Biography
Jess Rivera is the Democratic candidate for the North Carolina State Senate, District 4, in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against incumbent Eldon Sharpe Newton III (R).[1][2] A Marine Corps veteran, Rivera is a barber and owns a barbershop in Wilson.[2][3]
Jess Rivera served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2004 to 2012, according to Ballotpedia, and earned a high school diploma from Murrieta Valley High School before attending Old Dominion University.[2] In a Ballotpedia survey, Rivera said she deployed to Iraq on two combat tours, in 2005 and 2007.[3] Rivera said she owns The Garrison Barber & Parlor in downtown Wilson, North Carolina.[3]
In the same survey, Rivera listed three campaign messages: rural health care, including investment in local hospitals and mental health services; well-funded rural schools and community colleges; and economic growth that, in her words, stays local and lifts the people doing the work.[3] She said the district covers Greene, Wayne and Wilson counties.[3]
- 1.North Carolina State Senate elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Jess Rivera - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Jess Rivera - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
North Carolina Senate District 4
Jess Rivera is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina Senate District 4 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.