John Walker Rhodes

John W. Rhodes is a Republican former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives who filed in December 2025 to run again for the House in the 2026 election, seeking to unseat Democratic incumbent Beth Gardner Helfrich in the 98th district ¹¹.

Rhodes is a real‑estate broker and businessman based in Huntersville, North Carolina. The public record does not detail his formal education, but his professional background is in real‑estate brokerage and local business activities ¹¹.

He first won election to the newly created 98th district in 2002, serving from January 2003 until January 2007. During his tenure, Rhodes was the first legislator to call for the resignation of Speaker Jim Black after ethics allegations, a stance that preceded Black’s eventual resignation and conviction on state and federal charges ¹¹. In the 2006 Republican primary, Rhodes was defeated by future U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, ending his initial legislative service ¹¹. After leaving office, Rhodes attracted a petition to run as a write‑in candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014, though that effort did not result in a ballot placement ¹¹.

His 2026 campaign marks a return to state legislative politics, with the filing indicating a continued interest in representing his home district and addressing the concerns of his constituents. Specific policy positions for the upcoming race have not been detailed in the available sources ¹¹.

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