Paul Newton (politician) explained

Paul Robert Newton (born June 2, 1960) is an American politician and Republican member of the North Carolina State Senate, formerly representing the 36th district.^{[1] [2]}

Political career

In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina, Newton was one of five Republican state senators asked Governor Roy Cooper to allow the Coca-Cola 600, a NASCAR race, to be run at Charlotte Motor Speedway, although without a crowd of fans.^[3] The following year, Newton sponsored a "liability shield" bill to provide a limited form of immunity to businesses, government agency or nonprofit against lawsuits arising from COVID-19 transmission on their premises.^[4]

In 2021, amid nationwide Republican efforts to Republican efforts to restrict voting following the 2020 presidential election, Newton proposed legislation that would prevent counties from counting valid mail-in absentee ballots postmarked before or on election day unless they were received by the polling places by 5 p.m. on election day. Newton argued that it was "suspicious" for valid absentee ballots to be counted after election day.^[5] In the 2020 elections, 11,000 ballots arrived in the three-day grace period after election day and were counted; under Newton's proposal, they would have been thrown out.

Newton, a retired Duke Energy executive and member of the state Senate's energy committee, opposed natural gas production limitations in North Carolina.^{[6] [7]}

In 2021, as co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Newton sponsored a proposal to reduce the state income tax rate from 5.25% to 4.99%.^[8]

In November 2022, Newton was elected by his colleagues to become Senate Majority Leader for the 2023–2024 session.^[9]

Electoral history

2016

References

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Notes and References

1. Web site: The Voter's Self Defense System. Vote Smart.
2. Web site: Meet the candidates: NC Senate District 36 Paul Newton. The Independent Tribune.
3. https://apnews.com/article/7f4ad1f2c7a6a3b2d4e40f8dd39e4ea0 GOP senators ask NC governor to allow racing at Charlotte
4. Gary D. Robertson, N.C. lawmakers push reopen bills, virus liability protection, Associated Press (June 16, 2020).
5. Web site: 'Obstacles in voters' way': Three state bills could drastically change North Carolina’s election laws. 2021-07-13. The Chronicle.
6. Gary D. Robertson, Experts: 1 pipeline each for NC natural gas, fuel a concern, Associated Press (May 18, 2021).
7. Gary D. Robertson, NC Senate nixes environment chief, but Cooper rehires her, Associated Press (June 3, 2021).
8. Gary D. Robertson, NC Senate Republicans to pitch more state tax reductions, Associated Press (March 22, 2021).
9. Web site: Sen. Paul Newton elected N.C. Senate majority leader; Sen. Blue to serve as Democratic leader. Gray Television, Inc.. November 29, 2022. January 1, 2023.