What primary candidates for statewide office say they want to do for North Carolina

More than 40 people are running in primaries for the Council of State, which includes the attorney general, treasurer and other elected officials from both parties who run state offices.

The most crowded field is for lieutenant governor, with nine Republicans and six Democrats vying for their party’s nomination.

The March 3 primary may not be the final word. There could be a runoff, or second primary, if a candidate fails to receive more than 30% of the vote and the second highest vote getter calls for a runoff.

We asked Council of State primary candidates what they want to do, what they think about the job the current office-holder is doing, and how they see the future of North Carolina. Read their responses and learn some biographical information about them, too.

Early voting has already started. Look up your voting information here.

Click a candidate's name to read an explanation to his or her answer.

Lieutenant Governor

What do you think is or is not working well under the current office-holder? If not, how would you change it if elected?

Deborah Cochran
Deborah Cochran

Deborah Cochran (R):

Lt. Gov. Forest has focused on financial literacy and trades education. I have been a long-standing advocate because I teach personal finance. I will continue apprenticeships, internships, trades and support funding for community colleges that teach skills to fill the skills gap. Since I work at a magnet Title 1 school, I have seen students go directly to the workplace with skills or to a community college or to a university.

Greg Gebhardt
Greg Gebhardt

Greg Gebhardt (R):

The current lieutenant governor has done an exceptional job at bringing relevance and awareness to the office. I will build upon that by focusing on veterans, vocational trades and voter ID. As an Iraq War veteran and current member of the North Carolina National Guard, I understand the unique challenges faced by our military families. Also, as the brother of someone who does not have a four-year degree yet has a good-paying job, I know the benefits of obtaining a certification from a community or technical college. Finally, as a policy adviser in the North Carolina General Assembly who helped craft the original Voter ID bill back in 2013, I know that an overwhelming majority of North Carolinians support voter ID. We must allow the will of the people to be heard on the issue and an un-elected, federal judge.

Ronald L. Newton
Ronald L. Newton

Ronald L. Newton (D):

Elected officials do not represent the people who elected them. Too much log rolling and support for bad legislation. Every elected official is charged with the responsibility and duty to represent their constituency. Tailor divisiveness by relying on facts. Ask yourself what and how will this legislation affect the people I represent. Frequently seek public support.

Andy Wells
Andy Wells

Andy Wells (R):

Dan Forest, the current lieutenant governor, is not seeking re-election. He's running for governor. Dan has spoken out on many issues I agree with. For example, both of us believe the ruling by the Obama federal judge that struck down North Carolina's voter ID law is wrong.

Allen Thomas
Allen Thomas

Allen Thomas (D):

Our current lieutenant governor, Dan Forest, started his campaign to run against the current governor almost four years ago. He also frequently sent out press releases attacking the governor on various issues. Dan Forest benefited from millions of dollars donated by Greg Lindberg who is currently awaiting trial for attempting to buy influence in state government. The then-N.C. GOP Chairman was also caught up in the scandal. He pleaded guilty late last year for lying to the FBI regarding his role in this bribery scandal.

As lieutenant governor, I would work to regain the public trust and integrity of the office. I would work hard with Gov. Cooper to turn the N.C. House and Senate blue in 2020, and I will be a reliable and passionate advocate for the North Carolina values that we all hold dear.

Yvonne Lewis Holley
Yvonne Lewis Holley

Yvonne Lewis Holley (D):

The current lieutenant governor has gutted our public education system. He has promoted charter schools and vouchers, using public money for private institutions. Many private schools that are receiving public money have no accountability and can pick and choose which students to serve. All schools that receive public funding should be held to the same academic standards. I want to bring credibility and fair accountability back.

Teaching is an honored profession. Our students deserve to have qualified teachers in every classroom, teachers paid their value and given professional development opportunities for growth.

The taking over of struggling schools should be the responsibility of the State DPI, not sent out to private companies for profit. We need to provide resources, financial and professional, to help up the standards of teaching in our schools.

Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson (R):

The political system is broken. For years, the political system has only looked out for itself. I've fought for the working families of North Carolina. As N.C. Superintendent, I fought against confusing Common Core standards and over-testing and fought for more accountability, transparency, and efficiency for our education bureaucracy. I am running for lieutenant governor to take this fight to the next level. If you want more of the same, vote for someone else. If you want to continue the fight for change, vote Mark Johnson for Lieutenant Governor.

Terry Van Duyn
Terry Van Duyn

Terry Van Duyn (D):

I believe in a North Carolina that treats its educators like the professionals they are, that believes that health care should be accessible and affordable for everyone and where good-paying jobs are available for all of our people.

Our current lieutenant governor has championed legislation that seeks to divide us. He has sided with Sen. Berger and Speaker Moore to deny the expansion of Medicaid and thus health-care coverage to over 500,000 of our brothers, sisters, and siblings. He has sided with Sen. Berger and Speaker Moore to under-fund our public schools. And, he has sided with Sen. Berger and Speaker Moore to allow corporate polluters and bad actors to run unaccountable.

As the only state senator in the Democratic primary, I want to use my experience to bridge the gaps that we face. I will work with Gov. Cooper to make education North Carolina’s top priority. As the president of the Senate, I will use my tie-breaking vote to expand Medicaid, and I will use my office as lieutenant governor to connect our business with our community colleges and trade schools to make sure we are ready for 21st century jobs.

Bill Toole
Bill Toole

Bill Toole (D):

The current lieutenant governor has used his position to promote divisive issues like HB2 that have harmed North Carolina businesses. The current officeholder's attention to distracting issues means he has not devoted attention to important North Carolina issues like public education, health care, or the environment.

a) As lieutenant governor sitting on the State Board of Education, Council of State, and presiding over the Senate, I will advocate for (1) teachers' assistants in every classroom between pre-K and third grade; (2) full-time nurses, psychologists and social workers in every school to help students succeed despite coming to school hungry, homeless or with trauma in the home, and to address North Carolina's high teen suicide rate; (3) establishing modern vocational training in our high schools and community colleges; and (4) recognizing our teachers as professionals through meaningful teacher pay.

b) I would also advocate for health care that helps families care for loved ones. Assuring quality, affordable health care must a top priority in North Carolina. Because access to health care is a pressing issue in our rural communities and for working families, I will work with Gov. Cooper to expand Medicaid, strengthen rural health care, battle teen depression, and fight the opioid crisis. We must recognize and begin to address the needs of many families struggling to provide long-term care for aging loved ones suffering from illness such as dementia or Alzheimer's.

c) I will push for the controlled access to cannabis. This will permit the automatic expungement of arrest records for non-violent possession of 1.5 ounces or less, the collection of $450 million annually, and assuring broader access to treatment for drug and alcohol use disorders. By insisting that 90% of all product sold in North Carolina is grown in North Carolina, our farmers will once again have a meaningful cash crop that replaces tobacco. Veterans suffering from PTSD, cancer patients, grandmothers with arthritis, and children suffering from rare forms of epilepsy are among those who have been asking for this and would directly benefit. Among the 34 states that have legalized access have found that opioid abuse rates have fallen, some by as much as 43%; none have seen cannabis usage increase significantly. I will ensure that all communities have the chance to participate in the economic opportunities offered by cannabis normalization.

d) Recognizing and preparing for climate change must be a priority which, if ignored, will lead to disastrous consequences directly affecting our agricultural economy and vulnerable populations as well as our urban areas. Severe weather changes will affect all aspects of North Carolina life. We must create policies that help residents make their homes

John L. Ritter
John L. Ritter

John L. Ritter (R):

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest has done a great job. I believe he has worked hard across the board, and particularly for our community college system.

Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson (R):

The current office-holder has done a great job standing up for conservative values. I will look to further improve on Dan's hard work by continuing to push conservative causes by addressing various issues facing North Carolina.

Buddy Bengel
Buddy Bengel

Buddy Bengel (R):

Our current Lt. Gov. Dan Forest has been a great advocate for school choice and a voice for the pro-life movement. I would like to add a more pro-business approach to the office. I would utilize my background in creating companies and creating jobs to work with business executives to bring companies to North Carolina or expand in North Carolina.

Chaz Beasley
Chaz Beasley

Chaz Beasley (D):

The role of lieutenant governor is one of the most underutilized positions in our state government. For years, popular belief has been that the office lacks any real power. Our current lieutenant governor has focused on the ceremonial duties of the job. I will take a different approach.

Who becomes our next lieutenant governor matters more now than it has in decades. The chances of a closely-divided (or tied) Senate are high. In this case, the lieutenant governor, as the tie-breaking vote, could be the last stop for each bill. As lieutenant governor, I will use my experience as an effective legislator, lawyer, and professional in the financial industry to give every bill the attention it deserves.

Additionally, the state budget will begin in the Senate next year. This session’s budget has been stuck in limbo for months. As presiding officer of the Senate, the lieutenant governor must play a role in preventing this from happening again next year. Our state cannot afford another year of legislative leaders refusing to negotiate.

Scott Stone
Scott Stone

Scott Stone (R):

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest has done a great job over the past eight years. I would continue to be a strong conservative statewide leader.

As lieutenant governor, I would lead the effort to tell the Republican story and improve our message. Republicans have successfully turned around North Carolina's economy by lowering taxes and at the same time making North Carolina very competitive, even leading to major corporate relocations. We've reduced taxes while increasing teacher pay (from 47th in US to 29th today), investing in infrastructure, creating surpluses, and building a $2B Rainy Day Fund. Too few people know of this tremendous success, and as lieutenant governor I would create a platform to tell this message for our Party.

Renee Ellmers
Renee Ellmers

Renee Ellmers (R):

I think Dan Forest has done a great job as lieutenant governor, but I want to do more with the office. If elected, I will immediately ask the legislature to head a Special Healthcare Task Force charged with creating a truly affordable, patient-center health care system that serves North Carolina communities.

What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected (or re-elected)?

Deborah Cochran
Deborah Cochran

Deborah Cochran (R):

Economic growth and development is as core as it gets. I am pro-business. That was my focus as mayor, and I flew to West Memphis to successfully recruit a California based industry to Mount Airy. In a recent Harper poll, economics and jobs are still the top priority in N.C. People need a paycheck which translates into dollars for the economy.

Greg Gebhardt
Greg Gebhardt

Greg Gebhardt (R):

Vocational trades. As lieutenant governor, I will ensure that any student who does not desire to attend a four year institution is able to earn a certification in the trades, through our world class community college system, before leaving high school.

Ronald L. Newton
Ronald L. Newton

Ronald L. Newton (D):

There are four issues of equal importance: expanding Medicaid, criminal justice reform, support for public education funding, and reduction of poverty.

Andy Wells
Andy Wells

Andy Wells (R):

Right now, when Democratic sanctuary sheriffs arrest illegal immigrants for crimes, they refuse to work with ICE to deport those illegals. Instead, they release them, putting them back on our streets. An illegal, who a sanctuary sheriff released, later murdered a 19-year-old girl. Another illegal, who was released, kidnapped and attempted to murder a woman. The Republicans in the legislature passed a law to stop sanctuary sheriffs but Governor Cooper vetoed it. As lieutenant governor, I’ll fight to stop sanctuary sheriffs.

