North Carolina State Senate District 4
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North Carolina State Senate District 4 is represented byEldon Sharpe Newton III (R).
As of the 2020 Census, North Carolina state senators represented an average of209,079 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented191,316 residents.
About the office
Members of theNorth Carolina State Senate servetwo-year terms and are not subject toterm limits. North Carolina legislators assume office on January 1 the year after their election.[1][2]
Qualifications
Article 2, Section 6 of theNorth Carolina Constitution states:[3]
| “ | Each Senator, at the time of his election, shall be not less than 25 years of age, shall be a qualified voter of the State, and shall have resided in the State as a citizen for two years and in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election.[4] | ” |
Salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2025[5] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $13,951/year | $104/day |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in theGeneral Assembly of North Carolina, thegovernor is responsible for appointing a replacement.[6][7]
When making an appointment, the governor must make a decision from a list of recommended candidates submitted by the political party committee that last held the vacant seat.[8] The appointment must be made within seven days of receiving a list of recommended candidates.[7] The person selected to the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.[7]
See sources:North Carolina Const. Art. 2, Sec. 10 andNorth Carolina Gen. Stat. § 163-11
District map
Redistricting
- See also:Redistricting in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the state legislature is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. District maps cannot be vetoed by thegovernor. State legislative redistricting must take place in the first regular legislative session following the United States Census. There are no explicit deadlines in place for congressional redistricting.[9]
State law establishes the following requirements for state legislative districts:[9]
- Districts must be contiguous and compact.
- Districts "must cross county lines as little as possible." If counties are grouped together, the group should include as few counties as possible.
- Communities of interest should be taken into account.
There are no similar restrictions in place regarding congressional districts.[9]
2020-2023
On October 25, 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly adopted new legislative district boundaries.[10] The legislation adopting the new Senate districts passed thestate Senate by a vote of 28-17 and theState House by a vote of 63-40.[11] The legislation adopting the new House districts passed thestate Senate by a vote of 27-17 and theState House by a vote of 62-44.[12] All four votes were strictly along party lines with all votes in favor by Republicans and all votes against by Democrats.[13][14][15][16]WUNC's Rusty Jacobs wrote that Catawba College Prof. Michael "Bitzer said Republicans have drawn maps that have a strong chance of preserving their veto-proof super majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Bitzer noted that constitutional provisions, like requiring legislators to keep counties whole when drawing state legislative districts, make it more difficult for lawmakers to gerrymander these maps more aggressively."[17]
The state redrew its district boundaries after the state supreme court overturned its 2022 decision that North Carolina's enacted congressional and legislative maps were unconstitutional due to partisan gerrymandering.
As a result ofstate supreme court elections in 2022, the court flipped from a 4-3 Democratic majority to a 5-2 Republican majority. In its ruling, the court said, "we hold that partisan gerrymandering claims present a political question that is nonjusticiable under the North Carolina Constitution. Accordingly, the decision of this Court inHarper I is overruled. We affirm the three judge panel’s 11 January 2022 Judgment concluding,inter alia, that partisan gerrymandering claims are nonjusticiable, political questions and dismissing all of plaintiffs’ claims with prejudice."Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
Below are the maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for North Carolina’s 2024 state legislative elections.
North Carolina State Senate District 4
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
North Carolina State Senate District 4
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2026
See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for North Carolina State Senate District 4
IncumbentEldon Sharpe Newton III (R) andJess Rivera (D) are running in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 4 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Eldon Sharpe Newton III (R) | |
| Jess Rivera (D) | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. | |||
 = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary
The Democratic primary scheduled for March 3, 2026, was canceled.Jess Rivera (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4 without appearing on the ballot.
Republican primary
The Republican primary scheduled for March 3, 2026, was canceled. IncumbentEldon Sharpe Newton III (R) advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4 without appearing on the ballot.
