Ralph Hise

Ralph Hise

Republican Party

North Carolina State Senate District 47

Tenure

2011 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

14

Compensation

Base salary

$13,951/year

Per diem

$104/day

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Appalachian State University, 2000

Graduate

North Carolina State University, 2003

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Ralph Hise (Republican Party) is a member of the North Carolina State Senate, representing District 47. He assumed office on January 1, 2011. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.

Hise (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the North Carolina State Senate to represent District 47. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Hise earned his bachelor's degree in statistics from Appalachian State University in 2000 and his master's degree in higher education administration from North Carolina State University in 2003. His professional experience includes working as a member of the faculty at Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Hise was assigned to the following committees:

• Appropriations/Base Budget Committee, Chair
• Senate Finance Committee
• Health Care Committee
• Pensions and Retirement and Aging Committee
• Redistricting and Elections Committee, Chair
• Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee

2021-2022

Hise was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Finance Committee
• Health Care Committee
• Pensions and Retirement and Aging Committee
• Redistricting and Elections Committee, Chair
• Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee
• Appropriations/Base Budget Committee, Chair

2019-2020

Hise was assigned to the following committees:

• Pensions and Retirement and Aging Committee
• Senate Appropriations on Health and Human Services Committee
• Health Care Committee
• Senate Finance Committee, Chair
• Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee
• Redistricting and Elections Committee, Chair

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Hise served on the following committees:

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Hise served on the following committees:

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Hise served on these committees:

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for North Carolina State Senate District 47

Incumbent Ralph Hise defeated Frank Patton Hughes III in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 47 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ralph Hise (R)	64.2	75,607
		Frank Patton Hughes III (D)	35.8	42,247

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 117,854
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Frank Patton Hughes III advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Ralph Hise advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hise in this election.

Pledges

Hise signed the following pledges.

• U.S. Term Limits

2022

See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for North Carolina State Senate District 47

Incumbent Ralph Hise won election in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 47 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ralph Hise (R)	100.0	62,436

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 62,436
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47

Incumbent Ralph Hise defeated incumbent Deanna Ballard in the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ralph Hise	50.7	13,163
		Deanna Ballard	49.3	12,801

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 25,964
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2020

See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for North Carolina State Senate District 47

Incumbent Ralph Hise defeated David Wheeler in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 47 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ralph Hise (R)	68.4	68,440
		David Wheeler (D)	31.6	31,554

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 99,994
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. David Wheeler advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Ralph Hise advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47.

2018

See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for North Carolina State Senate District 47

Incumbent Ralph Hise defeated David Wheeler in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 47 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ralph Hise (R)	62.3	44,305
		David Wheeler (D)	37.7	26,777

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 71,082
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47

David Wheeler defeated Cheryl Swofford and Christopher Rumfelt in the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Wheeler	54.2	4,272
	Submit photo	Cheryl Swofford	31.4	2,473
	Submit photo	Christopher Rumfelt	14.5	1,141

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 7,886
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47

Incumbent Ralph Hise advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina State Senate District 47 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Ralph Hise

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the North Carolina State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 21, 2015.

Incumbent Ralph Hise defeated Mary Jane Boyd in the North Carolina State Senate District 47 general election.

North Carolina State Senate, District 47 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Ralph Hise Incumbent	64.85%	56,021
	Democratic	Mary Jane Boyd	35.15%	30,364
Total Votes				86,385
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections

Mary Jane Boyd defeated Tim Murphy in the North Carolina State Senate District 47 Democratic primary.

North Carolina State Senate, District 47 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Mary Jane Boyd	60.14%	8,981
	Democratic	Tim Murphy	39.86%	5,953
Total Votes				14,934

Incumbent Ralph Hise ran unopposed in the North Carolina State Senate District 47 Republican primary.

