To help inform voters about the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Joe John
District/seat: House District 40
County or counties represented: Wake
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 85
Campaign website: joejohnnchouse.com
Current occupation: Retired judge, attorney, current North Carolina state representative
Professional experience: My professional experience includes service as a Legal Aid attorney, assistant district attorney, attorney in private practice, District Court judge, Superior Court judge, Court of Appeals judge, NC DMV deputy commissioner, State Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab Director, and NC state representative since 2016.
Education: I attended Belmont Abbey College and subsequently earned BA, MA and JD degrees at UNC-Chapel Hill. My UNC studies of English, comparative literature and law were complemented by attending the University of Paris (Sorbonne) on a Fulbright and French Government scholarship, and later Heidelberg University.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. As the only NC legislator who served in all three branches of government, I have also participated in numerous professional and civic organizations. These include the North Carolina and Wake County Bar Associations, the Leesville Road High School Pride Athletic Association, Family and Children’s Services of Greater Greensboro, the NC Forensic Science Advisory Board, the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. I also enjoyed years as a youth baseball coach and am a proud member of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
What would be your top priority if elected?
We need a commonsense approach to the drawing of legislative districts, both federal and state. We must be dedicated to creating a process resulting in responsible government meeting the needs of all North Carolina families and eliminating the current methodology whereby legislators pick their voters who then have little actual voice in the selection of their representatives. Therefore, we must establish a truly independent, impartial, nonpartisan redistricting commission.
By percentage, what raises should state employees, school staff and teachers receive in the next state budget?
North Carolina is falling short of properly funding our public education system and is failing to guarantee our schools provide a sound, basic education to all state children. We need to raise teacher pay to the national average, reduce student-to-support staff ratios and expand the Teaching Fellows Program. We should reinstate master’s advanced degree pay and fund extra pay for teachers who achieve nationally recognized certifications and for those who take on additional duties and responsibilities.
What legislation would you support to improve Triangle transportation, housing or infrastructure? Please be specific.
Dillon’s Rule limits local government to powers granted by the state legislature which thus can avoid hindering local affordable housing development like accessory dwelling units and cottage courts. Also, targeted economic development programs, designed to boost job creation and business investment, incentivize real estate development, or increase property values in specific locations, could be used or measures such as tax increment financing (TIF), job creation tax credits and enterprise zones.
Do you think the legislature should fund about $500 million for private school vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program? Why or why not?
Private schools must be subject to the same standards, accountability and transparency as public schools, including the taxpayer-funded Opportunity Scholarship program. I oppose the use of public tax dollars to support private schools, particularly those discriminatory in admissions policies or practices, or which have faulty curricula. Finally, I believe funding the Opportunity Scholarship voucher program should be paused at least until public schools are adequately funded.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
In 2020 I supported Senate Bill 220, mandating full-time, in-person North Carolina school instruction to replace COVID limitations. Many party and education leaders felt immediate implementation and masking, social distancing and health provisions did not protect participants. I considered the protections adequate and received substantial constituent support for the bill. I also observed my grandchildren struggling with online learning and found students’ risk of losing an entire academic year preventable.
Under the Dome
Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here .
Local News
Comments / 0