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
I believe in protecting our farm land, freedoms and religious liberties.
Current Occupation
Business Owner of Horticulture Business
Age (optional)
61
Campaign Phone
9196708540
My family has been in this area for generations. We have farmed the land, created jobs and raised our children in District 55. I know the people and the needs of this district. My two years on the County Commission have given me valuable experience and knowledge I'll bring to the General Assembly to effectively represent our community.
I will work with local officials and constituents to find state legislative solutions that make District 55 safer, healthier, and more prosperous for everyone.
We need to invest in classrooms, not bureaucracy. That means higher starting salaries for teachers, more classroom support, and less money spent on administrative overhead.
North Carolinians are being overtaxed. I support a zero income tax and will work with municipalities to find creative ways to control the spike of property taxes.
We need to ensure our law enforcement has adequate resources to evaluate our criminal justice system to determine weaknesses. As a society we must always put public safety first.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Position/philosophy statement
Republican for NC House 55. Blue-collar dad and small business owner fighting for working families
Current Occupation
self employed
Age (optional)
62
Campaign Phone
7043189023
I'm Richard T. Miller, a lifelong North Carolinian from Monroe, running for House District 55. As a small-business owner with twenty years running our family painting business, I know the grind of working families in Anson and Union Counties. Raised by a house-painter dad and teacher mom, I learned hard work and services. I'm a husband, father, and son, fighting for better schools, healthcare, economic growth, and transparency in Raleigh. Unlike career politicians, I'm for the people, not lobbyists. I've pledged to support term limits and real change. With blue-collar roots and real-world experience, I'm the grounded candidate to serve District 55.
If elected, my top priorities for District 55 are fixing our schools, boosting local jobs, and cutting red tape in Raleigh. First, education—our kids need better-funded schools with practical skills, not just tests. Second, economy—support small businesses like mine with tax breaks and training programs to bring good-paying jobs to Anson and Union Counties. Third, transparency—end backroom deals, and make sure your voice gets heard over lobbyists. Healthcare access too.
Teacher pay in North Carolina's is too low for too long. First, prioritize reallocating state education funds by cutting bloated admin costs, like excessive central office overhead. North Carolina spends about thirty percent on admin, which is way above national averages. Trim that, and you've got millions to raise starting salaries—aim for at least sixty thousand bucks to compete with neighboring states. Second, tie raises to performance metrics, not just tenure, to keep things fair and motivate excellence. Finally, advocate for federal grants specifically for teacher retention.
I believe tax policy should focus on keeping more money in the pockets of hardworking families and businesses to drive growth and support residents. I'm a blue-collar small business owner myself so I know the daily grind. Taxes should stay low and fair to encourage job creation, attract companies to Union and Anson counties, and boost our local economy without over-burdening folks who've already paid their dues. We need to prioritize fiscal responsibility: cut wasteful spending, avoid tax hikes, and push for reforms that reward hard work—like protecting family farms and small businesses from excessive property or income taxes.
I'd push for tougher laws to keep our Union and Anson County safe starting with stronger penalties for violent crime and repeat offenders. No more slaps on the wrist for folks who endanger families; we need mandatory minimums for serious offenses like assault or drug trafficking. we also need to fund our local police and sheriffs, so they have the resources they need to do the job.
Education forms the foundation for long-term community growth. In Anson and Union County, improving educational resources and opportunities for young people is critical.
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