North Carolina Senate

{{Short description|Upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly}} {{Use American English|date=September 2018}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2011}} {{Infobox legislature | background_color = {{party color|Republican Party (US)}} | name = North Carolina Senate | legislature = North Carolina General Assembly | coa_pic = North Carolina Senate seal.png | session_room = | coa_caption = Seal of the North Carolina Senate | house_type = Upper house | term_limits = None | new_session = January 1, 2025 | leader1_type = President | leader1 = Rachel Hunt (D) | election1 = January 1, 2025 | leader2_type = President pro tempore | leader2 = Phil Berger (R) | election2 = January 26, 2011 | leader3_type = Majority Leader | leader3 = Michael V. Lee (R) | election3 = April 1, 2025 | leader4_type = Minority Leader | leader4 = Sydney Batch (D) | election4 = January 1, 2025 | members = 50 | structure1 = {{switcher |250px |Seat display|250px |Map display|default=1}} | political_groups1 = '''Majority''' * {{nowrap|{{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}} Republican (30)}} '''Minority''' * {{nowrap|{{Color box|#0000FF|border=darkgray}} Democratic (20)}} | term_length = 2 years | last_election1 = November 5, 2024<br>(50 seats) | next_election1 = November 3, 2026<br>(50 seats) | meeting_place = {{br separated entries|Senate chamber|North Carolina Legislative Building|Raleigh, North Carolina, United States}} | constitution = North Carolina Constitution | website = {{URL|https://www.ncleg.gov/Senate}} }} The '''North Carolina Senate''' is the upper chamber of the North Carolina General Assembly, which along with the North Carolina House of Representatives—the lower chamber—comprises the state legislature of North Carolina. The Senate has 50 members, and the term of office for each senator is two years.<ref>{{cite web |title=North Carolina State Senate |url=https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_State_Senate |website=ballotpedia.org |publisher=Ballotpedia |access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref>

The Senate's prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The president of the Senate is the lieutenant governor of North Carolina, but the lieutenant governor has very limited powers and only votes to break a tie. Before the office of lieutenant governor was created in 1868, the Senate was presided over by a "speaker." After the 1988 election of James Carson Gardner, the first Republican lieutenant governor since Reconstruction, Democrats in control of the Senate shifted most of the power held by the lieutenant governor to the senator who is elected president pro tempore (or pro-tem). The president pro tempore appoints members to standing committees of the Senate, and holds great sway over bills.

According to the state constitution, the Senate is also the "Court for the Trial of Impeachments". The House of Representatives has the power to impeach state officials, after which the Senate holds an impeachment trial, as in the federal system. If the governor or lieutenant governor is the official who has been impeached, the chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court presides.

==History== During the Reconstruction era, African Americans served in the state senate. By 1874, four African Americans, all Republicans, were in the body, in which Democrats had already regained a large majority of 38 to 12.<ref>{{cite book |last=de Roulhac Hamilton |author-link=J. G. de Roulhac Hamilton |first=Joseph Grégoire |year=1914 |title=Reconstruction in North Carolina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QzN3G37_fGYC&dq=%22J.+M.+Paschall%22&pg=PA604 }}</ref> In 1920, Loula Roberts Platt became the first woman to run for a seat in the state senate.<ref name= alexander>{{cite web |url= https://documents.alexanderstreet.com/d/1011690404|title= Biographical Sketch of Lulu Roberts Platt|last= Wilson|first= Linda D.|date= |website= Alexander Street|publisher= |access-date= March 4, 2026|quote=}}</ref>

==Qualifications== The qualifications to be a senator are found in the state Constitution: "Each Senator, at the time of his election, shall be not less than 25 years of age, shall be a qualified voter of the State, and shall have resided in the State as a citizen for two years and in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election."

==2025–26 composition== {{See also|2024 North Carolina Senate election|Category:North Carolina General Assembly by session}}

{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center" |- style="vertical-align:bottom;" !rowspan=3|Affiliation | colspan="2" |'''Party''' <div style="font-size:80%">'''(shading indicates majority caucus)'''</div> !rowspan=3|Total ! |-style="height:5px" | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" | | style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" | |style="background: black"| |- !Republican !Democratic !Vacant

|- !nowrap="" style="font-size:80%"|End of (2021–22) legislature | {{party shading/Republican}} |28 |rowspan=1|22 ! 50 |0 |- !nowrap style="font-size:80%"|Beginning of previous (2023–24) legislature | {{party shading/Republican}} |30 |rowspan=1|20 ! 50 |0 |- !nowrap style="font-size:80%"|End of previous (2023–24) legislature | {{party shading/Republican}} |30 |rowspan=1|20 ! 50 |0 |- ! nowrap="" style="font-size:80%" |Beginning of current (2025–26) legislature | {{party shading/Republican}} |30 |rowspan=1|20 ! 50 |0 |- !Latest voting share ! {{party shading/Republican}} |{{percentage|30|50|0}} !{{percentage|20|50|0}} !colspan=2| |}

