State Senator, 47th District · North Carolina 2026 General Election

Frank Patton Hughes III

Democratic

Public school social studies teacher · Avery County

The gist

Supports ending vouchers and raising per-pupil spending.
Pledges to protect rural hospitals' Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Pledges opioid settlement money for local treatment and recovery.
Opposes unregulated expansion of data centers.
Pledges to serve no more than two terms.

More about Frank

View sources (1)

Supports ending vouchers and raising per-pupil spending.
Policy Positions: Frank Hughes for NC Senate District 47
Campaign website · Frank Hughes for NC Senate · electhughes.com
“I will fight to increase per pupil spending, teacher and faculty pay increases, and an end to the wasteful voucher system.”
Pledges to protect rural hospitals' Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Policy Positions: Frank Hughes for NC Senate District 47
Campaign website · Frank Hughes for NC Senate · electhughes.com
“Advocate for sustainable Medicaid and commercial reimbursement rates of low-volume rural facilities to prevent further health care deserts.”
Pledges opioid settlement money for local treatment and recovery.
Policy Positions: Frank Hughes for NC Senate District 47
Campaign website · Frank Hughes for NC Senate · electhughes.com
“Work to direct dedicated state budget funds and opioid settlement money into local treatment, harm reduction and recovery centers.”
Opposes unregulated expansion of data centers.
Policy Positions: Frank Hughes for NC Senate District 47
Campaign website · Frank Hughes for NC Senate · electhughes.com
“I stand firmly against the unregulated expansion of data centers that exploit our resources, hike up our utility bills”
Pledges to serve no more than two terms.
Policy Positions: Frank Hughes for NC Senate District 47
Campaign website · Frank Hughes for NC Senate · electhughes.com
“If elected, I pledge to commit a self-imposed term limit of two successive terms.”

Ralph Hise

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator; statistician · Spruce Pine

The gist

Pledges to end critical race theory teaching in schools.
Supports barring tech-company donations to election boards.
Pledges to keep cutting state taxes.
Sponsored Helene aid to local governments and property owners.In office
Sponsored grants to expand midwifery education at UNC campuses.In office
Sponsored ending payroll dues deductions for public employee associations.In office

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

More about Ralph

View sources (4)

Pledges to end critical race theory teaching in schools.
Ralph Hise for NC Senate
Campaign website · Ralph Hise for NC Senate · ralphhise.com
“During my time there I have fought to lower taxes, secure elections, and end the teaching of Critical Race Theory in schools.”
Supports barring tech-company donations to election boards.
Ralph Hise for NC Senate
Campaign website · Ralph Hise for NC Senate · ralphhise.com
“passing legislation like SB725 which prohibits big tech from giving money to boards of elections”
Pledges to keep cutting state taxes.
Ralph Hise for NC Senate
Campaign website · Ralph Hise for NC Senate · ralphhise.com
“For years I have been working to lower taxes every chance that we get.”
Sponsored Helene aid to local governments and property owners.
Senate Bill 671 (2025-2026 session), as filed: Helene Rev. Replace./Locals; Prop Tax Relief.
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 671, long title · ncleg.gov
“to provide interest relief on property taxes for property owners who sustained a certain level of property damage as the result of hurricane helene”
Sponsored grants to expand midwifery education at UNC campuses.
Senate Bill 1005 (2025-2026 session), as filed: We Need More Midwives Act.
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 1005, long title · ncleg.gov
“AN ACT to establish the midwifery education grant program for constituent institutions of the university of north carolina”
Sponsored ending payroll dues deductions for public employee associations.
Senate Bill 47 (2025-2026 session), as filed: State Emps./No Payroll Dues Deduction.
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · S.B. 47, long title · ncleg.gov
“AN ACT repealing Public employee payroll deduction for payments to employees' associations.”