{"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)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_senate_011","county":"edgecombe","county_count":10,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc State Senate District 11"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"James","fullname":"James David Gailliard","lastname":"Gailliard","middlename":"David","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_senate_011","contest_title":"Nc State Senate District 11","county":"edgecombe","county_count":10,"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_011","contest_title":"Nc State Senate District 11","county":"edgecombe","county_count":10,"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":"James Gailliard, a former NC House member and Rocky\u202fMount pastor, is the Democratic candidate for State Senate District\u202f11 in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"31d92bfbd659556a"}