Polling Average
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19%
39%
North Carolina Democratic Senate nominee?
$46.0K
MAR 4, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer U.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age50 years old (Nov 23, 1975)
GenderMale
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LocationNorth Carolina
BackgroundAttorney
EducationTulane University (B.A., 1998)
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 January 3, 2023 to January 3, 2025, and previously served in the North Carolina Senate (District 16). His background includes work in public service and law, including as a deputy district attorney in Merced County, California and as a White House staffer (1998–1999 and 2009–2011).
SourcesShowHide
history.house.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgwileynickel.comlcv.orgwunc.orgaxios.comncnewsline.comapnews.comen.wikipedia-on-ipfs.orgjoincalifornia.comnrcc.orgcsmonitor.comametech.solutionsnppc.orgreddit.comwebservices.ncleg.govindyweek.comsengov.comrepbio.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgontheissues.orgpolitifact.comwral.comfreebeacon.comyahoo.comde.wikipedia.orgdigitalcommons.wcl.american.eduhcp.hms.harvard.eduthenation.comfoxnews.comwashingtonpost.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgcontext-cdn.washingtonpost.comfec.govballotready.orgcongress.govsubstack.govtrack.usdocquery.fec.govgovinfo.govwarner.senate.govsenate.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.
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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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Wiley Nickel is mentioned in the context of the 2026 midterm campaign money race, as Republicans are reported to be far ahead of Democrats in fundraising overall. The report highlights a difficult financial environment for Democrats despite some strong individual fundraising, but it does not provide specific new details about Nickel’s own fundraising or campaign moves.
history.house.gov+41
Polls
North Carolina Democratic Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2022Total raisedCash on hand
$3.7M
$2.8M
$1.9M
$929.5K
$0
2022
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$3.7M
$37.0K
$3.7M
$155.7K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements