State

State Senator, 33rd 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

Gary R. Weart

Democratic

Retired public school teacher; author · Richfield

The gist

Opposes the Opportunity Scholarship voucher program's expansion.
Pledges to restore funding for public schools.
Supports lowering prescription drug costs.
Pledges to defend rural hospitals and clinics.
Supports property tax relief for seniors and long-time residents.

More about Gary

View sources (4)

Opposes the Opportunity Scholarship voucher program's expansion.
The Re-Funding of Our Public Schools: Gary Weart for NC Senate District 33
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Gary Weart · garyweart4nc.com
“That gamble has drained resources from free, public, and diverse classrooms”
2026 NCGA Candidate Survey response: Gary Weart
Candidate questionnaire · Public School Forum of North Carolina · Question 4 · ncforum.org
Pledges to restore funding for public schools.
The Re-Funding of Our Public Schools: Gary Weart for NC Senate District 33
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Gary Weart · garyweart4nc.com
“Gary will fight to restore the funding that once made North Carolina a shining beacon for public education in the Southeast.”
Supports lowering prescription drug costs.
Affordable Healthcare: Gary Weart for NC Senate District 33
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Gary Weart · garyweart4nc.com
“Advocate for policies that lower the cost of life-saving medications.”
Pledges to defend rural hospitals and clinics.
Affordable Healthcare: Gary Weart for NC Senate District 33
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Gary Weart · garyweart4nc.com
“Defend local hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers—especially in rural areas.”
Supports property tax relief for seniors and long-time residents.
Cost of Living & Affordability: Gary Weart for NC Senate District 33
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Gary Weart · garyweart4nc.com
“Advocate for property tax relief for long-time residents, seniors, and working families.”

Carl Ford

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator; radio station owner · China Grove

The gist

Opposes new limits on gun ownership.
Opposes abortion, describing himself as pro-life.
Supports cutting government spending and tax rates.
Sponsored a state constitutional right-to-work amendment.In office
Sponsored truth-in-taxation rules for local property tax increases.In office

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

More about Carl

View sources (7)

Opposes new limits on gun ownership.
Second Amendment Rights: Carl Ford
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Carl Ford · votecarlford.com
“Law abiding citizens are the only ones hurt when lawmakers attack the Second Amendment.”
Opposes abortion, describing himself as pro-life.
Family: Carl Ford
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Carl Ford · votecarlford.com
“Carl is pro-life and pro-family.”
Supports cutting government spending and tax rates.
Economic Development: Carl Ford
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Carl Ford · votecarlford.com
“Cutting government spending and reducing tax rates is always a top priority.”
Sponsored a state constitutional right-to-work amendment.
Senate Bill 1082 (2025-2026 session), as filed: NC Right to Work Amendment.
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 1082, long title · ncleg.gov
“AN ACT to amend the Constitution of North Carolina to ensure the right to work for All north carolinians.”
Senate Bill 1082 (2025-2026 session): NC Right to Work Amendment. Bill history
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · Bill history · ncleg.gov
“Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House”
Sponsored truth-in-taxation rules for local property tax increases.
Senate Bill 992 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Truth in Taxation.
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 992, long title · ncleg.gov
“AN ACT to Implement truth in taxation procedures when a governing body of a taxing unit intends to adopt a tax rate exceeding the”
Senate Bill 992 (2025-2026 session): Truth in Taxation. Bill history
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · Bill history · ncleg.gov
“Passed 3rd Reading”

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.