Senator Kevin Corbin has devoted his life to serving the people of Western North Carolina. Born and raised in the scenic mountains of Macon County, his journey in public service began early. Elected to the Macon County School Board at just 22, Kevin spent 20 influential years there, 16 of them as chairman. His commitment to improving local education set a foundation for his enduring dedication to public service.

After stepping away briefly, Kevin returned to politics with renewed vigor, winning a seat on the Macon County Commission, where he also served as chairman. His political career further escalated when he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2017. Representing the 120th District, he quickly distinguished himself, being appointed to several key committees including Appropriations on Education/Higher Education and Commerce and Insurance.

In 2020, Kevin was elected to the North Carolina Senate, representing Senate District 50. His tenure in the Senate has been marked by significant legislative achievements, particularly in the realms of broadband expansion, education, and school safety. His efforts were instrumental in the expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina, extending coverage to 600,000 residents for the first time—an accomplishment that highlights his ability to effect substantial change across party lines.

Kevin’s son Matt served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and recently returned home to operate a Dentist Practice. Kevin’s daughter Maggie graduated from Southwestern Community College and works as a Certified Occupational Therapist.

A dedicated public servant, Kevin has been committed to numerous civic and community organizations both in his home county and on the state level. Rep. Corbin is a graduate of Franklin High School, class of 1979, an Honors Graduate of Appalachian State University (ASU) in 1983, where he majored in Marketing and Business Management, served as News Editor of the university’s “Appalachian” newspaper, and interned for the university as a Public Information Officer. Rep. Corbin also represented ASU in the North Carolina Student Legislature. He graduated from Appalachian with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Kevin served four years on the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees, is a past Chairman of the Macon County School Board (20 years) winning five countywide elections. For the six years prior to being elected to the House of Representatives District 120, Kevin served on the Macon County Board of Commissioners, being elected as chairman of the board for the last four years of his tenure. Kevin has also served as Chair of the Region A Council of Government, which is comprised of all of the County Commissioners, Mayors, and Town Board members from the seven Western Counties of NC. Sen. Corbin was elected to this position by his peers in that group. Kevin has also served on the Board of Directors for Southwestern Community College Foundation and has served on the Franklin Chamber of Commerce Board. In 2010, Kevin was appointed to the Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Agents Advisory Board where he was involved in developing lower-cost plans for citizens of North Carolina. Kevin was Inducted into Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Hall of Fame in 2013, with only 21 inductees in history. Sen. Corbin is also an active member of the Franklin Rotary Club.

Currently, as he seeks re-election for a third term, Senator Corbin continues to champion the causes critical to Western North Carolina. His leadership roles have expanded to include chairmanships of the Appropriations on Health and Human Services and the State Healthcare Committee, along with memberships in several other key committees such as Commerce and Insurance, Education/Higher Education, Pensions, Retirement and Aging, and State and Local Government.

A proven leader and a dedicated servant of the people, Senator Kevin Corbin remains committed to ensuring that Western North Carolina’s voice is heard loud and clear in the General Assembly. As he moves forward, his focus remains steadfast on improving the lives of his constituents and fostering the growth and prosperity of his beloved home region.

Kevin is married to Beth and they have two children, Matt and Maggie. They are members of Holly Springs Baptist Church where Kevin serves as a deacon. Kevin is the owner of two successful insurance agencies. The Corbin Agency is located in Franklin, NC and serves Western NC and the Blue Ridge Insurance Group is in Seneca, SC and serves Upstate SC. Mr. Corbin is also a founding member of the successful gospel group Blue Ridge.

ECONOMY – COVID-19 robbed North Carolina business owners of being able to successfully operate over the last few years. I have always supported free enterprise economics with little government regulation and taxation, and while measures to slow the spread were necessary, we are working every day to get the people of North Carolina back to work.

EDUCATION – Beginning my career in public service on the Macon County Board of Education, I am a strong advocate for public education. It is our responsibility as state leaders to provide our teachers with the tools necessary for them to perform in the classroom.

Common core needs to be replaced. It was a good-sounding idea that 46 governors endorsed several years ago. It is a cookie-cutter Federal Plan that assumes one size fits all. NC can do better, and we will.

Teachers in NC deserve to have their pay adjusted to competitive levels. We currently are not competitive with most neighboring states in overall teacher compensation. Since being elected to the General Assembly, we have worked to increase teacher pay and benefits, and we have been successful, but there is more work we can do. We don’t need to blame the Democrats or Republicans or continue to play that game. It just needs to be fixed, and NC can do that with the increased revenues that the State is experiencing through business and sales tax growth.

I believe all children should have access to a quality education and teacher pay should continue to be increased to a competitive level.  I believe NC can put more money into the classroom and that teachers should not have to spend their personal funds for classroom material.

TAXES – As a County Commissioner I had a proven 6-year record of keeping taxes and fees low in Macon County. We have the 4th lowest tax rate in NC even after we revalued our property county-wide and LOWERED property values by an average of 14% (public record).

I believe NC needs to lower the Corporate and Individual income tax, which will put more money in the pockets of the citizens and further strengthen our state economy. WE DID THIS IN MACON COUNTY AND IT WORKS.

JOBS – This is a huge issue as we move forward as a state, especially after COVID19.  This is the time we need to capitalize on success. Right now NC is the 9th largest state in the USA and has the FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY since 2013 in the country. We need to make it easier to do business in NC and continue this positive trend. As we identify and reduce overreaching regulations, we increase folks’ desire to do business here. I applaud the current legislature for reducing corporate, personal, and business income tax. That is a positive trend that we need to continue. The future is bright for NC and we need to work to make sure that is true for all of FAR-WESTERN NC as well.

REGULATIONS – The residents of North Carolina know what is best for them. I believe as a government, we should be cautious about what regulations we pass. During my tenure as commissioner, we only passed ONE regulation, a testament to my commitment for less government involvement, and more power to the people.

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY – I believe that individuals possess God-given inherent rights, and it is the job of the government to protect them and support equality under the law.

SANCTITY OF LIFE –  I believe that the government must respect and protect all human life from conception to natural death.

STATE GOVERNMENT –  I believe that government must not spend money it does not have or levy unfunded mandates. I am proud to have sponsored legislation to establish the state’s first “rainy day” fund to help our government operate effectively and efficiently, with funding set aside if needed.

ELECTIONS – Citizens should have access to campaign finance records and that voting is a fundamental right.