Election 2020

Election2020

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

East area school board candidates talk issues

To find out what district you are in, find your polling place and view your sample ballot, go to vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ and search for your name.

N.C. House District 76

By Carl Blankenship carl.blankenship@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Two newcomers are competing for the east area seat on the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education.

Former East Rowan High School head baseball coach Brian Hightower and former RSS administrator Kathy McDuffie Sanborn are both seeking the seat currently held by incumbent Josh Wagner, who is not running for a third term.

Hightower, 49, now teaches physical education at East Iredell Elementary School and announced his candidacy before the filing period. Hightower is known for his successful run at the helm of East Rowan’s baseball team and his controversial 2019 ousting as coach.

Sanborn, 61, retired in 2013 as the district’s director of education and started her own business in 2014.

She returned to the district in temporary posts as interim principal for Salisbury High School, North Rowan Middle School, Overton Elementary School and administrator at Koontz Elementary. She also was interim exceptional children director twice.

The East area seat that Hightower and Sanborn are seeking covers the following schools: East Rowan High, Erwin Middle, Granite Quarry Elementary, Morgan Elementary, Rockwell Elementary and Shive Elementary. The winning candidate in the Nov. 3 election will receive a four-year term on the school board. While the person represents a specified district, all voters who live in Rowan County and outside of the Kannapolis City Schools district get to vote in the Hightower-Sanborn race.

Opening schools Hightower said he supports schools being open for more in-person instruction.

He said schools are doing the best they can to give students a quality education under the circumstances and he would be in favor of opening

See East, 2B

Cooper says state must base future decisions on science

Forest wants full reopening of economy

By Natalie Anderson natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

Rep. Harry Warren

Al Heggins

N.C. House District 77

Rep. Julia Howard

Keith Townsend

N.C. Senate

School consolidation Hightower is not in favor of consolidation, with a catch.

He said there are several small communities in the east area and the schools are important to them. Hightower said he would be interested in meeting with east area leaders to collaborate on a consolidation plan, but he would vote against consolidation if the community opposed it.

Hightower said he wants to work with small communities to accommodate their unique needs. If there is no consolidation plan, the district needs to make existing schools work with its budget.

“We didn’t do it the right way the first time,” Hightower said.

Sanborn does not oppose consolidation.

“I think we do have to look at consolidation because we can’t continue to support the aged buildings,” Sanborn said.

Sanborn said the buildings could pose safety issues to students and staff as well as tie up money that could be used better in other places.

“Beyond looking at the studies that have been done, I believe we need to talk to our parents, our community leaders, our school staff before we make final consolidation decisions. I do think it’s got to be on the table.”

1B

salisburypost.com

news@salisburypost.com

Sen. Carl Ford

Tarsha Ellis

Warren, Heggins differ on COVID-19 response, Medicaid expansion

By Natalie Anderson natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

viously represented the 77th District. He’ll be challenged in the upcoming general election by former Salisbury Mayor and current Mayor Pro Tem Al Heggins, SALISBURY — While both who’s a Democrat. candidates running to represent Heggins made history in 2017 the 76th House District agree when she was the first Black female COVID-19 has exacerbated issues mayor in the city of Salisbury and in education and health care, they the first Black woman to serve on the disagree on the expansion of Medcity council. icaid and how state health officials As COVID-19 has dominated polhave led the pandemic response.

Rep. Harry Warren, a Republican, was icy decisions this year, it will shape many elected to serve District 76, which includes of the issues to be addressed moving forRowan County, in 2018. But he’s been a See District 76, 4B member of the House since 2010 and pre-

SALISBURY — While Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, cites a record of progress for the state, he believes there’s more to be done, which will include basing future decisions on science and data. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, if elected governor, wants to completely reopen the economy and focus on getting people back to work.

Cooper and Forest are vying for the governorship of North Carolina, which entails overseeing the state budget, signing bills into law and managing the executive branch.

Cooper Cooper previously served in the state House, state Senate and as the state’s attorney general.

Forest, a Republican, is serving his second term as the state’s lieutenant governor. Before that, Forest worked as an architect and served as an office president and senior partner at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, the largest architectural firm in North Carolina.

Both candidates responded to questions sent by the Salisbury Post.

Cooper said he wants to continue building on his mission, which is to have a state where “peoForest ple are better educated, healthier and have more money in their pockets so that there will be more opportunities for people to have lives of purpose and abundance.”

But before the economy can fully recover, Cooper said the pandemic has to be dealt with first. That includes sticking with science and leaders who take the virus seriously. And his decisions regarding the pandemic response, he said, have been ones based on science and data.

He credited North Carolinians with slowing of the spread of the virus, and said he and other state leaders have helped the unemployed, schools, teachers and small businesses. He referenced his executive orders prohibiting utility shutoffs as well as providing additional funds for small businesses across the state.

