The Gist
State Senator, 1st District
Photo of Melissa Zehner
Melissa ZehnerCampaign photo — melissazehnerforsenate.com

Melissa Zehner

Candidate for State Senator, 1st District

Democratic

Background

Occupation
Parent and advocate
Lives in
Southern Shores
Campaign website
melissazehnerforsenate.com

Southern Shores resident and mother of two public school students. After graduating from Randolph-Macon Woman's College she held management positions in Minor League Baseball, then became a stay-at-home parent.

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Photo: Campaign photo — melissazehnerforsenate.com

Documented positions

Education

  • Supports higher teacher pay and more school funding.

    She cites North Carolina's low national ranking for teacher pay and per-pupil spending.

    Melissa Zehner for NC Senate District 1

    Campaign website · Melissa Zehner for NC Senate · melissazehnerforsenate.com

    “Pay our teachers. Fund our schools.”
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  • Opposes school vouchers for private schools.

    Her site says private schools receiving vouchers are not held to the same standards.

    Melissa Zehner for NC Senate District 1

    Campaign website · Melissa Zehner for NC Senate · melissazehnerforsenate.com

    “Public funds should go to public schools.”
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Economy & jobs

  • Supports more affordable housing and child care.

    Melissa Zehner for NC Senate District 1

    Campaign website · Melissa Zehner for NC Senate · melissazehnerforsenate.com

    “When a community has affordable homes and better jobs, doctors, teachers, and young people can live there long term.”
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Government & transparency

  • Supports fair voting maps and opposes gerrymandering.

    Melissa Zehner for NC Senate District 1

    Campaign website · Melissa Zehner for NC Senate · melissazehnerforsenate.com

    “Voters in NC deserve fair voting maps”
    Report

  • 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. … Melissa Zehner D ✅”
    Report

Other issues in this race

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

  • Public safetyNo documented position found.

All sources (14)

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.