Tom Downing
What this job does: Your district's vote in the N.C. Senate. Senators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, approve some of the governor's appointments, and can override the governor's veto with three-fifths of the vote. A term is two years.
- Lives in
- Cullowhee
Background
- Master's in public affairs from Western Carolina University (2010). source: ballotready.org
- Downing's campaign site describes 15 years in municipal government, including work in the Asheville mayor's and city manager's offices. source: tomdowning4nc.com
- Worked eight years as a special education teacher for students with serious emotional disabilities. source: tomdowning4nc.com
- Democratic nominee for Senate District 50; the 2026 Democratic primary was canceled. source: ballotpedia.org
In their own words
What the candidate says they will work on, from their campaign site or their answers to news-outlet questionnaires. We list it as stated and do not rate it.
- Affordable housing and child care, and rising health insurance costs source: tomdowning4nc.com
- Fully funding public schools and keeping public funds in public schools source: tomdowning4nc.com
- A stronger voice for rural Western North Carolina counties source: tomdowning4nc.com
- Town halls and listening sessions in each of the district's counties source: tomdowning4nc.com
- Public safety pay, volunteer fire departments, roads, and disaster preparedness source: ballotpedia.org
Look them up yourself
Latest news
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Something wrong or missing? This profile was compiled from public sources on October 13, 2026. Every fact links to where it came from.