2022 General Voter Guide: N.C. Senate

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Neither of the two candidates who could represent eastern Buncombe County in the N.C. Senate actually lives within the county’s bounds. Following recent redistricting, District 46 now combines that part of Buncombe with Burke and McDowell counties; incumbent Republican Sen. Warren Daniel lives in Morganton, while Democratic challenger Billy Martin is a City Council member in Marion.

The new District 46 includes many Buncombe voters who are currently represented by Republican Sen. Chuck Edwards in District 48, as well as some from the current District 49. Voters are encouraged to check their sample ballots at avl.mx/6nq before heading to the polls to confirm their new districts.

The smaller District 49, still represented by Democratic Sen. Julie Mayfield, contains the city of Asheville and the remainder of Buncombe County. Mayfield is seeking a second term in the seat and is opposed by Republican John Anderson, a small-business owner and first-time candidate.

District 46

District 49

District 46

Warren Daniel

Website: DanielForSenate.com
Occupation: Attorney
Previous candidacy or offices held: Current member of N.C. Senate
Key endorsements: State Employees’ Association of North Carolina, National Rifle Association
Amount of money raised: This information is publicly available through the state Board of Elections.
Top three donors: This information is publicly available through the state Board of Elections.

Warren DanielNorth Carolina currently has a substantial budget surplus, much of which is being set aside in “rainy-day fund” reserves. What approach do you believe state government should take toward those funds? As a result of conservative fiscal management by the Republican majority in the General Assembly, our state’s economy has been thriving over the past decade, and we have experienced six consecutive budget surpluses. Remembering that all state revenues belong to the taxpayers and that surplus funds are “one-time” money, a surplus should be used to lower tax rates, increase the savings in our reserves, and fund critical infrastructure needs like broadband, water/sewer projects and building repairs and renovations.

What actions can state government take to improve health care quality and availability in Western North Carolina? In June of this year, the N.C. Senate took a major step toward improving health care in WNC by passing HB 149, which would expand the Medicaid program and make other much-needed reforms to the way health care is delivered. Now we need the N.C. House to pass it as well. If HB149 doesn’t pass by the end of 2022, I expect work to continue on Medicaid expansion during the 2023 long session.

What do you believe is the top issue facing North Carolina’s teachers, and what should state government do about it? I think most teachers would say that bureaucratic mandates and testing requirements consume too much of their time and take away from their main mission to prepare the next generation. We need to involve teachers and parents and incorporate that input into policy decisions on the front end, so that any changes in education are balanced and effective. We should also increase support for wraparound services for students that help alleviate some of the demands teachers face in the classroom.

What specific state budget allocations will you seek for WNC? In general terms, we need to see continued state investments in broadband, water/sewer grants and the transportation needs of WNC. These types of investments will help create a better business environment and more opportunity across our region and will also be beneficial to our thriving mountain tourism industry.

How do you approach engaging with and learning about the concerns of your constituents? I like to meet and develop personal relationships with local elected officials, law enforcement agencies, business leaders and school officials at the K-12, university and community college levels.  My goal is for my legislative staff and me to provide the highest level of constituent services possible.  Constituents may contact my office by phone, email or even through social media messaging.  I also keep my constituents informed of what the General Assembly is doing through an email newsletter.

Billy Martin

Martin did not respond to multiple requests for participation in the Xpress Voter Guide.

District 49

John AndersonJohn Anderson

Website: JohnAnderson4NCSenate.com
Occupation: Director of operations for CMTC, a private nonprofit corporation providing consulting services to the manufacturing sector (retired); small-business owner; biochemist
Previous candidacy or offices held: None
Key endorsements: National Federation of Independent Businesses North Carolina PAC
Amount of money raised: $1,050.47
Top three donors: Betty Tucker, Donald Reilly, Steven Porter

North Carolina currently has a substantial budget surplus, much of which is being set aside in “rainy-day fund” reserves. What approach do you believe state government should take toward those funds? The importance of having adequate savings cannot be overstated: We learned that lesson in 2008, when North Carolina had depleted its reserve and was unprepared for the economic downturn. That led to severe budget cuts, including furloughs for state employees and pay cuts for teachers. By contrast, thanks to the General Assembly’s prudent fiscal management over the last decade (which has led to record savings reserves), North Carolina was well-prepared for the COVID-related contraction of the economy.

What actions can state government take to improve health care quality and availability in Western North Carolina? Repeal North Carolina’s certificate of need laws. Essentially government-sanctioned monopolies, CON laws require health care providers to get special permission from the state before they can add or expand facilities and services. This is a costly process and can take years. And a recent study by Duke University shows that CON laws are associated with higher spending, fewer hospitals and hospital beds per capita, and longer emergency room wait times.

What do you believe is the top issue facing North Carolina’s teachers, and what should state government do about it? We need to reform our archaic compensation structure and assure teachers that they are valued resources and a key to our children’s success. We need to address the vacancy rate.  Currently, teachers are paid based solely on how many years they have been on the job, not on merit, advanced education or excellence. We need to incentivize good teachers to stay in the profession. I will work with teachers for solutions to improve education resources at all levels.

