Dennis Patrick Riddell

Dennis Patrick Riddell is the incumbent Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 64, encompassing parts of Alamance County including Elon, Burlington, Pleasant Hill and Mandale. He is seeking re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election, after running unopposed in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary, which was cancelled【1†L1-L5】. The North Carolina House seat requires the officeholder to be at least 21 years old, a resident of the district for one year, and a qualified voter in the state【1†L1-L3】.

Riddell was born on October 21, 1956, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from the California Maritime Academy (now California State University Maritime Academy)【4†L13-L15】. He later obtained a Master of Education in History from Bob Jones University【4†L13-L15】 and a Level II Thermographer certification from the Infraspection Institute in 2008【6†L31-L33】. He is married to Polly Jo Hankins, with whom he has eight children and several grandchildren【19†L5-L9】.

Before entering politics, Riddell served ten years in the U.S. Naval Reserve, rising to lieutenant before honorable discharge in 1988【4†L21-L23】. He spent 35 years as an engineering officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine (1978‑2013)【19†L13-L15】 and taught high‑school social studies for seven years (1985‑1992)【19†L17-L19】. He later founded FreedomIR Thermal Imaging (2008‑present) and the Heritage Stables Equestrian Facility (2004‑present)【6†L35-L38】【19†L21-L23】.

Riddell was first elected to the North Carolina General Assembly in 2012 and has been re‑elected every two years since, most recently winning 62.69% of the vote in 2022 against Democrat Ron Osborne【10†L1-L5】 and 54.95% in 2024 against Democrat LeVon Barnes【14†L1-L4】. His legislative record includes leadership roles on key appropriations and regulatory committees. In the 2023‑2024 session he served as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Chair of both the Appropriations‑General Government Committee and the Regulatory Reform Committee, while also sitting on Education‑K‑12, Election Law, Energy & Public Utilities, and Federal Relations & American Indian Affairs committees【1†L9-L20】. He has held similar positions in prior sessions dating back to 2013【1†L21-L55】.

Among his policy priorities, Riddell emphasizes low taxes, reduced regulatory burdens, and a balanced state budget, crediting these factors for North Carolina’s strong economy【10†L7-L11】. He supports the current 12‑week abortion ban with exceptions up to 20 weeks for rape and incest【14†L5-L7】, and backs Second Amendment protections and pro‑business legislation【14†L1-L4】. He also advocates for criminal code recodification to de‑criminalize entrepreneurial activity and for protecting children from sexual predators【15†L9-L13】.

Riddell is active in his community, serving on the boards of the Piedmont Rescue Mission, the Alamance County Republican Party (former chair), and various civic groups such as the NRA, North Carolina Right to Life, and the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association【19†L31-L38】. He volunteers as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Pleasant Hill Christian Church and coaches youth volleyball and 4‑H programs【19†L27-L30】.

His official legislative office is located at the Legislative Office Building, 300 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603‑5925, with a district office at 6343 Beale Rd., Snow Camp, NC 27349【9†L1-L4】【9†L5-L7】. He can be reached by phone at 336‑222‑1303 (main) or 919‑733‑5905 (legislative)【9†L5-L7】【18†L9-L11】, and by email at [email protected]【18†L12-L13】.

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