Growing up in rural Farmville, Virginia, I learned early what it means to be a part of a community, how much service matters, and why showing up for your neighbors is important.

Melissa Zehner for Senate

After graduating from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College I worked in Minor League Baseball and held management positions. I loved my work. Once we started a family, we made the choice that I would be a stay at home parent.

## Hi, neighbor!
I’m Melissa Zehner, your Democratic candidate for NC’s 1st Senate District.
I am the mom of two kids who attend public schools, a wife, and an advocate.

When I was 6 months old, my parents brought me to the Outer Banks for the first time, and I spent time here every summer following that one. The Outer Banks were the only place my father ever wanted to be in the summer — this place was the dream. Now we are raising our family here, and we call this place home.

Melissa Zehner grew up in rural Farmville, Virginia. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. She is a wife and mother of two children who attend public schools, and she and her family live on the Outer Banks.

Melissa Zehner worked in Minor League Baseball and held management positions.

Dare County Board of Education (partisan races)

At-large

David Twiddy (R) 14,747 (61.17%)

Melissa Zehner (D) 9,363 (38.83%)

District 01

The Outer Banks’ 2024 local election results

Melissa previously ran for an at-large seat on the Dare County Board of Education but did not win.

The Outer Banks' 2024 local election results

Melissa previously ran for an at-large seat on the Dare County Board of Education in 2024 but did not win.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of January 5, 2026, Melissa Zehner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Public Safety

Healthcare

#### Invest in your schools:

Education should not be an afterthought.
It should be a priority. North Carolina ranks in the bottom of the nation for teacher pay and per pupil spending. And as more responsibility for education continues shifting to the states, you need a legislator who will fight for investment in our teachers and students.

#### Invest in your schools:

Education should not be an afterthought.
It should be a priority. North Carolina ranks in the bottom of the nation for teacher pay and per pupil spending. And as more responsibility for education continues shifting to the states, you need a legislator who will fight for investment in our teachers and students.
Public funds should go to public schools.
In Senate District 1, millions of your tax dollars are following students to private schools that are not held to the same standards via the school voucher system.

Pay our teachers. Fund our schools.

Advocates for greater investment in public-school teachers and students.

Opposes using public funds for private-school vouchers.

- Advocates for greater investment in public-school teachers and students.
- Opposes using public funds for private-school vouchers.

Education

Energy & the Environment

Foreign Policy and Immigration

#### advocate for fair maps:

You should choose your politicians, not the other way around. Poll after poll shows about 84% of NC voters oppose gerrymandering. And yet, in North Carolina, the Republican majority keeps drawing maps that choose their voters instead.

Voters in NC deserve fair voting maps, and by electing Judge Anita Earls, we will move one step closer to making that happen.
Every vote should count the same, no matter where you live or how you vote.

Voters in NC deserve fair voting maps, and by electing Judge Anita Earls, we will move one step closer to making that happen.
Every vote should count the same, no matter where you live or how you vote.

Advocates for fair voting maps and equal weight for every vote.

- Advocates for fair voting maps and equal weight for every vote.

Voting & Elections

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Melissa Zehner

Melissa previously ran for North Carolina State Senator in 2024 but did not win. She also ran for Dare County Board of Education in 2024 but did not win.

Cole Johnson - Ballotpedia

4th Circuit rejects en banc hearing in NC Senate redistricting case

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Jerry Tillett

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the North Carolina Senate. The North Carolina Senate is the upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- The State Senator is elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.

Your representative and state lawmaker in North Carolina Senate.