Frank was born in Iredell County, North Carolina and went to Western Guilford High School. He has attended Cleveland Community College and Caldwell Community College, and earned a bachelors degree from Appalachian State University.

Frank is the lead world history teacher at McDowell High School. Previously, he has been the lead social studies teacher at Philo Hill Middle School in Winston-Salem and a curriculum writer and advisor for the Winston-Salem Forsyth school district.

Frank Patton Hughes III serves as the Chair of the Avery County Democratic Party.

Supports methods to ensure affordable housing.

- Supports methods to ensure affordable housing.

Economy

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Supports protecting natural resources to preserve outdoor recreational areas as well as ensuring clean water, soil, and air.

- Supports protecting natural resources to preserve outdoor recreational areas as well as ensuring clean water, soil, and air.

Energy & the Environment

Candidate website

Believes poverty and geography hinder quality healthcare in the mountains and plans to ensure all Carolinians receive the medical care and respect they deserve.

Believes poverty and geography hinder quality healthcare in the mountains and aims to ensure all Carolinians receive adequate medical care.

- Believes poverty and geography hinder quality healthcare in the mountains and aims to ensure all Carolinians receive adequate medical care.

Healthcare

As of June 14, 2024, Frank Patton Hughes III’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Believes students and parents deserve quality education but faces challenges like underfunding and overcrowding. Said, "roadblocks, such as underfunding, overcrowding, and other problems due to recent legislation, have weakened our public schools."

Opposes the underfunding and overcrowding of public schools. 

- Opposes the underfunding and overcrowding of public schools. 

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Frank Patton Hughes III

Ralph attended Mitchell High School and the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics. He earned his bachelor's degree in statistics from Appalachian State University and his master's degree in higher education administration from North Carolina State University. Ralph lives in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, with his wife, Linn, and their 2 sons. 

Ralph currently works as an expert-in-residence in the Health Policy Institute at the University of North Carolina Asheville.

Ballotpedia, Ralph Hise

Ralph Hise currently serves as State Senator for North Carolina State Senate District 47. He was first elected in 2010 and is serving his seventh term. Ralph is Deputy President Pro Tempore as well as chair of the Appropriations/Base Budget Committee and the Redistricting and Elections Committee.

Believes citizens can manage their money better than the government and supports lowering taxes.

Supports lowering taxes and reducing regulation to benefit the economy.

- Believes citizens can manage their money better than the government and supports lowering taxes.

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

Believes recent election practices have been "disgusting." As a State Senator, sponsored SB725 to prohibit big tech from funding election boards.

Wants to "protect our elections from further fraud."

- Wants to "protect our elections from further fraud."

Believes in staunchly defending the Second Amendment and opposes any attempts to erode it. Said, "That's why I have an A rating from the NRA."

Said, "I am a staunch defender of the 2nd amendment, and I will always stand up against attempts to erode it."

Believes in defending the Second Amendment.

- Said, "I am a staunch defender of the 2nd amendment, and I will always stand up against attempts to erode it."

Opposes teaching children "hateful ideology" based on skin color in schools. Plans to "end this disgraceful practice" in education.

Supports ending "critical race theory" in schools.

Opposes "Critical Race Theory" in schools.

- Supports ending "critical race theory" in schools.

Twitter

Ralph Hise

- 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.

North Carolina State Senator, District 47

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