What specific state budget allocations will you seek for WNC? Among other things, I would advocate for increased teacher salary supplements in lower-wealth counties in WNC to help attract and retain high-quality teachers; increase the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Clean Water Management Trust Fund; and grow funding for landslide mapping, the WNC Crime Lab and the WNC Ag Center. Expand the water and sewer system to reduce environmental impact on the French Broad River and attract high-paying manufacturing to the area.

How do you approach engaging with and learning about the concerns of your constituents? Accessibility and transparency are key, so I will hold “office hours” one Friday and Saturday each month, a quarterly “town hall” and expand social media connections with District 49 residents to learn about their concerns. I will also send out monthly welcome letters to all newly registered voters, providing my contact information and a list of available constituent services. In addition to resolving constituents’ issues, I’ll publish those issues and resolutions quarterly, detailing the results and the services available.

Julie MayfieldJulie Mayfield

Website: MayfieldForNCSenate.com
Occupation: Co-director, MountainTrue; N.C. state senator for District 49
Previous candidacy or offices held: Asheville City Council, 2015-20
Key endorsements: Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood Votes South Atlantic, Equality NC, NC State AFL-CIO, N.C. Association of Educators
Amount of money raised: $84,500
Top three donors: Mack Pearsall, Roger Derrough, Cypress Solar NC PAC

North Carolina currently has a substantial budget surplus, much of which is being set aside in “rainy-day fund” reserves. What approach do you believe state government should take toward those funds? We are experiencing a time of plenty, and while we should prepare for down times, I believe we should put more of the surplus to work to meet the state’s overwhelming needs: health care, education, infrastructure, affordable housing, salaries for state workers, etc.  There is a reluctance to invest more in ongoing expenses like salaries because the Republicans passed tax cuts last year that will start to reduce revenues, but meanwhile, people and workers suffer from the lack of additional investment.

What actions can state government take to improve health care quality and availability in Western North Carolina? First and foremost, expand Medicaid, which would cover tens of thousands more people in our region and bring millions more to our economy.  We also need to cover the gap between Medicaid reimbursement and the actual cost of products and services to ensure more physician practices are available to serve the increase in Medicaid patients. Second, much more investment in our mental health and disability support systems. Third, expand the pipeline of nursing and other health care professionals.

What do you believe is the top issue facing North Carolina’s teachers, and what should state government do about it? The top issue here is the ongoing and systematic effort to undermine public education — including its people, services and infrastructure — that results in teachers feeling unsupported, disrespected and disinvested in the system. The Leandro report lays out a path of investments that would go a long way to righting the ship, but the Republican leadership continues to defy a court order to make these investments. The system can only be fixed with additional resources that accurately reflect its value.

What specific state budget allocations will you seek for WNC? The city of Asheville and Buncombe County have requested investments in infrastructure such as McCormick Field, the municipal golf course, stormwater projects and infrastructure to support the proposed Ferry Road development. I have sought and will again seek funding for these, as well as other projects such as Homeward Bound’s Home Is Key permanent supportive housing project and the YMI renovation.

How do you approach engaging with and learning about the concerns of your constituents? I make myself available in many ways, including through my legislative office (phone, email, newsletter), my campaign (phone and email), Messenger, Facebook, events and just being out and about. I will resume local “office hours” at Grind AVL in 2023, and the Buncombe County delegation will likely hold town hall meetings periodically throughout the session as well. I help literally hundreds of people each year with concerns and complaints and invite anyone to contact me about any issue.

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4 thoughts on “2022 General Voter Guide: N.C. Senate

  1. tinkerer

    Candidate replied, “Top three donors: This information is publicly available through the state Board of Elections.”

    In the future, can Mountan X find this data? If it’s available through a website, please link it. Thanks!

      • tinkerer

        I totally understand why MX wouldn’t publish the data.
        The link you provided is very helpful. It at least gives an order of magnitude, despite the age of the data… I just had no idea how to navigate the SBOE’s website to find this. Thank you

        The TLDR for anyone that reads this comment:

        $___351 Aggregated Contributions from Individuals
        $38,050 Contributions from Individuals
        $58,800 Other Political Committees (such as PACs)
        $__1,300 Refunds/Reimbursements To the Committee
        —————————————————–
        $98,501 Warren Daniel’s Total as of June 30, 2022 report

        For context, Julie Mayfield raised $66,338.73 by the same date.
        https://cf.ncsbe.gov/CFOrgLkup/DocumentGeneralResult/?SID=STA-Z7FZ16-C-001&OGID=39985

  2. Matt Dinsmore

    There is no way in Hell that I would vote for any candidate who would take the time to answer certain questions, but intentionally avoid others—specifically those involving the sources of their raised funds. There is no valid reason to dodge these questions.

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