Position/philosophy statement
North Carolina
Current Occupation
Orthopedic surgeon
Campaign Phone
9102776508
I have served this district for over 36 years, living and raising my family here. I watched the devastating impact of the bipartisan offshoring of our jobs, first to Latin America and more recently, China. A life-long North Carolinian, I came here to serve, after my time in the US Air Force, in a rural community - emergency room, office, and surgery. I know and love the people here, and will have the relationships to help meet their needs, to obtain our share of funding for development. My expertise in health care, and my advocacy for making our district and our state healthy again, are resources that will be best applied at the state level to the benefit citizens throughout our state, as well as here in Hoke and Scotland counties.
Making lives better here is the priority. Our disadvantaged district must persuade the state to invest here to make it more affordable for our overtaxed citizens. We must control property taxes and utility bills. We must fight to keep upstream communities from taking our water. We must build better roads and infrastructure for industrial and residential development. We must improve local education, including vocational education. And we must take up arms against the existential threat, to not only our district but our nation - the crisis of chronic disease - which takes a disproportionate toll in our district. Supporting efforts to make us healthy can work in North Carolina, and especially in Hoke and Scotland counties.
It is very unfortunate that we do not have a budget and thus our public school teachers do not have their raises. I would support a $50,000 starting pay for classroom teachers, and a more accelerated advancement of salary than that proposed. In educational policy we need as much local parental control as possible. Education policy at the federal and state level has been seized by a minority who often force values inconsistent with those of most parents on to all of our children. Competition between public schools and between public and private should continue and be enhanced, including allowing open enrollment in public schools, where North Carolina lags. I support Opportunity Scholarships, and oppose state regulation of private schools.
In a perfect North Carolina there would be no income tax or property tax. A consumption tax with some allowance for not taxing subsistence expense, either through a "prebate" or by not taxing necessities, would be best. Getting there over a transition period by continued reduction of personal income tax to zero and placing caps on property tax increases, eliminating them for retired citizens and others on fixed incomes, would be reasonable first steps. Distribution of state revenues should be more equitable perhaps on a per capita basis to counties rather than through the tier system that has been in place for too long. I do believe large projects should require transparent review and be funded on their merits, fairly.
Deterrence of crime through stiff but appropriate and consistent punishment works. Inconsistency of punishment and deterrence is counterproductive. Mental health issues, some of which derive from some of the factors behind the rise in chronic disease, as well as lax illegal drug enforcement, must be addressed. Over-medicalization particularly of our youth contributes negatively as well, and curtailing it will help. Economic prosperity will also help. But, a moral and spiritual revival is needed. Some of these things obviously cannot be accomplished through legislation. Ensuring our law enforcement personnel are supported, their numbers increased proportionate to their challenges, and equipping them with the best technology are required.
This is a serious job, representing the citizens of two counties who have been not only stripped of good paying jobs, but also left out of prosperous development our state has seen recently. Fighting for them is the number one duty of person they duly elect as their representative. Serving them in a statewide body that oversees and legislates, bringing subject matter expertise to bear on their disproportionate suffering in this crisis of chronic disease is something I am called and I am qualified to do. At this time in my life, I have no ambition beyond serving the same community I have served with integrity for over three decades. I seek to do this to make their lives better, as best as I can, by making it easier for them to proper, to be safe, to be healthy, to pursue their happiness and to serve their families and their God.
Current Occupation
Pastor
I have been honored to represent Hoke and Scotland Counties in the State House, and I have always worked across party lines to deliver for our district. I am a Baptist minister,
an Army veteran, and a retired UPS driver, and I bring that same commitment to service and hard work to Raleigh.
I take pride in being accessible to everyone in our community.
As a senior member of the House, I have built long-term relationships with colleagues in both parties, and those relationships matter as we fight to benefit this district. I
understand how the processes work; I know our people, and I will keep working to do what's right for our people.
My top priority is lowering costs and expanding opportunity for working families. Too many families in Hoke and Scotland Counties are stretched thin by the rising cost of
health care, groceries, gas, housing, and utilities, and I want the legislature to take a serious, bipartisan look at how we can ease that burden.
I will also keep fighting to bring support to our law enforcement, first responders, teachers, and others. I will continue to work with all stakeholders to recruit good-paying jobs to our region so young people and families have a reason to build their future here.
I am a proud supporter of our public schools. Every child deserves a quality education, regardless of zip code or family income. Our schools are still struggling to recruit and keep good teachers, and districts like ours feel it most. We need competitive pay for teachers and support staff, more classroom resources, and safe schools where students can focus on learning.
The legislature also owes our schools a stable budget so districts can plan and hire with confidence. Parents deserve a real voice in their children's education, and I will keep working with families, educators, and colleagues in both parties to give our schools what they need.
Tax policy should keep North Carolina competitive while making sure working families
aren't carrying more than their fair share. I support keeping taxes low and reasonable for families and small businesses, and incentives help us compete with other states for
new jobs.
But tax cuts have to be responsible. When revenue falls short, rural communities like ours feel it first, through underfunded schools, roads, and public services. I want a tax system that grows our economy, brings employers to the regions that need them most, and still lets the state meet its obligations to the people it serves.
I want to work across party lines to keep our schools and neighborhoods safe. That starts with making sure schools have funding for modern security equipment and procedures, along with counselors and mental health support, so kids can focus on learning. In our communities, we need to confront drug and gang-related violence by investing in community policing, supporting law enforcement and first responders, and expanding access to drug treatment and recovery programs. Prevention matters too.
Good jobs, youth programs, and strong community support offer young people a better path.
It is an honor to serve the people of Hoke and Scotland Counties. As a minister, a veteran, and a retired UPS driver, I understand the everyday challenges families here face because I have lived alongside my neighbors through so many of those challenges.
My approach has always been simple: listen, show up, and work with anyone, regardless of party, who wants to get something done for our district. More work remains to lower costs, strengthen our schools, keep our communities safe, and continue to bring good jobs home. I would be grateful for your vote, and no matter who you are, my door will always be open to you.
