The Gist
State Senator, 44th District
Photo of Rod Powell
Rod PowellCampaign photo — movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com

Rod Powell

Candidate for State Senator, 44th District

Democratic

Background

Occupation
Retired public school teacher
Lives in
Casar
Campaign website
movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com

Retired public school teacher with a 30-year career in North Carolina classrooms, including Lincoln County and Mooresville schools, and National Board certification. He chairs the Cleveland County Democratic Party.

Report

Photo: Campaign photo — movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com

Documented positions

Education

  • Pledges competitive teacher pay and more career-technical education.

    Issues: Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell

    Campaign website · Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell · movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com

    “I will fight for stronger public schools by supporting competitive teacher pay, improving teacher retention, expanding career and technical education opportunities”
    Report

  • Opposes expanding private school vouchers.

    He told the Public School Forum he does not support expanding vouchers "while our public schools are still underfunded," and that private schools receiving taxpayer dollars should report how the money is spent and show student outcomes.

    Issues: Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell

    Campaign website · Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell · movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com

    “I will work to keep public education funding focused on the schools that serve all children”
    2026 NCGA Candidate Survey response: Rod Powell

    Candidate questionnaire · Public School Forum of North Carolina · Question 4 · ncforum.org

    Report

  • Supports restoring advanced-degree pay for teachers.

    In the Public School Forum survey: "I would support better teacher and staff pay, restored pay for advanced degrees, strong National Board supplements, more classroom resources, better school buildings, and more career and technical education."

    2026 NCGA Candidate Survey response: Rod Powell

    Candidate questionnaire · Public School Forum of North Carolina · Question 2 · ncforum.org

    Report

Roads & infrastructure

  • Supports investing in roads, water systems and broadband.

    Issues: Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell

    Campaign website · Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell · movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com

    “I will fight for investments in roads, bridges, water systems, broadband, and other infrastructure that growing communities need.”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Supports rural hospitals and more primary and mental health care.

    Issues: Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell

    Campaign website · Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell · movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com

    “I will fight to strengthen rural healthcare by supporting rural hospitals, expanding access to primary care and mental health services”
    Report

Other issues in this race

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

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

All sources (7)

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.

Rod Powell for State Senator, 44th District, North Carolina · The Gist