James Cecil Adams JR

Current office and 2026 campaign

James Cecil Adams Jr. (also known as Jay Adams) is the incumbent Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 96, a seat he has held since January 1, 2015. He is on the ballot for re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election for the same district ⁹⁴.

Background and education

Born in 1949, Adams earned a Bachelor of Science in education from The Citadel ⁹. He later pursued studies in mechanical drawing, computer science and real estate at Catawba Valley Community College and obtained his real-estate license in 1983. He has lived in Hickory, North Carolina, since 1975 ⁹.

Career

Adams has worked as a real-estate broker, a Technical Communications Specialist for Siecor, and for Deville Furniture. He also served on the City of Hickory's Brownfield Advisory Group and on regional chambers of commerce and planning boards ⁴.

Legislative record and accomplishments

During the 2023-2024 session Adams was Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee and Chair of the Wildlife Resources Committee, while also sitting on Appropriations, Commerce, Education-Community Colleges and Local Government committees ⁴. He voted for the 2025 permitless firearm carry bill (S50) and the 2025 North Carolina Border Protection Act (S153) ¹⁴. The North Carolina Choice Tracker identifies him as anti-choice, citing his support for a 12-week abortion ban and a constitutional amendment defining abortion as first-degree murder ¹⁶. He also backed the 2024 Voter-ID constitutional amendment (S921) and a measure restricting gender-transition procedures for minors (H606) ¹⁴.

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