Do you know who is on your ballot? This is a guide to the platforms of the state candidates in WNC based on local reporting from Blue Ridge Public Radio, Smoky Mountain News, and other media organizations, as well as the Voter 411 guide by The League of Women Voters.. Early voting starts October 20th.
If you have questions on how to vote check out BPR's Frequently Asked Questions.
This list includes candidates for State Senate Districts 46-50 and State House Representative Districts 114-120.
The NC Senate districts were redrawn and enacted in 2022. Find your district with this interactive tool.
Senate 46 – Buncombe, McDowell and Burke
Billy Martin (D) — N&O Questionnaire
Warren Daniel* (R) — (did not fill out N&O or Voter 411 forms) campaign website
Senate District 47 – East Haywood, Madison and Northeast
Mitchell County Senator Ralph Hise*(R) is running unopposed in the newly drawn district which separated Canton and Clyde from the rest of Haywood County. Watauga County Senator Deanna Ballad lost the primary to Hise.
Senate District 48 – Henderson, Polk and Rutherford Counties
Jay Carey (D) — Voter 411
Tim Moffitt (R) — (did not fill out N&O or Voter 411 forms) candidate website
Senate District 49 (Western Buncombe County)
Julie Mayfield (D) — Voter 411
John Anderson (R) — (did not fill out N&O or Voter 411 forms) candidate website
Senate District 50 Cherokee-Haywood
Kevin Corbin* (R) — N&O Questionnaire, Voter 411
Karen McCracken (D) — N&O Questionnaire, Voter 411
Both candidates spoke to the Smoky Mountain News about issues including education, inflation and Medicaid expansion.
The NC House of Representative districts were redrawn and enacted in 2022. Find your district with this interactive tool.
NC House of Representatives
District 114 (Buncombe County)
J. Eric Ager (D) — N&O Questionnaire, Voter 411
Everett D. Pittillo (R) — (did not fill out N&O or Voter 411 forms) campaign website
District 115 (Southwest Buncombe County)
Lindsey Prather(D) — N&O Questionnaire, Voter 411
Pratik Bhakta (R) — (did not fill out N&O or Voter 411 forms) campaign website
District 116 (Northwest Buncombe County)
Mollie Rose (R) — N&O Questionnaire, Voter 411
Caleb Rudow (D) — N&O Questionnaire, Voter 411
District 117 (Henderson County)
Michael Greer O’Shea (D) —N&O Questionnaire and Voter 411
Jennifer Capps Balkcom (R) — Voter 411
District 118 (Haywood, Madison County)
Mark Pless* (R) — Blue Ridge Public Radio
Josh Remillard (D) — Blue Ridge Public Radio
Pless and Remillard spoke with BPR in October about issues from abortion, government overreach, and inflation.
District 119 (Swain, Jackson and Transylvania County)
Mike Clampitt* (R) — Blue Ridge Public Radio
Al Platt (D) — Blue Ridge Public Radio
New district maps ended one of Western North Carolina’s longest-running electoral feuds. Incumbent Republican Mike Clampitt of Swain County faces Democrat Al Platt from Swain County. Both candidates spoke with BPR in Octoberv about issues such as abortion, inflation and healthcare.
District 120 (Cherokee, Clay, Macon and Graham)
Karl Gillespie*(R)
The seat was uncontested. In 2020, in the eight far-west counties over 50 percent voted for former President Trump. In the region, all of the legislators are Republicans including those serving at the state and federal level, BPR reported in April.
