Gary Reynolds Weart

Gary Weart is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina State Senate District 33 in the 2026 general election, scheduled for November 3, 2026. The State Senate is the upper chamber of the North Carolina General Assembly, responsible for drafting, debating, and voting on state legislation, approving the state budget, and confirming certain executive appointments. Senators serve two‑year terms and must represent the interests of their district’s constituents while adhering to the Constitution of North Carolina and state statutes. ¹

Weart is a longtime educator and community activist from North Carolina. He spent thirty‑three years as a public‑school teacher, administrator, and athletic coach before retiring. After retirement he has continued to work with the University of North Carolina, supervising student teachers and lecturing on non‑violence and conflict resolution. He lives with his wife Wanda in the state. ¹⁸²⁰

In addition to his education career, Weart served in Army counter‑intelligence, carried the Olympic Torch for both the 1996 Atlanta and 2002 Salt Lake City Games, and has been involved in a variety of civic and athletic endeavors, including meeting members of the historic Green Bay Packers and playing fantasy baseball under manager Earl Weaver. He founded Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), a network that grew to chapters in forty‑four states and seven foreign countries, and received the Presidential Service Award from President Bill Clinton in 1995 for his anti‑violence work. ¹⁸²⁰

Weart’s candidacy advanced without a primary contest after the Democratic primary scheduled for March 3, 2026 was canceled, placing him directly against incumbent Republican Senator Carl Ford in the November general election. While his campaign platform details have not been published in the sources consulted, his public record emphasizes school safety, non‑violence education, and community engagement—issues reflected in his memoir, A Teacher Shoots Back: Targeting School Violence, which chronicles his experiences in education, military service, and activism. ¹⁸²⁰

If elected, Weart would bring his extensive experience in education, public service, and grassroots organizing to the legislative process, aiming to influence policies on public safety, education reform, and community health in North Carolina’s 33rd Senate district. ¹

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