===Leadership===

{{Chamber officers box begin |chamber= North Carolina Senate<ref>{{Cite web|title=Leadership - North Carolina General Assembly|url=https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Leadership/S|access-date=2021-06-19|website=www.ncleg.gov}}</ref> }} {{Chamber officers box position |position=Lieutenant Governor / President of the Senate |name= Mark Robinson |party= Republican Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box position no party link |position=President Pro Tempore |name=Phil Berger |party=Republican Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box position no party link |position=Deputy President Pro Tempore |name=Ralph Hise |party=Republican Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box position no party link |position=Majority Leader |name=Michael V. Lee |party=Republican Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box position no party link |position=Majority Whip |name=Amy Galey |party=Republican Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box position no party link |position=Majority Whip |name=Todd Johnson |party=Republican Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box position no party link |position=Joint Majority Caucus Leader |name=Carl Ford |party=Republican Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box position no party link |position=Minority Leader |name=Sydney Batch |party=Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box position no party link |position=Minority Whip |name=Jay Chaudhuri |party=Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box position no party link |position=Minority Caucus Secretary |name=Julie Mayfield |party=Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Chamber officers box end}}

===Membership=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- !District !colspan=2 |Name !Party !Residence !Counties !Start |- !1st |150x150px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Bobby|Hanig}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Powells Point |Bertie, Northampton, Hertford, Gates, Perquimans, Pasquotank, Camden, Currituck, Tyrrell, Dare |2022{{efn |name=Appointed |Originally appointed to fill the remainder of an unexpired term.}} |- !2nd |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Norman|Sanderson|Norman W. Sanderson}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Minnesott Beach |Warren, Halifax, Martin, Chowan, Washington, Hyde, Pamlico, Carteret |2012 |- !3rd |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Bob|Brinson}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |New Bern |Lenoir, Craven, Beaufort |2024{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !4th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Buck|Newton}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Wilson |Wilson, Wayne, Greene |2022 (2010–2016) |- !5th |150x150px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Kandie|Smith}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Greenville |Edgecombe, Pitt |2022 |- !6th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Michael|Lazzara}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Jacksonville |Onslow |2020 |- !7th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Michael|Lee|Michael V. Lee}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Wilmington |New Hanover (part) |2020 (2014–2018) |- !8th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Bill|Rabon}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Southport |Columbus, Brunswick, New Hanover (part) |2010 |- !9th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Brent|Jackson|W. Brent Jackson}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Autryville |Bladen, Sampson (part), Pender, Duplin, Jones |2010 |- !10th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Benton|Sawrey}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Clayton |Johnston |2022 |- !11th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Lisa Stone|Barnes}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Spring Hope |Vance, Franklin, Nash |2020 |- !12th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Jim|Burgin}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Angier |Lee, Harnett, Sampson (part) |2018 |- !13th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Lisa|Grafstein}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Raleigh |Wake (part) |2022 |- !14th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Dan|Blue}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Raleigh |Wake (part) |2009{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !15th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Jay|Chaudhuri}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Raleigh |Wake (part) |2016{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !16th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Gale|Adcock}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Cary |Wake (part) |2022 |- !17th |150x150px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Sydney|Batch}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Holly Springs |Wake (part) |2021{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !18th |100px |Haseeb Fatmi |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Wake Forest |Granville, Wake (part) |2026{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !19th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Val|Applewhite}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Fayetteville |Cumberland (part) |2022 |- !20th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Natalie|Murdock}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Durham |Chatham, Durham (part) |2020{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !21st |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Tom|McInnis|dab=North Carolina politician}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Pinehurst |Moore, Cumberland (part) |2014 |- !22nd |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Sophia|Chitlik}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Durham |Durham (part) |2024 |- !23rd |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Jonah|Garson}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Chapel Hill |Caswell, Person, Orange |2026{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !24th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Danny|Britt}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Lumberton |Hoke, Scotland, Robeson |2016 |- !25th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Amy|Galey}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Burlington |Alamance, Randolph (part) |2020 |- !26th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Phil|Berger|dab=politician}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Eden |Rockingham, Guilford (part) |2000 |- !27th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Michael|Garrett|dab=politician}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Greensboro |Guilford (part) |2018 |- !28th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Gladys|Robinson|Gladys A. Robinson}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Greensboro |Guilford (part) |2010 |- !29th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Dave|Craven}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Asheboro |Randolph (part), Montgomery, Richmond, Anson, Union (part) |2020{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !30th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Steve|Jarvis}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Lexington |Davie, Davidson |2020 |- !31st |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Dana Caudill|Jones}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Kernersville |Stokes, Forsyth (part) |2024 |- !32nd |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Paul|Lowe|Paul A. Lowe Jr.}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Winston-Salem |Forsyth (part) |2015{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !33rd |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Carl|Ford|dab=politician}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |China Grove |Rowan, Stanly |2018 |- !34th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Chris|Measmer}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Concord |Cabarrus (part) |2025{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !35th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Todd|Johnson|dab=politician}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Monroe |Cabarrus (part), Union (part) |2018 |- !36th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Eddie|Settle}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Elkin |Alexander, Wilkes, Surry, Yadkin |2022 |- !37th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Vickie|Sawyer}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Mooresville |Iredell, Mecklenburg (part) |2018{{efn |name=Appointed}} |- !38th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Mujtaba|Mohammed|Mujtaba A. Mohammed}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Charlotte |Mecklenburg (part) |2018 |- !39th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|DeAndrea|Salvador}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Charlotte |Mecklenburg (part) |2020 |- !40th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Joyce|Waddell}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Charlotte |Mecklenburg (part) |2014 |- !41st |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Caleb|Theodros}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Charlotte |Mecklenburg (part) |2024 |- !42nd |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Woodson|Bradley}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Charlotte |Mecklenburg (part) |2024 |- !43rd |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Brad|Overcash}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Belmont |Gaston (part) |2022 |- !44th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Ted|Alexander|W. Ted Alexander}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Shelby |Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston (part) |2018 |- !45th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Mark|Hollo}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Conover |Catawba, Caldwell (part) |2024 |- !46th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Warren|Daniel}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Morganton |Burke, McDowell, Buncombe (part) |2010 |- !47th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Ralph|Hise}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Spruce Pine |Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga, Caldwell (part), Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, Haywood (part) |2010 |- !48th |150x150px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Tim|Moffitt}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Hendersonville |Henderson, Polk, Rutherford |2022 |- !49th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Julie|Mayfield}} |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |Asheville |Buncombe (part) |2020 |- !50th |100px |{{#invoke:sort|name|Kevin|Corbin}} |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |Franklin |Haywood (part), Transylvania, Jackson, Swain, Macon, Graham, Cherokee, Clay |2020 |}

