Paul Barringer
Paul Barringer (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent North Carolina's 13th Congressional District. He is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.[source]
Barringer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Paul Barringer earned a high school diploma from Episcopal High School. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in American studies from Davidson College, a law degree from the University of North Carolina, and a master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University.[1] Barringer's career experience includes working as a healthcare consultant.[2] He has also managed his family's tree farming operation, served as a lawyer, and developed a clothing brand called Mill & Mountain.[3]
Elections
2026
See also: North Carolina's 13th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 13
Anthony Aguilar and Steven Swinton are running in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 13 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Anthony Aguilar (G) | |
| Steven Swinton (L) | ||
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 13
Paul Barringer, Alexander Nicholi, and Frank Pierce are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 13 on March 3, 2026.
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| = 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 U.S. House North Carolina District 13
Incumbent Brad Knott and Sid Sharma are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 13 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Brad Knott | |
 | Sid Sharma | |
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| = 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. | ||||
Libertarian primary election
The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Steven Swinton advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 13.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Paul Barringer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Barringer's responses.
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- Independent Representation for the District I’m running to represent the people of this district – not Donald Trump, party leadership, or billionaire donors. 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. I will defend the rule of law, democratic norms, and the Constitution, even when it’s politically inconvenient.
- Fiscal Responsibility and Cost of Living Families are struggling with rising costs while federal debt continues to grow. Fiscal responsibility means reducing waste, improving oversight, and focusing spending on what actually works. I support practical reforms that lower health care and education costs while respecting taxpayers. Government should be efficient, transparent, and fair to both current and future generations.
- Fixing Health Care the Practical Way Health care costs affect families, employers, and states alike. I’ve worked inside Medicaid and public health systems and believe meaningful reform will come from better incentives, simplified administration, and collaboration across the system. My focus is on lowering costs, improving access, and giving providers flexibility to deliver care more effectively.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Barringer's campaign website stated the following:
Affordable Healthcare
I believe every American should have access to affordable, quality healthcare. We need practical, long-term reforms that can bring down costs over time while ensuring that no one is left behind. A big part of the problem is unnecessary and duplicative treatments, along with administrative inefficiencies and wasteful spending, which we can address through smart regulation and market-driven solutions. The reason we have programs like Medicare and Medicaid in the first place is because the market fails to cover the needs of seniors, low-income families, and those with disabilities. It’s our responsibility to continue supporting these vital programs to ensure these individuals can get the care they need. The goal isn’t just to reduce costs—it’s to improve health outcomes for everyone and ensure that no one has to choose between healthcare and other basic needs.
Strong Foreign Policy
I believe in strengthening our relationships with our allies and partners around the world, based on mutual respect, shared values, and free, fair trade. Our economy and security depend on strong ties with like-minded democracies. However, we must be clear: while we pursue cooperation and diplomacy with our friends, we should not compromise our principles. We should not cozy up to dictatorships or authoritarian regimes that undermine human rights, freedom, and the rule of law. America’s role in the world should reflect our values of democracy and justice, and we should lead by example, not by appeasement.
Fair, Secure Immigration
I believe in a secure border and a fair, legal immigration system. We can—and must—do both. For too long, both parties have used immigration as a political football instead of coming together to solve real problems. Border security is a basic function of government, and we need smart, effective enforcement to stop illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and exploitation. At the same time, we need to modernize our legal immigration system to meet workforce needs—especially in agriculture, health care, and tech—and to ensure people who play by the rules have a clear path forward.
Disciplined Fiscal Policy
I believe in fiscal discipline and living within our means. Our nation can’t keep borrowing from the future—we need to get serious about spending restraint and work toward a balanced budget. I believe we need to be honest about how we got here. During Donald Trump’s first term, the federal debt grew by nearly 40%, while under Joe Biden the national debt increased by about 25%. That’s not sustainable, and it’s neither conservative nor progressive—it’s just irresponsible. If we want to secure our economy for the next generation, we need to stop the finger-pointing and start making tough, responsible choices—no matter who’s in office.
