But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. How we check
Colby Watson
Democrat · U.S. House, North Carolina District 8
✓OpposesFrom their own words
How this mark works
We track key votes on sending U.S. weapons and money to the government of Israel. A check means every tracked vote they cast came down against sending more, on the side of peace and de-escalation. A question mark means a mixed record: they sided with sending up to half of the time. An X means they voted to send more weapons and money in over half of their tracked votes, even as the way those weapons and dollars were being used became more and more obvious. At exactly half, money this election cycle from a lobbying group we track, or an endorsement from a group that backs sending weapons, makes it an X. Only votes actually cast are counted. Where a candidate has no recorded votes on these bills, the mark comes instead from a reviewed reading of their public record (money from the lobbying groups we track, endorsements, and their own words since January 26, 2024). There an X also covers fully backing the conduct of the war by the government of Israel without significant reservations, and a question mark also covers speaking about Israel without saying clearly where they stand on U.S. weapons and funding. A dash means No Position Found: we found nothing in their own words about Israel, Gaza or the war.
No recorded votes on the bills we track. In their own words on February 12, 2026.
Watson told a voter in October 2026 he "will absolutely vote against further unconditional transfers of weapons and funding to Israel," and told a WSOC candidate guide "the United States should not provide weapons that enable violations of international law."
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Watson is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina's 8th District.
His answer in WSOC-TV's February 2026 candidate guide covers both halves in one paragraph: "I believe Israel's government and military have committed serious human rights violations in Gaza. I condemn Hamas terrorism, and I also reject collective punishment of civilians. The United States should not provide weapons that enable violations of international law. Our role should be to push for a sustained ceasefire, full humanitarian access, and the release of all remaining hostages."
On a settlement he said: "We need a real political solution, a viable two-state outcome that guarantees security for Israelis and genuine freedom, rights, and clearly defined borders for Palestinians. Peace cannot be built on permanent occupation or permanent war. It must be built on mutual security and self-determination." He framed the standard as consistency: "We have to apply the same principles we claim to believe in everywhere else: protect civilians, uphold human rights, and demand accountability."
His campaign platform states the rule more broadly: "Our foreign policy should also reflect our values. No weapons should be given to governments engaged in human rights violations."
In October 2026 a voter asked him whether he would vote against further unconditional transfers of weapons and funding to the government of Israel. His campaign's reply says: "Yes, I will absolutely vote against further unconditional transfers of weapons and funding to Israel. I also commit to supporting enforceable measures to ensure accountability." It adds: "The American taxpayer has been used as a piggy bank by the Israeli government for far too long, and it’s time for it to end."
He has no federal voting record.
The money
Checked the five lobbying groups we track; no direct 2026 support found
2026 support from the five lobbying groups we track
Nothing recorded (as of 2026-07-23) from the five lobbying groups we track; earlier cycles and earmarked donations not yet tracked.
Support-only OpenFEC data. Opposition independent expenditures are excluded.
In their words
Replied to a voter who asked, 2026-10-09
Their reply to a voter
“Yes, I will absolutely vote against further unconditional transfers of weapons and funding to Israel. I also commit to supporting enforceable measures to ensure accountability.
Not only that, Israeli influence in our political system is a huge problem, and I will work diligently to expose it and push it out. The American taxpayer has been used as a piggy bank by the Israeli government for far too long, and it’s time for it to end.
I made two commitments at the beginning of my campaign: I will never take money from lobbyists representing corporate or foreign interests, and I will never buy, sell, or trade stocks while in office.
My loyalty belongs to the American people, not corporate monopolies and not foreign countries.”
Written by the campaign to a constituent who asked on 2026-10-09. The full reply ↗
“I believe Israel's government and military have committed serious human rights violations in Gaza. I condemn Hamas terrorism, and I also reject collective punishment of civilians. The United States should not provide weapons that enable violations of international law.”
The notes behind this card: what we looked at, what we found, and where each item came from.
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
[Position, 2026-10-09] His campaign's emailed reply to a voter, from team@colbyforcongress.com, the address on this record, with our replies inbox copied: "Yes, I will absolutely vote against further unconditional transfers of weapons and funding to Israel. I also commit to supporting enforceable measures to ensure accountability." and "The American taxpayer has been used as a piggy bank by the Israeli government for far too long, and it’s time for it to end." Read 2026-11-02.
[Position, 2026-02-12] WSOC-TV candidate guide, opened and confirmed word for word, read under his own heading "Colby Watson (D)" on a multi-candidate page: "The United States should not provide weapons that enable violations of international law." In the same answer: "We have to apply the same principles we claim to believe in everywhere else: protect civilians, uphold human rights, and demand accountability."
[Position, read 2026-08-12] His campaign platform on foreign policy, opened and confirmed word for word: "Our foreign policy should also reflect our values. No weapons should be given to governments engaged in human rights violations." The page also argues that the cost of past wars was "borrowed money, and the debt from those wars will be carried by future generations." A live page with no publication date, so read-date. Note the platform states the rule generally and does not name Israel; the WSOC answer applies it to Israel, which is why both are quoted.
He has no federal voting record.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
[Position, 2026-02-12] Called for "full humanitarian access" and rejected "collective punishment of civilians" (confirmed verbatim, above).
Characterization of the conflict
[Position, 2026-02-12] "I believe Israel's government and military have committed serious human rights violations in Gaza. I condemn Hamas terrorism, and I also reject collective punishment of civilians" (confirmed verbatim). And: "We need a real political solution, a viable two-state outcome that guarantees security for Israelis and genuine freedom, rights, and clearly defined borders for Palestinians. Peace cannot be built on permanent occupation or permanent war. It must be built on mutual security and self-determination."
Related rhetoric and lobbying
[Position, undated] His platform page on corruption argues that elected officials rely too heavily on special interests, and, as reported addresses foreign-aligned lobbying groups generally without naming any. He has not been recorded naming a pro-Israel organisation. Not opened.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
Nothing distinct located. His condemnation of Hamas terrorism appears in the passage above.
But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and
funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps.
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