{"biography":"Charles Thomas Dudley is the Democratic nominee for North Carolina State Senate District\u202f3 in the 2026 general election, scheduled for November\u202f3,\u202f2026. The district\u2019s primary was canceled, so Dudley advanced to the ballot without a contested Democratic primary [1].\n\nBorn in Louisville, Kentucky, Dudley now resides in Havelock, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in theology from Sacramento Theological Seminary in 1978 and has served as a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps before retiring [13]. After his military service he became a pastor, founding the New Beginnings Ministry of Faith Church in 2001, and has held leadership roles in several community organizations, including vice\u2011president of the Craven County Democratic Party, tax commissioner for the Harlowe Fire Department, and board memberships with Area\u202f93 Toastmasters International, GoldWing Road Riders Association, Coastal Community Action, Craven Community College Foundation, the Craven County Sheriff\u2019s Advisory Council, Habitat for Humanity, and Lord\u2019s Church [13].\n\nDudley first ran for public office in 2018, seeking the North Carolina House of Representatives District\u202f3 seat, and again in 2024 for the State Senate District\u202f3, losing to incumbent Republican Bob Brinson 60\u202f% to 40\u202f% in the general election [1]. He is again contesting the Senate seat in 2026, facing Brinson once more.\n\nHis campaign platform emphasizes expanding funding for public education and health care (including mental health services), restoring voting rights, addressing climate\u2011change vulnerability, raising living wages, protecting reproductive health decisions, and improving health care for veterans [20].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Charles Dudley - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Charles_Dudley)\n- [2] [Michael Speciale - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Speciale)\n- [3] [North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2026)\n- [4] [Charles Dudley May Jr # 129663 - Attorney Licensee Search](https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/attorney/Licensee/Detail/129663)\n- [5] [Charles Dudley Family Bible Records - North Carolina Digital Collections](https://digital.ncdcr.gov/documents/detail/1376032)\n- [9] [Charles E. Dudley - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_E._Dudley)\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 North Carolina elections - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_North_Carolina_elections)\n- [13] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/178360/charles-dudley)\n- [15] [Charles Dudley (@Dudley4NCSenate) / X](https://x.com/dudley4ncsenate)\n- [17] [Charles Dudley (@Dudley4NCSenate) / Posts ...](https://x.com/Dudley4NCSenate)\n- [19] [Charles Dudley Senate NC 3](https://www.facebook.com/CharlesDudleyNC3/posts/happy-anniversary-to-charles-and-marion-dudley-with-a-new-billboard-in-new-bern-/1010084397784220/)\n- [20] [Charles Dudley for NC Senate 3](https://www.charlesdudley4nc.com/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_senate_003","county":"beaufort","county_count":3,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc State Senate District 03"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Charles","fullname":"Charles Thomas Dudley","lastname":"Dudley","middlename":"Thomas","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_senate_003","contest_title":"Nc State Senate District 03","county":"beaufort","county_count":3,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate","office_title":"State Senator","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"state_senate_003","contest_title":"Nc State Senate District 03","county":"beaufort","county_count":3,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate","office_title":"State Senator","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"state_senate","office_title":"State Senator","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Charles Thomas Dudley is the 2026 Democratic candidate for North Carolina State Senate District\u202f3, a former Marine and pastor with extensive community service experience.","terms":[],"token":"286243cebd7d3450"}