There is fierce competition among candidates for the position of North Carolina governor as the race for the office approaches. As the election draws near, it's crucial to understand the candidates' backgrounds, accomplishments, and key issues they champion. This comprehensive voter guide will provide an in-depth look at each candidate running for the governor's seat, highlighting their qualifications, notable endorsements, and their stance on critical matters affecting the state.
Republican Candidates
Dale Folwell
Background and Experience
Dale Folwell, hailing from Winston-Salem, brings a wealth of experience to the table. He is currently serving his second term as the state treasurer, a position he held after serving four terms in the House of Representatives. Folwell has also served as a member of Winston-Salem's Board of Education and as assistant secretary of commerce.
Notable Endorsements
Folwell has garnered the endorsement of the political action committee representing the State Employees Association of North Carolina, which advocates for working families.
Accomplishments
Folwell's pension plan has been rated as one of the top-five highest funded plans in the country. He has also maintained North Carolina's AAA bond rating, the highest possible rating. In addition, his office received the Sunshine Award in 2022 for their transparency and fulfillment of public records requests.
Key Issues
Folwell places a strong emphasis on public safety, particularly in combating drug and human trafficking. He also supports the death penalty and aims to lower healthcare costs for North Carolinians.
Bill Graham
Background and Experience
Bill Graham, a Salisbury native, is an attorney specializing in personal injury and wrongful death cases. He has previously served as secretary of the Board of Directors for the Jesse Helms Center and on the U.S. Agriculture Committee. Graham also held the position of Secretary for the Cabarrus County Board of Elections.
Notable Endorsements
Graham has received the endorsement of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis.
Accomplishments
Graham's notable achievement includes rallying hundreds of North Carolinians to protest against the gas tax in 2006, collecting around 70,000 petition signatures.
Key Issues
Graham is determined to address what he considers to be a "woke" curriculum in schools by creating a Parents Board of Education. He also supports the death penalty for drug dealers and human traffickers, with a focus on combatting the fentanyl crisis. Additionally, Graham advocates for restricting Chinese entities from purchasing land in North Carolina due to alleged environmental concerns.
Mark Robinson
Background and Experience
Mark Robinson, from Greensboro, currently serves as the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. He is an Army veteran, small business owner, and former manufacturing worker.
Notable Endorsements
Robinson has received the endorsement of Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger. Former President Donald Trump has also expressed his intention to make an official endorsement of Robinson.
Accomplishments
Robinson gained national attention when a video of his speech at a city council meeting advocating for gun rights went viral, garnering millions of views.
Key Issues
Robinson's campaign revolves around conservative values, including his anti-abortion stance, support for gun rights, and advocating for parental involvement in education. He also emphasizes rebuilding the police force and reducing the cost of essentials such as gas, groceries, and childcare.
Democratic Candidates
Michael (Mike) Morgan
Background and Experience
Michael Morgan, a Raleigh native, recently stepped down from his position as Supreme Court associate justice to run for governor. He has over 30 years of experience in North Carolina's judicial system, including serving on the North Carolina Superior Court bench and the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Notable Endorsements
Morgan has not received any notable endorsements at this time.
Accomplishments
Having served in state government for 44 years, Morgan brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table.
Key Issues
Morgan's campaign focuses on fair pay for educators, healthcare autonomy, reducing racial inequalities, affordable prescription drug prices, promoting green energy initiatives, and protecting voting rights and accurate representation in redistricting.
Josh Stein
Background and Experience
Josh Stein, also from Raleigh, is currently serving his second term as North Carolina's attorney general. Before his role as attorney general, he served in the North Carolina Senate and as the senior deputy attorney general in the North Carolina Department of Justice.
Notable Endorsements
Stein has received endorsements from Governor Roy Cooper, Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic, and the People's Alliance PAC.
Accomplishments
As attorney general, Stein has made significant strides in various areas, including stopping the rape kit backlog, holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, and suing Juul for targeting youth in their marketing campaigns.
Key Issues
Stein's campaign focuses on making North Carolina safer, protecting fundamental freedoms, and tackling the opioid crisis. He also prioritizes safeguarding voting rights and the right to abortion.
Marcus Williams
Backgroun and Experience
Marcus Williams, hailing from Lumberton, is an attorney with 45 years of experience. He has worked as an assistant public defender for District 16B in North Carolina.
Notable Endorsements
Williams has chosen not to seek any endorsements for his campaign.
Accomplishments
Williams has led community economic development projects, including the construction of housing units for elderly and handicapped individuals. He has also played a significant role in restoring an inner-city school.
Key Issues
Williams aims to fully fund the public school system, protect women's reproductive rights, create more affordable housing, increase law enforcement salaries, and establish a citizen panel to review police camera footage in specific cases.
Chrelle Booker
Background and Experience
Chrelle Booker, from Tryon, serves as the Mayor Pro Tempore of Tryon and also works in television broadcasting as a legal department and human resources manager.
Notable Endorsements
Booker has chosen not to accept any endorsements for her campaign.
Accomplishments
In 2020, Booker became a Selective Service System Local Board Member for Region II. She also played a significant role in presenting the town of Tryon's water and sewer infrastructure issues to the Biden-Harris Administration's Ready-To-Rebuild project.
Key Issues
Booker's key issues include housing, employment, healthcare, education, air and water quality, women's empowerment, and the protection of trees.
Libertarian Candidates
Shannon Bray
Background and Experience
Shannon Bray, from Holly Springs, is a technology entrepreneur. He previously ran for the North Carolina Senate in 2022 and the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2019. Bray is also a Navy veteran.
Notable Endorsements
Bray has not received any notable endorsements for his campaign.
Key Issues
Bray's key issues include protecting parents' roles in their children's education, decriminalizing marijuana, supporting military families, and implementing ranked-choice voting.
Mike Ross
Background and Experience
Mike Ross, from Gaston County, owns "My Money Coach," a financial advice business. He is a certified financial planner and has worked in various financial advisory and planning roles.
Notable Endorsements
Ross has not received any notable endorsements for his campaign.
Key Issues
Ross advocates for transparency in government by allowing public comment on every bill introduced in the legislature. He also aims to increase funding for the police, remove the government from doctor-patient decisions, and implement a "free market" education system.
As the North Carolina governor's race approaches, it is crucial for voters to familiarize themselves with the candidates and their positions on key issues. This voter guide provides an overview of each candidate's background, notable endorsements, accomplishments, and key issues. By understanding the candidates' qualifications and their stance on critical matters, voters can make informed decisions that align with their values and priorities for the state of North Carolina.
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