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John Winston Decker
Office history
Winn Decker (John Winston Decker) is the Democratic nominee for the North Carolina House of Representatives, District 37 (Wake County), on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot against Republican incumbent Erin Paré 123. Decker won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 50.3% of the vote, ahead of Marcus Gadson (38.1%) and Ralph Clements (11.6%) 1.
Background and education
Decker earned a bachelor's degree from Rhodes College and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from North Carolina State University, with a focus on education policy, public budgeting, and program implementation 1. He has lived in Wake County for more than a decade and now lives in Fuquay-Varina 2.
Career
Decker's professional background is in education and workforce policy. Per his campaign site, he has worked at the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy — founded by former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt — advising governors, legislators, and state leaders from both parties on strengthening public schools, expanding college access, and building the workforce, and says he continues that policy work nationally while remaining active in southern Wake County 2. Ballotpedia lists his profession as policy analyst 1.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
North Carolina — campaign finance
- State, county, and municipal candidates — all in one system — NC State Board of Elections — Committee Search. Search by last name “Decker”.
North Carolina — statement of economic interest
- Required for state-elected and many local officials — NC State Ethics Commission — Statement of Economic Interest Search. Search by last name “Decker”.