Allen Thomas
Allen Thomas

Allen Thomas (D):

Ending poverty is the cornerstone issue of our campaign. We believe that government has the ability to address the many social and racial inequities that oppress economic mobility. In my role as lieutenant governor my plan to end poverty includes the following:

• As a member of the State Board of Education, I will focus on equitable funding and resources as we seek to close the racial and socioeconomic achievement gap in our schools. The disparities between schools in low-income communities and high-income communities are unacceptable. A child does not choose where they live or the economic status of their parents. We have an obligation to ensure that all children receive a good, sound education.

• Working closely with the governor, I will champion raising the minimum wage. Income inequality is also an issue in our state. I believe every worker should receive a living wage. We must raise the minimum wage to a living wage. Black and brown people are disproportionately harmed by our lack of a living wage statute in this state. As we focus on affordable housing, we must also realize that the reason that the homes are unaffordable is partly the absence of a living wage in that specific community. I support both raising the minimum wage and increasing the government investments in affordable housing to meet the needs of low-income residents.

• Criminal justice reform is also a very import piece to promoting social and racial equity. I support legislation that eliminates racial bias in sentencing, decriminalizes marijuana for personal use, and that creates a prison system that focuses on rehabilitation and not punishment. We must ensure that individuals re-enter society better people. We must also work to get them work and housing so that they do not re-offend.

Yvonne Lewis Holley
Yvonne Lewis Holley

Yvonne Lewis Holley (D):

As your candidate for lieutenant governor, I am running to make living affordable for all North Carolinians. My priority issue is a program I will champion and lead - I’m calling it The Affordable Living Initiative (ALI). My ALI platform encompasses establishing a state-wide initiative that brings together public/private partnerships, non-profits, urban and rural governments, legislators, environmentalists, homebuilders, and everyday citizens to help solve some of the problems that have become critical needs in communities across N.C. ALI will be a statewide initiative to bring organizations across the state together to form private-public partnerships to tackle these issues:

Attainable housing: At least 310,000 people in North Carolina are spending more than half of their income on housing. This means families across the state are having trouble putting food on the table due to skyrocketing rent prices. This isn’t the quality of life our North Carolina families deserve. Housing is an essential component to everyday North Carolinians and frankly, human life. As your next lieutenant governor, I will work with residents, developers and local governments to find solutions to build fair cities and expand affordable housing. ALI is dedicated to having diverse voices at the table - we’ll come up with practical, applicable solutions:

-Comprehensive legislative study to review laws/policies that hamper affordable housing

-Eviction expungement program

-Increase financial resources for the NC Housing Finance Agency

-Implement energy efficiency conversion programs for existing stick built/mobile/modular homes

-Study ways to upgrade inaccessible homes or repair “sick homes”

-Study tax structures in areas of rapid gentrification which may push people out of their homes

Access to affordable and healthy food: 1.5 million people in North Carolina live in food deserts that lack access to healthy food. I am taking on this crisis in the lieutenant governor’s office with my Affordable Living Initiative to fight food insecurity affecting our citizens. Since my start in the General Assembly, I have pushed the issue of food insecurity, and will keep pushing it until every North Carolinian has access to healthy and affordable food. I introduced a bill which would create the Healthy Food Small Retailer Fund in the Deptartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This bill addresses food desert relief in small neighborhood stores. This program will continue to need funding, and the battle will continue as budget wars persist in the General Assembly. Your support for my candidacy as lieutenant governor would push this issue to the forefront, and I will work to expand this program.

Jobs: (entrepreneurial, small business, and workforce development): I have sponsored bills to raise the minimum wage and worked with Commerce and the Community College System to prepare our already existing labor force through education and training. By working with ALI, workforce development should include entrepreneurial and small business training to provide a ready workforce and new business/small business opportunities. When small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive in NC, there are more jobs created in our local economy. For all jobs, raising the minimum wage to a living wage is a priority. By providing a ready, able, and skilled workforce, we can create an economy that works for North Carolinians.

Transportation: People need access to reliable public transportation to get to their jobs, medical appointments and live their day-to-day life. I recommend expanding transportation options, like bus rapid transit, micro transportation systems, and light rail systems wherever possible.

Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson (R):

Government is broken. The people of North Carolina need and deserve leaders who work for the people, not the political system. I will continue to fight the Establishment to bring the changes our working families need and deserve.

Terry Van Duyn
Terry Van Duyn

Terry Van Duyn (D):

In order to have a North Carolina where everyone can participate, I believe we need to make education our top priority.

I want to work with Gov. Cooper to ensure that we increase teacher pay to at least the national average, bring textbook funding back up from pre-recession levels and pass a bond referendum to rebuild our state’s classrooms. We need to take further steps to make education beyond high school more affordable; one step in that direction would be fully funding Gov. Cooper’s proposal of NC GROW, which would make community college affordable for every North Carolina high school graduate. We need to ensure we are appropriately funding our community colleges and trade schools and ensure that those attending our four-year institutions are not graduating with crippling debt.

Bill Toole
Bill Toole

Bill Toole (D):

North Carolina's political polarization is the biggest issue we face because it has distracted us from addressing North Carolina's very real problems with public education, health care and the environment. North Carolina citizens are frustrated by this dysfunction. I have a long professional and political history of working with members of all parties and constituencies to find common solutions to common issues wherever possible, while recognizing there are some issues where compromise is not possible.

John L. Ritter
John L. Ritter

John L. Ritter (R):

There are many important issues. In terms of those I could shape, I plan to focus a great deal of effort on promoting the trades. These jobs will be crucial to our economy and if we do not share with young people the value and opportunity the trades offer, we will not have enough skilled people to meet future demands. For example, the average age of an electrician is 55. This issue touches on education and economics. The lieutenant governor sits on the state school board and state community college board. This issue is at the crossroads of what I could successfully help shape as North Carolina's next lieutenant governor.

Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson (R):

Changing the culture in public education.

Buddy Bengel
Buddy Bengel

Buddy Bengel (R):

Making our state the most military friendly state for active-duty service members and veterans. We would do this by advocating to remove the tax on military pensions for veterans. In addition, I would help lead the efforts to reduce veteran suicides and keep our service members in North Carolina through workforce development programs. To make N.C. more military friendly we must ensure we thank these heroes and their families for making the ultimate sacrifice for our state and nation.

Chaz Beasley
Chaz Beasley

Chaz Beasley (D):

As the son of a single mother growing up in rural North Carolina, I could have become a statistic. Many families – particularly families of color still living the way I lived – struggle to overcome their circumstances. Still, I was able to beat the odds – in large part because of the public education I received.

Education transformed my life. I owe it to the next generation of North Carolinians to fight for our kids, our teachers, and our schools.

Our lieutenant governor serves on both the State Board of Education and the Board of Community Colleges. These two boards play a central role in our state’s education policy. As lieutenant governor, I will fight to ensure our schools are the best they can be. This includes paying our teachers what they deserve and giving our kids the resources they need.

Scott Stone
Scott Stone

Scott Stone (R):

One of the greatest threats to the safety and security of our communities today is our sheriffs who refuse to cooperate with federal law enforcement. I will continue to work to hold our elected officials accountable to uphold their sworn oaths of office, including honoring ICE detainers for illegal immigants - many of whom were arrested for violent crimes.

I would also utilize my business background having created jobs, along with my experience in the legislature, to bring increased efficiency to state government. This is something I do each day running my company; and we should expect the same level of accountability within our state government. We must do this by increasing transparency in government operations, creating metrics to drive accountability, and modernizing our technology.

Renee Ellmers
Renee Ellmers

Renee Ellmers (R):

Health care was a top issue in the 2018 elections, and it will be at the forefront of this year’s election. It’s a vital issue President Trump is committed to and something I worked on diligently in his administration under Secretary Azar. As Lieutenant Governor, I will force the issue with my Healthcare Task Force, which will produce legislation for the General Assembly to consider.

What’s a policy issue that you and the other party agree on?

Deborah Cochran
Deborah Cochran

Deborah Cochran (R):

Trades education is essential for N.C. to compete in global economy.

Greg Gebhardt
Greg Gebhardt

Greg Gebhardt (R):

While some may say that the two major political parties do not agree on much these days, I believe that both Republicans and Democrats agree on providing our children with a sound education. As a former substitute teacher and PTA president, I know the amazing work being done in our schools on a daily basis. However, I also know that we must continue to do more for the least of these. As a kid who grew up in a single parent household and received free and reduced lunches, I know that many time the issues we see in our schools are less a function of the system and more a function of what is going on in that child's home life; we must address the problem and not simply treat the symptom. I know Republicans and Democrats agree on doing what is best for our children when it comes to education.

Ronald L. Newton
Ronald L. Newton

Ronald L. Newton (D):

Rebuilding N.C.'s infrastructure. Connecting road ways, and putting fiberoptic wiring in the roads to ensure residents can have access to the super highway. I also believe that ground can be gained in the area of tax reform. Reducing the tax burden on average residents and working class North Carolinians. This would help to reduce the income inequality gap that now exists.

Andy Wells
Andy Wells

Andy Wells (R):

I think both Republicans and Democrats can agree we need to support our veterans and the soldiers who serve at our military bases like Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune and Seymour Johnson – though, sometimes, we may differ on the best ways to do that.

Allen Thomas
Allen Thomas

Allen Thomas (D):

I agree with the bipartisan "Raise the Age" legislation where 16- and 17-year-old children are no longer automatically charged as adults. I also believe we should go back and seal the records for most crimes committed before individuals turned 18.

Yvonne Lewis Holley
Yvonne Lewis Holley

Yvonne Lewis Holley (D):

Criminal justice reform. In order for people who have served in the criminal justice system to become viable citizens, there must be some criminal justice reform.

Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson (R):

Government is broken, and the political system has only looked out for itself.

Terry Van Duyn
Terry Van Duyn

Terry Van Duyn (D):

We place too much emphasis on high-stakes testing. Educators do not have the time for enrichment activities and student achievement suffers as a result. We also agree that funding models for education has to change to provide more support for low-wealth, rural counties. There are study groups in the General Assembly looking at these issues and I am hopeful we will get bipartisan proposals in the upcoming short session.

Additionally, the Carolina Cares approach to Medicaid expansion enjoys broad, bipartisan support in the House. I believe that a similar bill, if introduced by a Republican, would see the same support in the Senate. It would be great if we could move forward together and provide health care for over 500,000 North Carolinians.

Bill Toole
Bill Toole

Bill Toole (D):

In the Democratic primary, all the lieutenant governor candidates agree they will support Gov. Cooper's agenda.

John L. Ritter
John L. Ritter

John L. Ritter (R):

Criminal justice/prison reform

Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson (R):

Increasing care for United States veterans.

