{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Benton Sawrey","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Benton G. Sawrey is the incumbent Republican State Senator for North Carolina\u2019s 10th Senate District and is seeking re\u2011election in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election.  He first won the Republican primary on March\u202f3,\u202f2026 with 84.8% of the vote and advanced to the general ballot alongside Democratic challenger Pat\u202fLeGrand and Libertarian Kevin\u202fTerrett\u30101\u2020L31-L41\u3011.  The North Carolina Constitution requires senators to be at least 25 years old, a qualified voter, and to have lived in the state for two years and in the district for one year before election\u30102\u2020L15-L20\u3011; Sawrey meets these qualifications.\n\nBorn and raised in Johnston County, Sawrey graduated from Smithfield\u2011Selma Senior High School in 2005.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and government from North Carolina State University in 2009 and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2013\u30101\u2020L22-L27\u3011.  He is a practicing attorney who works with small\u2011business owners, farmers, and families on regulatory, tax, litigation, and transactional matters\u301015\u2020L31-L38\u3011.\n\nBefore his election, Sawrey served on the Board of Trustees of Johnston Community College, was president of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, and treasurer of the Partnership for Children of Johnston County\u30101\u2020L28-L30\u3011.  He was first elected to the North Carolina Senate in the 2022 cycle and assumed office on January\u202f1,\u202f2023\u30101\u2020L9-L12\u3011.  In the 2025\u20112026 legislative session he chaired the Senate Appropriations on Health and Human Services Committee and served on the Appropriations/Base Budget, Health Care, Judiciary, and Rules and Operations of the Senate committees\u30101\u2020L34-L38\u3011.\n\nDuring his first term Sawrey authored and sponsored legislation focused on reducing regulation, cutting taxes, expanding school\u2011choice options, and improving rural health care.  He voted to lower the state income\u2011tax rate by more than 50% in 2023 and has advocated for eliminating the personal income tax altogether\u301015\u2020L71-L78\u3011.  He has also co\u2011sponsored bills protecting farmland, increasing access to health\u2011care providers in rural areas, and expanding the Opportunity Scholarship program for school choice\u301015\u2020L84-L95\u3011.  His leadership on health\u2011care policy earned him the chairmanship of the Health and Human Services appropriations subcommittee.\n\nSawrey\u2019s campaign is supported by several conservative groups, including Americans for Prosperity\u2011North Carolina, the North Carolina Values Coalition, and the North Carolina Property Rights Fund\u301011\u2020L1-L9\u3011.  He emphasizes \u201climited government, economic freedom, and traditional Eastern North Carolina values\u201d in his public statements and campaign literature\u301015\u2020L1-L5\u3011.  His official campaign website is bentonsawrey.com, which lists his office at 86 Riverglade Drive, Clayton, NC, and a contact phone number of (919)\u202f413\u20110507\u301010\u2020L5-L9\u3011.\n\nIn addition to his legislative work, Sawrey continues to practice law as a partner with Narron\u202fWenzel, P.A., and remains active in local Republican Party leadership, having served as general counsel for the Johnston County Republican Party and volunteering as an intern for the state party in 2005\u301018\u2020L13-L20\u3011.  He is married to Beth, has two children, and identifies as a Methodist Christian\u30106\u2020L6-L9\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Benton Sawrey - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Benton_Sawrey)\n- [2] [North Carolina State Senate District 10 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_State_Senate_District_10)\n- [3] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [4] [Senate Members 2025-2026 Session - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/MemberList/s)\n- [5] [Senator Benton G. Sawrey - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/s/445)\n- [6] [Benton Sawrey - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_Sawrey)\n- [7] [2026 North Carolina Senate election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_North_Carolina_Senate_election)\n- [9] [iVoterGuide - Benton Sawrey iVoterGuide Profile](https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/65215/race/8463/election/869)\n- [10] [Vote-USA | Benton Sawrey | Candidate for State Senator District 10, North Carolina | March 3, 2026 North Carolina Republican Party State Primary](https://vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?State=NC&Id=NCSawreyBentonGrey)\n- [11] [AFP-NC Announces Additional 2026 State Legislature Endorsements - Americans for Prosperity](https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/afp-nc-announces-additional-2026-state-legislature-endorsements/)\n- [14] [Benton Sawrey (@SawreyforNC) / ...](https://x.com/sawreyfornc?lang=en)\n- [15] [Benton Sawrey for North Carolina State Senate in Johnston County - Committee to Elect Benton Sawrey](https://bentonsawrey.com/)\n- [16] [State Senator Benton Sawrey | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/28096)\n- [17] [Benton Sawrey Re-Elected to NC State Senate - Narron Wenzel, P.A.](https://narronwenzel.com/benton-sawrey-re-elected-to-nc-state-senate/)\n- [18] [Benton Sawrey - North Carolina Republican Senate Caucus](https://ncstatesenate.com/members/benton-sawrey/)\n- [19] [North Carolina State Sen. Benton Sawrey - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/442628/Benton_G_Sawrey.html)\n- [20] [Benton Sawrey Elected Republican Candidate for North Carolina Senate District 10 Representing Johnston County - Narron Wenzel, P.A.](https://narronwenzel.com/benton-sawrey-elected-republican-candidate-for-north-carolina-senate-district-10-representing-johnston-county/)","firstname":"Benton","lastname":"Sawrey","middlename":"Grey","suffix":null,"token":"38b7b533ce10ace4"},"token":"FQ5Y9Qfzn6"},{"candidatename":"Kevin Terrett","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"LIB","person":{"biography":"Kevin Julio\u202fTerrett is the Libertarian Party nominee for the North Carolina State Senate, District\u202f10, in the 2026 general election on\u202fNov.\u202f3,\u202f2026. He will face incumbent Republican Benton\u202fSawrey and Democrat Pat\u202fLeGrand; the Libertarian primary was cancelled, allowing Terrett to advance automatically\u202f[1].