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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.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Public safety

  • Melissa ZehnerDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Jerry TillettRepublican

    • Supports gun rights under the Second Amendment.
    • Supports law and order as a top priority.

Education

  • Melissa ZehnerDemocratic

    • Supports higher teacher pay and more school funding.
    • Opposes school vouchers for private schools.

  • Jerry TillettRepublican

    No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

  • Melissa ZehnerDemocratic

    • Supports more affordable housing and child care.

  • Jerry TillettRepublican

    • Pledges to recruit light industry and local entrepreneurs.
    • Supports free enterprise with minimal government interference.

Government & transparency

  • Melissa ZehnerDemocratic

    • Supports fair voting maps and opposes gerrymandering.
    • Pledges to co-sponsor and vote to ratify the ERA.

  • Jerry TillettRepublican

    • Pledges open, respectful debate across viewpoints.

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.