Buddy Bengel
Buddy Bengel

Buddy Bengel (R):

Criminal justice reform. The second chance initiative has worked with formerly incarcerated people to help them find work in our state. Our restaurants have worked with many formerly incarcerated citizens to help provide jobs and offer them the opportunity to create a better life for them and their families. This is an issue that we can work together on to help reduce recidivism and the burden on the taxpayers of North Carolina.

Chaz Beasley
Chaz Beasley

Chaz Beasley (D):

Almost two years ago, someone drugged a young lady’s drink in my home county. She reported this to law enforcement, only to learn that there was nothing they could do. What happened to her fell into a loophole in our state’s laws. I committed to her that we would work to fix the laws that were blocking survivors’ access to justice.

As a result, I created a bipartisan coalition of legislators and community stakeholders. The result was a bill to modernize our sexual assault laws. A majority of members in the N.C. House - both Democrats and Republicans – agreed to cosponsor the bill. It passed the House unanimously.

I then worked with my Republican and Democratic colleagues in the legislature to combine our House bill with others to create a comprehensive sexual assault and child protection bill. We were able to pass this groundbreaking bill unanimously in the House and Senate. I was proud to stand behind the Governor as he signed the bill into law.

Several loopholes, including the consent and incapacitation loopholes, are no more.

This effort is an example of using bipartisan agreement to deliver positive change without compromising my values. I will continue to do so as lieutenant governor.

Scott Stone
Scott Stone

Scott Stone (R):

Both parties agree we must continue to increase teacher pay in order to ensure competitiveness with other states. Unfortunately, Gov. Cooper has allowed politics to get in the way of our teachers getting the raises they deserve because of his veto. We all want higher salaries for teachers, understanding the increases must be sustainable. We don't want to ever cut salaries as took place during the Perdue adminstration.

Renee Ellmers
Renee Ellmers

Renee Ellmers (R):

I think we agree on how essential health care is to every family across North Carolina. Unlike other products and services, health care is something we will all need at some point – it is unavoidable. Democrats understand this, but their potential solutions are simply not feasible. It’s just not as simple as writing a fictional check that our children and grandchildren will have to sign. Instead of handing out insurance cards and pretending that solves the problem, I want to bring all the stakeholders together to work on real solutions to reduce cost, increase access, and improve quality. Simply by removing or reforming archaic laws and reducing the burden of sometimes nonsensical and anti-consumer government regulations, we can fix out health-care system with conservative solutions. On an entirely different issue – I was pleased to see the Democrat House of Representatives passed the USMCA trade agreement, even though they did drag their feet. Replacing the terrible NAFTA agreement that hurt so many North Carolina families is so essential that it cannot be subject to partisan politics.

Commissioner of Agriculture

What do you think is or is not working well under the current office-holder? If not, how would you change it if elected?

Walter Smith
Walter Smith

Walter Smith (D):

There are several areas that are not working well. There is a lack of diversity in the top leadership of the Department of Agriculture. (How can the department respond to the needs of all the people of North Carolina when over 30% are not represented?) The current office holder has failed to protect the family farmer (over the past decade North Carolina has been one of the leading states in the loss of family farms and farmland), has failed to protect our water supply (N.C. has more sites of toxic chemicals in drinking water than any other southeastern state), has not protected our domesticated animals (refuses to advocate for laws regulating puppy mills), and has failed our hungry (N.C. is one of the top 10 states in the number of citizens experiencing food insecurity). I will work closely with all of our partners in government, private business, and education to make family farms profitable again which will help to save family farms and revitalize rural areas; place more emphasis on programs and funding to protect our natural resources; implement more farm, town and community partnerships that will provide more food for the hungry and build the economy in those communities; and fight for a common-sense law regulating puppy mills. One of the first things I would change is to make the top leadership of the Department of Agriculture more reflective of the diversity of the population of this great state.

Jenna Wadsworth
Jenna Wadsworth

Jenna Wadsworth (D):

Rural North Carolina is being left behind. The truth is, it’s been that way for a while, and it happened on incumbent Steve Troxler's watch. Now, North Carolinians have a fighter who wants to be their champion. I am that fighter who faces the reality of where we are and who has the capacity to implement bold solutions to get us to where we need to go.

I’m offering North Carolina the chance to look forward: a chance to modernize our state’s biggest and most important industry. Over 95% of our farms are family-owned and family-run, but they need someone in this office who is truly there to support them — who will stand up and speak out.

I'm running on a progressive platform of supporting our small, family farmers; legalizing cannabis; reforming the hemp licensure process; combating climate change; advocating for farmworkers; and expanding both broadband access and healthcare options in our rural communities. The world is changing, and it’s time for North Carolina to change with it. The issues of today require us to address them with absolute urgency.

We’re building a movement for a new North Carolina. One that recognizes our strengths, gives a nod to our past, commits to being better for the benefit of our collective population, and inspires innovation.

Donovan Alexander Watson
Donovan Alexander Watson

Donovan Alexander Watson (D):

Current Commissioner Steve Troxler is undermining what agriculture means to North Carolina and its people. I voted for Troxler in 2012 and 2016; however the last four years have really made me reconsider. I am effectively the voice of thousands of farmers right now that are being attacked from the inside. One pressing issue is the lack of education in schools and communities about what agriculture means for our state and its work force. The State Farmers Market in Raleigh is under attack by Troxler and developers who want to bring in much needed upgrades however in doing so they do not have any renderings to complement the growth of the wholesale side of the market. This is critical if we are going to sustain the No. 1 food hub in North Carolina and the chain of events from farmers bringing goods into market, distributors taking product to schools, businesses, restaurants, military, grocery stores, farm stands, hotels, hospitals and charities to name a few. The market is a free enterprise, meaning it supports itself from the revenue that is generated; no state funding is needed to maintain the market in its current state. Phase 1 has already been funded and no one from the ag department has reached out to the wholesalers at all. Most wholesalers have a lease agreement in place that only covers them until 2024. The rest of the wholesalers are not on a lease and are paying month to month with much uncertainty of what lies ahead in the future. The 14-20 wholesalers who bring in over 100 million annually are essentially being traded for retail shops and zoned space for hotels & high end condos. This is unacceptable. If elected I will ensure we protect this vital part of North Carolina's economy.

There are 217 farmers' markets in North Carolina. By the end of my first term I hope to increase that number to 300.

The state currently controls three farmers' markets: one in Asheville, Greensboro, and Raleigh. I would propose the state's fourth farmers' market in Mecklenburg County just outside the Charlotte city limits.

Also looking at the books and turning a profit at the Asheville and Greensboro location as they have been losing money for years and wouldn't exist if it weren't for taxpayer dollars. My goal is to turn these locations into economic enterprises using the State Farmers Market in Raleigh as an example on building the self-sustained network of farmers, distributors, wholesalers, wholesale buyers, and everyday consumers. We will build relationships in the General Assembly to ensure we are passing legislation and making appropriate provisions to existing law that eliminates challenges to Agribusiness, agritourism and agripreneurs.

Marijuana legalization & regulation as modeled by other states to create more opportunities for our citizens and private-sector jobs.

Proposing two additional days at both the NC State Fairs (Mountain Fair & Raleigh Fair) to highlight North Carolina craft, microbrewery, and distilling industry. Using a fair bidding process for ride share companies to get folks home safely and working with the DPS to ensure all scenarios are presented to make this a successful highlight for our growing beer & distilling industry in North Carolina.
Each year of my first term I will visit and engage in activities at 100 public schools. At least 400 by the end of my first term. One-fifth of jobs in North Carolina are related to agriculture (17%).

What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected (or re-elected)?

Walter Smith
Walter Smith

Walter Smith (D):

There are actually two. The first is to save our family farms and revitalize rural communities and the second is to reduce the number of adults and children who go to bed hungry every night.

Jenna Wadsworth
Jenna Wadsworth

Jenna Wadsworth (D):

Climate change. I believe it is, indeed, real and is the most fundamental problem that will be faced by any of us in this lifetime. It is a dereliction of duty on the commissioner’s behalf to not admit that this is the root cause of so many of the problems our farming community faces — often resulting in dire circumstances, including the inability to produce crops and the eventual loss of the farm through bankruptcy, which has led to the highest number of farmer suicides we’ve ever seen. North Carolina’s farmers, coastal community, and our most vulnerable folks are on the frontlines of the fight against climate change. We need to build resiliency into both our farm and community planning, and move to more sustainable agricultural models and crops like those utilized in plant-based foods — while also focusing on soil health, as well as regenerative and value-added agriculture — in order to continue feeding our state and the rest of the world that is depending on us.

As the effects of climate change intensify, we're going to see an increase in the number of climate refugees seeking shelter and a chance to survive, so we need a leader who faces that reality and acts accordingly with bold solutions that take into account both equity and social justice.

Leadership starts from the top. If the Commissioner unapologetically declares that addressing the climate crisis as an urgent priority, it could go a long way in changing hearts and minds in the agricultural community. Farmers know there is something happening. It’s just hard for them to actively vocalize that concern if the leader they are depending on to help them "weather the storm" doesn’t have the political courage to buck his Party’s position that climate change is fake news. When the person at the top becomes complacent and stops looking for innovative solutions to our most pressing problems, it’s hard not to join him because ignoring the seemingly insurmountable problem feels slightly better than experiencing overwhelming despair and having to question if you played any role in where you are today.

I'm proud to have been endorsed by the Sierra Club, as well as the NC AFL-CIO, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, the Durham People's Alliance, and more than 70 current and former elected officials from across the state, including the last Democrat to hold this office: former Commissioner Britt Cobb, former NC Court of Appeals Judge Linda Stephens, and more than 20 sitting legislators. I’ll have the relationships from day one to begin implementing policies that will protect our natural resources and begin to combat climate change as we tackle environmental justice issues that have been neglected for far too long.

Donovan Alexander Watson
Donovan Alexander Watson

Donovan Alexander Watson (D):

The fact that we have lost 52,000 farms in North Carolina in the last 12 years. We have 46,000 left over 12 million acres of land. The average age of a farmer in the Old North State is 59. We must educate the youth on the impact of choosing agriculture for passive or a direct source of income. This is a $90 billion industry that I plan to increase to $100 billion by investing time and resources in all 100 counties. Creating jobs, social impact and bringing in restaurants and local businesses using successful models in place by cities and even the family business I took over from an honor system and turned into a million dollar c-corp in less than five years. Being a true example of what can be done is very important. Sharing information and knowledge with my fellow North Carolinians on how to make a profit in this States economy while creating jobs, bringing in tax revenue, a resource for schools, a social destination to visit and collaborate, and most importantly the access to food and fiber.

By definition in North Carolina a farmer is any person who can manufacture, grow, produce, or sell $1,000 of goods a year. Bare minimum threshold that I am excited to share with the whole state & putting "know how" in the hands of citizens who are willing to work hard to make a great living. It is possible, It is real.

