Source: Editorial
Senate District 18, which encompasses Granville and northern Wake counties, is expected to be one of the most competitive races in November.
First-time GOP candidate Chris Stock enters the NC Senate District 18 race as a known corporate lobbyist. In 2024, Stock was featured on the list of “Top Lobbyists” in North Carolina. In the same year, corporations, insurers, utilities, and assorted other interests reportedly spent over $76 million lobbying to press their interests in the North Carolina General Assembly, according to a report from Carolina Forward.
Many of these interests revolve around measures that would allow corporations and utilities to raise prices on North Carolinians.
Stock also spent time at a lobbyist firm representing energy, online gambling, and pharmaceutical companies.
A 2023 report from veteran campaign finance watchdog Bob Hall found that while state legislators debated legalizing forms of gambling and marijuana use, they collected more than $530,000 in campaign contributions from political donors tied to those activities – three of which Christopher Stock is listed as a lobbyist for, including Fantasy Sports Operator Coalition, Underdog Fantasy, and 4Leaf Technologies.
“It’s hard to understand why legislative leaders would want to help these shady characters, particularly in the gambling industry, until you see all the money they give politicians,” stated Hall, following the report’s release.
In addition to his ties to online gambling and other special interests, Stock is listed as a lobbyist for a company that builds data centers. In recent months, numerous reports have shed light on the environmental and financial impact of data centers on communities across the United States.
In North Carolina, communities have strongly objected to the building of data centers, with polling from Elon University showing that opposition to data centers is the leading stance for North Carolinians across age, gender, education, and income levels.
Stock’s ties to data centers, online gambling, and corporate interests come at a time when North Carolinians are pushing back against corporate greed. In recent months, North Carolinians have protested against Duke Energy’s rate hikes and data centers and are vocal about the impact of the rising cost of living.
North Carolina does not need another corporate lobbyist in the legislature. North Carolina needs a leader who will focus on passing policies for our communities, rather than big, wealthy corporations.
And in the Senate District 18 race, Democratic candidate Haseeb Fatmi is hoping to represent that change.
Fatmi, who replaced former state Senator Terrence Everitt, is an experienced attorney who has helped families buried in medical debt to victims of domestic violence. During his time as Wake Forest Town Commissioner, Fatmi fought for responsible development, infrastructure improvements, and supporting local businesses.
For Senate District 18, Fatmi is running to lower the cost of living, invest in affordable child care, expand access to health care, and ensure our communities are safe and secure.
