{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"James D. Gailliard","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"James David Gailliard is the Democratic nominee for North Carolina State Senate District\u202f11 in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election. The race pits Gailliard against incumbent Republican Senator Lisa Barnes and Libertarian Gavin Bell, with the Democratic primary having been cancelled, allowing Gailliard to advance automatically to the ballot\u202f[1].\n\nBorn on January\u202f9,\u202f1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gailliard earned a Bachelor of Science from Morehouse College and also attended St.\u202fJoseph\u2019s University before moving to Rocky\u202fMount, North\u202fCarolina\u202f[3]. He is the senior pastor and chief executive officer of Word Tabernacle Church, a historic Black congregation in Rocky\u202fMount, where he has served for more than two decades\u202f[14][8].\n\nGailliard entered elected office in 2018, winning the North\u202fCarolina House of Representatives District\u202f25 seat\u2014covering most of Nash County\u2014with 51\u202f% of the vote, becoming the first African\u2011American to hold that seat\u202f[3]. He was re\u2011elected in 2020, but lost his third term in the 2022 general election to Republican Allen\u202fChesser\u202f[3][1]. During his two terms (January\u202f1,\u202f2019\u202f\u2013\u202fJanuary\u202f1,\u202f2023) he served on several key committees, including Appropriations, Appropriations\u2011Capital, Education\u2011Community Colleges, Education\u2011K\u201112, and Health\u202f[1][3]. He sponsored legislation on education, health care, and appropriations, though the full list of bills is extensive\u202f[1].\n\nAfter his House service, Gailliard announced his Senate bid in early 2024, emphasizing a faith\u2011driven approach to public policy. His campaign platform focuses on expanding economic opportunity, improving public safety, achieving educational equity, increasing broadband access, and making affordable health care a reality for working families\u202f[12][15][8]. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee describes him as a \u201cpastor from Rocky\u202fMount\u201d ready to \u201cfight on behalf of his constituents for access to affordable health care, strong public schools, and a lower cost of living\u201d\u202f[10]. Endorsements include former U.S. Representative G.K.\u202fButterfield and State Senate Democratic Caucus Leader Sydney\u202fBatch, who cite his character, legislative experience, and community ties\u202f[12].\n\nIf elected, Gailliard says he will leverage his experience as a legislator and community leader to address the district\u2019s priorities\u2014economic development, housing affordability, health equity, and infrastructure\u2014while working to break the Republican supermajority in the North\u202fCarolina Senate\u202f[15][12].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [James Gailliard - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/James_Gailliard)\n- [3] [James Gailliard - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gailliard)\n- [8] [James D. Gailliard | a visionary leader, accomplished public servant, and trusted voice](https://jamesgailliard.com/)\n- [9] [State Representative James Gailliard | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/23931)\n- [10] [James Gailliard - Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee](https://www.dlcc.org/candidates/james-gailliard/)\n- [11] [Former State Rep. James Gailliard - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/309764/James_David_Gailliard.html)\n- [12] [Gailliard plans to run for seat in NC Senate | Local News | rockymounttelegram.com](https://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/local/gailliard-plans-to-run-for-seat-in-nc-senate/article_a4443cba-cc97-4de3-9c48-defc0daf3e0d.html)\n- [14] [James Gailliard | Beacon Media NC](https://www.beaconmedianc.org/james-gailliard/)\n- [15] [Why NC Democrats think 2026 midterms will run through Rocky Mount](https://www.wral.com/story/why-nc-democrats-think-2026-midterms-will-run-through-rocky-mount/22083317/)\n- [16] [James Gailliard rocky mount north carolina rural black voters profile 2026 elections AP PHOTO 040226 - Chapelboro.com](https://chapelboro.com/news/state-news/north-carolinas-electoral-future-may-hinge-on-rural-black-voters-who-feel-ignored-by-democrats/attachment/james-gailliard-rocky-mount-north-carolina-rural-black-voters-profile-2026-elections-ap-photo-040226)\n- [17] [James Gailliard - North Carolina Candidate - Transparency USA](https://www.transparencyusa.org/nc/candidate/james-gailliard)","firstname":"James","lastname":"Gailliard","middlename":"David","suffix":null,"token":"31d92bfbd659556a"},"token":"eMdtuxC009"},{"candidatename":"Lisa Stone Barnes","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Lisa Stone Barnes is the incumbent Republican State Senator for North Carolina\u2019s 11th District, seeking re\u2011election in the 2026 general election.  The North Carolina Senate is the upper chamber of the General Assembly; senators represent roughly 200,000 residents, introduce and vote on legislation, approve the state budget, and serve on standing committees that shape policy in areas such as agriculture, education, health care, and fiscal matters [1].  Senator Barnes has served in this role since January\u202f1,\u202f2021, with her current term set to end on January\u202f1,\u202f2027, and she will appear on the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 ballot for a second full term [1].\n\nBarnes was born and raised in Nash County, North Carolina.  She graduated from Southern Nash High School, earned an Associate of Arts from Peace College, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University.  She later completed the University of North Carolina School of Government\u2019s Advanced Leadership Corps program and a Legal Assistants Program at Meredith College [11][12].\n\nBefore entering elected office, Barnes worked as a real\u2011estate paralegal for a private firm and served in the Rocky\u202fMount Planning and Development Department.  She also has extensive experience in agribusiness, working alongside her husband, Johnny Barnes, in their family farming operations [12][1].  Her community involvement includes service on the Nash County Broadband Committee, the Nash County Planning Board, and various local nonprofit boards.\n\nBarnes\u2019 political career began with a seat on the Nash County Board of Commissioners, where she eventually served as chair.  