The Gist
State Senator, 4th District
Photo of Jessica (Jess) Rivera
Jessica (Jess) RiveraCampaign photo — jessfornc.com

Jessica (Jess) Rivera

Candidate for State Senator, 4th District

Democratic

Background

Occupation
Barber and small business owner; Marine veteran
Lives in
Wilson
Campaign website
jessfornc.com

Marine Corps veteran who enlisted at 17, licensed cosmetologist and owner of The Garrison Barber & Parlor in downtown Wilson.

Report

Photo: Campaign photo — jessfornc.com

Documented positions

Education

  • Supports well-funded rural schools and better teacher pay.

    Platform - Jess Rivera for NC State Senate

    Campaign website · Jess Rivera for NC State Senate · jessfornc.com

    “We fight for well-funded rural schools, well-paid teachers, and community colleges that connect students to good jobs close to home.”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Supports job training tied to employers and fair wages.

    Platform - Jess Rivera for NC State Senate

    Campaign website · Jess Rivera for NC State Senate · jessfornc.com

    “We support small businesses, job training tied to real employers, modern infrastructure, and fair wages.”
    Report

  • Supports fair crop insurance and investment in family farms.

    Platform - Jess Rivera for NC State Senate

    Campaign website · Jess Rivera for NC State Senate · jessfornc.com

    “Fair crop insurance, water access for drought years, and real investment in family farms that feed this nation.”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Supports mandatory moratoriums on data centers.

    Listed under the heading "Data Centers & Mandatory Moratoriums."

    Platform - Jess Rivera for NC State Senate

    Campaign website · Jess Rivera for NC State Senate · jessfornc.com

    “We need a stronghold against the predatory nature of today's data centers.”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Supports protecting rural hospitals and expanding mental health care.

    Platform - Jess Rivera for NC State Senate

    Campaign website · Jess Rivera for NC State Senate · jessfornc.com

    “We protect local healthcare, expand mental health and substance-use services”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Pledges to co-sponsor and vote to ratify the ERA.

    Answer to the ERA-NC Alliance's 2026 candidate survey, which marks candidates who say they will co-sponsor and vote for the General Assembly resolution ratifying the federal Equal Rights Amendment.

    2026 Candidate Survey - Equal Rights Amendment North Carolina Alliance

    Candidate questionnaire · Equal Rights Amendment North Carolina Alliance · Jun 29, 2026 · N.C. Senate table … N.C. Senate table · era-nc.org

    “A green checkmark means the candidate will co-sponsor and vote for the resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. … Jessica Rivera D ✅”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Jessica (Jess) Rivera on them.

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

All sources (8)

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.

Jessica (Jess) Rivera for State Senator, 4th District, North Carolina · The Gist