We have a "You can be a farmer" program we will start on Day 1, beginning with our N.C. mountains and down east counties.

Using the forestry service and protected land to relocate farmers in low lying areas that are being devastated by natural disasters mainly due to Hurricanes and flood prone areas. Relocating these farms is the smart thing to do where possible.

Also opening up our state's first Christmas tree reservoir program for growers in off or down years to fill the gap. North Carolina's Christmas tree industry has taken a hit since 2009. Allegheny County will become our proof of concept county.

Saving generational farm families as I've done with my own family business. Using the know how and proof of concept to families across N.C. Many don't see potential, have little to no support, how to adapt to changes in consumer needs with a growing population of folks looking for what they once had in places they moved from, like apple picking for example. Lots of families in N.C. have great ambition to get back to the land but have no idea where to begin that is worth their time and limited resources. Often generational farm families will just pay the property tax and continue to hold onto an investment that as Commissioner of Agriculture I will make sure they get a return on and not sold out to another housing developer like Troxler is doing with our beloved State Farmers Market in Raleigh.

What’s a policy issue that you and the other party agree on?

Walter Smith
Walter Smith

Walter Smith (D):

The importance of finding local, national, and global markets for our agricultural products.

Jenna Wadsworth
Jenna Wadsworth

Jenna Wadsworth (D):

At this point, we agree on very little.

I grew up on a dirt road in Johnston County on my grandparents’ farm — where we raised hogs, cows, and chickens, and grew corn, cotton, tobacco, and soybeans. It is from that experience that I learned early on the value of hard work and the importance of the family farm in putting food on our tables and clothes on our backs.

While Republican Steve Troxler says that he too cares about our farmers, I've seen very little in the last few years that he has done to ensure our small, family farms can be competitive in this marketplace.

Troxler was elected in 2004. It’s been 16 years, and in that time, he has become complacent. He’s been bought and paid for by special interests and international corporations who are denigrating both our environment and the image of small farmers — who are, perhaps rather unfairly, being lumped together with a few bad actors down East — in a way that will forever cripple the ability to seek common ground and mutual understanding with both the consumers and lawmakers who overwhelmingly live in our urban cores.

Furthermore, we need to restore trust and accountability to the office advocating on behalf of our state's biggest and economically most important industry, as well as our consumers. In recent years, Troxler has been called out by our State Auditor for his and his Chief of Staff's misspending of $22,000 in taxpayer money on luxury hotels, valets, and luxury meals. Additionally, he took sizable campaign contributions from the N.C. Heritage PAC created by the racist Sons of Confederate Veterans group. He is also an honorable campaign chair on the NC campaign committee for the Trump/Pence 2020 race. None of that is acceptable to me.

North Carolinians deserve better from their leaders.

Donovan Alexander Watson
Donovan Alexander Watson

Donovan Alexander Watson (D):

We all have to eat! Agriculture is extremely important to the success of our economy and the well being of its people.

Commissioner of Insurance

What do you think is or is not working well under the current office-holder? If not, how would you change it if elected?

Ronald Pierce
Ronald Pierce

Ronald Pierce (R):

You didn't ask how many? None would be a short answer that is going in the favor of the citizens of NC. I will give a couple of examples. The current commissioner of insurance is not making insurance companies follow the laws that are already established in N.C. Case in point: The N.C. Rate Bureau was supposed to set the insurance premium rates for autos and property. Even after the insurance companies agree to what ever increases through the N.C. Rate Bureau the insurance companies go immediately around what they just agreed to and serve what is called a "Consent To Rate Letter" with the homeowners demanding usually 50% more. 85% of all policies in N.C. are consent to rate policies now. Since this is the case as I have just laid it out, why do we have the expense of the combined N.C. Rate Bureau? Next, the Department of Insurance has allowed the insurance companies to use people's credit ratings to base their policy rates on. Yet in accordance with NCGS 58-36 this is illegal. So why is this being allowed? Finally in the bail bond side of the Department of Insurance the corruption is wide and deep. The bail bond runners are more crooked then the people that they are bonding out of jail. I personally know of bail bond agents illegally taking property, autos and anything else of value, then turning around and putting the people back in jail. The Department of Insurance knows all about this yet they do nothing. The bail bondsmen do not have end of the year audits as they need to be in relation with the bonds that they post. This allows bail bondsmen to pocket all of the cash that people give them which breeds more corruption. And of course nothing happens. I could make and prove 1,000 such comparisons.

Mike Causey
Mike Causey

Mike Causey (R):

This is my first term as Commissioner of Insurance. My focus has been to increase efforts to fight fraud and corruption and reduce the red tape within the bureaucracy

What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected (or re-elected)?

Ronald Pierce
Ronald Pierce

Ronald Pierce (R):

I want to have an independent Inspector General's Office established in N.C. If I could not make this happen I would install a system within the Department of Insurance to root out corruption. Next I would have all employees at the department be evaluated on a yearly basis, then if they are not performing properly then they need to be replaced. Next I would get the house to pass a non-compete law to stop the laws from being changed in favor of the insurance companies then after these state employees go immediately to work at good paying jobs with the insurance companies that they just had the laws changed for. This is called corruption at all levels of the Department of Insurance and no one has addressed any of these yet I have many more.

Mike Causey
Mike Causey

Mike Causey (R):

Our citizens need an advocate in the Insurance Department and I have proven over the past four years that will stand up to the big insurance companies and will fight for the people for what's fair and right

What’s a policy issue that you and the other party agree on?

Ronald Pierce
Ronald Pierce

Ronald Pierce:

Candidate did not respond to the question.

Mike Causey
Mike Causey

Mike Causey (R):

The Senior Citizens Health Information Program to assist our seniors with information about Medicare and Medicaid and help with their prescription drugs Part D plan and assist with the various food banks across the state.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

What do you think is or is not working well under the current office-holder? If not, how would you change it if elected?

Jen Mangrum
Jen Mangrum

Jen Mangrum (D):

As of today, 1/18/20, our current superintendent is in the midst of a lawsuit regarding the unconventional procurement process he utilized when selecting a reading assessment tool. This tool was meant to enhance the reading initiative (Read to Achieve) which has failed our children consistently over the past five years.

I have 14 years of experience teaching children to read and more than 20 years coaching teachers in literacy instruction. I understand how children learn to read and how to assess their growth. If elected, I would form a panel of literacy experts from our North Carolina universities' schools of education, along with practicing reading specialists and classroom teachers to provide advice and feedback. I would participate in the discussion and I would require that the panel utilize the U.S. Department of Education's "What Works Clearinghouse"; a complete listing of reading assessment tools and reliable research rating each tool, to inform their thinking.

Reading instruction should be one of our highest priorities and one of our most expensive investments. My goals for literacy that will hopefully influence policy decisions are:

1) Repeal Read to Achieve.
2) Provide districts with exceptional professional development in the teaching of reading.
3) Advocate for better salaries for school personnel.
4) Advocate for full-time teacher assistants in grades K-3 for literacy instruction.
5) Advocate for literacy coaches for K-8.
6) Create a reading advisory panel, participate in process, follow through with recommendations.
7) Remove barriers that impede reading instruction at district and school levels.
8) Revise language on parent letters that is demeaning, ignorant and stigmatizing.
9) Revise N.C.'s vision for reading to focus on the joy and love of reading.
10) Provide resources that move N.C. closer to our vision.
11) Provide summer opportunities that are literacy rich in communities that are deprived of excellent summer programs and initiatives.

Craig Horn
Craig Horn

Craig Horn (R):

Too many students cannot read on grade level. We must focus on students and increase family engagement in order to achieve grade level literacy for all students.

Catherine Truitt
Catherine Truitt

Catherine Truitt (R):

Education policy in North Carolina should be a collaborative effort among the State Board of Education, the legislature, the Department of Public Instruction, and those educators in the trenches everyday -- teachers, administrators, and local superintendents.

Michael Maher
Michael Maher

Michael Maher (D):

As state superintendent, I would begin by reestablishing a productive relationship with the State Board of Education. Working together the superintendent and the State Board can establish statewide priorities and advocate together. I would also draw upon existing relationships within the General Assembly and local districts to further build support for our priorities.

Keith Sutton
Keith Sutton

Keith Sutton (D):

The current State Board of Education and current state superintendent have done some things well over the last few years. These include supporting a spirit of innovation by initiating several pilot programs and supporting those efforts with funding. One such example is the Advanced Teaching Roles Pilot. They have also sought to provide a more comprehensive framework for supporting the needs of all students by developing the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). In addition, they have sought to be more responsive to the needs of LEAs by providing data to districts in a timelier fashion to help with decision making and planning.

Opportunities for improvement exist in areas such as:
•A more intentional focus on equity, including clear definitions and recommendations for LEAs to operationalize equity.
•A more intentional focus on the needs of rural education. According to a recent report from the N.C. Public School Forum, North Carolina is second only to Texas as the state with the largest population of rural students.
•Providing operational and central office support to smaller district with fewer resources, particularly in areas like talent acquisition and management, capital planning, and developing school attendance zones.

James Barrett
James Barrett

James Barrett (D):

Mr. Johnson has repeatedly demonstrated how unqualified he is for the job by his lack of leadership skill. It is what has caused his unilateral decision-making, his fights with adults instead of working for students and teachers, and his inability to make meaningful change that our schools need. We need to rebuild DPI because he cut the parts of it that actually were being effective in delivering support to districts across the state, so that DPI has seen the flight of qualified administrators. We must restore respect to educators through effective advocacy and support for their needs, and bring a constant focus in the work on what’s best for kids — in all aspects of education, from great teachers who are treated like professionals to strong instruction to school safety to social-emotional learning to safe, healthy, and adequate facilities and supplies.

Mr. Johnson has damaged the relationship with the State Board of Education, and we need cooperative leadership to repair that. Without that, and without someone with depth and breadth of knowledge in education who has previously been an elected official serving as superintendent, it will be hard to bring about all the changes that the Leandro case requires North Carolina to implement. Most of the recommendations do not require General Assembly action, but making the changes will take a track record in using policy levers creatively and to their fullest extent, and strong leadership of the state board. That is what I bring — the ability to lead through my unique combination of skills in professional leadership of systemic change, my experience as an elected official in leadership and enacting school policies that respect teachers, and 15 years of advocacy experience, to improve all of our schools across the state.

What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected (or re-elected)?

Jen Mangrum
Jen Mangrum

Jen Mangrum (D):

We are in a crisis in regards to providing every classroom with a great teacher. As an experienced classroom teacher and teacher of teachers, I will promote the professionalizing of educational careers to grow the teaching force. For the first time in history, more than 50% of parents polled in the U.S. do not want their children to become teachers! Our federal and state government have demeaned the profession by reducing pay, removing career status, not paying educators for their advanced degrees, removing health benefits in retirement, mandating high-stakes testing and narrowing the curriculum, evaluating educators with test scores, reducing classroom autonomy, not listening to or giving educators a voice and underfunding school resources.

