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Robert Reives

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Robert Reives
Image of Robert Reives
North Carolina House of Representatives District 54
Tenure

2014 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

11

Compensation

Base salary

$13,951/year

Per diem

$104/day

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 5, 2024

Appointed

January 24, 2014

Education

Bachelor's

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Law

University of North Carolina School of Law

Personal
Profession
Attorney
Contact

Robert Reives (Democratic Party) is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 54. He assumed office on January 29, 2014. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.

Reives (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives to represent District 54. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Reives was elected House minority leader in 2020.[1]

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Reives earned his B.S. in business administration/Finance from UNC Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the UNC School of Law. His professional experience includes working as an attorney at Wilson & Reives Attorney's at Law.[2]

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

Reives was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Reives was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Reives was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

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

North Carolina committee assignments, 2017
Agriculture
Education - Community Colleges, Vice chair
Finance
Judiciary III, Vice chair
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

2015 legislative session

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

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 House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54

Incumbent Robert Reives defeated Joe Godfrey in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Robert Reives
Robert Reives (D)
 
54.8
 
29,910
Image of Joe Godfrey
Joe Godfrey (R)
 
45.2
 
24,714

Total votes: 54,624
Candidate Connection = 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. Incumbent Robert Reives advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Joe Godfrey advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Reives in this election.

2022

See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54

Incumbent Robert Reives defeated Walter Petty in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Robert Reives
Robert Reives (D)
 
55.3
 
23,105
Walter Petty (R)
 
44.7
 
18,684

Total votes: 41,789
Candidate Connection = 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

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Robert Reives advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54

Walter Petty defeated Craig Kinsey in the Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 on May 17, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Walter Petty
 
64.3
 
4,443
Craig Kinsey
 
35.7
 
2,472

Total votes: 6,915
Candidate Connection = 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.

Campaign finance

2020

See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54

Incumbent Robert Reives defeated George Gilson Jr. in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Robert Reives
Robert Reives (D)
 
61.2
 
37,825
Image of George Gilson Jr.
George Gilson Jr. (R) Candidate Connection
 
38.8
 
23,957

Total votes: 61,782
Candidate Connection = 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

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Robert Reives advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. George Gilson Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54.

Campaign finance

2018

See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54

Incumbent Robert Reives defeated Jay Stobbs in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Robert Reives
Robert Reives (D) Candidate Connection
 
63.3
 
29,664
Jay Stobbs (R)
 
36.7
 
17,219

Total votes: 46,883
Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives District 54

Incumbent Robert Reives advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
Image of Robert Reives
Robert Reives Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives District 54

Jay Stobbs advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 on May 8, 2018.


Candidate Connection = 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.

2016

See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the North Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016.[3] The candidate filing deadline was December 21, 2015.[4]

Incumbent Robert Reives defeated Wesley Seawell in the North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 general election.[5][6]

North Carolina House of Representatives, District 54 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Robert Reives Incumbent 57.20% 24,773
     Republican Wesley Seawell 42.80% 18,534
Total Votes 43,307
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections


Incumbent Robert Reives ran unopposed in the North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 Democratic primary.[7][8]

North Carolina House of Representatives, District 54 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Robert Reives Incumbent (unopposed)


Wesley Seawell ran unopposed in the North Carolina House of Representatives District 54 Republican primary.[9][10]

North Carolina House of Representatives, District 54 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Wesley Seawell  (unopposed)

2014

See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the North Carolina House of Representatives 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 Robert Reives defeated Barry Burns in the Democratic primary, while Andy Wilkie was unopposed in the Republican primary. Reives defeated Wilkie in the general election.[11][12]

North Carolina House of Representatives, District 54 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Reives Incumbent 56.2% 16,875
     Republican Andy Wilkie 43.8% 13,156
Total Votes 30,031
North Carolina House of Representatives, District 54 Democratic Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Reives Incumbent 68.4% 5,739
Barry Burns 31.6% 2,657
Total Votes 8,396

Endorsements

In 2014, Reives' endorsements included the following:[13]

  • NC State AFL-CIO
  • Chatham and Lee chapters of the North Carolina Association of Educators
  • Sierra Club

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Robert Reives did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Robert Reives did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Robert Reives did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Robert Reives participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on September 27, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Robert Reives's responses follow below.[14]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?


