Tom has worked in municipal government for the last 15 years in the City of Asheville where he worked in the Mayor’s Office and City Manager’s Office for 6 ½ years before moving to the Finance Department. He earned his Masters of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University in 2010.

About – Tom Downing for NC

Tom Downing earned a master's degree in public affairs from Western Carolina University in 2010.

Tom Downing for NC – For Everyone

Prior to his work in local government he was a special education teacher working with students with serious emotional disability for eight years. He’s taught students at all grade levels in regular education classrooms, special schools, as a summer camp counselor, at the Jackson County alternative school, and in two large high schools and a rural school district where he was an elementary grades Title I Reading Teacher.

Tom works in municipal government for the City of Asheville's Finance Department. He previously worked in the city's Mayor's Office and City Manager's Office and as a special education teacher.

Tom Downing - Ballotpedia

Tom is running for political office for the first time.

2026 North Carolina General Election

The 50th district needs good paying jobs for our residents so that our young people can stay here and build a good life. Regional cooperation is the key to bringing in economic development.

The Issues – Tom Downing for NC

Advocates for regional cooperation to promote economic development and create good-paying jobs in District 50.

- Advocates for regional cooperation to promote economic development and create good-paying jobs in District 50.

Economy

It’s way past the time for boosting the pay for our dedicated public safety professionals. That’s our State Troopers, police, sheriffs deputies, our firefighters (volunteer and paid,) EMTs, and all first responders. No volunteer first responder should have to fundraise for their basic needs such as their turnout gear, training, upgrading their equipment and so many other things. Hurricane Helene should have taught us a lesson in being prepared.

Calls for higher pay for state troopers, police, sheriff's deputies, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders.

Said volunteer first responders should not have to raise funds for essential gear, training, and equipment upgrades.

- Calls for higher pay for state troopers, police, sheriff's deputies, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders.
- Said volunteer first responders should not have to raise funds for essential gear, training, and equipment upgrades.

Public Safety

Healthcare is a right not a privilege. Our rural hospitals need a solid plan for dealing with outside influences from Washington that will further strain their finances. People in Macon County must be able to have a baby in Macon County again.

How many District 50 residents have had a medical appointment cancelled due to not having a provider available to see them? We need a plan of action to make sure that we will have the needed nurses, CNAs, doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and all the other people needed to provide the absolute best care for our residents now and in the future.

Calls for a plan to protect rural hospitals' finances and restore access to maternity care in Macon County.

Calls for a plan to address shortages of nurses, certified nursing assistants, doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and other healthcare workers.

- Calls for a plan to protect rural hospitals' finances and restore access to maternity care in Macon County.
- Calls for a plan to address shortages of nurses, certified nursing assistants, doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and other healthcare workers.

Healthcare

The Republicans in the General Assembly have succeeded in winning the “Race to the Bottom” for public school funding. Now North Carolina is dead last in public school funding – 50th place out of 50 states. Are they trying to make our public schools fail so they can privatize public education? As a state senator Tom pledges to vote for funding to restore NC’s place among the top spending states. Public funds should go to public schools not private schools.

Pledges to vote to increase public-school funding and direct public funds to public rather than private schools.

- Pledges to vote to increase public-school funding and direct public funds to public rather than private schools.

Education

As of January 5, 2026, Tom Downing did not have a website or any information online.

Energy & the Environment

Foreign Policy and Immigration

The final speaker was Tom Downing, who became known for his fiery criticism of commissioners during last summer’s library debate. His comments to the Board of Elections were equally passionate.

“The truth is, there won’t be any money saved because, as you’ve heard today and from an expert in elections — Dr. Cooper — you’ll need more staff at the remaining Cullowhee voting site, especially on Election Day, because people will not have voted early on campus,” Downing said.

Downing then launched into broad criticism of Republican leadership in the General Assembly, which hasn’t passed a state budget but found time to gerrymander another congressional seat.

“So don’t talk to me about fiscal responsibility, sir! I think any reasonable person would conclude that the Republican Party wants to stop WCU students and faculty and staff from registering to vote on campus!” Downing yelled. “Why am I angry? This is a blatant example of election interference and voter suppression!”

Jackson Board of Elections votes to close Western Carolina University early voting site - Smoky Mountain News

“The truth is, there won’t be any money saved because, as you’ve heard today and from an expert in elections — Dr. Cooper — you’ll need more staff at the remaining Cullowhee voting site, especially on Election Day, because people will not have voted early on campus,” Downing said.

Downing then launched into broad criticism of Republican leadership in the General Assembly, which hasn’t passed a state budget but found time to gerrymander another congressional seat.

“So don’t talk to me about fiscal responsibility, sir! I think any reasonable person would conclude that the Republican Party wants to stop WCU students and faculty and staff from registering to vote on campus!” Downing yelled. “Why am I angry? This is a blatant example of election interference and voter suppression!”

Calls to retain Western Carolina University's early-voting site, arguing its closure will require additional staffing at the remaining Cullowhee voting site.

- Calls to retain Western Carolina University's early-voting site, arguing its closure will require additional staffing at the remaining Cullowhee voting site.

Voting & Elections

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Tom Downing

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

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Tom Downing is from Lafayette, Indiana. He has a bachelor's degree from Purdue University. He lives with his wife, Natasha Coppola-Shalom, and their son, Rowan.

Who is running for election in 2026? - NCLocal

More folks file for political office | Government | thesylvaherald.com

Tom has worked at the North Carolina Lottery, Gap Inc., and Career Builder.

Tom Downing is running in the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 50 in 2026.

For Candidate Tom Downing on Issue voting-elections: Supports measures to enhance the integrity of elections.

Isaac Brickman

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Kevin Corbin

- 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.