Tim Moffitt

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Tim Moffitt
Official portrait, 2023
Tim Moffitt
BornTimothy Douglas Moffitt
BirthplaceAsheville, North Carolina, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, state legislator
Known forMember of the North Carolina Senate, Hurricane Helene recovery legislation
Website[https://www.timmoffitt.com/ Official site]

Timothy Douglas "Tim" Moffitt is an American politician and Republican member of the North Carolina Senate, representing the 48th district since January 2023. A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Moffitt has built a lengthy career in North Carolina state politics, having previously served two separate stints in the North Carolina House of Representatives—first representing the 116th district from 2011 to 2015, and later the 117th district from 2020 to 2023. In the Senate, his district encompasses Henderson, Polk, and Rutherford counties in the western part of the state.[1] He succeeded Chuck Edwards, who vacated the Senate seat to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. Moffitt has emerged as a prominent voice in the General Assembly on issues related to disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene, energy policy, regulatory reform, and college athletics spending. In 2025, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) recognized him as one of its Policy Champions for his work on legislation intended to limit agency overreach in North Carolina.[2]

Early Life

Timothy Douglas Moffitt was born in Asheville, North Carolina, a city in the western mountain region of the state.[1] He has maintained deep ties to western North Carolina throughout his life and political career. Moffitt resides in Hendersonville, North Carolina, the county seat of Henderson County, which lies south of Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains.[1]

Details regarding Moffitt's upbringing, family background, and early influences prior to his entry into politics are not extensively documented in publicly available sources.

Career

North Carolina House of Representatives: 116th District (2011–2015)

Tim Moffitt first entered the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011 after winning election to the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 116th district. He succeeded Jane Whilden as the district's representative. Moffitt had previously sought the seat in the 2008 election cycle but was unsuccessful in that bid.[3]

In the 2010 general election, Moffitt won the 116th district House seat, part of a broader Republican wave in North Carolina that gave the party control of the General Assembly for the first time in over a century.[4] He was subsequently re-elected in the 2012 general election.[5]

Moffitt stood for re-election in the 2014 general election but lost, bringing his first tenure in the House to an end after two terms.[6] He was succeeded in the 116th district by Democrat Brian Turner.

Return to the House: 117th District (2020–2023)

After several years out of elected office, Moffitt returned to politics by running for the 117th district seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2020. The seat had been held by Republican Chuck McGrady, who did not seek re-election. Moffitt won the Republican primary in March 2020.[7] He then prevailed in the November 2020 general election to reclaim a seat in the legislature.[8]

Moffitt took office on October 12, 2020, and served the 117th district for one full term. His successor in the House seat was Jennifer Balkcom.

North Carolina Senate: 48th District (2023–present)

In 2022, Moffitt ran for the North Carolina Senate's 48th district seat, which was vacated when incumbent Chuck Edwards successfully campaigned for North Carolina's 11th congressional district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Moffitt won the 2022 general election to represent the 48th district.[9] He assumed office on January 1, 2023.

In the 2024 general election, Moffitt was re-elected to the 48th district Senate seat, securing another term representing the Henderson, Polk, and Rutherford county region of western North Carolina.[10]

Hurricane Helene Recovery Legislation

A significant focus of Moffitt's Senate tenure has been legislative efforts related to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which caused severe damage across western North Carolina. In May 2025, Moffitt fast-tracked a bill in the North Carolina Senate that would temporarily waive the state building code's "50 percent rule" for a period of two years. The 50 percent rule generally prevents property owners from rebuilding structures that have sustained damage exceeding 50 percent of their value without bringing the entire structure up to current building codes, a provision that posed substantial obstacles to recovery in storm-ravaged communities.[11]

The proposal drew national and local attention and also generated disagreement among Republican officeholders. U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards, Moffitt's predecessor in the Senate seat, publicly criticized the legislation, stating that the bill "might not be completely thought out" and raising concerns about the implications of waiving the rule.[12] The disagreement between the two western North Carolina Republicans highlighted the complexity of disaster recovery policy and the tensions between rapid rebuilding and adherence to updated safety standards.

By the summer of 2025, Moffitt and other Republican lawmakers continued to express frustration at the pace of federal and state hurricane aid distribution. In July 2025, during meetings with disaster recovery officials, lawmakers including Moffitt pressed for greater urgency on issues such as debris removal and homebuilding assistance for affected residents.[13]

Energy Policy

Moffitt was involved in legislative efforts surrounding energy regulation in North Carolina. In June 2025, the North Carolina legislature gave final approval to the Power Bill Reduction Act, a bill that would eliminate the state's statutory goal of achieving carbon reduction by 2030 and enact broader energy reforms. The legislation represented a significant shift in North Carolina's energy policy direction.[14]

Regulatory Reform and Agency Oversight

In August 2025, Moffitt was recognized by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as one of four North Carolina legislators named as ALEC Policy Champions for their work on legislation to limit agency overreach in the state. He was honored alongside Representative Allen Chesser, Senator Steve Jarvis, and Senator Benton Sawrey. The recognition cited the lawmakers' efforts to rein in regulatory authority exercised by state agencies.[2]

