Who is Running in 2020 Contested Primaries – NC Senate

There are no primary races in many districts, as many incumbents and candidates will face no opposition. Most candidates will run against an opponent in the general election on November 3, 2020. There are 50 Senate seats, however this list includes only districts with primary races – incumbents are noted in BOLD.

Not sure who currently represents you? Find your Congressperson, and NC representative here.

District 06: The incumbent is not running for another term, there is no Demcratic primary in this district

Michael A. Lazzara {R} – Campaign website: https://www.lazzaraforncsenate.com/

Bob Williams {R} – Campaign website: http://www.electbobwilliams.org/

 

District 07:

Jim Perry {R} – Campaign website: https://jimperrync.com/

Bob Williams {R} – Campaign website: http://www.electbobwilliams.org/

District 08: There are no Republican or Democratic primaries in this district

Ethan Bickley {L} – Campaign website: None found

Anthony Mascolo {L} – Campaign website: http://mascoloforliberty.com/

Mascolo responded to NC NORML’s 2020 Candidate Questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and legalization. Long answer response: “Any adult who has attained the age of 18 should have the right to use cannabis.”

District 11:

Lisa Stone Barnes {R} – Campaign website: https://www.lisastonebarnes.com/

Barnes currently represents NC House District 007, serving in her first term.

Patrick Harris {R} – Campaign website: https://www.harrisforncsenate.com/

Dennis Nielsen {R} – Campaign website: None found

Albert R. Pacer {D} – Campaign website: https://albertpacer.com/

Allen Wellons {D} – Campaign website: http://wellonsfornc.com/

District 18: The incumbent chose not to run for reelection; the Libertarian candidate faces no opponent in the primary

Angela F. Bridgman {D} – Campaign website: http://www.bridgmansenate18.com/

Bridgman responded to NC NORML’s 2020 Candidate Questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and legalization. Long answer response: “I am not entirely clear on the first question, concerning under 21 years of age.  I do support limiting access to cannabis to minors, however, I would say age 18, not 21.  If you are old enough to drive a car, sign a contract, and go off to war and die for your country, you ought to be able to have cannabis, cigarettes or alcohol.”

Sarah Crawford {D} – Campaign website: https://www.sarahfornc.com/

Scott McKaig {R} – Campaign website: https://scottmckaig.com/

From his campaign website: “Criminal Justice Reform:

I spent the first 5 years of my career struggling in district court trying to grind out a living on various court appointed lists. That first-hand experience in court rooms and jails all over this state has shown me how desperately we need meaningful criminal justice reform. We need to do more to intervene on behalf of juvenile offenders to prevent them from becoming adult perpetrators. We need to decriminalize some controlled substances and re-evaluate who goes to prison and why they should be incarcerated. Among other reforms, we should revisit structured sentencing and eliminate cash bonds.”

Larry E. Norman {R} – Campaign website: https://www.normanforncsenate.com/

Norman responded to NC NORML’s 2020 Candidate Questionnaire and expressed opposition to medical marijuana, decriminalization and legalization.

District 20:  There is no Republican primary in this district

Gray Ellis {D} – Campaign website: http://grayellisforncsenate.com/ 

Responded to NC NORML’s 2020 Candidate Questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and legalization. Long answer response: “We must decriminalize the possession, use and cultivation of cannabis. Our jails are filled with people suffering from substance abuse and living with mental health issues. Moreover, we criminally convict people for simple possession, and other minor drug charges, limiting their chances of gainful employment.”

Pierce Freelon {D} – Campaign website: https://www.freelonfordurham.com/

From his campaign website:  “● Support policies that fully decriminalize marijuana possession, cultivation, and use. ● Treat all drug addiction as a disease in an effort to reverse the negative effects of ‘The War on Drugs,’ that have disproportionately impacted Black and Brown communities. ● Support policies that reintegrate community members who have interacted with the justice system back into society to live successful, productive lives. ● Support Durham DA Satana Deberry’s efforts to end the predatory cash bail system. ● Support efforts to end collaboration with ICE and State-sponsored abductions ● Support common-sense gun control: background checks, a ban on assault weapons and safe storage laws ● Support accountable, responsible, evidence-based policing and police oversight ● Support Durham’s community led safety and wellness task force”