I will be the educators' champion! I will use the bully pulpit and my extensive classroom experience to change the narrative and increase the teacher pipeline. In addition, I will work tirelessly to increase the number of teachers of color. I believe we can do this by reaching potential candidates earlier - high school cadet programs. Require HBCUs be part of the Teaching Fellows Program, create a task force of teachers of color to help look at the barriers and make suggestions for change.

When we have a strong pool of teachers, many of our problems are solved.

Craig Horn
Craig Horn

Craig Horn (R):

Cooperation among all sectors, including families, in achieving education outcomes.

Catherine Truitt
Catherine Truitt

Catherine Truitt (R):

The school funding formula must be changed in order to create more equity for children who live in counties with a low tax base.

Michael Maher
Michael Maher

Michael Maher (D):

I believe the most important issue facing North Carolina is our lack of equity (racial and socioeconomic). Our lack of equity in North Carolina has the potential for long term economic damage to our state, and more importantly, it means that every day we deny our children the access and opportunity to reach their full potential. I would begin addressing this through comprehensive accountability reform. Equity policy begins with the elimination of school report cards, which assign a letter grade of A-F to a given school based primarily on a limited number of standardized assessments. Transitioning to a public accountability dashboard, which moves beyond test scores to measures of equity, including access to courses and programs; suspension rates; principal experience; school safety; and chronic absenteeism allows for a more comprehensive view of school performance. The data we collect will be used to highlight strengths, identify opportunities and areas of need, so we can focus our resources to improve the teaching and learning for all children.

Keith Sutton
Keith Sutton

Keith Sutton (D):

Among the biggest challenges facing North Carolina, improving and stabilizing our public education system is paramount. Going into 2020, the three most important challenges to improving and transforming education that I can influence are:
1. The proliferation of charter schools.
2. Bolstering investment and resources to low-wealth, rural communities.
3. Improving the recruitment and retention of educators of color.

James Barrett
James Barrett

James Barrett (D):

Nobody I talk with in our state believes that the current testing regime our students are under is acceptable. And the court-approved findings in the Leandro case indicate our system is not meeting constitutional muster. Students are stressed out. Teachers are stressed out. Testing affects an entire school, even those students not taking the tests who feel the stress around them (for example, they must play silently on the playground for multiple test days). The worst thing? These tests have no benefit — the data we get from the tests isn’t useful for students or teachers, and the only thing they tell us at a policy level is which schools have high numbers of students living in poverty. In fact, there is a negative benefit because we know there are schools that are doing great things but are still labeled as failures because the students started the year so far behind. That stigma creates hopelessness in both teachers and families.

When a policy has such clear high costs and zero benefit, we need to throw it out and start over. I support immediately removing all high stakes from our testing — no bonus pay for teachers, who have never been incentivized by false measurements to do things differently, and no retaining students based on tests that are not culturally relevant and have secret formulas for measuring students.

Teachers have always given tests to students. Students need assessments to know where they are against learning goals; teachers need assessments to know how to adjust their instruction. Since No Child Left Behind, we’ve agreed that policymakers need some data, but I believe it is the least important reason that we test, because the most important work is done by students and teachers. So, when designing our next vision for testing in North Carolina, we need student and teacher needs at the forefront. Standards-based grading is the best assessment mechanism I’ve seen that delivers immediate, concrete, actionable results to students and teachers. No longer do we have scale scores that barely show what a student has learned versus they did not. No longer do we have complicated growth metrics — instead, we can count the number of standards that a student masters in a year and determine how much they’ve learned. This is not an easy change project. We need a state superintendent who understands how to bring stakeholders (including the General Assembly) together to change this entire system and implement that change across all of our schools in a timely but thorough manner. I’ve done large-scale change work through my entire career, and with my understanding of school policy and constraints from being on the school board, I am ready on Day 1 to make a difference in this (and many other) key issues for our students and teachers.

What’s a policy issue that you and the other party agree on?

Jen Mangrum
Jen Mangrum

Jen Mangrum (D):

Both parties agree that educators deserve higher salaries.

Craig Horn
Craig Horn

Craig Horn (R):

Importance of early education.

Catherine Truitt
Catherine Truitt

Catherine Truitt (R):

Teachers in North Carolina work extremely hard and deserve to be treated like professionals.

Michael Maher
Michael Maher

Michael Maher (D):

Promoting innovation in public education. Innovation calls for change that increases opportunities for children and educators in our public schools. We must find better strategies for supporting our underperforming districts in North Carolina, while simultaneously building on successful pilot programs throughout our state. Innovation in practice supports educators and students in new ways, such as providing more autonomy in professional development, supporting entrepreneurial activities for teachers and students, and forging closer partnerships that support and build upon existing apprenticeship opportunities for students.

Keith Sutton
Keith Sutton

Keith Sutton (D):

Bolstering investment and resources to low-wealth, rural communities. According to a recent article in Education Dive, “North Carolina and Alabama are tied for second in terms of having the greatest needs among students in rural areas…”. Therefore, it is critical that we have a plan to address the needs and challenges experienced by rural communities.

James Barrett
James Barrett

James Barrett (D):

Ideally, we ought to be able to agree on what the North Carolina Constitution requires of our schools: “The General Assembly shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system of free public schools, which shall be maintained at least nine months in every year, and wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.” But I see no evidence that the Republican Party today believes in the “equal opportunities for all students” portion of this. Until we come to agreement on that (and I believe the current Leandro consent order goes a long way to defining that requirement), it will be difficult to find common ground. One thing I think we can all agree on is the need for all leaders in our system to be good stewards of public monies. We must ask with every financial decision what’s best for kids, and ensure that we are delivering what students need every time. In my local work, I got our district to release budgets in a new way that showed where our funding was actually being used. This transparency made it easy to clarify concerns such as whether we spend too much on athletics (less than 1% of our budget, so no). This transparency has helped increase trust that when we ask for additional funding from our local community, we truly need it to be successful for all students because we can show we are not wasting money. I look forward to ensuring that DPI is providing similar transparent data and governance information about how we manage the public’s resources, so that North Carolinians understand what we are delivering for students every day, which will increase support for our embattled schools and educators.

Secretary of State

What do you think is or is not working well under the current office-holder? If not, how would you change it if elected?

Chad Brown
Chad Brown

Chad Brown (R):

Cutting the red tape it takes to open a small business and help make it more efficient and steamlined through the process. Taking a hands-on approach.

What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected (or re-elected)?

Chad Brown
Chad Brown

Chad Brown (R):

Economic development / work on making small business of North Carolina a priority and working with a gov who cares about this issue.

What’s a policy issue that you and the other party agree on?

Chad Brown
Chad Brown

Chad Brown (R):

Working to keep vendors safe from others using counterfeit products and committing fraud.

Treasurer

What do you think is or is not working well under the current office-holder? If not, how would you change it if elected?

Matt Leatherman
Matt Leatherman

Matt Leatherman (D):

I am running on a three-part platform:

- Increasing access and equity in health care

- Valuing our educators and the work that they do with our children

- Strengthening the resilience of our communities

I have chosen these priorities because they reflect the office’s purpose, need urgent attention, and draw on my experience working in the office for former Treasurer Janet Cowell. Specifically:

- Health care. The Treasurer’s Office was instrumental in saving the life of my second child. My wife felt sick and worried about this pregnancy on a holiday and, after being unable to reach either the OB or our family doctor, it was the preventative care nurse of the State Health Plan – part of the Treasurer’s Office – who took her call and got her to the hospital just in time. She could make this call because she’s a public-school educator. Since then, the incumbent has cut preventative care in the State Health Plan everywhere that he can and also put rural clinics and hospitals at risk. Investing in preventative care, committing to health access, and working constantly to make health services more equitable are atop my priority list.

- Valuing educators and their work. Benefits are a part of educator compensation. We must provide a better health benefit, and we also must recommit to the retirement benefit. The incumbent has pulled $15 billion of retirement savings out of the investment markets – the equivalent of stashing it in the mattress – and retirement security lessens every day that this continues. Investing and earning a return so that we can fulfill our retirement promise to educators and civil servants is another priority.

- Community resilience. Every bond issued by or within North Carolina is managed by the Treasurer’s office. Right now, the incumbent largely sits in Raleigh and waits for communities to come explain their needs for clean drinking water, safe schools, and modern transportation networks. Our state needs strong infrastructure, and I will be a proactive partner with communities to identify upcoming needs and to ensure their funding, when the time comes.

Dimple Ajmera
Dimple Ajmera

Dimple Ajmera (D):

It's time we say 'NO' to a failed leadership. The incumbent state treasurer has gambled with over half a million lives for political points, disrespected our teachers and police chief, invested in a company that pollutes our water and put his political ambition over what’s right.

Numbers show that the issue of solvency of the state employee health insurance and retirement plans must be resolved. Employees should not have to live in fear that they may not have access to health care close to where they live. My approach would be to support our governor’s and legislators’ efforts to expand Medicaid and then negotiate with hospitals for reasonable and transparent costs for the State Health plan.

Ronnie Chatterji
Ronnie Chatterji

Ronnie Chatterji (D):

I believe that we can do a better job investing our public pension funds and managing our state employee health care system. Regarding our investment strategy, I would adopt a different approach than the current treasurer. First, I would hire a permanent chief investment officer and replace the employees who recently departed to make sure the treasurer has the best possible team to manage our state’s funds. Second, I would call for a comprehensive review of our asset allocation and estimate the impact of the Treasurer’s decision to hold billions of dollars in cash. Further, I would task my staff with incorporating environmental, social, and corporate governance concerns into our investment strategy. I would also implement a redesigned emerging managers program to increase the diversity of fund managers.

I would also be more active in using my power as a shareholder to influence the way companies to operate. Managing $100 billion is like having 100 billion votes on how the economy works and who it benefits. I will support shareholder resolutions to increase transparency around corporate involvement in elections by asking all companies that we invest in to disclose their political giving, including their dark money contributions. I will also support resolutions to diversify boards of directors. Finally, I will recommend that corporations taking N.C. pensions funds increase the voice of workers in board elections by allowing workers to elect 40% of board members. These ideas are just a few of the many ways we can use our shareholder power for the good of people in North Carolina and across the country.

Next, I would also adopt a different approach in managing our state employee health care system. I will advocate for the expansion of health care in North Carolina and ensure that the state health plan (managed by the Treasurer) refocuses on affordability and quality of care for our 720,000 state employees. Specifically, I will actively support the expansion of Medicaid across North Carolina. Expanding Medicaid will in turn provide a foundation to reform the State Health Plan. I will ensure that the State Health Plan pays for health care in smarter and more transparent ways. The overarching goal should be to align the billions we pay each year in health care costs with healthy outcomes for North Carolinians.

What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected (or re-elected)?

