State
State Senator, 17th District
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 2 years
- Candidates
- 3
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: A state senator votes on North Carolina laws and the state budget in the General Assembly.
Education
Patrick J. BowersoxLibertarian
- Supports leaving education decisions to families.
Shirley JohnsonRepublican
- Supports school choice scholarships to spur accountability.
- Supports teacher raises funded by cutting waste, not taxes.
Mrs. Sydney BatchDemocratic
- Supports public schools, affordable health care and reproductive freedom.
Housing
Patrick J. BowersoxLibertarian
No documented position found.
Shirley JohnsonRepublican
- Supports state limits on restrictive local zoning.
Mrs. Sydney BatchDemocratic
No documented position found.
Economy & jobs
Patrick J. BowersoxLibertarian
- Supports removing regulations that burden small businesses.
Shirley JohnsonRepublican
No documented position found.
Mrs. Sydney BatchDemocratic
- Sponsored a state paid family leave insurance program.In office
- Sponsored protections for workers affected by artificial intelligence.In office
Health & human services
Patrick J. BowersoxLibertarian
- Supports more patient choice in health care.
Shirley JohnsonRepublican
- Supports stronger abortion restrictions than the 12-week law.
- Supports Medicaid work programs and anti-fraud efforts.
Mrs. Sydney BatchDemocratic
- Sponsored shielding state workers' pay from health premium hikes.In office
Government & transparency
Patrick J. BowersoxLibertarian
- Supports smaller, more efficient state government.
Shirley JohnsonRepublican
- Opposes independent redistricting commissions.
Mrs. Sydney BatchDemocratic
No documented position found.
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; 5 issues covered in this race.