Michael A. Lazzara is a Republican state senator representing District 6 in the North Carolina Senate, which includes Jones and Onslow counties. Born in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, he grew up in Chicago, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and served with distinction, including at Camp Lejeune, before being released from active duty. He resides in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where he owns Lazzara Pizza Inc. and a sign company, Vital Signs, which he expanded into a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Notable achievements include serving as Mayor Pro Tem and representing the 3rd ward on the Jacksonville City Council since 2005, chairing the Jacksonville Tourism Development Authority, and accepting the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year award for the Jacksonville Police Department in 2020. He was elected to the Senate on November 3, 2020, succeeding Harry Brown, assumed office on January 1, 2021, and is in his third term as of the 2025-2026 session. Lazzara has a special interest in military issues, advanced transportation funding formulas as Chairman of the Transportation Advisory Committee, and advocated for reopening schools with a virtual option during the pandemic.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: No formal higher education details are specified in public records; his career emphasizes entrepreneurial pursuits in graphic design and business after Marine Corps service.
• Political Experience:
  • Jacksonville City Council , elected 2005; Mayor Pro Tem.
  • Chairman, Jacksonville Tourism Development Authority.
  • Chairman, Transportation Advisory Committee for Jacksonville metro area; led organization combining Metropolitan and Regional Planning Organizations.
  • North Carolina Senate , 2021–present .
  • Senate committees: Appropriations on General Government, State and Local Government, Education, Judiciary, Finance, Transportation.