State

State Senator, 44th 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

Rod Powell

Democratic

Retired public school teacher · Casar

The gist

Pledges competitive teacher pay and more career-technical education.
Opposes expanding private school vouchers.
Supports restoring advanced-degree pay for teachers.
Supports rural hospitals and more primary and mental health care.
Supports investing in roads, water systems and broadband.

More about Rod

View sources (2)

Pledges competitive teacher pay and more career-technical education.
Issues: Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell
Campaign website · Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell · movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com
“I will fight for stronger public schools by supporting competitive teacher pay, improving teacher retention, expanding career and technical education opportunities”
Opposes expanding private school vouchers.
Issues: Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell
Campaign website · Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell · movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com
“I will work to keep public education funding focused on the schools that serve all children”
2026 NCGA Candidate Survey response: Rod Powell
Candidate questionnaire · Public School Forum of North Carolina · Question 4 · ncforum.org
Supports restoring advanced-degree pay for teachers.
2026 NCGA Candidate Survey response: Rod Powell
Candidate questionnaire · Public School Forum of North Carolina · Question 2 · ncforum.org
Supports rural hospitals and more primary and mental health care.
Issues: Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell
Campaign website · Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell · movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com
“I will fight to strengthen rural healthcare by supporting rural hospitals, expanding access to primary care and mental health services”
Supports investing in roads, water systems and broadband.
Issues: Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell
Campaign website · Moving NC Forward with Rod Powell · movingncforwardwithrodpowell.com
“I will fight for investments in roads, bridges, water systems, broadband, and other infrastructure that growing communities need.”

Ted Alexander

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator · Shelby

The gist

Sponsored tougher penalties for assaulting emergency responders.In office
Sponsored more regional long-term care ombudsman positions.In office
Sponsored a human trafficking reporting system and related measures.In office
Sponsored creating the First Broad River State Trail.In office

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

More about Ted

View sources (4)

Sponsored tougher penalties for assaulting emergency responders.
Senate Bill 361 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Protecting First Responders Act.
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 361, long title · ncleg.gov
“to increase the punishment for committing an assault or affray against certain emergency responders”
Sponsored more regional long-term care ombudsman positions.
Senate Bill 362 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Strengthen Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 362, long title · ncleg.gov
“by funding additional regional ombudsman positions”
Sponsored a human trafficking reporting system and related measures.
Senate Bill 1007 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Human Trafficking Omnibus.
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 1007, long title · ncleg.gov
“DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A REPORTING AND RESPONSE SYSTEM TO USE FOR IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKING”
Sponsored creating the First Broad River State Trail.
Senate Bill 819 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Authorize First Broad River State Trail.
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 819, long title · ncleg.gov
“AN ACT to authorize the First Broad River State Trail.”

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.