Tricia Cotham

Patricia Ann Cotham was born on November 26, 1978, in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives representing District 105, located in Mecklenburg County in southeastern North Carolina.

Cotham is a former schoolteacher, lobbyist, and business owner who has dedicated her career to community service. She was recognized for her educational excellence, receiving the 2002 Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Teacher of the Year award and the 2003 Mint Hill Teacher of the Year award in recognition of her work with students.

Political Experience

Cotham's legislative career began in 2007 when she was elected as a Democrat to represent the 100th district in the North Carolina House of Representatives, serving until 2017. She was subsequently elected in 2022 to represent District 112 as a Democrat.

On April 5, 2023, Cotham formally switched her party affiliation to the Republican Party, which granted North Carolina House Republicans a supermajority in the chamber. Shortly after her party change, she cast the deciding vote for legislation restricting abortion access in North Carolina, voting in favor of a ban on abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy—a significant shift from her prior voting record supporting abortion rights.

In the 2026 election cycle, Cotham competed in the Republican primary for the newly created House District 105 and advanced to represent the district. She currently serves as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives and maintains her legislative office in Raleigh.