CHARLOTTE — North Carolina Sen. Woodson Bradley has repeatedly voted against, opposed veto overrides on, or failed to cast final votes on several of the most consequential public-safety measures considered by the General Assembly during the 2025–26 session.
The official roll-call record shows opposition from Bradley on legislation dealing with repeat offenders, pretrial release, immigration enforcement, firearm laws and protections involving women and minors.
The pattern is especially notable as Bradley seeks another term representing Senate District 42.
Iryna’s Law: Present for Amendments, Absent for Final Vote
House Bill 307, known as Iryna’s Law, was one of the most closely watched criminal-justice bills of the session.
The measure addressed pretrial release, repeat offenders, sentencing and mental-health provisions within the criminal-justice system.
When Iryna’s Law reached its final second-reading Senate vote on Sept. 22, 2025, Bradley did not vote.
She was recorded as an excused absence as the measure passed 28–8.
But Bradley had been present earlier that same day.
During consideration of the legislation, she voted No on Amendment 3 and No on Amendment 5 before later being listed as excused absent when the final vote was taken.
The accurate record is therefore straightforward: Bradley did not vote on final passage of Iryna’s Law, but she did vote against amendments to the legislation earlier that day.
For voters examining where their senator stood while the bill was being debated, those roll calls are part of the record.
Bradley Voted Against Override of ‘Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors’
Bradley also opposed lawmakers’ effort to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of House Bill 805, Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors.
When the override reached the Senate on July 29, Bradley voted No.
The override passed 30–19.
The legislation contained provisions dealing with sexual exploitation, pornography-related issues and protections affecting women and minors.
Bradley had also participated in earlier consideration of HB 805, voting against multiple amendments before being recorded as not voting on second reading.
When lawmakers later had the opportunity to override the governor and enact the legislation, Bradley’s position was unambiguous: she voted against the override.
Bradley Opposed Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Override
Bradley followed a similar pattern on House Bill 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act.
She was excused absent when the measure initially passed the Senate.
But when Gov. Stein vetoed the bill and lawmakers returned to consider an override, Bradley was there — and voted No.
The Senate overrode the veto 30–19.
HB 318 expanded requirements involving immigration-status determinations and cooperation with federal immigration detainers for defendants charged with specified crimes.
Bradley’s vote placed her against the effort to override the governor and enact those enforcement provisions.
Two No Votes on Firearm Law Revisions
On House Bill 193, Firearm Law Revisions, there is no ambiguity about Bradley’s position.
She voted No when the bill came before the Senate.
After Gov. Stein vetoed the legislation, Bradley voted No again when lawmakers moved to override him.
The legislation included changes to North Carolina firearm laws as well as provisions affecting public safety and certain government and educational settings.
The Senate ultimately overrode the veto.
Bradley opposed the measure at both major stages.
A Record Voters Can Read for Themselves
Taken individually, each vote has its own legislative context.
Taken together, Bradley’s official record shows a recurring pattern on several of the General Assembly’s highest-profile public-safety fights:
- She did not vote on final passage of Iryna’s Law after voting against amendments earlier that day.
- She voted against overriding the veto of Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors.
- She voted against overriding the veto of the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act.
- She voted against Firearm Law Revisions and later voted against overriding the governor’s veto of the same measure.
Those are not campaign characterizations. They are recorded votes and absences in the North Carolina General Assembly.
As the Senate District 42 race intensifies, Bradley will have to answer for those decisions — and voters will have the opportunity to decide whether her record reflects the public-safety priorities they expect from their state senator.