==Past composition of the Senate== {{main|Political party strength in North Carolina}}

==Coat of arms== {{Infobox COA wide | image = Arms of the North Carolina Senate.svg | year_adopted = 2005 | escutcheon = Argent on a Cross between four Escutcheons bases inwards Gules four Escutcheons bases also inwards Argent | crest = Issuant from a Coronet of a Noble of the former Province of Carolina Or a Cap of Liberty Gules raised upon a Pole Or between two Cornucopiae in saltire Argent replenished proper | supporters = On each side an Aborigine of North Carolina as depicted by John White in the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First that on the dexter a Warrior supporting with his exterior hand a Long Bow and holding an Arrow girded at his back a Quiver that on the sinister a Woman holding in her exterior hand a Gourd all proper | motto = ''ESSE QVAM VIDERI''<ref>{{cite web |title=SENATE OF NORTH CAROLINA |url=https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/newsletter/2006/item/56-march-2006-newsletter-no-8 |website=College of Arms Newsletter |publisher=College of Arms |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref> }}

== Notes == <references group="lower-alpha" />

==References== <references />

==External links== * {{official website|http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Senate/Senate.html}} * [http://www.vote-smart.org/official_state_legislator.php?type=office&state_id=NC&criteria=upper Project Vote Smart – State Senate of North Carolina]{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }} {{North Carolina Senate}} {{North Carolina State Legislatures}} {{United States legislatures}} {{#invoke:Portal bar|main|Law|North Carolina|Politics}} {{#invoke:Authority control|authorityControl}}

{{#invoke:Coordinates|coord|35|46|59.53|N|78|38|20.24|W|display=title}}

Category:North Carolina Senate Category:1777 establishments in North Carolina Category:State upper houses in the United States Senate