(The Center Square) – Eight seats for the state Senate, sans significant upsets, arguably have the potential to impact North Carolina Republicans retaining and possibly building on their three-fifths majority or Democrats carving into the deficit.
All 50 seats in the chamber are on the ballot this fall. Republicans hold a 30-20 majority, meaning the ability to override vetoes without help if all are present and voting party line. Key numbers are 26 for majority and 30 for three-fifths.
Early voting began with absentee requests put in the mail on Sept. 4. Early voting in person is Oct. 15-31, and Election Day is Nov. 3.
Expected to be tested as they seek reelection are Republican Sens. Buck Newton in District 4, Michael Lee in District 7, Lisa Barnes in District 11, and Danny Britt Jr. in District 24, and Democratic Sens. Lisa Grafstein in District 13 and Woodson Bradley in District 42.
In races without an incumbent, eyes are on recently appointed Democrat Haseeb Fatmi in District 18 and Republican Kevin Crutchfield in District 34, where the primary winner unseated an incumbent.
District 4
District 4 has voters in Greene, Wayne and Wilson counties. Newton, of Wilson and seeking a sixth term, is challenged by Democrat Jess Rivera of Wilson.
Newton’s campaign points are led by a commitment to ending the practice of abortion; agriculture; constitutional rights; jobs and the economy; education; energy; healthcare; lowering personal income taxes; action for active and retired military; and improvement to infrastructure. Rivera’s platform is education that builds opportunity; healthcare close to home; jobs, wagers and the local economies; veterans and working families; infrastructure; agriculture; protections from “the predatory nature of today’s data centers” and mandatory moratoriums; and accountable government.
District 7
District 7 has voters only in New Hanover County. Lee, seeking a sixth term, is challenged by Democrat Jessica Bichler, each from Wilmington.
Lee’s campaign points are helping families keep more; strengthening education; healthcare that is affordable and accessible; investments in infrastructure and quality of life; clean water on the coast; and keeping communities safe. Bichler’s platform would like “ultra-wealthy” people to “pay their fair share” in a new tax structure supporting the economy; more investment in public schools; environmental concerns, in particular PFAS chemicals; healthcare that is affordable and accessible; and providing lawmen with resources to keep communities safe.
PFAS, an acronym for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time.
District 11
District 11 has voters in Franklin, Nash and Vance counties, the largest volume being from Nash. Barnes, of Spring Hope and seeking a fourth term in the Senate following one in the House of Representatives, is challenged by Democrat James Galliard of Rocky Mount and Libertarian Gavin Bell of Kittrell.
Barnes’ campaign points are led by education through school choice and support for teachers; healthcare that is affordable and accessible; lessen personal income taxes to strengthen the economy; and agriculture and agri-business. Galliard, pastor of megachurch Word Tabernacle and beaten by Republican Rep. Allen Chesser four years ago, is focused on economic inequality; voters’ rights and election reform; and regional economic development.
District 13
District 13, one of six Senate districts for voters in Wake County, is south of the capitol in the communities of Fuquay-Varina and Willow Spring. Grafstein, of Raleigh and seeking her third term, is challenged by Republican Robert van Brederode of Fuquay-Varina.
Grafstein’s campaign points are the economy; healthcare and reproductive freedom; voting rights; education; housing; the environment; and law enforcement and public safety. She wants unionization to help the economy. Van Brederode’s platform, built he says on “liberty and common sense,” is 13 points on family first; economy and infrastructure; political autonomy; legal immigration and opposition to illegal attempts and amnesty for those already here; protection of spaces for women and girls; education; freedom of speech; economic freedom; affordable healthcare; Second Amendment rights; election integrity; reduced government spending to help combat inflation; and affordable housing.
District 18
District 18, one of six Senate districts for voters in Wake County, is north of the capitol and extends to Granville County. Fatmi, of Wake Forest and appointed May 21 to finish the term of Sen. Terence Everitt, is challenged by Republican Chris Stock of Wake Forest and Libertarian Brad Hessel of Raleigh.
Everitt won by 128 votes of 119,206 cast two years ago and withstood an election protest from Republican Ashlee Adams.
Fatmi says his vision for constituents is “affordable living, strong schools, safe communities and responsive, commonsense leadership.” Stock’s plan “to improve quality of life and lower the cost of living” is a limit on property taxes; investments in public school education; preservation of farmland; improved resources in infrastructure, transportation, water quality and public utility; and protection of residents inclusive of the judicial system, support of lawmen, and funding emergency services.
District 24
District 24 has voters in Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties. Britt, of Lumberton and seeking a sixth term, is challenged by Democrat Catina Hamm of Raeford.
Britt’s campaign points are led by public safety and mental health resources; job creation and growing the economy; education and workforce development; and conservative principles in social and constitutional issues. Hamm’s platform emphasizes jobs and the local economy; schools and young people; public safety and justice; and access to healthcare.
District 34
District 34 has voters in Cabarrus County. Crutchfield, of Midland and winner over Republican Sen. Chris Measmer 53.7%-46.3% in the primary, is up against Democrat April Cook of Concord. Measmer was appointed April 8, 2025, filling the term of Republican Sen. Paul Newton after his resignation.
Crutchfield’s campaign points are built around business, and protection of the “American Dream”; protection of constitutional rights, especially when it comes to the Second Amendment; and support of law enforcement and first responders. Cook says issues that matter most to her for constituents are healthcare access; education; affordability; accountability; reproductive rights; and artificial intelligence and the burgeoning data center era.
District 42
District 42, one of six in Mecklenburg County, is southeast of Charlotte inclusive of the communities of Mint Hill and Matthews. Bradley, of Charlotte and seeking her second term, is challenged by Republican Stacie McGinn of Charlotte.
Bradley’s campaign is focused on “commonsense solutions to address the challenges in our public schools, healthcare system and local economy, while continuing to champion civil and equal rights.” McGinn’s platform leads with education by advancing achievement in schools; crime and safety; and economic opportunity through the promotion of “growth while protecting our quality of life.”
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