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Democrat

Wiley Nickel

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Democrat

Wiley Nickel

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North Carolina Democratic Senate nominee?

$46.0K

MAR 4, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

Overview

Current roleFormer U.S. Representative

PartyDemocratic

Political ideologyModerate Democrat

Age50 years old (Nov 23, 1975)

GenderMale

LocationNorth Carolina

BackgroundAttorney

EducationTulane University (BA, Political Science)

Notable personal detailsGeorge Wilmarth "Wiley" Nickel III is an American attorney and Democratic politician. He served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 13th congressional district from 2023 to 2025 and previously served in the North Carolina State Senate (District 16) from 2019 to 2023. He has worked in criminal defense and has also worked as a White House staffer in the Obama administration.

SourcesShow

en.wikipedia.org fec.gov wileynickel.com justfacts.votesmart.org axios.com apnews.com wunc.org voteview.com en.wikipedia-on-ipfs.org ametech.solutions ask-oracle.com npeaction.org wikidata.org en.everybodywiki.com ncnewsline.com docquery.fec.gov webservices.ncleg.gov reddit.com indyweek.com sengov.com repbio.org ontheissues.org politifact.com wral.com lcv.org freebeacon.com nrcc.org yahoo.com de.wikipedia.org digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu hcp.hms.harvard.edu thenation.com cdn.ballotpedia.org go.politico.com congress.gov ballotready.org pettersen.house.gov history.house.gov ross.house.gov senate.gov clerk.house.gov

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports rolling back Republican tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, raising the state corporate tax (proposed move from 2.5% to 5%), restoring the Earned Income Tax Credit, and shifting tax burden away from working families while investing additional revenue in education, infrastructure, and environmental protections.

Healthcare

Supports expanding access to affordable health care, lowering prescription drug costs, and expanding Medicare benefits (vision, hearing, dental). Favors Medicaid expansion and moving toward a universal plan that allows people to keep employer or union coverage if they choose, and supports allowing Medicare/Medicaid to negotiate drug prices.

Immigration & Border

Supports comprehensive immigration reform including expanded legal pathways and a faster visa process while also backing stronger border security and improved technology at ports of entry; opposed legislation that would mandate local sheriffs to cooperate with ICE detainers.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Supports protecting and expanding abortion access by codifying the rights established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, while allowing later-term restrictions with exceptions for the life or health of the mother. Opposed a 2019 North Carolina "born-alive" bill on the grounds that existing law already criminalizes harming a newborn and that medical decisions should be made by patients and doctors.

Climate & Energy

Supports ambitious clean-energy goals including a State Clean Energy Goal for 2050 and policies to expand clean and affordable energy, investments in clean energy infrastructure and sustainable transportation, and holding polluters financially accountable. Has earned endorsements from environmental groups for prioritizing climate action and protecting water, air, and coastal ecosystems. Opposes restrictions on wind energy at the state level and has a legislative record of supporting renewable energy measures.

Public Safety & Guns

Supports comprehensive gun-safety measures including a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background checks (closing the gun-show/loophole), red flag/extreme risk laws, and safe-storage requirements while stating support for the Second Amendment. Plans to prioritize prosecution of gun violence and to work with communities and law enforcement to reduce firearm-related harm.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedJun 1, 2026

Wiley Nickel is in the news as a Democratic candidate in the competitive North Carolina Senate race. Recent coverage says the race is one of Democrats’ best flip opportunities, and the state has moved closer to Democrats in some early 2026 race ratings. Democrats are also reporting strong fundraising across key Senate battlegrounds, which could help candidates like Nickel with advertising and voter outreach.

en.wikipedia.org+40

Articles

TDThe Daily Beast2 months ago