William Peter Rabon

William Peter "Bill" Rabon is the incumbent Republican State Senator for North Carolina’s 8th Senate District and is seeking re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election ¹¹¹. The district covers Brunswick, Columbus, and New Hanover counties. As a member of the North Carolina General Assembly, he must meet the constitutional qualifications of being at least 25 years old, a qualified voter, a resident of the state for two years and of the district for one year prior to election, and he serves a two‑year term with a salary of $13,951 per year plus per‑diem ².

Rabon was born on July 6, 1951 ¹² and earned a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University before receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia in 1976 ¹²¹. He has practiced veterinary medicine for decades, operating Southport Animal Hospital and holding partnership interests in several other animal hospitals across the state ¹³¹⁸. He also serves as Vice‑Chair of the Brunswick Community College Board of Trustees ¹¹³.

Rabon first won election to the State Senate in 2010 and was sworn in on January 1, 2011 ¹¹². He has been re‑elected every two years, currently completing his eighth term, which ends on January 1, 2027 ¹. Throughout his legislative career he has held numerous leadership positions, most recently chairing the Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Transportation Committee ¹²¹³. He has also chaired the Appropriations on Department of Transportation Committee and served on the Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee, the Appropriations/Base Budget Committee, and the Redistricting and Elections Committee, among others ¹¹³.

In the 2025‑2026 session Rabon was the chair of the Appropriations on Department of Transportation Committee and the Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee, and he served on the Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee, the Appropriations/Base Budget Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Senate Transportation Committee ¹. His legislative activity includes sponsoring bills on transportation infrastructure, healthcare cost reduction, and government operations, such as SB 24 (healthcare costs), SB 63 (Motor Vehicles study), and SB 145 (Mecklenburg transportation referendum) ¹⁰.

Beyond the Capitol, Rabon is active in professional and community organizations. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, a life member of the National Rifle Association, and has held leadership roles with the Brunswick County Board of Health and the North Carolina Navigation Commission ¹³. His public service record reflects a focus on transportation, fiscal responsibility, and agricultural and environmental issues, aligning with the priorities of his coastal district.

If re‑elected, Rabon will continue to represent District 8 for the 2027‑2028 term, bringing over two decades of legislative experience and a professional background in veterinary medicine to the role.

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