2024
See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for North Carolina State Senate District 4
IncumbentEldon Sharpe Newton III defeatedRaymond Smith Jr. in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 4 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eldon Sharpe Newton III (R) | 55.1 | 55,389 |
 | Raymond Smith Jr. (D) | 44.9 | 45,096 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 100,485 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled.Raymond Smith Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. IncumbentEldon Sharpe Newton III advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4.
2022
General election
General election for North Carolina State Senate District 4
Eldon Sharpe Newton III defeated incumbentMilton F. Fitch Jr. in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 4 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eldon Sharpe Newton III (R) | 57.5 | 38,638 |
 | Milton F. Fitch Jr. (D) | 42.5 | 28,543 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 67,181 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4
IncumbentMilton F. Fitch Jr. defeatedRaymond Smith Jr. in the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Milton F. Fitch Jr. | 54.5 | 6,994 |
| Raymond Smith Jr. | 45.5 | 5,843 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 12,837 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4
Eldon Sharpe Newton III defeatedJoe Democko in the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eldon Sharpe Newton III | 67.6 | 8,728 |
| Joe Democko | 32.4 | 4,181 | ||
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 12,909 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for North Carolina State Senate District 4
IncumbentMilton F. Fitch Jr. defeatedSammy Webb in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 4 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Milton F. Fitch Jr. (D) | 57.2 | 51,384 |
| Sammy Webb (R) | 42.8 | 38,514 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 89,898 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. IncumbentMilton F. Fitch Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled.Sammy Webb advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4.
2018
General election
General election for North Carolina State Senate District 4
IncumbentMilton F. Fitch Jr. defeatedRichard Scott andJesse Shearin in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 4 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Milton F. Fitch Jr. (D) | 57.8 | 36,471 |
 | Richard Scott (R) | 40.2 | 25,391 | |
| Jesse Shearin (L) | 2.0 | 1,264 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 63,126 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4
IncumbentMilton F. Fitch Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Milton F. Fitch Jr. |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4
Richard Scott advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 4 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Richard Scott |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for theNorth Carolina State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held onNovember 8, 2016.[18] The candidate filing deadline was December 21, 2015.[19]
IncumbentAngela Bryant defeatedRichard Scott in the North Carolina State Senate District 4 general election.[20][21]
| North Carolina State Senate, District 4 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Angela BryantIncumbent | 67.67% | 56,584 | |
| Republican | Richard Scott | 32.33% | 27,038 | |
| Total Votes | 83,622 | |||
| Source:North Carolina State Board of Elections | ||||
IncumbentAngela Bryant defeatedJames Mills in the North Carolina State Senate District 4 Democratic primary.[22][23]
| North Carolina State Senate, District 4 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Angela BryantIncumbent | 81.19% | 24,063 | |
| Democratic | James Mills | 18.81% | 5,576 | |
| Total Votes | 29,639 | |||
Richard Scott ran unopposed in the North Carolina State Senate District 4 Republican primary.[24][25]
| North Carolina State Senate, District 4 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Richard Scott (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for theNorth Carolina State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election took place onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 28, 2014. IncumbentAngela Bryant was unopposed in the Democratic primary, whileRichard Scott was unopposed in the Republican primary. Bryant defeated Scott in the general election.[26][27][28][29]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Angela BryantIncumbent | 65.5% | 37,590 | |
| Republican | Richard Scott | 34.5% | 19,796 | |
| Total Votes | 57,386 | |||
2012
Elections for the office ofNorth Carolina State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 8, 2012, and a general election onNovember 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 29, 2012. IncumbentEd Jones (D) defeatedWarren Scott Nail (R) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the May 8 primary elections.[30][31][32]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ed JonesIncumbent | 72.3% | 63,666 | |
| Republican | Warren Scott Nail | 27.7% | 24,363 | |
| Total Votes | 88,029 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for North Carolina State Senate District 4 raised a total of $2,307,942. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $65,941 on average. All figures come fromFollow the Money
| Campaign contributions, North Carolina State Senate District 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $397,941 | 2 | $198,971 |
| 2022 | $782,672 | 4 | $195,668 |
| 2020 | $112,961 | 2 | $56,480 |
| 2018 | $-10 | 1 | $-10 |
| 2016 | $118,653 | 3 | $39,551 |
| 2014 | $151,184 | 2 | $75,592 |
| 2012 | $35,837 | 2 | $17,919 |
| 2010 | $64,418 | 4 | $16,105 |
| 2008 | $33,208 | 1 | $33,208 |
| 2006 | $58,305 | 2 | $29,153 |
| 2004 | $55,068 | 3 | $18,356 |
| 2002 | $43,520 | 6 | $7,253 |
| 2000 | $454,185 | 3 | $151,395 |
| Total | $2,307,942 | 35 | $65,941 |
Other election results in district
The map below highlight's this state legislative district and provides election results from the most recent election. Using the dropdown on the left, you can choose to view results for the most recent presidential election or U.S. House district election instead. This will show you the votes cast in this district for that election. The dropdown on the right will let you see either the map colored by the percentage of votes the winning candidate received or let you know the number and type of votes cast by size and shade of the circle in each county.
