Paul graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He lives in Mt. Pleasant with his wife Melanie and their 4 children. They are active members of The Refuge church in Kannapolis.

Paul is a former executive at Duke Energy, where he served as general counsel of its utilities. He has also worked in private legal practice for 5 years.

Paul Newton is a state senator. He was elected in 2016, and is serving his fourth term.

Candidate website

Opposes excessive government regulations on the free market and believes local cities and counties should have more governance autonomy.

Believes excessive taxes and regulations hinder job growth and plans to collaborate with community leaders to foster economic development.

Believes in advancing growth and job creation through policies that support business retention and attraction. As a State Senator, emphasized the importance of economic recovery post-COVID crisis and Governor Cooper’s shutdown.

Believes in advancing growth and job creation through policies that support business retention and attraction, and as a state senator, emphasized the importance of economic recovery post-COVID crisis and Governor Cooper’s shutdown.

As a State Senator, voted to lower individual and corporate tax rates and made the first $25,500 of income tax-free.

As a state senator, voted to lower individual and corporate tax rates and made the first $25,500 of income tax-free.

Believes pro-growth policies have made NC the best state for business. As a State Senator, supported large investments in Cabarrus County, including companies like Moore Nanotechnology and General Motors.

Believes pro-growth policies have made NC the best state for business, and as a state senator, supported large investments in Cabarrus County, including companies like Moore Nanotechnology and General Motors.

Believes NFIB's endorsement is crucial due to small business owners' high voter turnout and active recruitment efforts. Supports candidates based on their positions and records on small business issues.

- Opposes excessive government regulations on the free market and believes local cities and counties should have more governance autonomy.
- Believes excessive taxes and regulations hinder job growth and plans to collaborate with community leaders to foster economic development.
- Believes in advancing growth and job creation through policies that support business retention and attraction, and as a state senator, emphasized the importance of economic recovery post-COVID crisis and Governor Cooper’s shutdown.
- As a state senator, voted to lower individual and corporate tax rates and made the first $25,500 of income tax-free.
- Believes pro-growth policies have made NC the best state for business, and as a state senator, supported large investments in Cabarrus County, including companies like Moore Nanotechnology and General Motors.
- Believes NFIB's endorsement is crucial due to small business owners' high voter turnout and active recruitment efforts. Supports candidates based on their positions and records on small business issues.

Economy

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

Energy & the Environment

The candidate's website says, "“I’m honored to be endorsed by North Carolina Right to Life. They are on the front lines of the fight..."

Is endorsed by North Carolina Right to Life.

Believes in protecting the unborn and supports North Carolina Right to Life.

Believes "life starts at conception" and laws should protect it. Supports parental rights and evaluates legislation based on its impact on families.

Believes "life starts at conception" and laws should protect it.

- Is endorsed by North Carolina Right to Life.
- Opposes abortion.
- Believes "life starts at conception" and laws should protect it.

Healthcare

Opposes prohibiting police officers from polling locations, calling it a "lawless" action by the N.C. State Board of Elections.

Believes the Board has limited authority within 50 feet of polling sites and no authority beyond that zone. Said, "the Board claims authority to ban police officers from inside a polling site," which he finds "absurd."

Believes the Board has limited authority within 50 feet of polling sites and no authority beyond that zone, saying, "The Board claims authority to ban police officers from inside a polling site," finding it "absurd."

Believes law enforcement should not be stationed at voting sites and supports using plainclothes officers for parking and traffic issues. Opposes armed private security inside voting enclosures but allows unarmed guards in uniforms.

Believes law enforcement should not be stationed at voting sites and supports using plainclothes officers for parking and traffic issues, and opposes armed private security inside voting enclosures but allows unarmed guards in uniforms.

Believes the State Board of Elections has no authority to direct police activity. Said, "The Gov. Cooper-controlled N.C. State Board of Elections issued another lawless 'memorandum' prohibiting police officers from polling locations."

Believes the State Board of Elections has no authority to direct police activity, saying, "The Gov. Cooper-controlled N.C. State Board of Elections issued another lawless 'memorandum' prohibiting police officers from polling locations."

Believes the "unelected Board of Elections" lacks police authority and is controlled by a candidate for office.

Believes Gov. Roy Cooper's control over the Board of Elections and his executive director's "sweeping" police ban impacts election administration.

