William Wilson Barbour

Current office and 2026 campaign

William Wilson Barbour ran as a Republican candidate for the North Carolina State Senate in District 9, which encompasses Bladen, Duplin, Jones, Pender, and Sampson counties ¹². He was defeated by longtime incumbent Sen. Brent Jackson in the Republican primary on March 3, 2026 ¹.

Barbour's campaign emphasized parental rights and educational freedom, arguing that families should be able to choose the educational environment that aligns with their values ². On public safety, he called for stronger enforcement of existing firearms laws and more vigorous prosecution of violent offenders ².

Background and education

Barbour was born on July 28, 1961, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ². His father, the Reverend James F. Barbour, was a Lutheran minister, and his mother, Barbara, was a registered nurse ². The family later moved to Los Angeles and then to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Barbour attended Albuquerque Academy ². He enrolled at the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning degrees in Political Science and Psychology in 1983, and while there played NCAA Division I football as a linebacker ². He subsequently earned graduate degrees from the Air War College in 2010 and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2015 ¹².

Career

Barbour served in the United States Air Force from 1985 to 2013, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after approximately 28 years ¹. During his service, he flew C-130 Hercules transport aircraft based in North Carolina and directed global airlift operations ². After retirement, he settled in NC Senate District 9 and launched his 2026 senate campaign ².

Family

Barbour is a devoted husband and father ².

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