North Carolina State Senate, District 47 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Ralph Hise Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the North Carolina State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 28, 2014. Incumbent Ralph Hise defeated Michael Lavender in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

North Carolina State Senate, District 47 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Ralph Hise Incumbent	62%	8,378
Michael Lavender	38%	5,127
Total Votes		13,505

2012

See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2012

Hise ran for re-election in 2012. He ran unopposed in the May 8, 2012, Republican primary and defeated Phil Feagan (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

North Carolina State Senate, District 47, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Ralph Hise Incumbent	56.5%	46,415
	Democratic	Phil Feagan	43.5%	35,799
Total Votes				82,214

2010

See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2010

Hise won election to the North Carolina State Senate District 47 in the November 2 general election. Hise defeated incumbent Joe Sam Queen (D).

North Carolina Senate, General Election Results, District 47 (2010)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Ralph Hise (R)		31,846	55.82%
Joe Sam Queen (D)		25,209	44.18%

North Carolina State Senate Republican Primary, District 47 (2010)
Candidates		Votes
Ralph Hise		4,864
Tamera Frank		4,156
Andrew Webb		3,906

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ralph Hise did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Ralph Hise did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Ralph Hise did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2014

Hise's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

Jobs and the Economy

• Excerpt: "Senator Hise believes a balanced state budget and policies that allow businesses to create jobs are among the best tools we have for reviving our economy in western North Carolina."

Education

• Excerpt: "Senator Hise supports real changes and improvements to education – reforms that will help more students graduate and create a more educated workforce, which we all know is the cornerstone of a vibrant economy."

Health Care

• Excerpt: "Senator Hise feels strongly that the federal government should not force North Carolinians to buy any product, including health insurance."

Voter identification

• Excerpt: "Senator Hise sponsored a hugely popular measure requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls. Studies show photo ID requirements boost voter confidence and participation. Gov. Perdue later vetoed the voter ID legislation."

Second Amendment Rights

• Excerpt: "Senator Hise strongly supports protecting the Second Amendment rights of North Carolinians. Bills Senator Hise supported during the 2011 session included legislation to increase safeguards for property owners who use a weapon in self-defense and to expand the number of places citizens with a concealed carry permit can carry firearms."

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Ralph Hise campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	North Carolina State Senate District 47	Won general	$387,799	$355,110
2022	North Carolina State Senate District 47	Won general	$290,455	$257,713
2020	North Carolina State Senate District 47	Won general	$231,258	N/A**
2016	North Carolina State Senate, District 47	Won	$207,360	N/A**
2014	North Carolina State Senate, District 47	Won	$216,446	N/A**
2012	North Carolina State Senate, District 47	Won	$415,180	N/A**
2010	North Carolina State Senate, District 47	Won	$534,896	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in North Carolina

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of North Carolina scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].

In 2024, the North Carolina State Legislature was in session from April 24 to December 13. Civitas Action Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. NC Values Coalition Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to family issues. North Carolina Chamber Legislators are scored on their votes related to business.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the North Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 11 to October 25. Affordable Healthcare Coalition of North Carolina Legislators are scored based on their stance related to healthcare costs. Civitas Action Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. NC Values Coalition Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to family issues. North Carolina Chamber Legislators are scored on their votes related to business. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the North Carolina State Legislature was in session from May 18 to July 1. Affordable Healthcare Coalition of North Carolina Legislators are scored based on their stance related to healthcare costs. Civitas Action Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. NC Values Coalition Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to family issues. North Carolina Chamber Legislators are scored on their votes related to business. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the North Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 13 to December 30. Affordable Healthcare Coalition of North Carolina Legislators are scored based on their stance related to healthcare costs. Civitas Action Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. North Carolina Chamber Legislators are scored on their votes related to business. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the North Carolina State Legislature was in session from April 28 to September 3. The legislature was in recess from July 8 to September 1 and then reconvened September 2 to September 3. Civitas Action Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. NC Values Coalition Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to family issues. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].
In 2019, the General Assembly of North Carolina was in session from January 9 through August 27. Civitas Action Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the General Assembly of North Carolina was in session from January 10 through July 4. Civitas Action Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the General Assembly of North Carolina was in session from January 11 through June 30. Before the legislature adjourned its regular scheduled session, the legislature scheduled the following additional session dates: August 3, August 18 to August 25, August 28 to August 31, and October 4 to October 17. Civitas Action Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. NC Values Coalition Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to family issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the General Assembly of North Carolina was in session from April 25 through July 1. Civitas Action: 2016 Full Rankings Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters: 2016 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. N.C. Values Coalition: 2016 scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to family issues. The American Conservative Union: 2016 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the General Assembly of North Carolina was in session from January 14 through September 30. Civitas Action: 2015 Full Rankings Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters: 2015 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animals issues. The American Conservative Union: 2015 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the General Assembly of North Carolina will be in session from May 14 through a date to be determined by the legislature. Civitas Action: 2014 Full Rankings Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Environment North Carolina: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters: 2014 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. N.C. Values Coalition: 2014 Pro-family Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to family issues. North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal issues. The American Conservative Union: 2014 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the General Assembly of North Carolina was in session from January 9 to July 26. Civitas Action: 2013 Full Rankings Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Environment North Carolina: 2013 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters: 2013 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. The American Conservative Union: 2013 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].

