State Senator, 7th District · North Carolina 2026 General Election

Jessica Bichler

Democratic

Yoga studio owner · Wilmington

The gist

Supports raising the $7.25 state minimum wage.
Supports making large corporations pay more in taxes.
Opposes private school vouchers; supports public school funding.
Supports restoring abortion access and reproductive rights.
Supports regulating data centers to protect ratepayers.
Supports background checks and other gun safety measures.
Pledges to co-sponsor and vote to ratify the ERA.

More about Jessica

View sources (2)

Supports raising the $7.25 state minimum wage.
Issues - Jessica Bichler for NC Senate 7
Campaign website · Jessica Bichler for NC · jessicabichler.com
“We must raise the minimum wage and expand assistance for small businesses”
Supports making large corporations pay more in taxes.
Issues - Jessica Bichler for NC Senate 7
Campaign website · Jessica Bichler for NC · jessicabichler.com
“Make large corporations pay their fair share of taxes”
Opposes private school vouchers; supports public school funding.
Issues - Jessica Bichler for NC Senate 7
Campaign website · Jessica Bichler for NC · jessicabichler.com
“Ensure public dollars are going to public schools”
Supports restoring abortion access and reproductive rights.
Issues - Jessica Bichler for NC Senate 7
Campaign website · Jessica Bichler for NC · jessicabichler.com
“Restore reproductive rights and prevent further bans on reproductive care”
Supports regulating data centers to protect ratepayers.
Issues - Jessica Bichler for NC Senate 7
Campaign website · Jessica Bichler for NC · jessicabichler.com
“Regulate data center infrastructure to avoid increased energy costs for ratepayers”
Supports background checks and other gun safety measures.
Issues - Jessica Bichler for NC Senate 7
Campaign website · Jessica Bichler for NC · jessicabichler.com
“establishing common-sense gun safety measures, like background checks”
Pledges to co-sponsor and vote to ratify the ERA.
2026 Candidate Survey - Equal Rights Amendment North Carolina Alliance
Candidate questionnaire · Equal Rights Amendment North Carolina Alliance · Jun 29, 2026 · N.C. Senate table … N.C. Senate table · era-nc.org
“A green checkmark means the candidate will co-sponsor and vote for the resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. … Jessica Bichler D ✅”

Michael Lee

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator; attorney · Wilmington

The gist

Pledges to keep cutting state income taxes.
Supports legalizing medical cannabis with strict safety standards.
Supports a school funding formula that follows each student.
Supports expanded PFAS testing, treatment and removal.
Sponsored a constitutional amendment capping income tax rates.In office
Sponsored a long-term statewide infrastructure plan.In office
Sponsored repeal of certificate-of-need rules for some facilities.In office

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

More about Michael

View sources (5)

Pledges to keep cutting state income taxes.
Michael Lee's Priorities
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Michael Lee · leefornc.com
“Keep cutting income taxes responsibly.”
Supports legalizing medical cannabis with strict safety standards.
Michael Lee's Priorities
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Michael Lee · leefornc.com
“Legalize medical cannabis for patients with debilitating conditions, with strict safety standards.”
Supports a school funding formula that follows each student.
Michael Lee's Priorities
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Michael Lee · leefornc.com
“Fund schools through a modern formula that follows each student.”
Supports expanded PFAS testing, treatment and removal.
Michael Lee's Priorities
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Michael Lee · leefornc.com
“Expand testing, treatment, and removal of PFAS and other emerging contaminants.”
Sponsored a constitutional amendment capping income tax rates.
Senator Michael V. Lee, primary-sponsored bills, 2025-2026 session, North Carolina General Assembly
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
“Lower Taxes for All NC”
Senate Bill 1080 (Lower Taxes for All NC), 2025-2026 session, edition 1 text
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
“to provide that the maximum tax rate on incomes cannot exceed three and”
Sponsored a long-term statewide infrastructure plan.
Senator Michael V. Lee, primary-sponsored bills, 2025-2026 session, North Carolina General Assembly
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
“FUTURE NC Infrastructure Act”
Senate Bill 1010 (FUTURE NC Infrastructure Act), 2025-2026 session, edition 1 text
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
“TO ESTABLISH THE NORTH CAROLINA INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT COMMISSION”
Sponsored repeal of certificate-of-need rules for some facilities.
Senator Michael V. Lee, primary-sponsored bills, 2025-2026 session, North Carolina General Assembly
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
“Repeal CON for ASCs and Inpatient Rehab”
Senate Bill 1040 (Repeal CON for ASCs and Inpatient Rehab), 2025-2026 session, edition 1 text
Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov
“repealing certificate of need laws for ambulatory surgical facilities and for inpatient rehabilitation services”