See also
- General Assembly of North Carolina
- North Carolina State Senate
- North Carolina House of Representatives
- North Carolina state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑North Carolina Constitution, "Article II, Section 9," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑Confirmed via email with the North Carolina Legislature on July 7, 2011
- ↑North Carolina General Assembly, "North Carolina State Constitution," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2025 Legislator Compensation," December 2, 2025
- ↑General Assembly of North Carolina, "North Carolina Constitution," accessed February 12, 2021(Article II, Section 10)
- ↑7.07.17.2General Assembly of North Carolina, "North Carolina General Statutes," accessed February 12, 2021(Statute 163-11(a), NC General Statutes)
- ↑General Assembly of North Carolina, "North Carolina General Statutes," accessed February 12, 2021(Statute 163-11(b-d), NC General Statutes)
- ↑9.09.19.2All About Redistricting, "North Carolina," accessed April 20, 2015
- ↑The Carolina Journal, "New state House, Senate, and congressional maps finalized," October 25, 2023
- ↑North Caroliina General Assembly, "Senate Bill 758 / SL 2023-146," accessed October 26, 2023
- ↑North Caroliina General Assembly, "House Bill 898 / SL 2023-149," accessed October 26, 2023
- ↑North Carolina General Assembly, "House Roll Call Vote Transcript for Roll Call #614," accessed October 26, 2023
- ↑North Caroliina General Assembly, "Senate Roll Call Vote Transcript for Roll Call #499," accessed October 26, 2023
- ↑North Caroliina General Assembly, "Senate Roll Call Vote Transcript for Roll Call #504," accessed October 26, 2023
- ↑North Caroliina General Assembly, "House Roll Call Vote Transcript for Roll Call #604," accessed October 26, 2023
- ↑WUNC, "New district maps show signs of GOP partisan gerrymandering," October 24, 2023
- ↑The primary for U.S. congressional elections was rescheduled to June 7, 2016, following legal challenges toNorth Carolina's district maps. State races were unaffected.
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "2016 Candidate Filing," archived January 19, 2016
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Candidate Listing," accessed August 23, 2016
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election results lookup," accessd December 21, 2016
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Candidate Listing," accessed January 4, 2016
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "03/15/2016 Official primary results - Statewide," March 15, 2016
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Candidate Listing," accessed January 4, 2016
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "03/15/2016 Official primary results - Statewide," March 15, 2016
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Primary Candidate List Grouped by Contest," accessed March 7, 2014
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "General Election Candidate List Grouped by Contest," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "05/06/2014 Official Primary Election Results - Statewide," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "11/04/2014 Official General Election Results - Statewide," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "2012 Official General Election Results," accessed December 5, 2013
- ↑North Carolina Board of Elections, "Candidate lists," accessed March 5, 2012
- ↑North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Official Primary Election Results," accessed June 22, 2012
