Biography

Michael Garrett was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, in 2007. His career experience includes working as the managing partner of a family-owned marketing firm.

Michael Garrett (North Carolina)

Michael K. Garrett was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, in 2007.

North Carolina State Senate District 27 - Ballotpedia

## Economy

I own and operate a small business located in Senate District 27. I know the challenges our local business owners face, firsthand. Our state government should be helping to fan the flame of the local economy, and that starts with supporting small businesses, which create about two thirds of the new jobs in North Carolina.

Issues – Michael Garrett for NC Senate District 27

Michael K. Garrett owns and operates a small business in Senate District 27 and has worked as the managing partner of a family-owned marketing firm.

Michael Garrett (Democratic Party) is a member of the North Carolina State Senate, representing District 27. He assumed office on January 1, 2019. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.

16 West Jones Street, Rm. 1109
Raleigh, NC 27601

Terms in Senate: 4 ( 0 in House )

Senator Michael Garrett - Biography

2018
See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2018

General election
General election for North Carolina State Senate District 27

Michael Garrett defeated incumbent Trudy Wade in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 27 on November 6, 2018.

North Carolina State Senate District 27

Michael currently serves as the state senator for North Carolina's 27th District. He was first elected in 2018 and is serving his fourth term.

2026 North Carolina General Election

I own and operate a small business located in Senate District 27. I know the challenges our local business owners face, firsthand. Our state government should be helping to fan the flame of the local economy, and that starts with supporting small businesses, which create about two thirds of the new jobs in North Carolina. As such, they must be the epicenter of our strategy for economic growth.

In recent years, this General Assembly has increasingly shifted the tax burden onto the shoulders of small businesses and the families who own them. I favor an exemption on the first $50,000 of small business income so that money can be reinvested in workers and local communities.

I favor an exemption on the first $50,000 of small business income so that money can be reinvested in workers and local communities.

I support a revival of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as it would give our working families a leg up as they strive to enter or stay in the middle class.

Supports state policies that prioritize small businesses as part of North Carolina's economic-growth strategy.

Favors exempting the first $50,000 of small-business income from taxation.

Supports restoring the Earned Income Tax Credit for working families.

- Supports state policies that prioritize small businesses as part of North Carolina's economic-growth strategy.
- Favors exempting the first $50,000 of small-business income from taxation.
- Supports restoring the Earned Income Tax Credit for working families.

Economy

As of January 5, 2026, Michael K. Garrett’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Looking beyond Medicaid, I’m concerned with the constantly increasing costs of prescription drugs. I am working with colleagues to draft legislation that aims to offer relief to residents across Guilford County and the state.

The very first bill that I co-sponsored in 2019 was SB3, which would have immediately started to close the Medicaid coverage gap. Not closing this gap and thus denying health coverage to well over half a million additional North Carolinians is one of the greatest failures of the General Assembly in recent decades. Expanding Medicaid would bring benefits to everyone in the state, not just those who would gain coverage.

Plans legislation intended to provide relief from rising prescription-drug costs.

Plans to draft legislation intended to provide relief from rising prescription-drug costs.

Co-sponsored Senate Bill 3 to begin closing North Carolina's Medicaid coverage gap.

- Plans to draft legislation intended to provide relief from rising prescription-drug costs.
- Co-sponsored Senate Bill 3 to begin closing North Carolina's Medicaid coverage gap.

Healthcare

In Guilford County, the average age of our school buildings is 52 years old. We now need around $2 billion to construct new schools and repair existing ones. For this reason, I support the statewide school infrastructure bond proposed by Governor Cooper.
It would bring tens of millions of dollars in direly needed funding to Guilford County schools so that we can make the necessary repairs and begin getting children out of mobile classrooms by building new schools.

It’s time we restore dignity to the teaching profession by paying our teachers what they’re worth. North Carolina has consistently trailed far behind the national average in teacher pay, and in fact, the average NC teacher is making less money now than before the recession, when accounting for inflation. This is the main reason why many of our teachers have moved to states that offer more generous pay or transitioned out of the profession altogether.

I have co-sponsored legislation that restore bonus pay for teachers with Master’s degrees and I wholeheartedly support Governor Cooper’s 2019-2021, budget which offers teachers an average pay raise of 9.1% across two years. I believe that every dollar spent on our children’s education will come back to us many times over in the form of a workforce well-equipped to succeed in the 21st century economy.

Supports Governor Cooper's statewide school infrastructure bond to fund school construction and repairs.

Co-sponsored legislation to restore bonuses for teachers with master's degrees and supports Governor Cooper's proposed teacher pay raises.

- Supports Governor Cooper's statewide school infrastructure bond to fund school construction and repairs.
- Co-sponsored legislation to restore bonuses for teachers with master's degrees and supports Governor Cooper's proposed teacher pay raises.

Education

There are no “re-do’s” when it comes to protecting North Carolina’s clean air and water and combating the threat of climate change. These goals need not be a cross-purpose with supporting a thriving economy. In my first term, I introduced a bill called “Polluter Pays,” which keeps polluters on the hook for cleaning up any messes they create, including coal ash and other chemical spills.

I co-sponsored a bill committing North Carolina 100% clean energy generation by 2050 as well as a bill that would have banned the chemical “PFAS,” so that it no longer threatens our drinking water. In 2020 and beyond, I’ll continue to introduce and support legislation which protects these resources and addresses climate change.

Introduced the Polluter Pays bill to require polluters to clean up coal ash and other chemical spills.

Co-sponsored legislation for 100% clean-energy generation by 2050 and to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

- Introduced the Polluter Pays bill to require polluters to clean up coal ash and other chemical spills.
- Co-sponsored legislation for 100% clean-energy generation by 2050 and to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Energy & the Environment

Foreign Policy and Immigration

My voting record and bills that I have introduced or co-sponsored reflect that belief.

I introduced a bill which would make every Election Day a state holiday, so that all voters have the best opportunity to cast their vote. I co-sponsored S641, called the Fix Our Democracy Act, to enact a series of pro-voting rights measures, including automatic voter registration for all citizens on their 18th birthday. Additionally, I voted for a bill to reinstate Saturday voting during early voting periods, which ultimately became law.

I introduced a bill which would make every Election Day a state holiday, so that all voters have the best opportunity to cast their vote. I co-sponsored S641, called the Fix Our Democracy Act, to enact a series of pro-voting rights measures, including automatic voter registration for all citizens on their 18th birthday. Additionally, I voted for a bill to reinstate Saturday voting during early voting periods, which ultimately became law.

Introduced legislation to make Election Day a state holiday.

Co-sponsored Senate Bill 641, the Fix Our Democracy Act, including automatic voter registration at age 18.

Voted for legislation reinstating Saturday early voting, which became law.

- Introduced legislation to make Election Day a state holiday.
- Co-sponsored Senate Bill 641, the Fix Our Democracy Act, including automatic voter registration at age 18.
- Voted for legislation reinstating Saturday early voting, which became law.

Voting & Elections

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Michael K. Garrett

- Co-sponsored Senate Bill 3 to begin closing North Carolina's Medicaid coverage gap.

Michael Garrett is from Raleigh, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina.

Michael is a managing partner at a family-owned marketing firm. 

Michael is currently a member of the North Carolina State Senate, representing District 27. He was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

- 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).
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