How Dems Ran 2026

Paul Barringer

NC-13

Supported stronger oversight of data-center development

I believe we need national standards for centers to protect our water, air, and overall quality of life. By ensuring that data centers don’t just move from one area to another with lower standards, we can protect our communities from potentially predatory practices that might take advantage of a lack of regulations.Campaign email, July 15, 2026
If a company wants to bring a major energy-intensive project here, it should pay its fair share of the costs it creates, rather than leaving existing customers to pick up the tab.Campaign email, October 15, 2026

Developer responsibility for infrastructure and utility costs

If a company wants to bring a major energy-intensive project here, it should pay its fair share of the costs it creates, rather than leaving existing customers to pick up the tab.Campaign email, October 15, 2026

Enforceable water, energy, and community protections

I believe we need national standards for centers to protect our water, air, and overall quality of life. By ensuring that data centers don’t just move from one area to another with lower standards, we can protect our communities from potentially predatory practices that might take advantage of a lack of regulations.Campaign email, July 15, 2026

Supported reining in or regulating Big Tech and AI companies

We need representatives in Congress ready to stand up to tech companies that only seek to avoid any restraints on their power.Campaign email, July 15, 2026

Called to reverse the cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, or ACA coverage

when I get elected, I will be immediately a vote for reversing the changes in the big beautiful bill that affected Medicaid eligibility and therefore affected Medicaid coverage for as many as 11 million Americans around the country, including 30,000 people in this uh congressional district.Interview, No One Asked, But...Politics, June 26, 2026

Called for lowering prescription-drug prices

I support greater price transparency, stronger competition, site-neutral payments where appropriate, continued Medicare negotiation of prescription drug prices, and greater scrutiny of pharmacy benefit managers and other intermediaries.Candidate questionnaire, North Carolina Health News, October 19, 2026

Called for restoring ACA subsidies

I will be a vote for continuing the enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.State Lines interview with Paul Barringer

Government price negotiation

I support greater price transparency, stronger competition, site-neutral payments where appropriate, continued Medicare negotiation of prescription drug prices, and greater scrutiny of pharmacy benefit managers and other intermediaries.Candidate questionnaire, North Carolina Health News, October 19, 2026

Called for campaign-finance reform to reduce big money's influence

Asked about his priorities, Barringer discussed a broader anti-corruption bill: the first thing I'm going to do when I get elected is either introduce or sign on to a comprehensive anti-corruption bill that will overturn Citizens UnitedNC Deep Dive candidate interview, August 25, 2026
I'll also be a vote to protect health coverage and will introduce legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress, overturn Citizens United and address gerrymandering.The News & Observer candidate questionnaire
I am passionate about independent constitutional governance, reducing the influence of money in politics, and practical health care reform.Ballotpedia candidate survey, February 3, 2026

Called to overturn Citizens United

Asked about his priorities, Barringer discussed a broader anti-corruption bill: the first thing I'm going to do when I get elected is either introduce or sign on to a comprehensive anti-corruption bill that will overturn Citizens UnitedNC Deep Dive candidate interview, August 25, 2026
I'll also be a vote to protect health coverage and will introduce legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress, overturn Citizens United and address gerrymandering.The News & Observer candidate questionnaire

Refused corporate PAC money

My campaign has been built on grassroots support and almost entirely from individual donors; I have not accepted any money from corporate PACs because that’s not who I am here to represent.Campaign email, July 10, 2026

Called for banning stock trading by members of Congress

In the House, I’ll push for a congressional stock trading ban, because our elected representatives shouldn’t be able to use privileged information to make easy money while their neighbors are pinching pennies.Campaign email, April 6, 2026
Members of Congress shouldn’t be trading stocks while in office, period.Campaign email, April 6, 2026

Supported stronger conflict-of-interest and ethics rules

He'll fight to ban stock trading by members of Congress and ensure government works for the people, not self-serving politicians using public office to enrich themselves.Paul Barringer campaign media, captured October 1, 2026
I'll also be a vote to protect health coverage and will introduce legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress, overturn Citizens United and address gerrymandering.The News & Observer candidate questionnaire

