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State Senator, 45th 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

Greg Cranford

Democratic

Newton

The gist

  • Opposes public funding for private and charter schools.
  • Supports ending Opportunity Scholarship voucher funding immediately.
  • Supports diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
  • Supports social and emotional learning in schools.
More about Greg
View sources (1)

  1. Opposes public funding for private and charter schools.

    2026 NCGA Candidate Survey response: Greg Cranford

    Candidate questionnaire · Public School Forum of North Carolina · Question 1 · ncforum.org

  2. Supports ending Opportunity Scholarship voucher funding immediately.

    2026 NCGA Candidate Survey response: Greg Cranford

    Candidate questionnaire · Public School Forum of North Carolina · Question 4 · ncforum.org

  3. Supports diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

    2026 NCGA Candidate Survey response: Greg Cranford

    Candidate questionnaire · Public School Forum of North Carolina · Question 3 · ncforum.org

  4. Supports social and emotional learning in schools.

    2026 NCGA Candidate Survey response: Greg Cranford

    Candidate questionnaire · Public School Forum of North Carolina · Question 5 · ncforum.org

Photo of Mark Hollo
Mark HolloOfficial portrait — North Carolina General Assembly

Mark Hollo

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator · Conover

The gist

  • Supports Second Amendment gun rights.
  • Sponsored shortening the early voting period for all elections.In office
  • Sponsored moving Catawba County town elections to even years.In office
  • Sponsored state funds for a Conover water and sewer project.In office
  • Sponsored revising the state's child car seat law.In office

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

More about Mark
View sources (5)

  1. Supports Second Amendment gun rights.

    Mark Hollo for NC Senate: post on Second Amendment rights (Facebook)

    Candidate social media · Mark Hollo for NC Senate · facebook.com

    “I support our second amendment rights!”

  2. Sponsored shortening the early voting period for all elections.

    Senate Bill 1084 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Reduce Early Voting Period.

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 1084, long title · ncleg.gov

    “AN ACT to reduce the early voting period for ALL ELECTIONS.”

  3. Sponsored moving Catawba County town elections to even years.

    Senate Bill 810 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Even-Year Municipal Elections/Catawba Co.

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 810, long title · ncleg.gov

    “AN ACT to require that regular municipal elections for all municipalities in catawba county be held in even”

  4. Sponsored state funds for a Conover water and sewer project.

    Senate Bill 182 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Funds/Conover Water and Wastewater.

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 182, long title · ncleg.gov

    “AN ACT to appropriate funds to the City of conover for a Water and Sewer Project.”

  5. Sponsored revising the state's child car seat law.

    Senate Bill 430 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Revise Child Passenger Restraint System Law.

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 430, long title · ncleg.gov

    “AN ACT Revising the law regarding the mandatory use of child passenger restraint systems.”

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.