Cole Johnson is a Marine Corps veteran, first-generation farmer, and small-business owner. He and his wife operate a small family dairy at Yesteryear Farm in Shiloh, North Carolina. He organizes the NC Food Freedom Festival, an event promoting local food autonomy.

Cole Johnson - Ballotpedia

Cole Johnson attended the University of Mount Olive. He lives with his wife, Sarah.

Cole currently works as the owner and operator of a raw milk dairy farm. He previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Cole previously ran for the U.S. House in 2024 but did not win.

Cole's campaign for state senator for North Carolina Senate District 1 is his first run for public office.

Candidate website

Supports reducing taxes, government spending, and unnecessary regulations, while advocating for small businesses and working families.

Supports reducing government regulations, citing proposed bans on shrimping and raw milk production as examples.

- Supports reducing government regulations, citing proposed bans on shrimping and raw milk production as examples.
- Supports reducing government spending.

Economy

Said he "believes the justice system must do more to stop repeat violent offenders from harming the innocent."

- Opposes gun control.
- Said he "believes the justice system must do more to stop repeat violent offenders from harming the innocent."

Public Safety

Supports requiring schools to inform parents if a student uses mental or sexual health services.

- Supports requiring schools to inform parents if a student uses mental or sexual health services.
- Opposes access to abortion.

Healthcare

Supports programs that allow qualifying families to use public money for alternative schooling options, including private schools

- Supports programs that allow qualifying families to use public money for alternative schooling options, including private schools

Education

As of January 2, 2026, Cole Johnson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Voting & Elections

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Cole Johnson

Rafael Perez

Matthew Tomas

Buket Urgen

Dave is a Gates County Commissioner. He works on the Gates County Board of Commissioners. He previously served in the U.S. military and worked for the federal government for decades.

Gates County Commissioner Forsythe Forms Exploratory Committee ...

Dave is an engineer,. He previously served in the U.S. military and worked for the federal government for decades.

Dave Forsythe is currently a Gates County Commissioner representing Gates County.

- Supports lowering taxes.
- Supports the shrimping industry.

- Supports local law enforcement agencies.

As of January 2, 2026, Dave Forsythe’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports protecting the environment and wants to ensure a sustainable fishing industry for future generations.

- Supports protecting the environment and wants to ensure a sustainable fishing industry for future generations.

Dave Forsythe

Jay Lane grew up in Gates County. He is married.

Jay Lane's campaign for North Carolina State Senate District 1 is his first entry into politics.

Jay Lane Announces Campaign for NC Senate District 1 - Albemarle ...

Troxler endorses EC farmer Lane for Senate D1 | Local News ...

Republican farmer Jay Lane announces bid for N.C. District 1 seat ...

Jay's campaign for North Carolina State Senate District 1 is his first entry into politics.

Supports advocating for the agricultural and fishing industries.

Advocates for the agricultural and fishing industries to be fairly regulated and given access to funding.

Supports reducing taxes for all North Carolinians.

- Advocates for the agricultural and fishing industries to be fairly regulated and given access to funding.
- Supports reducing taxes for all North Carolinians.

- Supports fully funding law enforcement.
- Opposes gun control.

As of January 2, 2026, Jay Lane’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jay Lane

Jerry Tillett is married. He is a father and grandfather.

Jerry is a retired judge. He previously worked as a judge for more than three decades.

Jerry previously served as a judge for more than three decades.

Jerry R. Tillett - Ballotpedia

Jerry is a judge for the North Carolina 1st Superior Court Division. He has been in office since 1993.

Supports improving infrastructure, including roads, internet, and utilities, to boost job creation.

Advocated for recruiting light manufacturers and growing entrepreneurship pipelines.

Plans to improve tourism, agribusiness, and small-scale industry.

- Supports improving infrastructure, including roads, internet, and utilities, to boost job creation.
- Advocated for recruiting light manufacturers and growing entrepreneurship pipelines.
- Plans to improve tourism, agribusiness, and small-scale industry.

Believes substance abuse contributes to crime, civil disputes, and family pressure.

- Believes substance abuse contributes to crime, civil disputes, and family pressure.

As of January 2, 2026, Jerry Tillett’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes good governing requires transparency, accountability, and service-based leadership.

- Believes good governing requires transparency, accountability, and service-based leadership.

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Jerry Tillett

Opposes actions that harm the Albemarle region's livelihoods or heritage.

Believes substance abuse contributes to criminal cases, civil disputes between small businesses, and family pressure.

Supports honoring and remembering Vietnam veterans.

- 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.

North Carolina State Senator, District 1, Republican Primary

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