins advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 31.

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Sean Haugh advanced from the Libertarian primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 31.

2020

See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 31

Incumbent Zack Hawkins defeated Sean Haugh in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 31 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Zack Hawkins (D)	85.5	46,341
		Sean Haugh (L)	14.5	7,850

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 54,191
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Steven Sosebee Jr. (R)

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Zack Hawkins advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 31.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Steven Sosebee Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 31.

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Sean Haugh advanced from the Libertarian primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 31.

2016

See also: United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2016

The race for North Carolina's U.S. Senate seat was one of nine competitive battleground races in 2016 that helped Republicans maintain control of the upper chamber after the November 8 general election. Incumbent Sen. Richard Burr (R) won re-election, defeating former state Rep. Deborah Ross (D) and pizza delivery driver Sean Haugh (L) in the general election.

While most of his colleagues facing tough re-election campaigns were out on the trail, Burr, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, was focused on his duties as chairman and did not officially begin campaigning until October 7, 2016. He told The Associated Press, “I become a candidate on Oct. 7, when the United States Senate is adjourned. I don't want there to be any question between the separation of Senate business, so I have very few conversations with campaigns and it really plays no role in my actions." Some Republican strategists were worried that Burr’s failure to attack Ross early in the race would hurt him on Election Day, while others said “Burr’s low-key style fits the ethos of the state well.”

Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who did not establish a strong ground game in the state, and North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (R), who was unpopular because of his stance on the state’s “bathroom bill,” complicated Burr’s path to re-election. Referring to Trump and McCrory, North Carolina GOP consultant Carter Wrenn said, “If it was a normal year, and it was just Richard and Deborah, you’d have to say Richard had a solid advantage.”

With the uncertain political landscape in North Carolina—it was the only state that The Cook Political Report rated as a “toss-up” for president, Senate, and governor—outside Republican groups spent more money on attack ads in the state than they had initially planned for in an effort to maintain control of the Senate. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) ran ads attacking Ross for being "too liberal" for North Carolina by highlighting her career with the American Civil Liberties Union. The NRSC also created the site “Radical Ross” to showcase Ross’ stance on “countless radical, out-of-touch policies.”

Ross’s campaign spokesman Cole Leiter, who attempted to portray Burr as a Washington insider, responded to the attacks saying, “It’s no surprise that, like a typical Washington politician, [Burr]’s turning to the same big money donors he’s put first all along. But North Carolina voters won’t be fooled — they know it’s time for a change, and no amount of special interest dark money can bail Richard Burr out.”

Ultimately, Burr was not hurt by his late arrival to the campaign trail or by having Trump or McCrory on the ballot. Burr outperformed Trump by earning more votes than the president-elect. After winning re-election, Burr tweeted: “Thank you North Carolina! Honored to continue serving as your senator.”

U.S. Senate, North Carolina General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Richard Burr Incumbent	51.1%	2,395,376
	Democratic	Deborah Ross	45.4%	2,128,165
	Libertarian	Sean Haugh	3.6%	167,592
Total Votes				4,691,133
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections

U.S. Senate Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Richard Burr Incumbent	61.4%	627,354
Greg Brannon	25.2%	257,331
Paul Wright	8.5%	86,940
Larry Holmquist	4.9%	50,507
Total Votes		1,022,132
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections

U.S. Senate Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Deborah Ross	62.4%	607,802
Chris Rey	16.5%	160,663
Kevin Griffin	11.7%	114,180
Ernest Reeves	9.4%	91,694
Total Votes		974,339
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections

2014

See also: United States Senate elections in North Carolina, 2014

Haugh ran in the 2014 election for the U.S. Senate, to represent North Carolina. He lost to Thom Tillis (R) in the general election. Haugh won the Libertarian nomination in the primary on May 6, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.

U.S. Senate, North Carolina General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kay Hagan Incumbent	47.3%	1,377,651
	Republican	Thom Tillis	48.8%	1,423,259
	Libertarian	Sean Haugh	3.7%	109,100
	Write-in	John Rhodes	0%	621
	Write-in	David Waddell	0%	201
	Write-in	Barry Gurney	0%	142
	Write-in	Write-in (miscellaneous)	0.1%	4,307
Total Votes				2,915,281
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections

U.S. Senate, North Carolina Libertarian Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Sean Haugh	60.7%	1,226
Tim D'Annunzio	39.3%	794
Total Votes		2,020
Source: Results via the North Carolina State Board of Elections

American Future Fund ad campaign

In October 2014, the American Future Fund spent $225,000 supporting Haugh in an online ad campaign. One campaign video, entitled, "More Weed, Less War," featured catch phrases such as, "Get Haugh, get high," showing Haugh's support for legalizing marijuana. Various media sources originally reported the American Future Fund as being funded by Charles and David Koch, but a spokesman for the Koch-backed network's financial group, Freedom Partners, stated, "Freedom Partners has not given American Future Fund any grants in the last two years and has no involvement with their current campaign in North Carolina."

