Breaking News After 20 Years in Politics, Career Politician Charles Taylor Is Running for Office —Again
TICKETNo. 1 of 8
Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor began his career as a lobbyist and then spent 20 years in politics.1
The record
This comes from Taylor himself. In a 2026 candidate questionnaire he listed “Sales, Media and Lobbyist roles at Static Control Components 1993-2016.”
In the same answer he said he has served as a Sanford city councilman “since 2007” and is in his fifth term.
Public sources The Rant, candidate Q&A, 2/9/26.
TICKETNo. 2 of 8
Charles Taylor
He’s backed by thousands in campaign donations from the data center industry, which stands to make millions off building more data centers in our community.2
The record
On December 31, 2025, Taylor’s campaign reported a $6,800 contribution from Kirk Bradley, the most the law allows.
Business NC reports that Bradley manages ECO TIP West, the company behind a proposed 750-megawatt data center in Chatham County, and that the company sued the county to overturn its moratorium on data centers.
Public sources N.C. State Board of Elections, Taylor 2025 Year End report; Business NC, 4/27/26; News & Observer, 4/27/26.
TICKETNo. 3 of 8
Charles Taylor
He’s backed by nearly $400,000 in dark money from groups that want to expand gambling in the state.3
The record
State Board of Elections reports show the American Conservative Fund spent money on Taylor’s behalf 21 times between February 4 and March 3, 2026.
The Assembly reports that the fund is a PAC “entirely funded by sports-gambling interests” and that it backed Taylor in the District 51 Republican primary.
Public sources N.C. State Board of Elections, American Conservative Fund (report 1, report 2, report 3, report 4, report 5, report 6); The Assembly, 8/14/26.
TICKETNo. 4 of 8
Charles Taylor
And he’s racked up 15 tickets, including one for passing a stopped school bus.4
The record
Every one is a North Carolina court record. The case numbers are the ones printed on our mail.
Public sources N.C. Judicial Branch eCourts portal (search by case number).
TICKETNo. 5 of 8
Charles Taylor
And nearly half of his campaign contributions come from developers and real estate interests.5
The record
Taylor’s campaign finance reports through June 30, 2026 show $30,900 of the $64,860 he received in contributions came from real estate and development donors. That is 47.6 percent.
Public sources N.C. State Board of Elections, Charles Taylor for NC House (reports 2025 Year End, 2026 First Quarter, 2026 Second Quarter).
TICKETNo. 6 of 8
Charles Taylor
He left two companies and real estate in a second county off the ethics form state law requires him to file.6
The record
On the Statement of Economic Interest he filed on February 12, 2026, Taylor listed one property, answered “No” when asked about interests in LLCs, and reported “No Business Associations.” The form covers what he owned on December 31, 2025.
State records show he formed two LLCs that same month, Taylor QOF LLC and Hawkins-Veterans Way QOZB LLC, and is the registered agent for both. On December 31, 2025, the second one bought land on Hawkins Avenue and Veterans Way in Sanford for $165,000.
County records also show two houses in Greene County that he has co-owned since 2013. They are not on his 2026 form or on the one he filed in 2015.
State law says the form must list “all real estate located in the State owned wholly or in part by the filing person.”
Public sources N.C. State Ethics Commission, Statements of Economic Interest; N.C. Secretary of State business registry: Taylor QOF LLC, Hawkins-Veterans Way QOZB LLC; Lee County Register of Deeds, Book 1852, Page 595; Greene County Register of Deeds, Book 669, Page 285; N.C. General Statute 138A-24.
TICKETNo. 7 of 8
Charles Taylor
And he paid his property taxes late ten years in a row.7
The record
Lee County tax records show Taylor paid at least one property tax bill late for every tax year from 2015 through 2024.
Of the 29 bills he owed for 2015 through 2025, he paid 23 late. Five were more than a year late. The county collected 18 payments by garnishment.
He paid his 2025 bills early, on August 29, 2025. He filed to run for the state House three and a half months later.
Public sources Lee County Tax Administration, online bill search (real estate parcels 964376263300 and 964376096000; personal property account 19465).
TICKETNo. 8 of 8
Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor opposes raising the minimum wage.8
The record
Asked for his position in a 2026 candidate questionnaire, Taylor answered: “I oppose increasing the minimum wage because to do so hurts small businesses.”
North Carolina’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Public sources iVoterGuide, 2026 candidate questionnaire; N.C. Department of Labor.
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