2 candidates are tracked for North Carolina Senate District 21 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Paul Taylor and Tom McInnis. Candidate information follows official Cumberland County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Paul Taylor (Democratic), Tom McInnis (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Tom McInnis is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Tom McInnis, is on the ballot.
North Carolina › Cumberland County › North Carolina Senate District 21
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Taylor is a military veteran and community organizer who has worked directly with families facing housing instability, including eviction during the pandemic moratorium period, per the campaign site.
Republican Incumbent
Tom McInnis grew up on a farm in Richmond County and built small businesses in the community before being elected to the North Carolina Senate, per the campaign site. He is serving his sixth term and chairs the Senate Finance and Regulatory Reform committees, per the campaign site.
Who is running for North Carolina Senate District 21 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for North Carolina Senate District 21 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Paul Taylor and Tom McInnis. Candidate information follows official Cumberland County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the North Carolina Senate District 21 election in North Carolina?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Cumberland County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Cumberland County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Cumberland County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
23 tracked races in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.