State

State Senator, 1st District

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

What this office does: A state senator votes on North Carolina laws and the state budget in the General Assembly.

Candidates Compare by issue

Melissa Zehner

Democratic

Parent and advocate · Southern Shores

The gist

Supports higher teacher pay and more school funding.
Opposes school vouchers for private schools.
Supports fair voting maps and opposes gerrymandering.
Supports more affordable housing and child care.
Pledges to co-sponsor and vote to ratify the ERA.

More about Melissa

View sources (2)

Supports higher teacher pay and more school funding.
Melissa Zehner for NC Senate District 1
Campaign website · Melissa Zehner for NC Senate · melissazehnerforsenate.com
“Pay our teachers. Fund our schools.”
Opposes school vouchers for private schools.
Melissa Zehner for NC Senate District 1
Campaign website · Melissa Zehner for NC Senate · melissazehnerforsenate.com
“Public funds should go to public schools.”
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”
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.”
Pledges to co-sponsor and vote to ratify the ERA.
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 ✅”

Jerry Tillett

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator; retired Superior Court judge · Manteo

The gist

Supports gun rights under the Second Amendment.
Pledges to recruit light industry and local entrepreneurs.
Supports free enterprise with minimal government interference.
Supports law and order as a top priority.
Pledges open, respectful debate across viewpoints.

More about Jerry

View sources (2)

Supports gun rights under the Second Amendment.
Standing-Room-Only Crowd Greets Jerry R. Tillett's Announcement for NC Senate District 1
Campaign website · Tillett for Senate · tillettforsenate.com
“I support the Second Amendment as strongly as I support every other Amendment”
Pledges to recruit light industry and local entrepreneurs.
Standing-Room-Only Crowd Greets Jerry R. Tillett's Announcement for NC Senate District 1
Campaign website · Tillett for Senate · tillettforsenate.com
“I will work tirelessly to attract light industry”
Supports free enterprise with minimal government interference.
Issues - Tillett for Senate
Campaign website · Tillett for Senate · tillettforsenate.com
“An economic system where individuals and businesses operate for profit with minimal interference from the government.”
Supports law and order as a top priority.
Issues - Tillett for Senate
Campaign website · Tillett for Senate · tillettforsenate.com
“Law and Order form the bedrock of civil society”
Pledges open, respectful debate across viewpoints.
Issues - Tillett for Senate
Campaign website · Tillett for Senate · tillettforsenate.com
“Respect and civility are crucial for constructive discussions to promote the free exchange of ideas.”

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; 4 issues covered in this race.