Matt Leatherman
Matt Leatherman

Matt Leatherman (D):

I think that the Treasurer's Office has the most practical impact on North Carolinians' daily lives of any position that we elect. The Treasurer is sole trustee of educators' and civil servants' $100-billion pension investments, oversees all infrastructure bought with a public bond, and sits on state boards from Education to Banking. Without health, though, we have nothing, and I believe that the Treasurer's ability to expand access and equity in health care is the biggest issue facing the office. As administrator of the 730,000-person State Health Plan, the Treasurer's Office is the biggest customer of doctors and hospitals after Medicare and Medicaid. With this market power comes an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure that doctors are ready to see patients in all 100 counties of North Carolina and that the services they offer are equitable to people of all races, identities, and economic backgrounds.

Dimple Ajmera
Dimple Ajmera

Dimple Ajmera (D):

The biggest issue the N.C. Treasurer can affect is effectively managing our $100 billion dollar pension fund and the $3 billion state employee health-care plan which serves more than 700,000 people. The Treasurer does not answer to a board of trustees and has not debated policy or investment decisions with a CIO. The Treasurer does answer to voters and they need to know the incumbent Treasurer has made a mistake that violated the most elemental principal of investing.

We need a Treasurer who has real experience managing the money. We cannot afford to make another mistake by electing someone without relevant experience.

Ronnie Chatterji
Ronnie Chatterji

Ronnie Chatterji (D):

In addition to the topics I discussed above, we must help more of our fellow citizens save for retirement. As treasurer, one of my legislative priorities will be the creation of individual retirement accounts for every North Carolinian. These accounts will be managed by the Treasurer’s Office and all North Carolina employers who do not currently offer a plan will be automatically enrolled. Employees can opt-out at any time and the Treasurer’s Office can leverage our expertise and scale to manage the accounts at low cost. We will incorporate lessons from other states that have been piloting these programs to ensure we offer the best possible product to the people of our state. By the end of my term, I want every North Carolinian to have some savings for retirement.

What’s a policy issue that you and the other party agree on?

Matt Leatherman
Matt Leatherman

Matt Leatherman (D):

Democrats and Republicans agree with me that the Treasurer has a responsibility to lead the State Health Plan in a way that increases access to health care and that Dale Folwell is failing on this count. Republican Sen. Jim Perry has stated the case very directly, for instance: "This is about more than numbers, however — this is also about people, and we can’t forget them. The people in the rural areas, the people of the East, have been forgotten too many times. This man made 'Health Care Hurricane' would be another round of devastation for the rural NC." (https://www.kinston.com/news/20190218/sen-jim-perry-work-together-to-avoid-health-care-hurricane)

Dimple Ajmera
Dimple Ajmera

Dimple Ajmera (D):

I agree with my opponent that there should be transparency in health-care costs. Unlike my opponent, however, I will sit down with health-care providers and negotiate a plan that will protect employees and state funds while at the same time being fair to health care providers rather than taking the position that only my way will work.

Ronnie Chatterji
Ronnie Chatterji

Ronnie Chatterji (D):

There is broad agreement between Democrats and Republicans that entrepreneurship and small business ownership provide a pathway to economic mobility. In my academic research, business consulting, and government experience, I have worked hard to promote entrepreneurship and small business development. The Kauffman Foundation has recognized me as a leader in developing insights that help entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. I frequently work with early-stage entrepreneurs to support the growth of their companies. As a White House economist for President Obama, I worked on the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and the Startup America Initiative. I currently serve on Gov. Cooper’s Entrepreneurial Council and advise the governor on policies to support entrepreneurship and small business. I expect to find common ground with other North Carolina leaders on policies to increase entrepreneurial education and financial literacy, provide mentorship and support for early-stage entrepreneurs and create a more entrepreneurial economy in our state.

Auditor

What do you think is or is not working well under the current office-holder? If not, how would you change it if elected?

Tim Hoegemeyer
Tim Hoegemeyer

Tim Hoegemeyer (R):

The current Auditor has not embraced the role of working with other agencies to promote good fiscal governance, thus losing much of the potential impact the office could have. The law gives the Auditor the opportunity, and even responsibility, to coordinate the audit efforts of not just her office but of all of state government. Right now, that is not happening because the current Auditor only sees the role of external auditor and has not had the vision to promote fiscal responsibility and good governance within state government. This can be done through education, relying on the internal auditors of the other agencies to handle smaller more routine audits (thus freeing the auditors of the State Auditor’s Office to concentrate on more impactful audits), and promoting audit themes throughout government to shine a light on systemic waste, inefficiencies, and ineffectiveness, and to promote solutions to those problems.

However, a cooperative leadership style does not mean turning the other way when fraud, waste, or abuse is present. Currently the office takes a passive approach to investigating fraud and waste by relying exclusively on a hotline to supply investigative leads. I plan to pursue it proactively like the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursues crime, by developing sources and using data analytics, among other techniques. While the Auditor’s Office has started using analytics, they are way behind the private sector that has been using it for many years.

In addition, the office does put out some audits with impact, but not nearly enough. Too many resources are expended conducting audits that just don’t have much bang for the buck. I would make sure the audits the office conducts are worthwhile and have a positive impact for North Carolina.

Beth A. Wood
Beth A. Wood

Beth A. Wood (D):

What has been done well under my administration are these things:

1.) The office has concentrated on the quality and impact of our audits, not the quantity. Producing a large number of audits with little to no impact on the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars is, in itself, wasteful spending.

2.) The Office consistently publishes audits with "irrefutable" findings which means no one can argue with the published findings, which means they have no choice but to "correct" the issues causing wasteful spending/use of taxpayer dollars.

3.) For the first time in the history of the Office, "every" audit & investigation is performed under budgets, deadlines & staff chargeable hours ensuring that the Office is producing timely audits/investigations, with irrefutable findings and the Office, itself, is being a good steward of the taxpayer dollars used to run this Office.

4). The Office has created a Data Analytics Division, within the last year, in order to use big data to identify, more quickly and accurately, significant amounts of money that are at risk for wasteful/inefficient spending/use. Additionally, the division is implementing the use of robotics that will allow technology to perform repetitive tasks that "were" performed by current staff. The use of robotics will free up the same staff to perform more, high impact audits.

Luis A. Toledo
Luis A. Toledo

Luis A. Toledo (D):

As a former assistant state auditor, I am very concerned about the falling levels of productivity under the current leadership and find it unacceptable that no audits have been conducted over the past four years to improve critical programs pertaining to public education, healthcare services, housing and natural disasters, the environment, or cybersecurity. I believe that the current office-holder lacks a proactive vision, is unwilling to report on disparities in the state, and is not utilizing available technologies effectively to assist in analyzing government operations. These issues are not acceptable as they prevent the state from bringing value to all North Carolinians.

If elected, I will be proactive and will publish an annual high-risk list of programs in the state that deserve the most attention and will focus performance audits in those areas, similar to the approach that guides the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). I am also committed to promoting more accountability by establishing new processes in the office that will help determine whether prior audit recommendations have been implemented. Additionally, I will become a bridge between federal government agencies and local communities to ensure that critical areas for improvement get proper attention at all levels. Furthermore, I will bring the Office of the State Auditor up to 21st century standards by elevating the usage of technology and data analytics to improve audit efficiency.

What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected (or re-elected)?

Tim Hoegemeyer
Tim Hoegemeyer

Tim Hoegemeyer (R):

The needs in our school system, Medicaid, and our state’s infrastructure, among many other areas, continue to put pressure on our state’s budget. This is a massive issue that is not going away. Finding savings, through shining the light on waste and inefficiencies will contribute significantly towards helping the legislature and governor find solutions to meet these budgetary challenges.

Beth A. Wood
Beth A. Wood

Beth A. Wood (D):

The biggest issue in North Carolina state government is the lack of accountability for how taxpayer dollars are being spent/used. To date, most state agencies, universities and community colleges can account for the tax payer dollars they are appropriated, the spending of the dollars and how much is left over. What most of them cannot account for is how effective was the spending of those moneys: Were the objectives met that were supposed to be met, did the agency/organization spend more than they should have to accomplish the objectives, were the objectives accomplished timely, were the citizens that are affected taken care of, etc., etc. Most state agencies/organizations spend their appropriated tax dollars without any real meaningful metrics in place to measure the "actual use" of the state's resources (taxpayer dollars) against what "should have been" used.

In my next term, the Office of the State Auditor will continue to target the most at risk dollars/resources to perform audits for wasteful spending/use and produce reports with irrefutable findings so that the governor, General Assembly and agency/organization heads will know what to correct to stop the wasteful spending/use of tax payer dollars.

Additionally, the Office of the State Auditor has just spent the last year creating a Data Analytics Division to help identify where the most dollars are at risk, more quickly and accurately and we have initiated the use of robotics to perform repetitive tasks, that were being performed by staff, which now frees them up to perform more impactful audits with the same number of staff.

Luis A. Toledo
Luis A. Toledo

Luis A. Toledo (D):

As State Auditor, the biggest issue I will be able to shape is driving a renewed focus on evidence-based policy making in the state by increasing transparency of state government operations and increasing usage of data analytics in the Auditor’s Office. Our state agencies and public universities maintain vast sets of data, and we have the technology now to connect those and see data in a new way to identify areas for improvement or potential fraud and abuse. Transparency is something I can promote by making non-sensitive government data on public education, healthcare services, housing, and the environment accessible to the general public, media, and academia for continuous analysis and monitoring. I am committed to ensuring accountability in our state through available methods that are not currently used.

What’s a policy issue that you and the other party agree on?

Tim Hoegemeyer
Tim Hoegemeyer

Tim Hoegemeyer (R):

Regardless of disagreements on how the state's resources should be spent, both parties should agree that we need to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money and every dollar spent by the government should accomplish the purpose for which it was designated.

Beth A. Wood
Beth A. Wood

Beth A. Wood (D):

A policy issue that I and the other party agree on is that, while the position of State Auditor has to run on a partisan ticket, the work that comes out of that Office should be objective, independent, pushes no political agendas, is factual and supported by evidence, and the findings are irrefutable so that the governor and the General Assembly have the information they need to make informed/educated decisions and, without any doubts, what changes/improvements they need to make.

Additionally, the other party and I agree that I, as State Auditor, have accomplished all of the above.

Luis A. Toledo
Luis A. Toledo

Luis A. Toledo (D):

I think we can all agree that protecting the taxpayers’ money is paramount to good governance.

Attorney General

What do you think is or is not working well under the current office-holder? If not, how would you change it if elected?

Sam Hayes
Sam Hayes

Sam Hayes (R):

As General Counsel for the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Treasurer, I represented the state in litigation when Roy Cooper and Josh Stein refused, despite their constitutional and statutory duty to do so. I have already been doing the work of the Attorney General, but I will do it better and more reliably than the current office holder. Rather than playing politics, I will let the Constitution be my guide.

