The Gist
State Representative, 18th District
Photo of Deb Butler
Deb ButlerOfficial portrait — North Carolina General Assembly

Deb Butler

Candidate for State Representative, 18th District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
Attorney
Lives in
Wilmington
Campaign website
electdebbutler.com

Attorney and state representative for District 18 (New Hanover County); she has served as House Democratic chief whip and as the Democratic chair of the Finance and Judiciary committees. Graduate of the University of Tennessee and Wake Forest University School of Law.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — North Carolina General Assembly

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Sponsored a budget transparency bill requiring public notice.

    Deb Butler 2026 candidate questionnaire

    Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk media consortium) · portcitydaily.com

    “the bill I drafted and filed this year known as H.B. 178 entitled “Budgeting Accountability and Transparency Act” would be at the top”
    Report

  • Supports reinstating the earned income tax credit.

    Deb Butler 2026 candidate questionnaire

    Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk media consortium) · portcitydaily.com

    “reinstituting the earned income tax credit, which would help working families”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Supports repealing the 2025 Power Bill Reduction Act.

    She objects that the law lets Duke Energy bill customers for construction work in progress.

    Deb Butler 2026 candidate questionnaire

    Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk media consortium) · portcitydaily.com

    “I would like to repeal S.B. 266, which is misleadingly entitled “Power Bill Reduction Act.””
    Report

  • Opposes tax breaks for data centers.

    Deb Butler 2026 candidate questionnaire

    Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk media consortium) · portcitydaily.com

    “Data centers use incredible amounts of power and water and we, as taxpayers, have no business subsidizing their profit margins.”
    Report

Roads & infrastructure

  • Opposes tolling the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement.

    Deb Butler 2026 candidate questionnaire

    Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk media consortium) · portcitydaily.com

    “I will not support a toll on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement as I consider that to be double taxation.”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Supports taking redistricting away from lawmakers.

    Deb Butler 2026 candidate questionnaire

    Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk media consortium) · portcitydaily.com

    “Lawmakers should not be in charge of drawing the districts.”
    Report

  • Sponsored a no-budget, no-pay constitutional amendment for legislators.In office

    First-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 1039 (2026), a proposed amendment to the North Carolina Constitution.

    House Bill 1039, "Const Amend: No Budget No Pay." (2025-2026 session, as filed)

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov

    “to disallow the compensation and allowances of members of the General Assembly from the end of the fiscal year until a budget is ratified”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Deb Butler on them.

  • Public safetyNo documented position found.
  • EducationNo documented position found.
  • Environment & parksNo documented position found.

All sources (5)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.