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State
State Senator, 26th 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.
Taxes & budget
Sam PageRepublican
- Supports ending state income tax on overtime and tips.
Steve LukingDemocratic
- Supports a more progressive state tax system.
Public safety
Sam PageRepublican
- Supports restarting the death penalty in North Carolina.
Steve LukingDemocratic
- Supports stricter, 'common-sense' state gun laws.
Education
Sam PageRepublican
- Proposes raising starting teacher pay to $50,000.
- Supports school choice with guardrails against tuition hikes.
Steve LukingDemocratic
- Proposes raising corporate taxes to fund public schools.
- Opposes vouchers for wealthy families; supports higher teacher pay.
Health & human services
Sam PageRepublican
No documented position found.
Steve LukingDemocratic
- Opposes further restrictions on abortion access.
Government & transparency
Sam PageRepublican
- Supports repealing the legislature's public records exemption.
- Supports term limits for legislative leadership posts.
Steve LukingDemocratic
- Pledges to refuse donations from those with legislative business.
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.