Ralph Hise will square off against challenger Frank Hughes III for the second campaign in a row as he vies to become the longest-serving member of the state Senate.
Hise (R-Mitchell) is angling to become Senate president pro tem when Phil Berger, who leaves his seat after losing a close Republican Primary to current Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. Hise told The Smoky Mountain News it’s time to have someone from the mountains holding the most powerful position in the Senate.
“It can make a huge difference having that influence,” he said.
But Hughes, a high school teacher from Avery County, hopes to unseat Hise and bolster the Democratic ranks in the body, saying he wants to end policies he believes hurt the average Western North Carolina resident. In 2024, Hise topped Hughes in the General Election with 76.8% of the vote. Hughes, who had no political experience prior to his 2024 campaign, said he learned lessons then that he thinks are strengthening his efforts in 2026.