The Gist
State Representative, 48th District
Photo of Garland E. Pierce
Garland E. PierceOfficial portrait — North Carolina General Assembly

Garland E. Pierce

Candidate for State Representative, 48th District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative; Baptist minister
Lives in
Wagram
Campaign website
reelectpierce.com

State representative for District 48 (Hoke and Scotland counties), in his 11th House term. A pastor for over 45 years, Army veteran and former UPS driver; a graduate of Fayetteville State University and Shaw Divinity School.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — North Carolina General Assembly

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Voted against amendment capping income tax rate at 3.5%.In office

    Voted No on third reading of Senate Bill 1080, "Lower Taxes for All NC," on May 20, 2026 (the House passed it 73-46). The bill submits a constitutional amendment to voters on November 3, 2026, providing that the maximum tax rate on incomes cannot exceed 3.5% (the current constitutional limit is 7%).

    Senate Bill 1080 (2025-2026 session), edition 3

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov

    “the maximum tax rate on incomes cannot exceed three and one”
    Representative Garland E. Pierce: recorded votes, 2025-2026 session

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · Roll call 664, May 20, 2026 · ncleg.gov

    “Lower Taxes for All NC. Third Reading”
    Report

  • Voted for the 2026 state budget.In office

    Voted Aye on July 2, 2026, when the House adopted the conference report on Senate Bill 257, the 2026 Appropriations Act (88-21).

    Representative Garland E. Pierce: recorded votes, 2025-2026 session

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · Roll call, July 2, 2026 · ncleg.gov

    “2026 Appropriations Act. R3 Ruled Mat'l C RPT Adoption”
    Report

Education

Health & human services

  • Sponsored a bill studying hospice accountability for patient complaints.In office

    First-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 974 (2025). Last action: referred to the House Rules Committee, April 14, 2025.

    Representative Garland E. Pierce: primary-sponsored bills, 2025-2026 session

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · HB 974 · ncleg.gov

    “DHHS Study/Hospice Patient Complaints.”
    House Bill 974 (2025-2026 session), edition 1

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov

    “a study on ways to encourage greater accountability by hospice care facilities for complaints by hospice care patients”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Supports working across party lines to improve communities.

    His campaign site says he "rejects today's toxic partisanship."

    Re-Elect Garland Pierce | House District 48

    Campaign website · Re-Elect Garland Pierce · reelectpierce.com

    “he believes that we have the ability to work together to improve our communities”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Garland E. Pierce on them.

  • Public safetyNo documented position found.
  • Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.

All sources (11)

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.