SUBMITTED REPORT
ELIZABETH CITY – Retired Superior Court Judge Jerry Tillett will face competition in the Republican primary as Jay Lane of Elizabeth City recently announced his candidacy for North Carolina Senate District 1.
The lifelong North Carolinian, Republican, farmer, and small business owner announced his candidacy Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Lane said he was inspired to run in the 2026 election to bring the voice of northeastern North Carolina farmers and working families to Raleigh.
“I’m running to be a strong voice for our region—to protect our Constitutional liberties, Second Amendment rights, and way of life; to keep our communities safe by backing law enforcement and cracking down on violent crime and illegal immigration; to support North Carolina agriculture and the fishing industry; to improve our schools and safeguard parental rights; and to fight for responsible, commonsense government that puts taxpayers first,” Lane said in a press release.
As a farmer and entrepreneur, Lane has spent his life working the land and creating jobs in northeastern North Carolina. His campaign will focus on preserving the state’s agricultural and fishing heritage while promoting economic growth and opportunity for the next generation.
“In northeastern North Carolina, we’re proud of what we’ve built. We raise our families and grow crops on land that’s been cared for by generations before us. Our small towns, open fields, and waterways are part of who we are. That’s something worth protecting,” Lane said.
Lane also expressed strong support for President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, pledging to advance those principles at the state level. Lane has already earned the support of influential Republican leaders in the General Assembly: Agriculture Chairs Brent Jackson and Lisa Barnes, Rules Chairman Bill Rabon, and Senators Dave Craven, Buck Newton, and Benton Sawrey.
“Jay Lane is exactly the kind of citizen-leader we need in Raleigh—someone who understands agriculture, putting food on the table for a family, and the importance of responsible government,” said Senator Brent Jackson. “He’ll be a great advocate for northeastern North Carolina.”
Senate District 1 includes Bertie, Camden, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Tyrrell counties. Senator Bobby Hanig currently represents the district. He announced his candidacy for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District earlier this year.
Jay and his wife, Hennie, have a one-year-old son, John. Jay and Hennie’s family business, Bayside Farms, is based in Pasquotank County, with additional farmland in Camden and Perquimans counties.
For more information about Jay Lane and his campaign, visit JayLaneNC.com.
2 responses to “Jay Lane Announces Campaign for NC Senate District 1”
[…] Jay Lane of Elizabeth City is another Republican candidate for state senate. I got to admit, other than what I’ve read, I don’t much about him. […]
[…] Jay Lane, a farmer and small-business owner from Elizabeth City, who filed earlier this month and emphasized his agricultural roots and a commitment to preserving the region’s farming and fishing heritage. […]