North Carolina, State Senate, District 7

Note: North Carolina's state legislative district maps are the subject of ongoing legal actions. On June 5, 2017, the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed a federal district court decision finding that 28 state legislative districts had been subject to an illegal racial gerrymander. The district court then ordered state lawmakers to draft remedial maps for use in the 2018 election cycle. The legislature adopted new state House and Senate district maps on August 30, 2017. On October 26, 2017, the district court appointed a special master "to assist the Court in further evaluating and, if necessary, redrawing" the revised district maps. The special master, Nate Persily, issued final recommendations on December 1, 2017. On January 19, 2018, the district court issued an order adopting Persily's recommendations, which incorporated some changes to the maps drawn by the state legislature. However, on February 6, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a partial stay against the district court's order. On June 28, 2018, the high court partially affirmed the district court's decision but returned the case to the lower court for reconsideration regarding its original ruling on districts in Wake and Mecklenburg counties. As a result of these actions, several district numbers and boundaries changed. Consequently, the demographic information in this article might not apply to the newly drawn district boundaries. We will update this information as new developments occur. For more information on redistricting in North Carolina, see this article.

North Carolina State Senate District 7
Current incumbent	Jim Perry
Population	190,081
Race	75.57% White, 16.21% Black, 0.38% Native American, 1.41% Asian/Pacific Islander, 4.47% Single Race Other, 1.96% Multi-Race
Ethnicity	92.18% Non Hispanic, 7.82% Hispanic
Voting age	77.4% age 18 and over

North Carolina's seventh state senate district is represented by Republican Senator Jim Perry.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 190,081 civilians reside within North Carolina's seventh state senate district. North Carolina state senators represent an average of 190,710 residents, as of the 2010 Census. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 160,986 residents.

About the office

Members of the North Carolina State Senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. North Carolina legislators assume office the first day of the new General Assembly in January.

Qualifications

Article 2, Section 6 of the North Carolina Constitution states: "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."

Salaries

State legislators
Salary	Per diem
$13,951/year	$104/day; set by statute.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, the Governor is responsible for selecting a replacement. When making the appointment, the Governor must make the selection from a list of recommended candidates submitted by the political party committee that holds the vacant seat. The appointment must be made by the Governor within seven days of receiving the list of recommended candidates. The person selected to the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of North Carolina State Senate will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for March 3, 2020. The filing deadline was December 20, 2019.

2018

General election

General election for North Carolina State Senate District 7

Incumbent Louis Pate (R) defeated David B. Brantley (D) in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 7 on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Louis Pate (R)	53.9	30,329
	David B. Brantley (D)	46.1	25,940

The results have been certified.

Total votes: 56,269
(100.00% precincts reporting)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 7

Barbara Dantonio advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 7 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Barbara Dantonio (D)

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 7

Incumbent Louis Pate advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 7 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Louis Pate (R)

The results have been certified.

2016

Elections for the North Carolina State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election will be held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 21, 2015.

Incumbent Louis Pate ran unopposed in the North Carolina State Senate District 7 general election.

North Carolina State Senate, District 7 General Election, 2016

Party	Candidate
	Republican	Louis Pate Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections

Incumbent Louis Pate ran unopposed in the North Carolina State Senate District 7 Republican primary.

North Carolina State Senate, District 7 Republican Primary, 2016

Party	Candidate
	Republican	Louis Pate Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

Elections for the North Carolina State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 28, 2014. Incumbent Louis Pate was unopposed in the Republican primary, while Erik Anderson was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Pate defeated Anderson in the general election.

North Carolina State Senate, District 7 General Election, 2014

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Louis Pate Incumbent	68.8%	37,323
	Democratic	Erik Anderson	31.2%	16,924
Total Votes			54,247

2012

Elections for the office of North Carolina State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 8, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 29, 2012. Incumbent Louis Pate (R) was unopposed in both the general election and Republican primary.

North Carolina State Senate, District 7, General Election, 2012

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Louis Pate Incumbent	100%	60,120
Total Votes			60,120

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for North Carolina State Senate District 7 raised a total of $1,542,671. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $61,707 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, North Carolina State Senate District 7

Year	Amount	Candidates	Average
2016	$83,934	1	$83,934
2014	$192,231	2	$96,116
2012	$54,250	1	$54,250
2010	$315,718	3	$105,239
2008	$107,408	3	$35,803
2006	$122,849	2	$61,425
2004	$286,205	7	$40,886
2002	$355,611	2	$177,806
2000	$24,465	4	$6,116
Total	$1,542,671	25	$61,707