Lisa is from Nash County and graduated from Southern Nash High School. She has an associates degree from Peace College, a bachelors degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University, and completed the postgraduate legal assistants program at Meredith College. Lisa and her husband Johnny have three children. The family are active members of Ridgecrest Worship Center.

Lisa has worked for the Rocky Mount Planning and Development Department and as a real estate paralegal with a private firm.

Ballotpedia, Lisa Barnes

SenGov, Senator Lisa Barnes

Lisa Stone Barnes is currently serving District 11 in the North Carolina Senate. She was first elected in 2020 and is serving her second term. Previously, she served one term in the North Carolina House of Representatives representing District 7 from 2018-2020. She also served as a Nash County Commissioner, first elected in 2012. 

Candidate website

Believes families are struggling with high costs and supports cutting taxes to provide financial relief. As a State Senator, voted to cut state income taxes in half and made the first $25,000 of income tax-free.

Supports cutting taxes to provide financial relief.

Believes in creating high-paying jobs in a diversified economy and keeping taxes low to help individuals and communities excel.

Believes in creating high-paying jobs in a diversified economy and keeping taxes low.

Believes in lowering corporate tax rates, controlling government spending, and implementing policies to grow the economy. Said, "It’s important we have leadership that recognizes the dynamic needs of different industries."

Believes in lowering corporate tax rates, controlling government spending, and implementing policies to grow the economy.

Believes economic recovery should focus on reducing inflation to ease the burden on North Carolina families and businesses.

Believes economic recovery should focus on reducing inflation.

- Supports cutting taxes to provide financial relief.
- Believes in creating high-paying jobs in a diversified economy and keeping taxes low.
- Believes in lowering corporate tax rates, controlling government spending, and implementing policies to grow the economy.
- Believes economic recovery should focus on reducing inflation.

Economy

As of June 14, 2024, Lisa Stone Barnes’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Believes healthcare costs are "spiraling out of control" and supports increasing access to care and expanding Medicaid. As a State Senator, advocated for legislation to cut costs and improve healthcare access during the 2021-2022 session.

Supports increasing access to healthcare and expanding Medicaid. 

Plans to address barriers in healthcare, including government regulation, costly malpractice insurance, liability, and Medicaid reimbursement limitations.

- Supports increasing access to healthcare and expanding Medicaid. 
- Plans to address barriers in healthcare, including government regulation, costly malpractice insurance, liability, and Medicaid reimbursement limitations.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Believes in providing quality education with a range of choices to meet the diverse needs of students. Supports policies that offer local-level choices for parents and students, including higher education and vocational options.

Supports policies that offer local-level choices for parents and students, including higher education and vocational options.

Believes in developing high-quality vocational programs and supporting teachers to provide students with more opportunities. Plans to work with state leaders to offer choices to families and enhance K-12 and higher education policies.

Believes in developing high-quality vocational programs and supporting teachers to provide students with more opportunities. 

- Supports policies that offer local-level choices for parents and students, including higher education and vocational options.
- Believes in developing high-quality vocational programs and supporting teachers to provide students with more opportunities. 

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Lisa Stone Barnes

LinkedIn

James holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences from Shaw University and a master's degree in nonprofit management from Grace College and Seminary. 

James works as the director of military studies and an adjunct professor of military history at North Carolina Wesleyan University. He also works as the president and CEO of a non-profit organization, The Mercer Foundation, Inc. He served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserves. 

Ballotpedia, James Mercer

James Mercer's campaign for state senator in District 11 is his first fun for public office.

DLLC, James Mercer

Advocates for supporting small businesses.

Wants to work towards reducing employment rates and enhancing job opportunities.

Supports partnerships between local businesses and schools to help students  develop practical skills.

Wants to focus on addressing local infrastructure needs, such as roads, bridges, public transit and utilities.

- Plans to advocate for access to housing.
- Advocates for supporting small businesses.
- Wants to work towards reducing employment rates and enhancing job opportunities.
- Supports partnerships between local businesses and schools to help students  develop practical skills.
- Wants to focus on addressing local infrastructure needs, such as roads, bridges, public transit and utilities.

Wants to create plans for implementing strong and sustainable infrastructure to address environmental concerns.

- Wants to create plans for implementing strong and sustainable infrastructure to address environmental concerns.

As of June 14, 2024, James Mercer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports law enforcement, but advocates for community policing and officer accountability.

Wants to establish community programs and initiatives as crime prevention measures.

Wants to work towards forming strong relationships between the police force and the greater community.

- Supports law enforcement, but advocates for community policing and officer accountability.
- Wants to establish community programs and initiatives as crime prevention measures.
- Wants to work towards forming strong relationships between the police force and the greater community.

Plans to advocate for public school funding.

Supports more funding for local schools and educational programs.

Supports policies aimed to improve the quality of education and address issues of class sizes and teacher pay.

- Plans to advocate for public school funding.
- Supports more funding for local schools and educational programs.
- Supports policies aimed to improve the quality of education and address issues of class sizes and teacher pay.

James Mercer

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the North Carolina Senate. The North Carolina Senate is the upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- The State Senator is elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.