Called out Trump's corruption, self-dealing, or profiting from office

All of this is stuff that if it's not illegal, it definitely isn't ethical for the commander and chief to be profiting this immensely from the position that he holds.NC Deep Dive candidate interview

Blamed high gas and fuel prices on the Iran war, tariffs, or oil companies

I'm running for Congress to fight against the issues making life more expensive. Things such as the Iran war that make our gas cost more, tariffs that make our food cost more, and groups like Duke Energy jacking up rates to pay for data centers.Post on X, October 15, 2026

Called for making housing more affordable

This means standing up to corporate and party bosses, working to lower the cost of living for communities across the nation, and working to lower the cost of housing and improve access to healthcare.Campaign email, July 7, 2026

Supported protecting or expanding abortion access

That means investing in maternal health, expanding family planning and access to contraception, enhancing adoption and foster care systems, and making sure no woman feels like abortion is her only option. However, the law should not be an impediment to a woman making the health care choices she needs to make with her doctor.Campaign policy priorities, archived July 8, 2025, captured July 8, 2025

Supported stronger rights and safeguards in immigration enforcement

If elected, I would push for strong congressional oversight of immigration enforcement agencies, including transparent investigations into incidents where lawful residents or citizens have been harmed. I would support clear standards, better training, and real consequences for misconduct, rather than relying on internal reviews that lack credibility.Candidate questionnaire in The Rant, February 9, 2026
We can enforce immigration laws without abandoning due process or human dignity. Congress has the authority to rein in executive overreach, but only if members are willing to use it.Candidate questionnaire in The Rant, February 9, 2026

Due-process protections

We can enforce immigration laws without abandoning due process or human dignity. Congress has the authority to rein in executive overreach, but only if members are willing to use it.Candidate questionnaire in The Rant, February 9, 2026

Stronger enforcement accountability

If elected, I would push for strong congressional oversight of immigration enforcement agencies, including transparent investigations into incidents where lawful residents or citizens have been harmed. I would support clear standards, better training, and real consequences for misconduct, rather than relying on internal reviews that lack credibility.Candidate questionnaire in The Rant, February 9, 2026

Supporting a path to citizenship

Discussing immigration, Barringer also described border security and immigrants willing to work, pay taxes, and be responsible: we need to find pathways for citizenshipPBS, August 10, 2026

Supported stronger checks on executive power

POTUS likes to claim tariffs on foreign goods have been great for folks. But that’s not what tariffs are. They’re an unnecessary tax we all pay. Congress has had its power to levy tariffs stripped by the President and we need a Congress that is willing to stand up.Post on X, February 1, 2026
an independent Congress willing to exercise its constitutional obligations to oversee the executive and judicial branches of government by standing up to corruption by big corporations, party bosses, and billionaires.Campaign email, April 20, 2026
Congress works best when members are willing to stand up to any president who abuses power and to wealthy interests that try to buy influence.Ballotpedia candidate survey, February 3, 2026

Banning partisan gerrymandering

Discussing nationwide independent redistricting commissions in every state, Barringer said: So I believe that as national policy, we should have national policy around independent redistricting commissions across every state, not just in the blue states, not just in the good government states, but in every state, because otherwise you have a race to the bottom because the red states have gerrymandering, the blue states have independent commissions. So there has to be national policy. I would definitely support that.NC Deep Dive NC-13 candidate forum

Supported strengthening voting rights

And we need to protect access to voting because that will ensure that we have the best ideas and power.NC Deep Dive NC-13 candidate forum

Opposed war with Iran or called for ending it

Their continued support of Trump’s war of choice on Iran has left farmers across the nation wondering how they are going to continue agricultural operations when the cost of diesel has almost doubled.Campaign email, October 28, 2026

Supported requiring congressional authorization for military action

Military action should not be routine or open-ended without congressional authorization. If we are going to send Americans into harm’s way, Congress must debate, vote and take responsibility.The News & Observer candidate questionnaire, updated by February 18, 2026
Military action should not be routine or open-ended without congressional authorization. If we are going to send Americans into harm's way, Congress must debate, vote and take responsibility.NC-13 candidate questionnaire