Shannon Wilson Bray

Shannon Wilson Bray is the Libertarian Party nominee for the United States Senate seat from North Carolina in the 2026 general election, appearing on the ballot on November 3, 2026 after the Libertarian primary was cancelled and he advanced unopposed ¹. Bray was born in Marrero, Louisiana, and served six years in the U.S. Navy (1991‑1997) before transitioning to a civilian career in technology and cybersecurity ¹⁷.

He earned an associate’s degree from Arapahoe Community College in 2014, a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Colorado State University Global Campus in 2016, and a master’s degree in cybersecurity from the University of Delaware in 2018, graduating with a 4.0 GPA ¹⁷. He later completed a Ph.D. in computer science at Missouri University of Science and Technology (2021) and also attended Nicholls State University earlier in his academic path ⁷.

Bray’s professional experience spans more than two decades in information technology, software development, and information security. He has held senior roles such as Virtual Chief Information Security Officer for Secured Systems LLC (2015‑present), Chief Information Security Officer at ShareSquared, Inc. (2015‑2019), Senior Systems Architect for the U.S. Department of Defense (2018‑2019), and Senior SharePoint Architect at rmsource, Inc. (2016‑2018). Earlier positions include senior web development and architecture work for Visa, corporate services, and various consulting firms, as well as authoring Microsoft Press books on SharePoint administration ⁷.

In addition to his technical career, Bray is active in several veteran and maritime organizations. He has served as a Technology Fellow for the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, a regional director for the North Carolina chapter of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and holds leadership roles in the Navy League of the United States. He also volunteers with the United States Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary and coaches CyberPatriot teams ¹⁷.

Bray’s Senate campaign is built around a “liberty‑first” platform that emphasizes digital privacy, civil liberties, and limited government. He argues that modern surveillance threatens constitutional rights and advocates for policies that protect personal data without creating a surveillance state. A hallmark of his campaign is the use of cryptocurrency both as a fundraising tool and as a policy focus; he contends that blockchain technology can enable transparent, secure elections and reduce reliance on traditional money streams ¹⁷. He also opposes federal vaccine mandates, citing concerns about individual autonomy and potential side effects ¹⁷.

During the 2026 election cycle, Bray has been active in Libertarian Party events, including speaking at the Wake County Libertarian Party Convention in January 2026, where he outlined his vision for a competent, accountable government that respects individual freedom ²⁰. He continues to promote his candidacy through a dedicated website (shannonbray.us), social media channels, and outreach to voters who feel unrepresented by the two major parties, emphasizing that third‑party votes can influence outcomes when they exceed the 6 % threshold needed for ballot access ¹⁹¹⁷.

Bray’s prior runs for office include a 2022 U.S. Senate bid in which he received roughly 172,000 votes, a record for Libertarian candidates in North Carolina, and a 2024 campaign for Lieutenant Governor. His experience as a veteran, technologist, and third‑party advocate shapes his message that “competence over partisanship” should guide the Senate’s work on issues ranging from cybersecurity to civil liberties.

Sources