It’s election season once again! Here, who’s thrown their hat in the ring for NC Governor—and a snapshot of the issues they’re campaigning around.
While we may not cast our votes for the general election until Nov. 5, the gubernatorial race is heating up and the primary election is upon us (aka March 5). The filing period is officially closed and the candidates are set. (Note: Incumbent Gov. Cooper has reached his two-term limit and cannot run again).
Before you push off the primary election, remember state elects have far more impact on your day-to-day spending and rights than anything going down on a national level. Here, we’ve done the hard work for you—so study up on the candidates before you cast your ballot.
Josh Stein (D) Former State Attorney General Safer schools and communities; healthier families & personal freedom
Mike Morgan (D) Former State Supreme Court Justice Accessible/affordable health care; criminal justice reform
Gary Foxx (D) Student & teacher safety; law enforcement training & community involvement
Chrelle Booker (D) Town of Tryon Mayor Pro Tem Filed; no public platform
Dale Folwell (R) Republican State Treasurer Culture of common sense, courtesy, humility & humanity
Mark Robinson (R) Republican Lt. Gov. No current platform available; has shown support for tax cuts, law enforcement & a six-week abortion ban, plus antipathy for LGBTQ+ activism
Bill Graham (R) Former aide to Sen. Jesse Helms and private attorney Immediate tax relief to NC families; fight crime; empower parents & students in education
Mike Ross (L) Cramerton financial planner Eliminate NC’s influence on public education curriculum; support police; protect public via law enforcement transparency
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
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
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
