State

State Representative, 48th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on North Carolina laws and the state budget in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Candidates Compare by issue

Ralph Carter

Republican

Orthopedic surgeon · Laurinburg

The gist

Supports capping annual property tax increases.
Supports health care price transparency requirements.
Opposes medical mandates on individuals.
Supports school choice and higher teacher pay.
Opposes upstream diversion of the district's Cape Fear water supply.
Supports stiffer penalties for fentanyl distribution.

More about Ralph

View sources (1)

Supports capping annual property tax increases.
Issues - Dr. Ralph Carter For NC House 48
Campaign website · Ralph Carter for NC House · ralphcarterfornchouse.com
“Working to cap annual property tax increases, as the first step toward possible reduction and elimination of property tax altogether”
Supports health care price transparency requirements.
Issues - Dr. Ralph Carter For NC House 48
Campaign website · Ralph Carter for NC House · ralphcarterfornchouse.com
“Advocating for price transparency requirements so patients know costs upfront and reduce prescription drug costs.”
Opposes medical mandates on individuals.
Issues - Dr. Ralph Carter For NC House 48
Campaign website · Ralph Carter for NC House · ralphcarterfornchouse.com
“the liberty of individuals by freeing them from all medical mandates”
Supports school choice and higher teacher pay.
Issues - Dr. Ralph Carter For NC House 48
Campaign website · Ralph Carter for NC House · ralphcarterfornchouse.com
“Supporting school choice so parents can select the best educational option for their children. … Increasing teacher pay and working to attract high-quality teachers.”
Opposes upstream diversion of the district's Cape Fear water supply.
Issues - Dr. Ralph Carter For NC House 48
Campaign website · Ralph Carter for NC House · ralphcarterfornchouse.com
“He has already testified in Raleigh against the upstream diversion of our water supply”
Supports stiffer penalties for fentanyl distribution.
Issues - Dr. Ralph Carter For NC House 48
Campaign website · Ralph Carter for NC House · ralphcarterfornchouse.com
“He will support tough-on-crime legislation, including stiffer penalties for the distribution of deadly fentanyl.”

Garland E. Pierce

DemocraticIncumbent

State representative; Baptist minister · Wagram

The gist

Supports working across party lines to improve communities.
Sponsored a bill increasing classroom supply funding.In office
Sponsored a bill studying hospice accountability for patient complaints.In office
Voted against amendment capping income tax rate at 3.5%.In office
Voted for the 2026 state budget.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Garland

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Supports working across party lines to improve communities.
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”
Sponsored a bill increasing classroom supply funding.
Representative Garland E. Pierce: primary-sponsored bills, 2025-2026 session
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · HB 1053 · ncleg.gov
“Additional Funding for School Supplies.”
House Bill 1053 (2025-2026 session), edition 1
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
“to increase funding for the Classroom Materials/Instructional Supplies/Equipment allotment”
Sponsored a bill studying hospice accountability for patient complaints.
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”
Voted against amendment capping income tax rate at 3.5%.
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”
Voted for the 2026 state budget.
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”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.