Raleigh, NC – Today, Americans for Prosperity-North Carolina (AFP-NC) announced its endorsement of seven candidates running for North Carolina State House and Senate in 2026. Statewide primary elections will be held on March 3, 2026.
AFP-NC will leverage its capabilities as the premier grassroots organization in the state to support the following candidates: Senator Pro Tempore Phil Berger (SD-26), State Rep. Allen Chesser (HD-25), Senate Majority Leader Mike Lee (SD-07), State Rep. Mike Schietzelt (HD-35), House Deputy Majority Whip Jake Johnson (HD-113), State Rep. Erin Paré (HD-37), and Frank Sossamon (HD-32). These candidates are strong allies who will champion North Carolina values in the state legislature.
AFP-NC State Director Tyler Voigt issued the following statement:
“AFP-NC’s strong grassroots network has had a proven impact on previous elections. We look forward to leveraging our capabilities again this cycle to connect with voters and share how these candidates will promote freedom and prosperity for all North Carolinians.”
AFP-NC Managing Director of External Affairs Dalton Clark added:
“Each one of these candidates has a proven voting record that empowers North Carolinians through free market, limited government solutions. Because of these policy champions, our state has enjoyed lowered taxes, less overburdensome red tape, and more educational opportunities for the children of our state. We look forward to welcoming these candidates back to Raleigh in 2027.”
Background:
Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (SD-26)
Since he was elected to the NC Senate in 2000, Phil Berger has been North Carolina’s greatest champion for free-market and limited government solutions. Senator Berger has served as the President Pro Tempore of the NC Senate since 2011. His work on tax cuts, school choice for all, regulatory reform, freedom of speech protections, removal of anti-competitive regulations driving up healthcare costs, and more has proven time and time again that free-market, limited government solutions work. You can’t tell the story of North Carolina’s comeback story without Senator Berger. The policies championed by the General Assembly under Senator Berger’s leadership serve as the model for states across the country. We are excited to support his reelection and look forward to continuing our state’s successful run with Senator Berger at the helm.
State Rep. Allen Chesser (HD-25)
Now in his second term, Representative Chesser has proven to be one of the most effective and principled lawmakers in the state of North Carolina. In such a short period of time, he has championed policies that have reduced the size of government, expanded school choice, and granted patients the freedom to try a diversity of treatments for illnesses and chronic disease. Additionally, Representative Chesser has championed one of the most impactful pieces of legislation from the 2025-2026 biennium, the REINS Act, holding unelected bureaucrats accountable to the people of North Carolina. Representative Chesser is a liberty-minded, small government champion who prioritizes individual freedoms. We are proud to support him for his 3rd term.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Lee (SD-07)
Senator Michael Lee serves as the Chairman of the Base Budget Committee and as Chairman of the Education Committee, in addition to serving as Senate Majority Leader. He has been the ultimate champion of educational freedom policies here in North Carolina. Senator Lee’s free-market approach to education policy puts North Carolinians first, by keeping big government out of the way and trusting families to select the right education for their children.
State Rep. Mike Schietzelt (HD-35)
Representative Mike Schietzelt is a husband, father, and veteran who solidified himself as one of the hardest-working, most successful freshmen in the 2025 state legislature class. He believes that families and small business owners know how to best spend their hard-earned dollars, not government bureaucrats. He also knows that our education system cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach, which is why he supports school choice. Along with his work on the NC REINS Act (HB 402), Representative Schietzelt led on legislation that protects North Carolinians’ 1st Amendment right from overzealous, politically-charged government officials (SB 416). Representative Schietzelt is a fiscal conservative fighter, who is ready to continue to work hard for House District 35.
House Deputy Majority Whip Jake Johnson (HD-113)
Jake Johnson has proudly served the people of District 113 in Western North Carolina for three and a half terms. Since his first day in the General Assembly, Representative Johnson has prioritized free-market, limited government solutions that get government out of the way and empower people to be the best version of themselves. Whether it’s school choice, regulatory reform, or government accountability, Representative Johnson has been a strong voice for his constituents. He has opposed top-down solutions to health care that merely grow the size of government and instead has embraced policies that cut regulations and are driving costs down.
State Rep. Erin Paré (HD-37)
As a small business owner, Representative Paré understands the importance of getting government out of the way. A member of House leadership, Representative Paré has been a leader on removing unnecessary governmental barriers for small business owners. She is also a longtime advocate for school choice, believing that every child should find the schooling option that is best for them. Representative Paré served as a cosponsor on the REINS Act (HB 402) that will lower costs for small business owners by holding unelected bureaucrats accountable for the first time.
Frank Sossamon (HD-32)
Rep. Frank Sossamon made quite the impression as a freshman member in the General Assembly in the 2023-2024 biennium session. After a narrow loss in 2024, Representative Sossamon is excited to get back to Raleigh fighting for the people of District 32. Rep. Sossamon’s commitment to educational freedom, regulatory reform, and tax cuts were a welcomed new voice in Raleigh. Rep. Sossamon is a champion for limited government and individual liberties serving Granville and Vance counties with honor. Representative Sossamon is the right choice for HD-32, and we are excited to support his bid for the state house.
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