Christine Mumma
Christine Mumma

Christine Mumma (R):

The term AG has come to mean “Aspiring Governor” in North Carolina instead of “Attorney General.” We’ve had decades of aspiring governors in that office and we need someone who is focused on being Attorney General and proactively tackling all of the issues, not just the ones that make headlines. I will work to change the culture of the Attorney General’s office so it is driven by principles, productivity, and proactive improvement – not politics.

What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected (or re-elected)?

Sam Hayes
Sam Hayes

Sam Hayes (R):

Josh Stein has failed to keep the citizens of North Carolina safe from criminal illegal aliens. As Attorney General, I will ask the General Assembly to resurrect HB 370, which would carry criminal penalties for those sanctuary sheriffs and other law enforcement officials who refuse to honor ICE detainers.

Christine Mumma
Christine Mumma

Christine Mumma (R):

There are many areas directly under the Attorney General’s jurisdiction, and many of them can be improved based on proactive leadership and stakeholder collaboration. First and foremost is the need for a more independent and scientific crime lab. In 2009, I pushed for legislation that preserved all rape kits, and as AG I’ll make sure that backlog is erased and justice is delivered to victims.

What’s a policy issue that you and the other party agree on?

Sam Hayes
Sam Hayes

Sam Hayes (R):

We agree on the need to clear the backlog of untested rape kits at the State Crime Lab. Unfortunately, Josh Stein and Roy Cooper before him have been derelict in their management of the Lab. As Attorney General, I will deploy resources to clear the backlog of approximately 15,000 untested rape kits and finally bring justice to the victims of sexual assault in this state. To accomplish this, I will assume direct responsibility for overseeing its operations. I will also work with the General Assembly to ensure that the resources are in place to avoid a backlog going forward.

Christine Mumma
Christine Mumma

Christine Mumma (R):

The opioid drug epidemic will continue to be a crisis and a high priority for me as Attorney General.

Candidate Info

Lieutenant Governor

Deborah Cochran

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyRepublican

EducationBachelor’s degree in business management, Gardner-Webb University; teaching licensure in business, marketing & information technology, N.C. State University.

Professional experienceBusiness teacher at JF Kennedy HS in Winston-Salem, 2015; former Mount Airy mayor, 2009-2015; former Mount Airy City Commissioner, 2007-2009; part-time instructor, Surry Community College 1990-2008; former radio broadcaster

Public offices held (if any)Mount Airy mayor, 2009 -2015; Mount Airy City Commissioner, 2007-2009

FamilySingle

Campaign websitevotecochranforncltgov.com

Greg Gebhardt

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyRepublican

EducationB.S., United States Military Academy at West Point; M.B.A., Florida International University

Professional experienceSmall business owner, business consultant, military officer

Public offices held (if any)None

FamilyWife, Carrie of 13 years; three young daughters, Ellie, Lainey, Evangelene Joy

Campaign websitewww.JoinTeamGreg.com

Ronald L. Newton

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyDemocrat

EducationB.A., criminal justice; B.A., political science; L.L.B. at aw

Professional experienceVice and narcotics officer, city of Durham; litigation investigator, Westchester County, N.Y.; business manager for AFSCME Local 77; regional director for National Hospitality Chain; CFO, Scarborough & Hargett Funeral Home; CEO & sole owner, State of the Art Financial Services; instructor at Durham Tech.

Public offices held (if any)Elected and served as president of Elmsford Union Free School District, 1980-83

FamilyMarried to Deborah Scarborough Newton, three children, eight grandchildren.

Campaign websiteelectronaldlnewton.com

Andy Wells

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyRepublican

EducationNorth Carolina State University, two bachelor of science degrees in engineering.

Professional experienceStarted and built a successful business. Prior to that I was a furniture manufacturing manager.

Public offices held (if any)NC Senate, 2015-present; N.C. House, 2013-2014

FamilySuzanne and I married after college and have raised three grown sons.

Campaign websitewww.andywells.org

Allen Thomas

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyDemocrat

EducationB.S., rehabilitation services, East Carolina University; M.A., executive leadership, Liberty University.

Professional experienceYouth counselor, N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice, 2010-2012; substance abuse counselor and educator, Louisburg College, 2012-2013; coordinator, Carolina Donor Services, 2013 to present

Public offices held (if any)Hoke County Commissioner, 2014 to present

FamilyOne 10 year old son, Andy Thomas.

Campaign websiteAllenThomasJr.com

Yvonne Lewis Holley

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyDemocrat

EducationB.A., political science, Howard University

Professional experience25 years as a procurement specialist for N.C. government

Public offices held (if any)State representative, District 38, since 2013

FamilyRep. Holley’s father was J.D. Lewis. Lewis was the first African American TV broadcaster in the Raleigh/Durham market. As director of minority affairs for WRAL-TV, J.D. Lewis is an iconic broadcasting legend, host and editorialist.

Campaign websiteyvonnelewisholley.com

Mark Johnson

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyRepublican

EducationListen to my constituents across all of North Carolina

Professional experienceDrive the changes working families need and deserve as your State Superintendent

Public offices held (if any)NC Superintendent of Public Instruction

FamilyWife and young daughter

Campaign websitewww.markjohnsonfornc.com

Terry Van Duyn

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyDemocrat

EducationB.A., University of Illinois; M.B.A., University of Connecticut

Professional experience2017-2019, Regional Director, Health and Human Services, Region 4 (Southeast)

Public offices held (if any)State Senate, 2014-Present

FamilyHusband: Ted, Daughter: Christine, Son: Theo

Campaign websitewww.VoteVanDuyn.com

Bill Toole

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyDemocrat

EducationJD/MBA, Wake Forest University School of Law and Wake Forest University Babcock School of Management, 1989; B.A, Haverford College, 1982; Bishop McGuinness High School, Winston-Salem, NC, 1977

Professional experience

Public offices held (if any) I served on Belmont City Council (Gaston County) between 2009 and 2013.

FamilyDivorced. Daughter, 27 years old

Campaign websitewww.votebilltoole.com

John L. Ritter

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyRepublican

EducationJ.D., UNC School of Law; B.A. Journalism UNC-CH; Associate of Arts, Montgomery Community College

Professional experienceTwelve years as a North Carolina licensed attorney in private practice.

Public offices held (if any)No previous office held

FamilySusan Moffitt Ritter and I have been married for nine years. We have a two year old son, Lucian.

Campaign websitejohnlritter.org

Mark Robinson

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyRepublican

EducationHigh School Graduate. 3.5 years of college credit.

Professional experienceProfessional management experience in manufacturing. Small business owner.

Public offices held (if any)None

FamilyTwo adult children and one 2-year-old grandson. I have been married for 30 years.

Campaign websitemarkrobinsonfornc.com

Buddy Bengel

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyRepublican

EducationNew Bern High School, Quinnipiac University B.S. Business Management

Professional experienceFormer professional baseball player, sports team owner, restauranteur, philanthropist, and entrepreneur

Public offices held (if any)None, like our President Donald Trump before he was elected.

FamilyMother, father, sister, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and extended family

Campaign websitewww.buddyfornc.com

Chaz Beasley

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyDemocrat

EducationHarvard (AB, with high honors in Economics); Georgetown Law (JD)

Professional experienceAttorney in the financial industry; previously worked on staff in the U.S. Senate and N.C. Supreme Court

Public offices held (if any)Current state representative, N.C. House District 92

FamilyRaised by a single mother, Chaz lives in Mecklenburg County with his dog, Kennedy

Campaign websiteChazBeasley.com

Scott Stone

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyRepublican

EducationB.S., civil engineering, Clarkson University; M.B.A., Marymount University

Professional experiencePresident - American Engineering (2012 - Present) Founder of civil engineering firm start-up in Charlotte which has grown to 60 people and three offices, performing work throughout the Southeast. Previous Roles VP / National Practice Director - Merrick & Co SVP / National Practice Manager - ARCADIS

Public offices held (if any)North Carolina House of Representatives - District 105

FamilyTwo daughters - senior at UNC Chapel Hill, sophomore at NC State

Campaign websitewww.ElectScottStone.com

Renee Ellmers

RaceLieutenant Governor

PartyRepublican

EducationOakland University, Rochester, MI - B.S. Nursing, 1990

Professional experience1990-2010, Registered Nurse; 2011-2017, Member, U.S. House of Representatives; 2017-2019, Regional Director, Health and Human Services, Region 4 (Southeast)

Public offices held (if any)U.S. House of Representatives, 2011-2017

FamilyBrent Ellmers, husband, 57; Ben Ellmers, son, 24

Campaign websitewww.ReneeEllmers.com

Commissioner of Agriculture

Walter Smith

RaceCommissioner of Agriculture

PartyDemocrat

EducationB.S. agricultural engineering, N.C. State University

Professional experienceField office manager for U.S. Deptartment of Agriculture; high school vocational agriculture teacher; mayor of the town of Boonville, and currently own and operate a small farm

Public offices held (if any)Town Council and mayor

FamilyI have a brother and sister, two sons, and two grandchildren

Campaign websitewww.VoteWalterSmith.com

Jenna Wadsworth

RaceCommissioner of Agriculture

PartyDemocrat

EducationGraduated Magna Cum Laude from N.C. State University with majors in political science — with a concentration in American Politics — and Women’s and Gender Studies and a minor in English. Graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in Durham.

Professional experienceSoil & Water Supervisor; small business owner; co-founder & former co-director of progressive nonprofit New Leaders Council - North Carolina; hobby farmer

Public offices held (if any)Vice-Chair, Wake County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors (Elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2014 & 2018.)

FamilyMy rescued black lab, Lucy Liu.

Campaign websitewww.JennaWadsworth.com

Donovan Alexander Watson

RaceCommissioner of Agriculture

PartyDemocrat

Education15 years of business experience. Only one in family of 20 that didn't go to college

Professional experienceCEO of Perkins Orchard, the largest and oldest produce market in Durham. 50th season begins March 16th, 2020. One of the largest farmers' markets in the Triangle next to the State Farmers Market in Raleigh.

Public offices held (if any)None, This would be my first if elected.

FamilySingle, very supportive family members. Grandma, mom, dad, uncle, cousins, aunts, etc. The patriarch of the family passed Oct. 19, 2019. My beloved grandfather who was well known in the community through his religious work. He also founded the business I took over. Dr. Joseph Ellis Perkins.

Campaign websiteWatsonfornc.com

Commissioner of Insurance

Ronald Pierce

RaceCommissioner of Insurance

PartyRepublican

EducationAssociate or equivalent

Professional experienceFederal licensed helicopter and jumbo jet mechanic with an A&P license, I came to Charlotte 33 years ago. I was the helicopter mechanic for then Charlotte Memorial. I then went to work for then US Airways. I passed N.C. general contractors exam "commercial" in 1999 and S.C. in 2001. I own my own construction companies. I specialize in making insurance companies pay properly on insurance claims in associated with putting homes back together after a fire or water loss. Unlike even the currant Commissioner of Insurance I actually know insurance law insurance policies to include building codes and bail bond law.

Public offices held (if any)None

FamilyWife and two grown daughters

Campaign websitepierce4insurance.com

Mike Causey

RaceCommissioner of Insurance

PartyRepublican

EducationAssociate's in Civil Engineering from Wake County; B.A. in Business Administration, High Point University

Professional experience25 years in the insurance industry; four years in the NC Department of Transportation

Public offices held (if any)NC Commissioner of Insurance, first elective office

FamilyMarried to Hisa K. Causey, one adult daughter

Campaign websitewww.mikecauseync.com

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Jen Mangrum

RaceSuperintendent of Public Instruction

PartyDemocrat

EducationB.A., elementary education, UNCW; M.Ed., early childhood education, ECU; Ph.D. curriculum and instruction, UNC Greensboro.

Professional experienceElementary classroom teacher, Onslow County Schools, 1987-1989; elementary classroom teacher, Guilford County Schools, 1989-1999; elementary school literacy facilitator, Guilford County Schools, 1999-2001; National Paideia Faculty, National Paideia Center, 1999-present; district coordinator, Guilford County Schools, 2003-2004; coordinator for the N.C. State Elementary Education Initiative, N.C. State, 2004-2006; assistant professor in elementary education, N.C. State, 2006-2008; assistant professor in teacher education, UNC Greensboro, 2008-2017; associate professor in teacher education, UNC-Greensboro, 2017-2020.

Public offices held (if any)n/a

Family2 daughters; Halle Mangrum (25) Lily Mangrum (19)

Campaign websitejenmangrumfornc.com

Craig Horn

RaceSuperintendent of Public Instruction

PartyRepublican

EducationIndiana University, Syracuse University, University College at University of Maryland

Professional experienceNorth Carolina General Assembly, 2011-2020; co-chairman of House Education Appropriations; House Education Policy for K-12; Joint Legislative Education Oversight; Joint Task Force on Education Finance; and Program Evaluation Oversight.

Public offices held (if any)Laurel City Council,1974-1979; North Carolina House of Representatives, 2011-2020

FamilyWife, Lorraine, four grown children and seven grandchildren

Campaign websitehttps://www.horn4ncschools.com/

Catherine Truitt

RaceSuperintendent of Public Instruction

PartyRepublican

EducationB.A., English; M.Ed.

Professional experience10 years as a classroom teacher; three years as a turnaround coach in low-performing schools; senior adviser on education for Gov. Pat McCrory; associate vice president of P-12 Partnerships at the UNC System Office; Chancellor of nonprofit Western Governors University NC

Public offices held (if any)none

FamilyJeff Truitt, spouse of 25 years; three children in Wake County Public Schools

Campaign websitecatherinetruitt.com

Michael Maher

RaceSuperintendent of Public Instruction

PartyDemocrat

EducationPh.D., N.C. State, M.Ed., N.C. State; B.S. - Belmont Abbey College

Professional experienceHigh school teacher (Kernersville, Raleigh); college professor (Saint Augustine's College); assistant dean (N.C. State)

Public offices held (if any)None

FamilyWife, Catherine; daughter, Madeline; daughter, Megan

Campaign websitehttps://www.maherfornc.com/

Keith Sutton

RaceSuperintendent of Public Instruction

PartyDemocrat

EducationB.A. Industrial Relations - University of North Carolina; M.A. Ed. Education Entrepreneurship - University of Pennsylvania

Professional experienceEducation Innovation Consultant - FocusED, LLC Program Director - BEST NC Policy Development Analyst/Program Dev. Coordinator - NC Department of Public Safety Legislative Affairs Manager - NC Department of Juvenile Justice Deputy Director/Outreach Director - NC Democratic Party/Bev Perdue Committee President/Chief Executive Officer - Triangle Urban League Executive Director - North Carolina NAACP

Public offices held (if any)Wake County Board of Education

FamilyDivorced; Two daughters; Alexia (22); Makayla (17)

Campaign websitewww.votekeithsutton.com

James Barrett

RaceSuperintendent of Public Instruction

PartyDemocrat

EducationB.S.,The College of William and Mary with a double major in mathematics and computer science

Professional experience24 years at IBM, leading IT and systemic change projects of up to $500M annual spend; web development; and managing high-performing teams of up to 100 people. Five years at Lenovo (current job), leading transformational and organizational change efforts across all server sellers.

Public offices held (if any)Eight years on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education, including two as chair, leading policy development, overseeing budgets that must always be balanced, driving voter approval of bonds to renovate our older school buildings while also increasing capacity, leading a superintendent search and supervising the superintendent, and ensuring that our community values and voice are represented in professional district efforts.

FamilyMarried. Both of our children attended Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools from first through twelfth grades (our younger child will graduate this year)—the same district that I grew up in, my mother taught in, and for which I served on the school board. My wife is a Raleigh native and also a product of our public schools and daughter of a professor and a former English teacher; both of us grew up under Gov. Hunt’s education leadership.

Campaign websitehttps://barrettforschools.com

Secretary of State

Chad Brown

RaceSecretary of State

PartyRepublican

EducationNorth Greenville College

Professional experiencePro baseball player/territory manager for Pa Steel

Public offices held (if any)County commissioner, Gaston; mayor of Stanley

FamilyTwo kids, Chandler, 13, Luke, 10

Campaign websitewww.electchadbrown.com

Treasurer

Matt Leatherman

RaceTreasurer

PartyDemocrat

EducationB.A., UNC-Chapel Hill and M.A., Columbia University

Professional experienceI was policy director for former State Treasurer Janet Cowell, a role in which I spotlighted school construction needs, found innovative solutions for expanding health care access, and implemented a long-term stewardship policy for the roughly $100 billion in assets managed by the Treasurer’s office. Now I work as research director for Focusing Capital on the Long Term (www.fcltglobal.org), a non-profit research organization committed to investing in the real economy. Pension investors who manage hundreds of billions of dollars have relied on my recent writings about financial risk management and investment contracting.

Public offices held (if any)None

FamilyMy wife, Keisha, and I have two children, Maya (5) and Josie (3).

Campaign websitewww.MattForNC.com

Dimple Ajmera

RaceTreasurer

PartyDemocrat

Education206-08 BS Accounting, University of Southern California (USC) 2014 Fellowship, Institute of Political Leadership, North Carolina 2011 Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Professional experience2011 - 2017 TIAA/CREF, Strategic Program Management (Charlotte, NC) 2009 - 2011 Yardi Systems, Investment Management Implementations (Santa Barbara, CA) 2006 - 2008 Deloitte & Touche, LLP, Lead Tax Consultant (Los Angeles, CA)

Public offices held (if any)Charlotte City Councilwoman (unanimously appointed to district seat 2016; twice elected At-Large in 2017 and 2019) Charlotte Housing Authority Commissioner

FamilyMarried to Dr. Vaibhav "B" Bajaj

Campaign websitewww.DimpleAjmera.com

Ronnie Chatterji

RaceTreasurer

PartyDemocrat

EducationCornell University, B.A.; The University of California, Berkeley, Ph.D.

Professional experienceProfessor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Sanford School of Public Policy; President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers; Gov. Cooper’s Entrepreneurial Council; NC FIRST Commission member (appointed statewide commission on infrastructure)

Public offices held (if any)N/A

FamilyMarried with three kids aged 7, 5, and 3.

Campaign websiteronniechatterji.com

Auditor

Tim Hoegemeyer

RaceAuditor

PartyRepublican

EducationCampbell University, juris doctorate; N.C. State University, master's in public administration; Northwestern University, B.S. communications/political science

Professional experienceOfficer, United States Marine Corps; banker with BB&T; 12 years as general counsel to the Office of the State Auditor (oversaw the Fraud Waste and Abuse Investigative Division); certified fraud examiner, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)

Public offices held (if any)This is my first foray into politics

FamilyWife Jennifer (married 21 years); Sons Levi (15) and Canaan (14); and daughter Eden (10)

Campaign websitewww.hoege4auditor.com

Beth A. Wood

RaceAuditor

PartyDemocrat

EducationBachelor of Science Degree in Accounting

Professional experience33 years a practicing CPA (I am the only candidate that is a CPA) 23 years experience in governmental auditing & accounting 22 years in the Office of the State Auditor with 11 years as the state auditor & 11 years training state auditor's staff 11 years in corporate America; 3+ years/cost accountant; 3+ years/CFO; 4+ years auditing local governments/huge nonprofits & performing performance audits. While training the State Auditor's staff, I taught CPAs across the nation statistical sampling, how to audit federal grants, internal controls, how to perform risk-based audits, financial audit topics, etc.

Public offices held (if any)NC Office of the State Auditor

FamilyHusband - Sam Sparks

Campaign websitehttps://bethwoodcampaign.com

Luis A. Toledo

RaceAuditor

PartyDemocrat

EducationBachelor’s in Business Administration and Cybersecurity from University of Texas, San Antonio Master's in Public Administration from Syracuse University

Professional experienceCurrent Audit Manager at Ernst & Young Current Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at Elon University Certified Information Systems Auditor Certified Public Manager Former Assistant State Auditor in North Carolina (recipient of Best Audit in the Nation) Former Budget & Tax Policy Analyst at North Carolina Justice Center Former Presidential Management Fellow at U.S. State Department and Pentagon U.S. Air Force Veteran

Public offices held (if any)Assistant State Auditor of North Carolina Presidential Management Fellow - U.S. State Department

FamilyProud father of three children, one in daycare and two that attend public schools

Campaign websitehttps://www.luistoledofornc.com/

Attorney General

Sam Hayes

RaceAttorney General

PartyRepublican

EducationB.A. in economics, UNC Chapel Hill, 1994; Juris Doctor, Wake Forest University School of Law, 1998

Professional experience

Public offices held (if any)N/A

FamilyAdriane Hayes, spouse; Anna Hayes, daughter; and Walker Hayes, son

Campaign websitesamhayesfornc.com

Christine Mumma

RaceAttorney General

PartyRepublican

EducationJD, UNC-Chapel Hill; B.S. in Business Administration, UNC-Chapel Hill

Professional experienceBusiness and Finance with Northern Telecom (Nortel); executive director of Chief Justice's Criminal Justice Standards Commission; Public Service Attorney; adjunct professor, UNC Chapel-Hill; policy work with the N.C. General Assembly; representation and exoneration of nine innocent North Carolina citizens; board member, Institute on Constitutional Law; commissioner, Indigent Defense Services; presentations nationally on best practices for law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary, and defense.

Public offices held (if any)Unsuccessful Republican run for NC Senate, 2004

FamilyHusband, Mitch (married 34 years); daughter Samantha (31); son Kyle (29); daughter Madison (26)

Campaign websiteChristineMumma.com

For more North Carolina government and politics news, listen to the Domecast politics podcast from The News & Observer and the NC Insider. You can find it on Megaphone, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.