The number one priority for any public servant should be to improve the lives of the people they represent. I hope to do this by ensuring robust investment in our education system, fighting for the expansion of Medicaid so that hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged North Carolinians could gain access to potentially life-saving healthcare, and protecting our green spaces and natural resources like Jordan Lake from pollution and other threats.[15][16]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?


Healthcare, public education, protecting the environment, and ensuring the legislation we take up respects the rights and dignity of every person. These are the primary ways government intersects with the everyday lives of our citizens, and I always strive to make my decisions on these matters with the best outcomes for every citizen in mind.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[16]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Robert Reives answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?


My father, Robert Reives Sr., is my political hero. He was the first African American county commissioner in my home community, a role in which he still serves. His reputation is one of fairness, decency, respect for all, and working to ensure that the people in his community have every opportunity to succeed.[16]

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?


Again, the most important characteristic for an elected official is to put the needs of his or her constituents first and to always remember that the number one goal is to help improve the lives of the people he or she represents.[16]

What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful office holder?


My pedigree prepares me for public service, but doesn't separate me from the voters: I lived and grew up in some of our more economically disadvantaged areas in our county and have served with and befriended some of the most economically advantaged people in this state. I can be a voice for all.[16]

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?


To stay abreast of the issues affecting people at home, to build the relationships necessary to address them, and to remember that public service is about serving people by doing whatever is possible to make their lives better in areas like education, healthcare, and the environment.[16]

(For non-Nebraska candidates) What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
What do you consider to be the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?


A House is always going to be more populist and less deliberative than a Senate. I find the same to be true in North Carolina. In partisan terms, however, both chambers are led by a supermajority of Republicans, rendering them essentially indistinguishable in terms of goals and outcomes. More partisan balance would bring a world of positive change to the General Assembly of North Carolina.[16]

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Do you believe it's beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?


Of course. My experience in politics prior to election was as a local party vice chair and my experience in government was as a prosecutor. But state government also benefits from the experiences of people in the private and nonprofit sectors, so prior experience in politics and government is by no means a requirement.[16]

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?


Restoring our status as a leader in public education. Quality public education was once a bragging point for North Carolina, but in recent years we have become a state which lags in teacher pay and per pupil funding, and which has attempted to privatize education through vouchers and unnecessary and often unaccountable charter schools. It is imperative that we reverse this trend so that we can ensure the type of student outcomes and attract the type of investments we have historically enjoyed.[16]

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
What do you believe is the idea relationship between the governor and state legislature?


Regardless of partisan differences, governors and legislatures should be able to work together for the benefit of everyone in their state. In North Carolina, the Republican-led General Assembly has moved to strip our Democratic governor of power after power, making this goal that much more difficult to achieve. Instead of focusing on what powers another branch of government has or doesn't have, legislators should be making the lives of their constituents better by ensuring the functions of government serve them the best they can.[16]

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Do you believe it's beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.


Of course, and on both sides of the aisle. Despite political polarization, senators and representatives often break with their parties on a number of issues, and working with others on areas of agreement is one way to ensure a legislator is doing his or her best to represent the community he or she serves. Additionally, legislators may need to find others who serve different parts of the state but face similarly unique issues in order to find consensus. Finally, legislators representing overlapping constituencies should always be ready to work together, particularly on local issues.[16]

What process do you favor for redistricting?
What process do you favor for redistricting?


I support a non-partisan commission to handle redistricting for legislative and congressional districts. Voters should choose their politicians, not the other way around.[16]

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?
If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?


I currently serve as vice chairman of the Education & Community Colleges committee and the Judiciary III committee. These committees appealed to me because they reflect some of the areas of public policy about which I am most passionate and in which I have the relevant experience necessary to offer perspective.[16]

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
If you are not currently a member of your party's leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining? If so, why?


I have been involved in House Democratic leadership since my election to my first full term in 2014, when I was named co-chairman of the House Freshman Caucus and treasurer of the Legislative Black Caucus. Two years later, I was elected Deputy Democratic Leader by my colleagues. These positions aren't just titles to me – they're opportunities to shape policy in a meaningful way, to build relationships with Democrats and Republicans alike, and to advocate for the communities I represent.[16]

Are you interested in running for a different political office in the future?
Are you interested in running for a different political office in the future?