Splitting the Republican vote

For a minor party candidate, Haugh did remarkably well in the polls. His increasing involvement worried many Republicans, who feared that he could have siphoned votes away from Thom Tillis (R) and increased Kay Hagan's (D) chances of winning the Senate seat. Although Haugh did not have anywhere near the cash on hand of Hagan or Tillis, he remained active by creating YouTube videos and asking for Bitcoin donations.

Media

• Without much campaign funding, Haugh did not have the means of producing cable television ads. However, he released a series of YouTube videos announcing his candidacy and explaining his positions on key issues.

Haugh explained why he was running for U.S. Senate

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Sean Haugh did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Haugh’s campaign website stated the following:

“	How can we help responsible and empowered parents make better school choices for their children? SUMMARY Education plays a vital role in the development of people and communities. It encourages social engagement. It fosters economic development. And it helps students to realize their personal potential. Bureaucratic and political systems are not the best way to meet each student’s educational needs. They do not provide environments that address learning diversity. They do not support innovative teachers or instruction. Allowing choice in education opens paths to academic success. The right learning environment prepares students for new challenges. It allows students to find a place to excel. It rewards innovative, engaged teachers. State education policy plays a prominent role in everyone’s life State education policy directly impacts the lives of North Carolina’s 1.8 million K-12 students. Spending on education represents nearly $9.8 billion of our state budget. Our approach to education policy is vitally important to students, families, educators, and taxpayers. The decisions made by legislators and state agencies today — and the availability of the best public schools, charter schools, private schools, and tech learning centers — will determine if students will be college and career-ready tomorrow. Political solutions cannot adequately prepare students for tomorrow’s world Conventional school policy drives districts, schools, and teachers into solutions governed by politics and bureaucracy. It does not promote more personalized and effective learning environments or curricula. It holds back students wanting deeper academic challenges. It does not adequately serve children with special learning needs. When politicians and public agencies play a more prominent role in shaping educational policy than students or families, we do not prepare those students for a diverse society or a dynamic economy. Choice can create a dynamic, future-oriented education system There is a better approach to cultivating opportunities for North Carolina’s students, families, and educators. This better approach focuses on the freedom to access options for student success. It includes the freedom to reward engaged teachers and develop innovative instruction. And it allows for the freedom to enhance quality and performance while responsibly controlling cost. North Carolina can promote a dynamic, future-oriented educational system based on choice. Students and families need choices among diverse, robust approaches. They need choices that promote high-quality and responsive educational environments. They need choices tailored to the needs of individual students and the future they face. We can achieve outstanding education policy for a better North Carolina with these choices. Real, practical, effective solutions for education policy Expand North Carolina’s state-funded Education Savings Account program to cover more students, allowing better education options for all students, especially students with special learning needs and families with financial hardships. Expand open enrollment within and between public-school districts, allowing families to find the best school fit within the public-school system without obtaining permission from their home district. Expand and fully fund the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship program, allowing greater access for all families, including those who lack the financial means to enroll their students in a private school. Refocus education funding by having tax dollars follow the student. Parents should not pay taxes for public schools while sending their children to alternative How can we strengthen economic opportunity for North Carolina’s residents, businesses and entrepreneurs? SUMMARY The way that individuals and businesses participate in our economy is strongly directed by state taxation and regulation policies. To create the jobs and businesses of tomorrow, we must encourage an innovative economic climate today. State economic policy is heavily influenced by established, well-connected interests. These policies stand in the way of innovative new businesses and hurt the customers they serve. Creating an environment where innovation can thrive and individuals can prosper starts with choice. When entrepreneurs can create new products and businesses can deliver new services without artificial barriers, everyone benefits. Tax policy and regulation influences business activity We rely on corporations, small businesses and entrepreneurs to drive our economy and support a better life for individuals and families across North Carolina. We need the jobs and industries that will propel us forward in the 21st century. We want an economic environment that benefits everyone in North Carolina. Our approach to tax policy and business regulation will determine if we will be a national and global economic leader. Politically influential interests work together with government to limit opportunity When government oversteps its regulatory or taxing bounds, politically influential special interests determine the shape of those rules. Politicians and agencies, despite good intentions, create a situation that benefits established, well-connected interests, and prevents better ideas and unique solutions from developing. When we ask bureaucrats to define how our economy can grow, we deprive ourselves of the potential for innovative businesses to imagine the products and services of tomorrow. Choice can open doors to greater economic potential and better options A better approach to policy will lead to stronger economic potential for everyone in North Carolina. This approach is based on the freedom for individuals, businesses and entrepreneurs to explore innovative ways to participate in the economy. It includes the freedom for owners, employees and professionals to strengthen today’s established businesses and create the innovative businesses of tomorrow. And it opens doors for people to engage in personally and financially rewarding occupations. North Carolina can promote the type of prosperity-generating economy that invites everyone to share in its potential and income mobility. Businesses and entrepreneurs need the choices that allow for better ways to serve customers and employees. Individuals need the choice to define the work environment that meets their personal needs. And consumers need the ability to make choices about their own economic activity. With more choice to personalize and innovate, we can promote a stronger, more dynamic, future-looking economy that supports everyone in North Carolina. Real, practical, effective solutions for economic policy Eliminate or reduce state occupational licensing requirements that simply represent financial protection and do not perform a critical role in vital public safety, opening economic doors for millions in North Carolina. Eliminate restrictions that force business relationships between private parties, such as those between North Carolina’s craft brewers and distribution middlemen, allowing these businesses to grow in ways that best serve owners and customers. Lower the costs and regulations for starting a new business, enabling