Benton Grey Sawrey

Benton G. Sawrey is the incumbent Republican State Senator for North Carolina’s 10th Senate District and is seeking re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election. He first won the Republican primary on March 3, 2026 with 84.8% of the vote and advanced to the general ballot alongside Democratic challenger Pat LeGrand and Libertarian Kevin Terrett【1†L31-L41】. The North Carolina Constitution requires senators to be at least 25 years old, a qualified voter, and to have lived in the state for two years and in the district for one year before election【2†L15-L20】; Sawrey meets these qualifications.

Born and raised in Johnston County, Sawrey graduated from Smithfield‑Selma Senior High School in 2005. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and government from North Carolina State University in 2009 and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2013【1†L22-L27】. He is a practicing attorney who works with small‑business owners, farmers, and families on regulatory, tax, litigation, and transactional matters【15†L31-L38】.

Before his election, Sawrey served on the Board of Trustees of Johnston Community College, was president of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, and treasurer of the Partnership for Children of Johnston County【1†L28-L30】. He was first elected to the North Carolina Senate in the 2022 cycle and assumed office on January 1, 2023【1†L9-L12】. In the 2025‑2026 legislative session he chaired the Senate Appropriations on Health and Human Services Committee and served on the Appropriations/Base Budget, Health Care, Judiciary, and Rules and Operations of the Senate committees【1†L34-L38】.

During his first term Sawrey authored and sponsored legislation focused on reducing regulation, cutting taxes, expanding school‑choice options, and improving rural health care. He voted to lower the state income‑tax rate by more than 50% in 2023 and has advocated for eliminating the personal income tax altogether【15†L71-L78】. He has also co‑sponsored bills protecting farmland, increasing access to health‑care providers in rural areas, and expanding the Opportunity Scholarship program for school choice【15†L84-L95】. His leadership on health‑care policy earned him the chairmanship of the Health and Human Services appropriations subcommittee.

Sawrey’s campaign is supported by several conservative groups, including Americans for Prosperity‑North Carolina, the North Carolina Values Coalition, and the North Carolina Property Rights Fund【11†L1-L9】. He emphasizes “limited government, economic freedom, and traditional Eastern North Carolina values” in his public statements and campaign literature【15†L1-L5】. His official campaign website is bentonsawrey.com, which lists his office at 86 Riverglade Drive, Clayton, NC, and a contact phone number of (919) 413‑0507【10†L5-L9】.

In addition to his legislative work, Sawrey continues to practice law as a partner with Narron Wenzel, P.A., and remains active in local Republican Party leadership, having served as general counsel for the Johnston County Republican Party and volunteering as an intern for the state party in 2005【18†L13-L20】. He is married to Beth, has two children, and identifies as a Methodist Christian【6†L6-L9】.

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