There may come a time when the issues or my position in life lead me to seek another office, but for now I am focused on serving the people of District 54 in the North Carolina State House.[16]

2014

Reives' campaign website highlighted the following issues:[17]

Education

  • Excerpt: "Our public schools, community colleges and university system have been under attack. We need to fight back by raising teacher salaries to the national average, reduce class size, restore job protections and put resources into our classrooms."

Jobs and the Economy

  • Excerpt: "We need to ensure that we are prepared for the future and not just rely on the past. We need schools, community colleges and universities that prepare our students for the technological age and we need to work to attract high tech manufacturing jobs that pay good wages to well trained employees."

Environment

  • Excerpt: "Our natural resources are key to our economic development. Clean water and air is essential to attracting industry and protecting our tourist industry. Wise stewardship of our renewable resources and minerals is essential to provide long-term benefits instead of short-term gain."

Women’s Health

  • Excerpt: "The legislature has been trying to turn back the clock on women’s health and choice issues. We need to fight back hard for the sake our daughters and granddaughters to protect their heath and their future."

Voting Rights

  • Excerpt: "Democracy is the foundation of our political system and we need to make voting more accessible, not less. I’ll fight to reverse the policies passed by the General Assembly that try to disenfranchise certain segments of our population."

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.


Robert Reives campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* North Carolina House of Representatives District 54Won general$746,680 $664,499
2022North Carolina House of Representatives District 54Won general$923,118 $665,192
2020North Carolina House of Representatives District 54Won general$284,791 N/A**
2016North Carolina House of Representatives, District 54Won $108,357 N/A**
2014North Carolina House of Representatives, District 54Won $92,887 N/A**
Grand total$2,155,833 $1,329,691
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** 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


2023


2022


2021


2020


2019


2018


2017


2016


2015


2014


2013


See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. WUNC, "Reives picked by NC House Democrats to stay minority leader," December 6, 2022
  2. wilsonreiveslaw.com, "About Robert T. Reives, II," accessed February 6, 2014
  3. The primary for U.S. congressional elections was rescheduled to June 7, 2016, following legal challenges to North Carolina's district maps. State races were unaffected.
  4. North Carolina State Board of Elections, "2016 Candidate Filing," accessed December 22, 2015
  5. North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Candidate Listing," accessed August 23, 2016
  6. North Carolina State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election results lookup," accessd December 21, 2016
  7. North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Candidate Listing," accessed January 4, 2016
  8. North Carolina State Board of Elections, "03/15/2016 Official primary results - Statewide," March 15, 2016
  9. North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Candidate Listing," accessed January 4, 2016
  10. North Carolina State Board of Elections, "03/15/2016 Official primary results - Statewide," March 15, 2016
  11. North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Official Primary Election Results For 2014," accessed June 12, 2014
  12. North Carolina State Board of Elections, "General Election Candidate List Grouped by Contest," accessed June 12, 2014
  13. Official campaign website, "Press Releases," accessed April 21, 2014
  14. Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
  15. Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Robert Reives's responses," September 27, 2018
  16. 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  17. Official campaign website, "Issues," accessed April 21, 2014

Political offices
Preceded by
-
North Carolina House of Representatives District 54
2014-Present
Succeeded by
-


Leadership
Speaker of the House:Destin Hall
Majority Leader:Brenden Jones
Minority Leader:Robert Reives
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
Bill Ward (R)
District 6
Joe Pike (R)
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
John Bell (R)
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
Ted Davis (R)
District 21
Ya Liu (D)
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
Ben Moss (R)
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
District 57
District 58
District 59
District 60
District 61
District 62
District 63
District 64
District 65
District 66
District 67
District 68
District 69
Dean Arp (R)
District 70
District 71
District 72
District 73
District 74
District 75
District 76
District 77
District 78
District 79
District 80
District 81
District 82
District 83
District 84
District 85
District 86
District 87
District 88
Mary Belk (D)
District 89
District 90
District 91
Kyle Hall (R)
District 92
District 93
District 94
District 95
District 96
Jay Adams (R)
District 97
District 98
District 99
District 100
District 101
District 102
District 103
District 104
District 105
District 106
District 107
Aisha Dew (D)
District 108
District 109
District 110
District 111
District 112
District 113
District 114
Eric Ager (D)
District 115
District 116
District 117
District 118
District 119
District 120
Republican Party (71)
Democratic Party (49)