entrepreneurs and small business owners to follow their dreams and create the great North Carolina businesses of tomorrow. Strengthen the ability of property owners to meet the growing needs of our expanding and changing population through unique residential configurations that allow for small dwellings and affordable housing. Support the sharing economy and the ability for individuals to define the way they utilize their time and property for their own economic benefit. How can North Carolina promote quality, access and affordability in our healthcare system? SUMMARY Healthcare options are a critical aspect of everyone’s life. State policy plays a significant role in promoting a healthcare system that achieves better outcomes, reaches more people and makes care more affordable. Politicized solutions and bureaucratic regulation remove patients and families from the central focus of healthcare decisions. Healthcare innovation has been hindered by incentives that do not align with delivering better outcomes. Putting patients and families at the center of the healthcare system starts by offering choice. When healthcare markets have more latitude to respond to the choices that patients and families make, healthcare systems increase quality, expand accessibility and decrease cost. State regulation impacts the quality and accessibility of healthcare options Access to high quality, affordable healthcare is a critical concern in everyone’s life. We want the rapid pace of innovation and adoption that has cured disease and delivered world-class treatments. We also want a system that is within the reach of everyone in North Carolina. With state regulation controlling every aspect of health delivery, legislative and bureaucratic policy play a major role in the quality, access and affordability of our healthcare system. Political solutions do not put the patient at the center of decision making Healthcare policy that removes the patient from the center of the decision-making process introduces incentives that do not align with the goals of providing high quality, accessible, affordable care. For too long, politicians, bureaucrats and special interests have been making the decisions that should be made by the people and families whose lives are directly affected. But even when people can make decisions around health options, state law often stands in the way of healthcare providers offering innovative services. Choice can create a high quality, accessible, affordable healthcare system There is a better approach to developing healthcare options for people throughout North Carolina. This approach is based on the freedom for individuals and families to make personal decisions about which options meet their individual healthcare needs. It creates stronger relationships between patients, doctors and healthcare specialists. And it incorporates the incentives that introduce innovation, serve more of our communities and bring down the cost of care. North Carolina can promote a high quality, accessible, affordable healthcare system based on choice. Individuals and families need the choices that address their lifestyle and care needs. They need the choice to find the healthcare options that meet their health management goals. They need the choices that introduce incentives to drive down cost while maintaining quality. With more choice to define healthcare options, we can promote a healthcare system that achieves better care outcomes in North Carolina. Real, practical, effective solutions for healthcare policy Transition the current Medicaid direct payment model to a state-funded health savings account, giving people more flexibility in defining the healthcare options that best serve their individual circumstances. Eliminate anticompetitive and protectionist Certificate of Need laws that hamper the growth and affordability of healthcare services, especially in rural and disadvantaged urban communities. Address the state licensing roadblocks preventing innovative healthcare delivery options such as direct primary care, telemedicine, and out-of-state licensed doctors providing charitable care. Repeal laws and regulations that mandate or prohibit any type of healthcare, medication, vaccination, or medical care or treatment. Decriminalize medical cannabis. Modern medical research indicates that this natural substance effective valley alleviates pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with several debilitating medical conditions. How can we rebalance our broken criminal justice system to restore equal justice for all? SUMMARY The purpose of criminal law is to protect the rights of individuals. Laws should be limited to violations of the rights of others through force or fraud, or deliberate actions that place others involuntarily at significant risk of harm. Laws should discourage people from violating the few prohibitions needed to protect people from force or fraud. Sadly, the law has become a maze of rules against harmless voluntary acts, thus branding many decent, peaceful people criminals. Protecting everyone from both crime and police misconduct The criminal justice system is out of balance and broken. True criminal justice reform to restore equal justice for all will require a top-to-bottom refocusing and rethinking of primary institutions and practices, beginning with the law itself and encompassing the police, the courts, and prisons. Restoring justice to the criminal justice system We all want to live in a society where all people, including the police, respect the rights of others. The criminal justice system should protect people from harm through force or fraud. Laws should only prohibit relatively few actions that harm others. A fair criminal justice system punishes only those who genuinely deserve punishment because they have harmed others, and punishment should be only in proportion to their wrongdoing. Too many laws make us all criminals Rather than performing its primary purpose of protecting people from harm, our criminal justice system has been manipulated into a vast array of rules and regulations outlawing many harmless voluntary acts, thus branding as “criminals” a large number of otherwise law-abiding people. Faced with the impossible task of reining in these “criminals,” government officials, from the police to the district attorneys, respond by inventing ways to circumvent civil rights protections. Toward a wise, fair, and compassionate criminal justice We can create a wise, fair, and compassionate criminal justice system, but it will require going beyond cliches and catchphrases like “law and order” and “defund the police.” A crime only occurs when someone uses force or fraud to harm another. If there is no victim, there is no crime. Prohibiting any action that doesn’t hurt someone just because a government official, or even a majority of citizens, thinks it’s wrong is immoral and has no place in a legitimate criminal justice system. Criminal laws should be limited to prohibiting the violation of the rights of others through force or fraud or deliberate actions that place others involuntarily at significant risk of harm. Voluntary acts between consenting adults which harm no one should not be outlawed. Real, practical, effective solutions for criminal justice reform Repeal all laws creating a crime with no specific victim or property damage identified. Pardon all individuals convicted solely on nonviolent drug charges. End qualified immunity. Hold all public officials fully accountable and liable for illegal actions even when acting in pursuance of their official duties. Investigate all incidents involving a police officer where anyone is harmed, and subject the officer to the same consequences any non-officer would face. End warrantless searches, reject the militarization of police forces and cease all civil asset forfeiture actions. Reorient the focus of our criminal justice system from punishment to restitution. Recognize the right of the victim to come to a private settlement with, or even pardon, the criminal.	”
—Sean Haugh’s campaign website (2024)