Opposes allowing individuals to position themselves "at a voting place," citing the term as undefined.

- Opposes prohibiting police officers from polling locations, calling it a "lawless" action by the N.C. State Board of Elections.
- Believes the Board has limited authority within 50 feet of polling sites and no authority beyond that zone, saying, "The Board claims authority to ban police officers from inside a polling site," finding it "absurd."
- Believes law enforcement should not be stationed at voting sites and supports using plainclothes officers for parking and traffic issues, and opposes armed private security inside voting enclosures but allows unarmed guards in uniforms.
- Believes the State Board of Elections has no authority to direct police activity, saying, "The Gov. Cooper-controlled N.C. State Board of Elections issued another lawless 'memorandum' prohibiting police officers from polling locations."
- Believes the "unelected Board of Elections" lacks police authority and is controlled by a candidate for office.
- Believes Gov. Roy Cooper's control over the Board of Elections and his executive director's "sweeping" police ban impacts election administration.
- Opposes allowing individuals to position themselves "at a voting place," citing the term as undefined.

Voting & Elections

Believes citizens have the right to bear arms and opposes infringing on law-abiding citizens. Supports addressing the "true root causes" of crimes rather than focusing on gun control.

Believes citizens have the right to bear arms and opposes infringing on law-abiding citizens, and supports addressing the "true root causes" of crimes rather than focusing on gun control.

Believes in protecting the Second Amendment.

Opposes police wearing uniforms when enforcing laws on property not under the Board of Elections' jurisdiction.

- Believes citizens have the right to bear arms and opposes infringing on law-abiding citizens, and supports addressing the "true root causes" of crimes rather than focusing on gun control.
- Believes in protecting the Second Amendment.
- Opposes police wearing uniforms when enforcing laws on property not under the Board of Elections' jurisdiction.

Public Safety

Believes in offering diverse education choices, including public, private, and home education. Supports respecting and resourcing public school teachers, emphasizing their impact on community well-being and aiming for North Carolina to be the top choice for teachers.

Believes in offering diverse education choices, including public, private, and home education, and supports respecting and resourcing public school teachers, emphasizing their impact on community well-being and aiming for North Carolina to be the top choice for teachers.

- Believes in offering diverse education choices, including public, private, and home education, and supports respecting and resourcing public school teachers, emphasizing their impact on community well-being and aiming for North Carolina to be the top choice for teachers.

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Paul Newton

Paul Newton is a UNC – Chapel Hill graduate who, along with his wife Melanie and their four children, resides on their family farm in Mt. Pleasant. They have been married for over 25 years and are active members of The Refuge church in Kannapolis.

Paul Newton is a former executive at Duke Energy, where he served as General Counsel of its utilities and later as North Carolina State President before retiring in 2015. He has also worked in private legal practice for five years. His career includes participation in the state's largest private economic development organization and recognition as one of North Carolina’s Legal Elite by NC Business Magazine.

Paul Newton ran for State Senate in 2016 and has been serving since then. While in office, he has worked on various initiatives such as lowering taxes, raising teacher pay, and repealing unnecessary regulations. Specific appointments or committees he serves on are not detailed in the provided information.

The candidate's website says, "NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends its views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom."

The candidate's website says, "The North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation publishes Legislative Business Ratings at the conclusion of each session held by the General Assembly. The ratings are based on an objective evaluation of recorded votes and a subjective assessment of every legislator from a survey completed by more than 300 business leaders, trade association executives, and government affairs professionals."

Believes in a "100% Pro-jobs Voting Record" and champions job creation.

The candidate's website says, "RALEIGH, September 16, 2016—The National Federation of Independent Business, North Carolina’s leading small-business association, has endorsed Paul Newton in the 36th District Senate race."

Believes in protecting unborn life, as evidenced by being "Endorsed by NC Right to Life."

The candidate's website says, "NEWTON ENDORSED BY NC RIGHT TO LIFE"

Believes the Board of Elections "can't ban law enforcement from polling places" but is attempting to do so anyway.

Believes the Board of Elections cannot ban law enforcement from polling places. Said, "They’re trying anyway."

Believes the State Board of Elections should not have authority over police activity.

Believes law enforcement deserve "our highest respect and appreciation" for their daily sacrifices.

- 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.