Paul Robert Newton (born June 2, 1960) is an American politician and Republican member of the North Carolina State Senate, formerly representing the 36th district.

[1][2] In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina, Newton was one of five Republican state senators asked Governor Roy Cooper to allow the Coca-Cola 600, a NASCAR race, to be run at Charlotte Motor Speedway, although without a crowd of fans.

[3] The following year, Newton sponsored a "liability shield" bill to provide a limited form of immunity to businesses, government agency or nonprofit against lawsuits arising from COVID-19 transmission on their premises.

Newton argued that it was "suspicious" for valid absentee ballots to be counted after election day.

[6][7] In 2021, as co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Newton sponsored a proposal to reduce the state income tax rate from 5.25% to 4.99%.