Karl Gillespie
Candidate for State Representative, 120th District
Background
- Occupation
- State representative; communications contractor and farmer
- Lives in
- Franklin
- Campaign website
- votekarl.com
State representative for District 120, in his third House term, and House majority whip; a communications contractor and farmer who is a fifth-generation Macon County native.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Supports efficient government while keeping taxes low.
ReportCampaign Issues - Karl Gillespie for NC House Dist 120Campaign website · Karl Gillespie for NC House · votekarl.com
“This can be done while providing the citizens all the services to which they are accustomed and keeping taxes low.”
Education
Supports school funding formulas that work for rural schools.
ReportCampaign Issues - Karl Gillespie for NC House Dist 120Campaign website · Karl Gillespie for NC House · votekarl.com
“we must make sure they work for our schools in small rural communities”
Housing
Sponsored two-business-day deadlines for local development reviews.In office
First-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 876.
ReportRepresentative Karl E. Gillespie, primary-sponsored bills, 2025-2026 sessionGovernment record · North Carolina General Assembly · HB 876 · ncleg.gov
“Development Application Review Time Lines”
House Bill 876, "Development Application Review Time Lines." (2025-2026 session, edition 1)Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
“to require review of certain development approvals and building inspections by local governments within two BUSINESS days of request”
Economy & jobs
Sponsored requiring government employers to use E-Verify.In office
First-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 1214, which would also raise civil penalties for employers that fail to comply with E-Verify requirements.
ReportRepresentative Karl E. Gillespie, primary-sponsored bills, 2025-2026 sessionGovernment record · North Carolina General Assembly · HB 1214 · ncleg.gov
“Make E-Verify Great Again”
House Bill 1214, "Make E-Verify Great Again." (2025-2026 session, edition 3)Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
“to require state and local government employers to comply with article 2 of chapter 64 of the general statutes”
Roads & infrastructure
Supports expanding ReConnect and GREAT broadband grants.
ReportCampaign Issues - Karl Gillespie for NC House Dist 120Campaign website · Karl Gillespie for NC House · votekarl.com
“Programs such as the USDA "ReConnect" program and the North Carolina "GREAT" grants must be expanded.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Karl Gillespie on them.
- Health & human servicesNo documented position found.
All sources (10)
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing (Cherokee County offices and districts)
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing (Clay County offices and districts)
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing (Graham County offices and districts)
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing (Macon County offices and districts)
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- Representative Karl E. Gillespie, member biography, North Carolina General Assembly
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
- Campaign Issues - Karl Gillespie for NC House Dist 120
Campaign website · Karl Gillespie for NC House · votekarl.com
- Representative Karl E. Gillespie, primary-sponsored bills, 2025-2026 session
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
- House Bill 1214, "Make E-Verify Great Again." (2025-2026 session, edition 3)
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
- House Bill 876, "Development Application Review Time Lines." (2025-2026 session, edition 1)
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
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.