2022

Sean Haugh did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Sean Haugh did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2014

Haugh explained his positions on key issues on his campaign Facebook page:

“

I am running because I want to stop all war. Not only real war but metaphorical war as well. We have to stop our wars abroad. American taxpayers should not be paying for the deaths of others around the world. I stand against drone warfare in particular. We need to stop exporting arms to other governments and quasi-governmental groups. We must end all government policies that spread violence at home and abroad. We have to stop the culture wars. There is no political solution which starts with half of the population dropping dead. Every person deserves respect and dignity simply for being human. Culture warriors portray their opponents as less than human, causing violence and hatred to spread. We would be well served to start approaching our political and social differences in terms of right and wrong, not good and evil. We must reason with each other, not try to destroy each other. We have to stop the wars against our own people. The militarization of our police must change course. Police violence against the citizens they are sworn to protect and serve is growing at an alarming rate. The massive assaults against our electronic privacy also create a government based on intimidation rather than service. We must reform our relationship with those we charge to tend to our security.

”

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Sean Haugh campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture	Lost general	$1,730	$1,714
2022	North Carolina House of Representatives District 31	Lost general	$343	$140
2020	North Carolina House of Representatives District 31	Lost general	$140	N/A**
Grand total			$2,213	$1,854
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

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North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture

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