Quality Education
I’m a proud supporter of our public schools and the teachers who show up every day to give our kids the best shot at a strong future. But I also believe parents should have a real seat at the table when it comes to what’s being taught in the classroom. Families deserve to know what their children are learning and to be part of the conversation. Our schools work best when there’s trust and teamwork between parents, teachers, and local school boards—when we listen to each other and put kids first. That’s how we build an education system that reflects our values and prepares the next generation to thrive. I also support service programs for older youth that combine education, vocational training, and community service. I believe programs like this offer an opportunity to build skills and resiliency while strengthening responsibility and national unity.
Criminal Justice & Policing
I strongly support law enforcement and the vital role police officers play in keeping our communities safe. I believe in ensuring officers have the resources and respect they need to do their jobs. At the same time, I believe in second chances and compassion. Supporting the police and supporting rehabilitation are not opposing values—they’re both essential to a just and safe society. Many people who have broken the law are capable of turning their lives around, and we should support efforts to help them re-enter society, find work, and contribute in a positive way. That’s why I worked for years in the prison system teaching literacy, helping inmates find employment after release, and doing bible study.
Reproductive Health & Freedom
We must approach reproductive healthcare by creating policies that bring people together and supports them, not drive them apart. I believe that we should be doing all that we can to support women, families, and children before and after birth. 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.
Second Amendment Rights
As a responsible gun owner, I believe in the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms, and I also believe we can do more to keep our communities safe. My family taught me about responsible gun ownership, including the importance of safety and respect for firearms. We need to enforce the laws already on the books, while also working together—across party lines—to find common-sense solutions that reduce gun violence, keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, and protect both our rights and our communities.
Agriculture & Farming
I grew up on a farm, and we’re still trying to keep the farm going. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and our communities, and I support policies that protect family farms, promote fair markets, and reduce unnecessary federal red tape. I believe in standing up for our farmers—not just in good times, but when disaster strikes—and keeping agriculture strong as a cornerstone of American strength and independence. That includes fighting for fair trade policies that open, not close, foreign markets to our agricultural products, and opposing unnecessary tariffs that hurt our farmers’ ability to export what they produce. We should also invest in rural infrastructure, preserve farmland for future generations, and ensure farmers have access to the tools and technologies they need to succeed.
Veterans Support
I believe our country has a duty to honor its commitments to veterans through strong, efficient support systems that prioritize both fiscal responsibility and moral obligation. Supporting veterans is both about benefits and about upholding the values our veterans served to protect, including personal responsibility, community support, and a government that works effectively for those who earned it. I support fully funding the VA while streamlining bureaucracy to ensure timely access to quality health care, mental health services, and job training. I’m fully committed to protecting the expanded benefits granted to veterans with the passage of the PACT Act. Where possible, we should also expand public-private partnerships to reduce wait times and bring care closer to home. I am particularly committed to supporting and enhancing those VA facilities that serve vets in the communities in our district.
Conservation & Public Lands
From national forests and wildlife refuges to community trails and state parks, public lands provide space to hike, hunt, fish, camp, climb, and connect with nature. They also play a vital role in preserving clean water, healthy ecosystems, and local economies. I believe in protecting and managing our public lands through common-sense conservation, as part of our responsibility to future generations. That means preventing the sale or privatization of federal lands, supporting science-based stewardship, and investing in maintenance and access so these lands remain open and safe for all. We should also work in partnership with local stakeholders to manage lands responsibly, including through active forest management to prevent wildfires, sustainable grazing and timber practices, and supporting voluntary conservation easements on private land. I support full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, expanded access to trails and public land for underserved communities, and policies that protect biodiversity and clean water while respecting the needs of local residents.
Tariffs
I believe in fighting for American producers and workers through smart, long-term strategies, not short-term fixes like blanket tariffs that can backfire on the very people they’re meant to help. While targeted trade enforcement has a role in addressing unfair practices, broad tariffs function like a tax on consumers, especially hurting farmers, small manufacturers, and rural communities who rely on affordable materials and access to international markets. Instead of doubling down on punitive tariffs, we should be investing in American competitiveness – revitalizing domestic industry, rebuilding supply chains, enforcing fair trade rules through diplomacy and multilateral pressure, and ensuring our workers can compete on a level playing field.
— Paul Barringer's campaign website (February 13, 2026)
Campaign finance summary
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.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House North Carolina District 13 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Paul Barringer", accessed February 13, 2026
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 3, 2026
- ↑ Paul Barringer for U.S. Congress, "About", accessed February 13, 2026