She was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives for District\u202f7, serving from 2019 to 2021, before winning the State Senate seat for District\u202f11 in 2020 and taking office in 2021 [11][1][17].  In the Senate, she has held several leadership positions, most recently chairing the Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee and the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Natural and Economic Resources for the 2025\u20112026 session.  She also serves on the Appropriations/Base Budget, Education/Higher Education, Health Care, and Rules and Operations of the Senate committees, among others [1].\n\nDuring her tenure, Senator Barnes has sponsored and co\u2011sponsored legislation focused on supporting North Carolina\u2019s agricultural sector, improving infrastructure, and maintaining fiscal responsibility.  Vote Smart records show her participation in numerous key votes, including bills on budget appropriations, health care, and regulatory reforms, reflecting her emphasis on low taxes and balanced budgeting [6].\n\nBarnes\u2019 campaign platform emphasizes responsible government spending, economic growth for rural and suburban communities, high\u2011paying jobs, quality health care, reliable roads and infrastructure, and strong education systems.  She describes herself as a \u201cbusinesswoman with strong roots in agriculture\u201d who will continue to fight for \u201chard\u2011working people of North Carolina\u201d and keep taxes low while promoting job creation and quality of life in Franklin, Nash, and Vance counties [10][12].\n\nShe maintains a Capitol office at 300\u202fN. Salisbury Street, Room\u202f628, Raleigh, NC\u202f27603, and a campaign office in Nashville, NC.  Contact numbers include the Capitol office line 919\u2011715\u20113030 and the campaign office line 252\u2011900\u20116562.  No direct email address is listed in the available sources [17][8].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Lisa Barnes - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lisa_Barnes)\n- [4] [Senator Lisa S. Barnes - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/S/427)\n- [6] [Lisa Barnes' Voting Records](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/163025/lisa-barnes)\n- [8] [Lisa Barnes' Finances](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/163025/lisa-barnes)\n- [10] [Lisa Stone Barnes for Senate](https://lisabarnesfornc.com/)\n- [11] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/163025/lisa-barnes)\n- [12] [Meet Lisa \u2013 Lisa Stone Barnes for Senate](https://lisabarnesfornc.com/about/)\n- [14] [Lisa Stone Barnes (@ElectLisaBarnes) ...](https://twitter.com/electlisabarnes)\n- [15] [Lisa Stone Barnes (@ElectLisaBarnes) / X](https://x.com/electlisabarnes?lang=en)\n- [16] [Senator Lisa Stone Barnes (@LisaStoneBarnes)](https://www.facebook.com/LisaStoneBarnes/)\n- [17] [State Senator Lisa Barnes | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/23995)\n- [18] [North Carolina State Sen. Lisa Barnes - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/309757/Lisa_Stone_Barnes.html)\n- [20] [Senate District 11 - North Carolina Republican Senate Caucus](https://ncstatesenate.com/twentytwentyfour/senate-district-11/)","firstname":"Lisa","lastname":"Barnes","middlename":"Stone","suffix":null,"token":"b6ab07a02501755a"},"token":"W3WXvAGHX9"},{"candidatename":"Gavin Bell","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"LIB","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nGavin Szandor Miles Bell of Kittrell is the Libertarian candidate for the North Carolina Senate in District 11 in the November 3, 2026 general election [1]. He filed on December 17, 2025 and the contest has no primary [1]. District 11 comprises Franklin, Nash and Vance counties and is currently represented by Republican Lisa S. Barnes [1][7]. Bell's general-election opponents are Barnes and Democrat James D. Gailliard of Rocky Mount [1]. The Libertarian Party of North Carolina lists Bell as its District 11 state Senate candidate on its 2026 candidate page [2].\n\nTransparency USA, reporting North Carolina state campaign-finance data through June 30, 2026, shows Bell's committee, \"Gavin Bell for NC,\" with $0 in total contributions and $0 in total expenditures, and records no office currently held [8].\n\n## Office history\n\nVote Smart's record for Bell lists four Libertarian candidacies: North Carolina House District 30 in 2020, House District 2 in 2022, House District 7 in 2024, and state Senate District 11 in 2026 [3].\n\nState Board of Elections results for those races: in 2020, in a two-candidate contest for House District 30, Bell received 9,317 votes to Democrat Marcia Morey's 41,548 [6]. In 2022, in House District 2, he received 718 votes, behind Democrat Ray Jeffers (19,692) and Republican Larry Yarborough (15,674) [5]. In 2024, in House District 7, he received 1,231 votes, behind Republican Matthew Winslow (27,099) and Democrat Jesse Goslen (20,655) [4].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [2026 Candidate Listing (Candidate_Listing_2026.csv)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30\n[2] [2026 Candidates](https://www.lpnc.org/2026_candidates) - Libertarian Party of North Carolina, accessed 2026-07-30\n[3] [Gavin Bell's Biography](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/189041/gavin-bell) - Vote Smart, accessed 2026-07-30\n[4] [2024 General Election precinct results (results_pct_20241105)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2024_11_05/results_pct_20241105.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30\n[5] [2022 General Election precinct results (results_pct_20221108)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2022_11_08/results_pct_20221108.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30\n[6] [2020 General Election precinct results (results_pct_20201103)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2020_11_03/results_pct_20201103.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30\n[7] [Senate Member Table, 2025-2026 Session](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/MemberTable/S) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-30\n[8] [Gavin Bell - North Carolina Candidate](https://www.transparencyusa.org/nc/candidate/gavin-bell) - Transparency USA, accessed 2026-07-30","firstname":"Gavin","lastname":"Bell","middlename":"Szandor Miles","suffix":null,"token":"41a0fc0ea1167ed4"},"token":"AhxqeGHbcP"}],"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 11"}