Who’s Running for North Carolina Lieutenant Governor?
The North Carolina lieutenant governor’s office is an essential position in the state government, serving as the second-highest elected official in the state. The lieutenant governor assumes the office of the governor if the governor is unable to serve and plays a crucial role in various state initiatives. The election for the lieutenant governor of North Carolina is just around the corner, and several candidates are vying for the position.
Candidates Running for Lieutenant Governor
As of the current deadline, nine candidates have announced their intention to run for North Carolina lieutenant governor. The candidates include:
- Democrat:
- Yvonne Lewis Holley, current president of the Wake County Commissioners
- Dr. Jessica Holmes, a member of the North Carolina State Board of Education
- Judge Michael R. Robinson, a superior court judge in Wake County
- Republican:
- Mark Robinson, a businessman and politician who served as the President of the North Carolina Board of Education
- Gene Malone, a retired military officer and businessman
- Holly Poff Banks, a former district attorney in North Carolina
- Libertarian:
- Dr. Carl R. Collins III, a retired army officer and businessman
- Steven Walker, a software engineer and small business owner
- Independent:
- Alex Monroe, a writer and small business owner
Background of the Candidates
Here is a brief overview of the candidates’ backgrounds:
- Yvonne Lewis Holley is a lifelong Democrat with over 20 years of experience in public service. She has served as the president of the Wake County Commissioners since 2015 and has been a vocal advocate for education and social justice.
- Dr. Jessica Holmes is a physician and educator who has dedicated her career to improving education and healthcare in North Carolina. She has served on the North Carolina State Board of Education since 2017 and has been a strong advocate for expanding access to healthcare.
- Judge Michael R. Robinson is a respected superior court judge with over 20 years of experience in the legal system. He has presided over thousands of cases and has been recognized for his commitment to fairness and impartiality.
- Mark Robinson is a businessman and politician who has spent his career advocating for conservative values. He served as the President of the North Carolina Board of Education from 2017 to 2019 and has been a vocal critic of socialism and government overreach.
- Gene Malone is a retired military officer with over 20 years of service in the US Army. He has also worked in business and has been involved in various community organizations.
- Holly Poff Banks is a former district attorney who has dedicated her career to law enforcement and public service. She has worked as a prosecutor and has been involved in various community organizations.
- Dr. Carl R. Collins III is a retired army officer with over 20 years of service. He has also worked in business and has been involved in various community organizations.
- Steven Walker is a software engineer and small business owner who has been involved in various community organizations. He is a strong advocate for individual liberties and limited government.
- Alex Monroe is a writer and small business owner who has been involved in various community organizations. He is a strong advocate for individual freedoms and limited government.
Issues and Positions
Each of the candidates has outlined their positions on various issues affecting North Carolina, including education, healthcare, and the economy. Some of the key issues include:
- Education: Many of the candidates have emphasized the importance of increasing funding for public schools, improving teacher salaries, and expanding access to vocational training and apprenticeships.
- Healthcare: Several candidates have advocated for expanding access to healthcare, improving mental health services, and reducing the cost of healthcare.
- Economy: Candidates have debated the best approach to growing the economy, including increasing funding for infrastructure projects, reducing taxes, and supporting small businesses.
- Abortion: Several candidates have taken strong stances on abortion, including Mark Robinson, who has expressed opposition to abortion in all cases.
Table: Candidate Positions on Key Issues
| Issue | Yvonne Lewis Holley | Dr. Jessica Holmes | Judge Michael R. Robinson | Mark Robinson | Gene Malone | Holly Poff Banks | Dr. Carl R. Collins III | Steven Walker | Alex Monroe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Increase funding, improve teacher salaries | Expand access to vocational training, apprenticeships | No position | Cut funding, prioritize private schools | No position | No position | Voucher system | Reduce bureaucracy, increase funding | Charter schools |
| Healthcare | Expand access, improve mental health services | Increase funding, reduce cost | No position | Repeal Affordable Care Act | No position | No position | Repeal Affordable Care Act | Reduce government interference, increase competition | Medicaid expansion |
| Economy | Increase funding for infrastructure, reduce taxes | Support small businesses, reduce bureaucracy | No position | Cut government spending, reduce taxes | No position | No position | Repeal estate tax, reduce taxes | Reduce government interference, increase competition | Reduce regulations, increase funding |
| Abortion | Support access, but with restrictions | Support access, but with restrictions | No position | Oppose all forms of abortion | No position | No position | Oppose all forms of abortion | Oppose government interference, individual freedom | Oppose all forms of abortion |
Conclusion
The election for North Carolina lieutenant governor is an important one, as the next lieutenant governor will play a crucial role in shaping the state’s education, healthcare, and economic policies. With nine candidates vying for the position, voters have a diverse range of options to choose from. By understanding each candidate’s background, positions, and priorities, voters can make an informed decision and ensure that the next lieutenant governor is best equipped to serve the people of North Carolina.