College Athletics Spending

Moffitt has also been vocal on the topic of spending in college athletics. In a 2025 op-ed published in Business North Carolina, he argued for greater restraint in college athletics expenditures, framing the issue as one of fiscal responsibility and appropriate use of institutional resources.[15]

2026 Election Cycle

As of December 2025, Moffitt was expected to face a challenge in the 2026 election cycle. Reports indicated that a Democratic candidate had filed to challenge Moffitt for his Senate seat, setting up a contested race for the 48th district.[16] Additionally, the filing period for the 2026 elections saw multiple candidates registering across Henderson County for various offices, including General Assembly seats.[17]

Political Positions

Moffitt is a member of the Republican Party. His legislative record in the North Carolina Senate reflects priorities common among Republican state legislators in the South, including regulatory reform, energy deregulation, and disaster recovery policy that emphasizes reducing bureaucratic obstacles to rebuilding.

His sponsorship of the bill to waive the 50 percent rule for Hurricane Helene recovery demonstrated a willingness to take assertive legislative action in response to natural disasters, even when that put him at odds with members of his own party, including Congressman Chuck Edwards.[12]

His recognition by ALEC as a Policy Champion further positioned Moffitt within the national conservative legislative network that promotes free-market principles, limited government, and federalism.[2]

Recognition

In August 2025, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) named Moffitt as one of its Policy Champions, honoring him for his role in advancing legislation to curb agency overreach in North Carolina. He was one of four state legislators recognized.[2]

Electoral History

Moffitt has competed in multiple election cycles across different districts in western North Carolina:

  • 2008: Ran for the North Carolina House of Representatives but did not win.[18]
  • 2010: Won election to the NC House, 116th district.[19]
  • 2012: Re-elected to the NC House, 116th district.[20]
  • 2014: Lost re-election bid for the NC House, 116th district.[21]
  • 2020 (Primary): Won the Republican primary for the NC House, 117th district.[22]
  • 2020 (General): Won election to the NC House, 117th district.[23]
  • 2022: Won election to the NC Senate, 48th district.[24]
  • 2024: Re-elected to the NC Senate, 48th district.[25]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Senator Tim Moffitt Biography".North Carolina General Assembly.https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/S/438.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "ALEC Policy Champions Rein in Agency Overreach in North Carolina".American Legislative Exchange Council.August 21, 2025.https://alec.org/article/alec-policy-champions-rein-in-agency-overreach-in-north-carolina/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "2008 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1190".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1190.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "2010 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1183".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2010&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1183.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "2012 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1036".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2012&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1036.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "2014 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1036".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1036.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "2020 Republican Primary Results — NC House Contest 2427".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=03/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=2427.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "2020 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1286".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1286.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "2022 General Election Results — NC Senate Contest 1329".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2022&county_id=0&office=NCS&contest=1329.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "2024 General Election Results — NC Senate Contest 1350".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/05/2024&county_id=0&office=NCS&contest=1350.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Bill in state Senate would eliminate the "50 percent rule" on Helene rebuilding for 2 years".Asheville Watchdog.May 7, 2025.https://avlwatchdog.org/bill-in-state-senate-would-eliminate-the-50-percent-rule-on-helene-rebuilding-for-2-years/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Congressman Edwards says Moffitt bill to eliminate '50 percent' rule 'might not be completely thought out'".Asheville Watchdog.May 8, 2025.https://avlwatchdog.org/congressman-edwards-says-moffitt-bill-to-eliminate-50-percent-rule-might-not-be-completely-thought-out/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "NC lawmakers remain frustrated at speed of hurricane aid money".NC Newsline.July 30, 2025.https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-lawmakers-frustrated-by-slow-helene-money-call-for-urgency-on-debris-removal-homebuilding/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "NC legislature axes 2030 carbon goal, sending major energy reforms to governor".Carolina Journal.June 19, 2025.https://www.carolinajournal.com/nc-legislature-axes-2030-carbon-goal-sending-major-energy-reforms-to-governor/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ MoffittTimTim"Op/Ed: Time to Rein in the College Athletics Spending Spree".Business North Carolina.2025.https://businessnc.com/op-ed-time-to-rein-in-the-college-athletics-spending-spree/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Democrat challenges Moffitt, two school board incumbents file for re-election".Hendersonville Lightning.December 9, 2025.https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/four-seasons-politics/15700-filing-sets-up-gop-primaries-11th-district-state-house-county-commission-seats.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Which Henderson County candidates are officially running in 2026?".BlueRidgeNow.com.December 5, 2025.https://www.blueridgenow.com/story/news/local/2025/12/05/henderson-county-candidates-register-to-run-in-milestone-ahead-of-2026/87602796007/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "2008 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1190".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1190.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "2010 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1183".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2010&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1183.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "2012 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1036".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2012&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1036.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "2014 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1036".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1036.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "2020 Republican Primary Results — NC House Contest 2427".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=03/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=2427.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "2020 General Election Results — NC House Contest 1286".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1286.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "2022 General Election Results — NC Senate Contest 1329".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2022&county_id=0&office=NCS&contest=1329.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "2024 General Election Results — NC Senate Contest 1350".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/05/2024&county_id=0&office=NCS&contest=1350.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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