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State Senator, 43rd 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.

Steve Rutherford

Democratic

Documentary filmmaker; Navy veteran · Belmont

The gist

  • Opposes cutting or privatizing Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.
  • Supports expanding access to affordable health care.
  • Supports fair taxes without special breaks for the wealthy.
  • Supports apprenticeships and workforce training programs.
  • Pledges to side with communities against profit-driven development deals.
More about Steve
View sources (1)
  1. Opposes cutting or privatizing Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.

    The Focus: Steve Rutherford for North Carolina Senate

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Steve Rutherford · steve4ncsenate.com

    “I will oppose any effort to cut or privatize Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid”
  2. Supports expanding access to affordable health care.

    The Focus: Steve Rutherford for North Carolina Senate

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Steve Rutherford · steve4ncsenate.com

    “I support expanding access to affordable healthcare so working families, seniors, and rural communities can get the care they need”
  3. Supports fair taxes without special breaks for the wealthy.

    The Focus: Steve Rutherford for North Carolina Senate

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Steve Rutherford · steve4ncsenate.com

    “I believe in fair taxation so nurses, teachers, veterans, and small business owners aren't carrying the load”
  4. Supports apprenticeships and workforce training programs.

    The Focus: Steve Rutherford for North Carolina Senate

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Steve Rutherford · steve4ncsenate.com

    “I believe in investing in skills, apprenticeships, and workforce programs that prepare people for today's economy”
  5. Pledges to side with communities against profit-driven development deals.

    The Focus: Steve Rutherford for North Carolina Senate

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Steve Rutherford · steve4ncsenate.com

    “I will stand with local communities to protect neighborhoods, infrastructure, and quality of life, and push back against deals that put profits over people.”
Photo of Brad Overcash
Brad OvercashOfficial portrait — North Carolina General Assembly

Brad Overcash

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator; attorney · Belmont

The gist

  • Sponsored changes to senior and disabled property tax relief.In office
  • Sponsored requiring the State Auditor to audit election procedures.In office
  • Sponsored the law restricting 'DEI' concepts in public schools.In office
  • Sponsored expanding the Charter Schools Review Board's authority.In office

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

More about Brad
View sources (5)
  1. Sponsored changes to senior and disabled property tax relief.

    Senate Bill 349 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Property Tax Modifications.

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 349, long title · ncleg.gov

    “AN ACT to modify the income eligibility limit for the elderly or disabled property tax homestead exclusion”
  2. Sponsored requiring the State Auditor to audit election procedures.

    Senate Bill 1087 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Post-Election Audits by State Auditor.

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 1087, long title · ncleg.gov

    “AN ACT to require the state auditor to audit election procedures.”
  3. Sponsored the law restricting 'DEI' concepts in public schools.

    Senate Bill 227 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education.

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 227, long title · ncleg.gov

    “to prohibit public school units from promoting certain concepts that are contrary to that intent”
    Senate Bill 227 (2025-2026 session): Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education. Bill history

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · Bill history · ncleg.gov

    “Ch. SL 2026-20”
  4. Sponsored expanding the Charter Schools Review Board's authority.

    Senate Bill 689 (2025-2026 session), as filed: 2025 Charter Schools Review Board Omnibus.

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 689, long title · ncleg.gov

    “AN ACT to require charter schools review board approval of all state rules related to charter schools”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.