Americans For Prosperity Releases Second Round Of Endorsements
This week, Americans for Prosperity released its second round of endorsements ahead of the March 3rd Republican Primary. The organization focused on promoting free market solutions and limited government, endorsed Senator Benton Sawrey (SD-10), Senator Lisa Barnes (SD-11), Steve Jarvis (SD-30), Senator Chris Measmer (SD-34), Representative Jeff Zenger (HD-74), Representative Neal Jackson (HD-78), and Chris Stock. Several of these endorsements come in contested Republican primaries.
AFP-NC State Director Tyler Voigt said, “It is vital that we have strong leaders in the state legislature. Each of these candidates will put our principles into action, championing limited government, economic freedom, and other policies that empower all North Carolinians. We look forward to mobilizing our grassroots network to back them.”
Americans for Prosperity said it plans to leverage its grassroots network of volunteers to support these candidates in the upcoming March 3rd primary.
AFP-NC Managing Director of External Affairs Dalton Clark added, “North Carolinians want elected representatives who share their values and understand the issues they are facing. These candidates will work hard to make life more affordable for citizens from Manteo to Murphy.”
Background on the candidates endorsed by AFP:
N.C. Senator Benton Sawrey (SD-10): Sawrey joined the Senate in 2022. He chairs the Health Care committee and focuses on increased access to health care and lowering costs. Additionally, Sawrey focused on improving the rulemaking process, championing school choice policies, and enacting tax cuts.
District Background: North Carolina Senate District 10 is focused on Johnston County and is considered a safe Republican district. He does have a primary challenger.
N.C. Senator Lisa Barnes: She chairs both the Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee and the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Natural and Economic Resources Committees. As a farmer, Barnes brings her experience to economic and regulatory issues impacting farmers across North Carolina.
District Background: North Carolina Senate District 11 is considered a battleground district. While Barnes does not have a primary challenger, she will likely face a tough re-election campaign.
N.C. Senator Steve Jarvis (SD-30): Jarvis currently chairs the Regulatory Reform Committee and was the primary sponsor of the REINS Act, which increased transparency in government and holds unelected bureaucrats accountable.
District Background: North Carolina Senate District 30 is considered to be a solidly Republican district. Jarvis does face a primary challenge from former N.C. Senator Eddie Gallimore.
N.C. Senator Chris Measmer (SD-34): Measmer was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2025. He is a Cabarrus County native and previously served on the Cabarrus County Commission. He is a small business owner with a deep understanding of how government regulations and taxes can harm small businesses across the Tar Heel state.
District Background: Senate District 34 is a Republican-leaning district, that can become competitive depending on the national environment. Measmer faces a primary challenge from Kevin Crutchfield, who previously served in the North Carolina House.
N.C. Representative Jeff Zenger (HD-74): Zenger chairs the Housing Development Committee and the Regulatory Reform Committee, focusing on policies to improve housing affordability. AFP highlighted his work to pass the REINS Act and reduce unnecessary licensing regulations, which hold bureaucrats accountable and increase economic freedom.
District Background: House District 74 leans Republican but could become competitive in certain national environments. Zenger does not have a primary challenger.
Representative Neal Jackson (HD-78): Jackson has served in the legislature since 2022 and currently serves as a senior chairman on the House Finance Committee and vice chairman on the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, and Property Tax Reduction and Reform Committee.
Chris Stock (SD-18): Stock has worked in state and local politics for over a decade. AFP says that Stock will be a champion for school choice and lower taxes in the N.C. Senate.
District Background: Senate District 18 is a top battleground district spanning northern Wake County and Franklin County. Stock faces Wake County School Board Member Cheryl Caulfield. This will likely be one of the most expensive state senate races this cycle. The most recent campaign finance reports show that Stock raised $34,330 and Caulfield raised $4,900 during the same period.
