The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House of Representatives consists of 120 members who serve a term of two years. Each member represents an average of 87,116 residents *, as of the 2020 Census . The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the Senate President pro-tem. The Speaker is elected by the members from their membership for a two-year term. The Speaker’s duties include maintaining order in the House and appointing members to the House standing committees.The North Carolina General Assembly, of which the House is a part, is to convene a new regular session every two years, and the dates for these sessions are set by law. The NC legislature makes decisions on the budget: taxes, tax credits, economic development, education funding, Pre-K, the courts, Medicaid, etc. It also passes laws that set environmental standards such as water and air quality, tax rates, tax credits, criminal justice. Legislators in both chambers serve two-year terms without term limits. Sessions begin at noon on the third Wednesday after the second Monday in January.* https://ballotpedia.org/Population_represented_by_state_legislators
Position/philosophy statement
Every voter deserves a choice and a representative who puts people ahead of politics. For far too long, elected officials have prioritized party agendas and special interests over listening to the people they were elected to represent.
Current Occupation
Retired
Campaign Phone
9194526977
I am not afraid of leadership roles. I have served my community in many capacities: church leader, charity event organizer, volunteer high school football coach, Habitat for Humanity contributor, numerous community construction/service project building things such as wheelchair ramps and birdhouse kits for 1st graders, food pantry volunteer, Durham Rescue Mission volunteer, and Interfaith Council volunteer.
As a leader, I ran my own business, ran a large and successful software user group, and am serving on the Board of Director for a large Woodworking user group.
Like my opponent, I profess to being a Christian, but apparently unlike him I take care for the poor and marginalized very seriously. I bring that to everything I do.
Ultimately, restoring democracy with better guardrails at all levels appears necessary. We need to get big money out of politics. At the federal level, it would start with the reversal of Citizens United. At the state level, legislation similar to what Hawaii just passed, to limit corporate spending on elections, is a good start. In any case, putting limits on election spending appears necessary. Immediately following that would be legislation to return powers to our Governor, especially the ability to (re)create a non-partisan board of elections to help end gerrymandering.
I am an unapologetic supporter of public education and believe that ranking 50th in per student spending is an absolute embarrassment. The NC "Opportunity Scholarship" program is problematic for myriad reasons. Vouchers should be altogether eliminated so taxpayer funds can go to the public schools as intended, or-- minimally--significantly reduce the funds allocated and install financial guardrails to help poorer families.
Additionally, we need to take care of all school personnel better. The small raise given to new teachers last year is not enough. Low ceilings on teachers salaries and not recognizing advanced degrees is antithetical to what we need to do to retain the best talent.
I believe that taxes are the appropriate vehicle to ensure access to public facilities and services. I also believe that everyone should pay their fair share of taxes--no breaks for the wealthy or corporations. Elected officials have the responsibility for distributing funds to best meet the needs of all citizens, not just those they identify with.
Regarding 2 amendments that are part of this year's ballot, I am going to vote "NO". The State and municipalities should be allowed to tax according to the specific circumstances of the times and/or community. The leaders who have been duly elected should have the flexibility to manage accordingly. If they do not do so, then the constituency will not reelect them.
Develop better mental health programs to help the mentally-ill: specifically, enhance co-responder programs with mental health professionals to ensure that when a mentally-ill person is in difficulty it is does not escalate into a violent and/or dangerous altercation.
Improve juvenile crime prevention programs, especially partnering with public education and extending to after-school programs. Our children need options that prevent delinquency.
Address the fentanyl epidemic with a 3 pronged strategy: thoughtful law enforcement policies and programs, drug treatment, and drug prevention.
I joined this race late because I learned just a few months ago of backroom late-night deals by Republicans trying to solidify power rather than care for people in House District 78. And because of the terrible state of our public schools, again at the hands of Republicans. But I am fully committed to the people in my district. Of all the places I could have chosen to be my home, I chose small-town North Carolina. I want to help make it a better place and I believe that my constituents in Moore and Randolph Counties know what a better place looks and feels like. That is why I am listening to them. That is why I am going to every corner of District 78 and engaging.
I don't purport to know all the answers. I do know that I can listen. I can learn. I can be an agent for change that distinguishes me from the monied incumbent who is my opponent in this race.
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