The Ballot Brief
New Hanover County, North Carolina

North Carolina Senate District 7

2 candidates are tracked for North Carolina Senate District 7 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jessica Bichler and Michael Lee. Candidate information follows official New Hanover County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Jessica Bichler (Democratic), Michael Lee (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Michael Lee 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.

What this office does

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, Michael Lee, is on the ballot.

North Carolina › New Hanover County › North Carolina Senate District 7

Jessica Bichler

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Lowering taxes for working families while raising the minimum wage
  • Directing public funding to public schools rather than vouchers and raising teacher pay
  • Fully funding Medicaid and expanding mental health and substance use treatment access

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Jessica Bichler is a yoga teacher and studio owner who has lived in Wilmington for almost 15 years, per her campaign site. She is a working mother in New Hanover County, per the same source.

Michael Lee

Michael Lee

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Public safety
  • Education
  • Coastal resilience and economic growth

Per the Port City Daily.

Biography

Michael Lee serves as Senate Majority Leader, representing Senate District 7, covering New Hanover County, per the NC General Assembly. He has pledged to focus on public safety, education, coastal resilience, and economic growth in his 2026 reelection bid, per Port City Daily.

Next on your ballotNorth Carolina Senate District 8

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Voting info and more

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Questions about this race

Who is running for North Carolina Senate District 7 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for North Carolina Senate District 7 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jessica Bichler and Michael Lee. Candidate information follows official New Hanover County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the North Carolina Senate District 7 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 New Hanover 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.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official New Hanover County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full New Hanover County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your New Hanover County ballot

16 tracked races in New Hanover County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
North Carolina House District 18North Carolina House District 19North Carolina House District 20See all 16 New Hanover County races
Candidate profiles
Jessica Bichler, full profileMichael Lee, full profileOfficial North Carolina election office