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State Legislative Profile

State Senator Michael Lee

Michael Lee serves as State Senator for District 7 in North Carolina.

Profile Timeline

  • Entered office.

Michael Vincent Lee (born November 29, 1968) is a Republican member of the North Carolina State Senate. Lee was first appointed to office in August 2014, replacing Thom Goolsby. He was re-elected in the November 2016 election for a second term, having defeated Democrat Andrew Barnhill with 57.35% of the vote. Lee was defeated by Democrat Harper Peterson in the 2018 election but secured a rematch victory against Peterson in the 2020 election.

Background and Education:

  • Born: November 29, 1968, in Kingston, New York, USA
  • Education:
    • Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    • Law degree (J.D.) from Wake Forest University Law School
  • Career: Lawyer; established his own law firm, Lee Law Firm, PLLC, in 2012.

Electoral History:

  • 2022 North Carolina Senate 7th district general election:
    • Lee secured re-election with 50.97% of the vote.
  • 2020 North Carolina Senate 9th district general election:
    • Lee defeated incumbent Democrat Harper Peterson, resulting in a Republican gain from Democratic control.
  • 2018 North Carolina Senate 9th district general election:
    • Lee lost to Harper Peterson, leading to a Democratic gain from Republican control.
  • 2016 North Carolina Senate 9th district general election:
    • Lee won re-election with 57.35% of the vote.
  • 2014 North Carolina Senate 9th district Republican primary election:
    • Lee won with 81.22% of the vote.

Committee Assignments (2023-2024 legislative session):

  • Education/Higher Education Committee (Chair)
  • Senate Finance Committee
  • Senate Judiciary Committee
  • Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee.

Upcoming Election:

  • Lee is running for re-election in the 2024 North Carolina State Senate election to represent District 7. The general election will take place on November 5, 2024.