# Joe P. Tolson

Joe Pat Tolson (April 15, 1941 – February 3, 2019) was an American educator and Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's twenty-third House district, including constituents in Edgecombe and Wilson counties. A retired educator from Pinetops, North Carolina, Tolson retired after the 2013-2014 session, serving his ninth term in the state House. He was replaced by Shelly Willingham. Tolson died in 2019 from respiratory failure at a hospital in Tarboro, North Carolina.
Tolson received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Barton College and University of Virginia. He served as assistant vice-president for Edgecombe Community College.

## Electoral history
### 2012

North Carolina House of Representatives 23rd district Democratic primary election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Tolson (incumbent) | 7,575 | 58.75% |
| | Democratic | William Solomon Jr. | 5,318 | 41.25% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,893 | 100% |
North Carolina House of Representatives 23rd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Tolson (incumbent) | 30,670 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,670 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2010

North Carolina House of Representatives 23rd district general election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Tolson (incumbent) | 12,043 | 53.38% |
| | Republican | Gerald Shepheard | 10,517 | 46.62% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,560 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2008

North Carolina House of Representatives 23rd district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Tolson (incumbent) | 20,211 | 62.21% |
| | Republican | Garland Shepheard | 12,275 | 37.79% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,486 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2006

North Carolina House of Representatives 23rd district general election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Tolson (incumbent) | 7,924 | 71.05% |
| | Republican | Henry Williams II | 3,228 | 28.95% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,152 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2004

North Carolina House of Representatives 23rd district general election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Tolson (incumbent) | 17,040 | 65.93% |
| | Republican | Henry Williams II | 8,804 | 34.07% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,844 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2002

North Carolina House of Representatives 23rd district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Tolson (incumbent) | 9,678 | 53.38% |
| | Republican | Bettie West | 8,244 | 45.47% |
| | Libertarian | Douglas Ellis | 207 | 1.14% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,129 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2000

North Carolina House of Representatives 71st district general election, 2000 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Tolson (incumbent) | 12,915 | 63.30% |
| | Republican | Wade Ellison | 7,489 | 36.70% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,404 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |