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Who’s running for office in 2024—and what issues do they plan to take to the legislature?
Whether you love it or hate it, election year is here again. And before you push off the primary election March 5, keep in mind local and state elects have far more impact on your day-to-day spending and rights than anything going down in DC.
This year, with the newly redrawn maps giving the Republicans an upper hand in four new districts and several controversial issues up for debate in DC, new names and faces are popping up on the Wake County ballot, along with some familiars who’ve either previously run or held office. Between the redrawn districts and such critical issues as constitutional rights, reproductive rights, education reform, infrastructure and border security—as well as Gov. Cooper hitting his term limit—it’s more crucial than ever to identify your values, research candidates and vote. Here, our cheat sheet summarizing the campaigns for races in Wake County Districts 2, 4 and 13 so you can rock the vote.
District Disorder
This fall, the Republican-led legislature passed redrawn congressional districts, giving Republicans the possibility of holding 11 districts instead of the previous seven. The NC NAACP and Common Cause are currently suing GOP leaders on the basis of racial gerrymandering, asking the court to create new districts “for use no later than the 2026 general election and beyond.” Quick civics class refresher: Gerrymandering is when a partisan group manipulates the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor one party. And NC has been a trailblazer in this illegal redistricting practice since the landmark case Shaw v. Reno.
District 2: Leans Democrat
Deborah Ross (I, D)
Continue to fight for fairness, equality & progress
Michael Camero (D)
Improve access to quality education & skills training; generate economic growth; increase transparency in government
Robert Morales (R), COR Manager
Cut wasteful spending; secure funds for cancer research; promote community engagement
Alan Swain (R), Ret. Artillery Officer
Protect voter & election integrity; improve health care; immigration reform; right to bear arms
Eugene Douglass (R), Ret. College Teacher
Protect human life at all costs; lower taxes; enforce immigration laws
District 4: Leans Democrat
Valerie Foushee (I, D)
Continue to bring equity to all communities & fight systemic racism; increased environmental regulations; quality health care for all
Mahesh “Max” Ganorkar (R), Home designer
Tax reform “MAXtaxtomy”; Tea Party patriot; tighten immigration & election policies
Eric Blankenburg (R), U.S. Air Force veteran
Improve infrastructure; revitalize underprivileged communities; bring overseas jobs back to U.S.
Guy Meilleur (L), Arborist
Allow parents & teachers to make education decisions; enable more free enterprise & health care choices
District 13: Leans Republican
Chris Baker (R), Truck driver
Put America first; defend constitutional liberties
DeVan Barbour (R), Cornerstone Employee Benefits co-founder
Continue Trump’s America First agenda
Kelly Daughtry (R), Attorney
No updated platform*; prev. campaigned for military & law enforcement; secure the border
Marcus Dellinger (R)
Cut unnecessary spending; federal spending accountability; update & secure infrastructure
David Dixon (R), Former NC State director of global partnerships
Cut wasteful spending; secure the border; up govt. accountability
Brad Knott (R), Former fed. prosecutor
Secure the border; stand with Israel; protect the unborn; end wasteful spending
Steve A. Von Loor (R), Von Loor & Sloof Energy CEO/founder
Protect unborn; “safeguard kids from perils of radical gender ideology”; support 1st & 2nd Amendments
Josh McConkey (R), Physician and U.S. Air Force Reserves Col.
Promote national security; address the opioid crisis; implement sound monetary policies
James Phillips (R)
Filed; no public platform
Siddhanth Sharma (R), Accountant
Lower taxes & gas prices; introduce a required one-minute prayer time in public schools
Matt Shoemaker (R), U.S. Navy Reserve Agency Lt.
Lower taxes; secure the border; safeguard from weak military policies
Eric Stevenson (R), Navy veteran
Improve public education; boost the local economy; “ensure no child goes to bed hungry”
Fred Von Canon (R), Maverick Solutions owner
Secure the border; pull out of endless wars; regain energy independence
Kenny Xu (R), Color Us United Pres.
End Critical Race Theory in schools; zero out DEI nationally; support small businesses
Frank Pierce (D), Small business owner
Protect public education; end gun violence; promote access to affordable health care
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