In 2012, the General Assembly of North Carolina was in session from May 16 to July 3. Civitas Action: 2012 Full Rankings Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Environment North Carolina: 2012 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters: 2012 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. The American Conservative Union: 2012 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].

In 2011, the General Assembly of North Carolina was in session from January 26 to June 18. A special session dealing with redistricting began July 13 and ended July 28. Civitas Action: 2011 Full Rankings Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Environment North Carolina: 2011 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. North Carolina League of Conservation Voters: 2011 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on environment and conservation issues. The American Conservative Union: 2011 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Hise and his wife, Linn, have two children.

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North Carolina State Senate District 47

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North Carolina State Senate District 47

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	North Carolina State Senate District 47 2011-Present	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the North Carolina State Senate

Leadership

Minority Leader:Sydney Batch

Senators

District 1

Robert Hanig (R)

District 2

Norman Sanderson (R)

District 3

Bob Brinson (R)

District 4

Eldon Newton (R)

District 5

Kandie Smith (D)

District 6

Michael Lazzara (R)

District 7

Michael Lee (R)

District 8

William Rabon (R)

District 9

Brent Jackson (R)

District 10

Benton Sawrey (R)

District 11

Lisa Barnes (R)

District 12

Jim Burgin (R)

District 13

Lisa Grafstein (D)

District 14

Dan Blue (D)

District 15

Jay Chaudhuri (D)

District 16

Gale Adcock (D)

District 17

Sydney Batch (D)

District 18

Terence Everitt (D)

District 19

Val Applewhite (D)

District 20

Natalie Murdock (D)

District 21

Tom McInnis (R)

District 22

Sophia Chitlik (D)

District 23

Graig Meyer (D)

District 24

Danny Britt (R)

District 25

Amy Galey (R)

District 26

Phil Berger (R)

District 27

Michael Garrett (D)

District 28

Gladys Robinson (D)

District 29

Dave Craven (R)

District 30

Steven Jarvis (R)

District 31

Dana Jones (R)

District 32

Paul Lowe (D)

District 33

Carl Ford (R)

District 34

Chris Measmer (R)

District 35

Todd Johnson (R)

District 36

Eddie Settle (R)

District 37

Vickie Sawyer (R)

District 38

Mujtaba Mohammed (D)

District 39

DeAndrea Salvador (D)

District 40

Joyce Waddell (D)

District 41

Caleb Theodros (D)

District 42

Woodson Bradley (D)

District 43

Brad Overcash (R)

District 44

Ted Alexander (R)

District 45

Mark Hollo (R)

District 46

Warren Daniel (R)

District 47

Ralph Hise (R)

District 48

Timothy Moffitt (R)

District 49

Julie Mayfield (D)

District 50

Kevin Corbin (R)

Republican Party (30)

Democratic Party (20)