Editorial Board
North Carolina’s House District 5 encompasses Camden, Gates, Hertford, and Pasquotank counties in the Northeastern corner of the state. Republican Bill Ward has represented the district for two terms now and is seeking reelection for his third. His opponent, Democrat Sam Davis III, is a Pasquotank County Commissioner with a long history of public service.
Ward’s campaign website contains very little information about his stances on important issues. His website first mentions crime, which, while an important issue, may be less so considering that in the first half of 2026, reported crime in North Carolina decreased across all four major crime categories, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Ward’s website then mentions jobs and affordability, which is what most voters are looking for this election year. North Carolinians are suffering a cost of living crisis due to the Iran war driving up the price of gas and groceries, in addition to tariffs. While Ward says he will fight for his district to keep spending low, his voting record as a State Representative tells a different story.
Ward voted in favor of Senate Bill 266, which allowed Duke Energy to raise its rates for customers at a time when the big corporation is pulling in record profits. From 2020 to 2025, Duke Energy raised rates so much that customers using the same amount of power every month in 2025 were paying 45% more than they paid for the same power in 2020.
Ward also voted in favor of the 2026 state budget, which kept corporate income tax cuts in place and also preserved three tax breaks for data centers in the state. He also voted against a proposed amendment to the budget that aimed to raise the minimum wage in the state.
In terms of education funding, Ward’s record is even worse. Ward voted in favor of House Bill 10, passed in 2024, which expanded funding for the private school voucher program in North Carolina. Legislators had originally introduced private school voucher expansion in another bill, but folded the policies into House Bill 10 after negotiations stalled.
In expanding private school vouchers, legislators diverted money meant to fund public schools into the voucher program. House Bill 10 alone took $111,780 in school funding from Camden County; $95,812 from Gates County; $662,697 from Hertford County; and $1,708,640 from Pasquotank County. In total, the public schools in Ward’s district lost over $2.5 million in funding.
Ward also voted against a proposed amendment to the 2026 state budget that would have provided universal free lunch for all North Carolina students, as well as an amendment that would have established a dedicated grant program to fix HVAC systems in North Carolina public schools.
Ward also supported legislation that would make it easier for corporations to pollute our water with cancer-causing chemicals, and legislation that opened the door for more dark money in our elections.
Beyond Ward’s voting record as a legislator, who he chooses to associate with is also notable.
This year, Republicans at the top of the ticket have received backlash for their relationship with Harvey West Jr., a convicted sex offender. Michael Whatley, the Republican nominee for US Senate who previously was the Chair of the NCGOP, appointed West to a position of power within the NCGOP despite knowing about West’s criminal history.
Sarah Stevens, the Republican nominee for North Carolina Supreme Court, has received criticism for fundraising with Harvey West. West has hosted multiple judicial fundraisers at his home.
What has gone unnoticed, however, is that House District 5 Representative Bill Ward also attended Harvey West’s judicial fundraiser and encouraged others to attend at West’s home. Ward’s choice to associate with a known child predator raises serious concerns about his priorities. Ward has received a campaign contribution from West in the past.
Ward’s opponent, Democrat Sam Davis III, is a Pasquotank County Commissioner and long-time public servant. Davis’ campaign website lists lowering costs for working families as his number one priority, followed by supporting public schools and expanding rural healthcare access.
Davis told Carolina Public Press that he believes economic development is the top issue for Northeastern North Carolina right now. He went on to say that he plans to promote and fund the district’s educational system, including public schools and community colleges, and that growing Elizabeth City State University’s aviation program is high on his radar.
Davis also noted that he had crossed party lines on local issues, and would be willing to do the same at the state level if needed in order to help his district.
Some of Davis’ notable contributions as a County Commissioner include his motion to approve a proposal to record and publish commissioners’ meetings. The committee approved it unanimously. The county plans to begin live streaming meetings so residents can be involved and watch meetings without having to attend in person in January 2027.
Early voting began on Thursday, October 15th and ends at 3 pm on Saturday, October 31st. You can still register or update your voter registration during the early voting period.
Election Day is November 3rd.