Natalie Murdock {D} – Campaign website: https://natalie-murdock.com/meet-natalie/

From her website: Our district is in the midst of a criminal justice renaissance. More funds are needed to support the grassroots work of organizations right here in Durham that are working to implement needed reforms. I will work with the community to keep our neighborhoods and streets safe. As your state senator, I will support and fund our NC Reentry Council, fund money bail reforms, support criminal record expungement programs, strengthen domestic violence laws, support common sense gun laws, and support our immigrant community. We must stop locking people up for non-violent and minor drug offenses. As we combat the opioid crisis, we must also stop criminalizing the use of marijuana.

District 29: There is no Democratic primary in this district

Eddie Gallimore {R} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/

The one term incumbent co-sponsored SB515 Adjust Drug Education School Enrollment Fee to increase the fee that people convicted for possession of marijuana or other drug offenses pay from $150.00 to $275.00. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2019/S515

Steve Jarvis {R} – Campaign website: http://www.electjarvis.com/

District 33: There is no Republican primary in this district

Tarsha Ellis {D} – Campaign website: https://tarshaellisforncsenate.com/

Geoffrey Hoy {D} – Campaign website: https://hoyfornc.com/

District 38: There is no Republican primary in this district

Mujtaba A. Mohammed {D} – Campaign website: https://mohammednc.com/

The one term incumbent co-sponsored SB58-Revise Marijuana Laws https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2019/S58

Laura Anthony {D} – Campaign website: https://vote4laura2020.com/

Responded to NC NORML’s 2020 Candidate Questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and legalization. Long answer response to NC NORML questionnaire: “I absolutely support the decriminalize for 18 yr olds and older – immediately and expunging records This will help with over crowding prisons add tax revenue and allow resources to go to areas that need much needed attention like schools and healthcare “

Roderick Davis {D} – Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/roderickdavisclt

District 48: There is no Republican primary in this district

Brian Caskey {D} – Campaign website: https://www.briancaskey.com/

Cristal Figueroa {D} – Campaign website: https://www.figueroaforncsenate2020.com/

Najah Underwood {D} – Campaign website: https://najahunderwoodforsenate.nationbuilder.com/

District 49: The incumbent is running for Lieutenant Governor, there is no Republican primary in this district 

Julie Mayfield {D} – Campaign website: https://mayfieldforncsenate.com/ 

Mayfield responded to NC NORML’s 2020 Candidate Questionnaire and expressed support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and legalization. 

Ben Scales {D} – Campaign website: https://scalesforsenate.com/

From his campaign website: “Ben will bring a working-class sensibility to the job of representing this district in the NC Senate through demonstrated commitment to service and to progressive policy goals. He’s drafted legislation to legalize medical cannabis, which has been introduced in every session since 2008. He will bring the vision and change that our community, and our state, need.

We need progressive leadership to counteract and reverse the years of bad policy and malfeasance by Republican control in Raleigh. We need large investment and pragmatic solutions to western North Carolina problems, like the urban-rural divide and isolation due to the absence of adequate transportation and communication infrastructure.

We need a proven veteran of the cannabis law reform movement to ensure the eventual re-legalization of cannabis works to protect the rights of growers, distributors and consumers alike, while maximizing the economic, medical, and environmental benefits of the industry.

We need someone who will champion policy proposals such as the Green New Deal, universal health care, free fully funded public education from pre-K through College, electoral reform, immigration enforcement reform, and criminal justice reform.”

Travis Smith {D} – Campaign website: https://travissmithnc.com/

From his website: “Legalize and Tax Cannabis”

District 50: The incumbent is running for Congress, there are no Democratic or Libertarian primaries in this district

Sarah Conway {R} – Campaign website: http://sarahconwaymd.com/index.php

Kevin Corbin {R}  – Campaign website: http://kevincorbin.com/

Corbin is currently a 2 term incumbent representing the 120th NC House District. 

In response to 2018 NC Family Policy Council’s question “Should North Carolina legalize marijuana for medical purposes?” Corbin answered NO:

http://ncfamilyvoter.com/survey/nchr-Kevin-Corbin.pdf