\n\nTerrett, 57, works in the transportation industry and has lived in North Carolina for 35\u202fyears. He resides in Cary with his two children\u202f[19][18]. No education details are listed in the publicly available sources.\n\nHis political experience includes two prior runs for the state House. In 2022 he was the Libertarian candidate for House District\u202f41, a race in which he did not win\u202f[13]. In 2024 he ran for House District\u202f26, receiving 3.2\u202f% of the vote (1,732 votes) in the general election\u202f[1].\n\nTerrett\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes expanding personal freedom and reducing government regulation. He advocates for school\u2011choice options for parents, fewer licensing and regulatory barriers for small businesses, and greater consumer choice in healthcare. The campaign also calls for more transparency in how tax dollars are used for education\u202f[12][18].\n\nThe North Carolina State Senate is the upper chamber of the state General Assembly; senators are elected to two\u2011year terms and must meet residency requirements for the district they represent\u202f[1]. As a Libertarian candidate, Terrett seeks to bring the party\u2019s principles of limited government and individual liberty to the legislative process.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Kevin Terrett - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kevin_Terrett)\n- [2] [North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_election_in_North_Carolina,_2026)\n- [4] [Republican Party primaries in North Carolina, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Republican_Party_primaries_in_North_Carolina,_2026)\n- [7] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [8] [Upcoming Election | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election)\n- [10] [2026 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_North_Carolina)\n- [11] [2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_Senate_election_in_North_Carolina)\n- [12] [Kevin Terrett for NC House 26 - Kevin Terrett H26](https://electkevinterrett.org/)\n- [13] [Libertarian Party of North Carolina Candidates File for 46 Races - Dee Watson Lt. Governor](https://electdeewatson.org/campaign/news/press_release_2024_candidates_news/)\n- [15] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [16] [Profile for Kevin Terrett](https://www.facebook.com/electkevinterrett)\n- [17] [See the full list of candidates running in North Carolina's ...](https://www.facebook.com/thecharlotteobserver/posts/see-the-full-list-of-candidates-running-in-north-carolinas-2026-electionsread-mo/1306299098202723/)\n- [18] [Kevin Terrett platform & website | North Carolina State Representative, District 26](https://www.branch.vote/races/2024-nc-general-election-nc-state-state-representative-nc-state-house-26/candidates/kevin-terrett)\n- [19] [New Libertarian Candidate for State House 41 - Libertarian Party of Wake County](https://www.wakelp.org/new_libertarian_candidate_for_state_house_41)","firstname":"Kevin","lastname":"Terrett","middlename":"Julio","suffix":null,"token":"1b71e43d29f493ba"},"token":"dvI3tuAFIM"},{"candidatename":"Pat LeGrand","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Patricia Kay Legrand is a Democratic candidate listed for the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 election in North Carolina, though the specific office she is seeking is not identified in the available sources. She currently serves as First Vice President of the Maggie Society Dog Rescue and Rehabilitation and is identified as a senior member of the Democrats of Johnston County, indicating active involvement in local party organization and animal\u2011rescue advocacy [18].\n\nLegrand earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bilingual Education from San Diego State University (1990\u20111992) and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from National University (1993\u20111995) [18].\n\nHer professional background includes roles at the Maggie Society Dog Rescue and Rehabilitation and a prior position as a senior buyer for Grifols Biotherapeutics, from which she is now retired [18]. These experiences combine nonprofit leadership, procurement expertise, and a focus on community service.\n\nIn her political activities, Legrand\u2019s role as a senior Democrat in Johnston County suggests she participates in party strategy, candidate support, and voter outreach at the county level. While the precise duties of the office she is pursuing are not detailed, typical responsibilities for local or state offices in North Carolina include representing constituents, shaping legislation, and overseeing public resources. Legrand\u2019s background in nonprofit management and business procurement aligns with such responsibilities, offering experience in organizational leadership, budgeting, and community engagement [18].\n\n## Sources\n- [18] [Patricia Legrand Email & Phone Number | Maggie Society Dog Rescue and Rehabilitation First Vice President, Senior Democrats of Johnston County Contact Information](https://rocketreach.co/patricia-legrand-email_136483223)","firstname":"Patricia","lastname":"Legrand","middlename":"Kay","suffix":null,"token":"b28852bd684cef4b"},"token":"2qsW4AZhoH"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"state_senator","o.office":"state_senate","office":"state_senate","officedescription":"The Tennessee Senate is the upper chamber of the state legislature, with 33 members elected from single-member districts to four-year terms. Senators pass state laws, approve the state budget, confirm certain gubernatorial appointments, and \u2014 with the House \u2014 propose constitutional amendments.","officequalities":"- **Integrity** \u2014 Acts in the interest of constituents and the public good rather than for personal gain, and remains independent of undue influence from donors, lobbyists, and party leadership.\n- **Understanding of the constituency** \u2014 Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents \u2014 safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.\n- **Persuasion** \u2014 Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.\n- **Legislative craft** \u2014 Reads, drafts, and amends statute with care. Understands how specific bill language translates to outcomes, and knows the body of law being modified.\n- **Coalition-building** \u2014 Finds common ground across partisan and factional lines, brokers compromises that hold, and forms working majorities even when consensus is hard to reach.","officeterm":2,"officetitle":"State Senator","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Nc State Senate District 10"}