State
State Senator, 4th 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.
Taxes & budget
Jessica (Jess) RiveraDemocratic
No documented position found.
Buck NewtonRepublican
- Opposes tax increases to address spending and debt.
Public safety
Jessica (Jess) RiveraDemocratic
No documented position found.
Buck NewtonRepublican
- Pledges to defend Second Amendment gun rights.
- Sponsored the Border Protection Act on immigration cooperation, now law.In office
Education
Jessica (Jess) RiveraDemocratic
- Supports well-funded rural schools and better teacher pay.
Buck NewtonRepublican
No documented position found.
Economy & jobs
Jessica (Jess) RiveraDemocratic
- Supports job training tied to employers and fair wages.
- Supports fair crop insurance and investment in family farms.
Buck NewtonRepublican
- Sponsored a bill barring lending discrimination against farmers.In office
Roads & infrastructure
Jessica (Jess) RiveraDemocratic
No documented position found.
Buck NewtonRepublican
- Sponsored a 10-year ban on tolls on Interstate 95.In office
Environment & parks
Jessica (Jess) RiveraDemocratic
- Supports mandatory moratoriums on data centers.
Buck NewtonRepublican
- Supports traditional energy now and renewables long term.
Health & human services
Jessica (Jess) RiveraDemocratic
- Supports protecting rural hospitals and expanding mental health care.
Buck NewtonRepublican
- Opposes abortion and pledges legislation to end it.
Government & transparency
Jessica (Jess) RiveraDemocratic
- Pledges to co-sponsor and vote to ratify the ERA.
Buck NewtonRepublican
No documented position found.
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; 8 issues covered in this race.