“We have taken a dimmer switch approach to all decisions,” Cooper said. “These decisions aren’t easy, but by making them, we’ve been able to work to stabilize the virus. I am committed to getting us through this pandemic, as well as rebuilding North Carolina even stronger than before.”

Forest said the top three issues to prioritize for the state includes creating jobs, putting students first and protecting law and order. Forest supports fully reopening the economy as well as protecting students’ school choice options.

“So many of society’s ills can be cured by a good job,” Forest said. “We need to make sure that all parts of our state have the infrastructure needed

See Governor, 6B

In 13th Congressional District race, Budd, Huffman differ on government’s role in COVID-19 help

By Ben Stansell ben.stansell@salisburypost.com S A L I S BU RY — A lthough Rep. Ted Budd asserts that he’s still an outsider in Washington, he’s served a full term and is nearing the end of his second as District 13’s congressional representative.

Now, Budd, a Republican, is seeking reelection against challenger Scott Huffman, a Democrat and

business owner who is running for this office for the first time, just as Budd did four years ago. Their parties and platforms differ greatly, but both candidates tout plans that they believe will help constituents in the 13th District who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Budd, a native of Davie County, said that stimulating the economy is critical in helping the country re-

cover from the economic ails brought on by coronavirus.

“Now it’s about reopening the economy safely and restoring our economy and getting it back to the levels and beyond what we even had before,” Budd said.

Budd’s desire to spur economic growth during the pandemic was reflected in a bill he recently introduced to the congress floor. Dubbed the “Make

PPE in America Act,” the bipartisan legislation seeks to bolster the manufacturing of personal protective equipment in the U.S. “I’ve already introduced over 25 different bills to deal with different aspects of the economy and particularly with the pandemic, getting Americans back to work, safeguarding Americans from epidemics, bringing the production of PPE back to the U.S.,” Budd

said. “We’re in a health crisis. We don’t need to be reaching out to China where the virus came from for them to provide us with PPE.” Huffman, a native of Spencer who lives in Cabarrus County, also wants to stimulate business growth, but says he’s disappointed in how the federal government has handled the COVID-19 pandemic thus far. Huffman said he wants

to see more help provided by the federal government to individuals as well as businesses.

“I believe our tax dollars are supposed to go to our government, invest in our government, and when there’s a rainy day like what we’re experiencing they’re supposed to hand out umbrellas to help us get through this storm,”

See Congress, 6B

2B • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

SALISBURY POST

East

Board of Education

Continued from 1B schools four days a week with Wednesdays still reserved for cleaning and teacher work days if county metrics remain steady.

Hightower said he would not oppose returning to all remote learning if COVID-19 numbers deteriorate over the course of the fall semester.

“I really feel like the school system has done a great job dealing with what they have,” Hightower said, referencing benefits of the one-to-one device policy when public schools were ordered to close in March.

“They’re running themselves ragged, but they’re doing a great job,” Hightower said. “You can’t say enough about how we’ve been able to adapt.”

Hightower said he is doubtful about a vaccine for COVID-19 being made available soon and that he’s concerned about the coming cold weather and flu season.

Sanborn said each family should be able to decide how their child attends school during COVID-19.

Sanborn has two children learning in-person in other counties. She said families have been given choices to enroll virtually or in-person with blended learning.

“I think every family has to look at the benefits and the risks, and then make the decision that is best for their child,” Sanborn said.

In a perfect world with lower numbers and contained spread of COVID-19, Sanborn said she would like all students to have the option to return to fulltime instruction because that would be best for most students.

Sanborn wants to keep Summit Academy available as a virtual option for families who think that return is not what’s best for their child.

Competency-based education H i g htowe r s a id h e thinks competency-based education is a good idea, but not currently realistic.

Hightower said teachers are always working with

East seat

What is your opinion on consolidation?

Brian Hightower Challenger Address: 514 S. Main St., Granite Quarry Age: 49 Occupation: Teacher Education: Bachelor’s degree, Catawba College

Kathy McDuffie Sanborn Challenger Address: 425 Eastland Dr., Salisbury Age: 61 Occupation: Retired Education: UNCC master’s degree, App State undergrad

the kids that are struggling. He said the model could provide some benefits for K-5 students if the district invests in more people because everyone enters kindergarten at different levels.

“They need help, because it’s not realistic sometimes to think that one teacher can take 22 different learning levels and be able to get them all on the same page,” Hightower said.

Hightower said the district may need to hold a student back a grade level to put them in a position to be successful.

“I look at it as nothing different than a college student taking five years to complete four years of college,” Hightower said. “It really shouldn’t be frowned upon.”

Hightower said students need to be prepared for the real world and college professors will not cater to their way of learning.

Sanborn is in favor of competency-based education.

“I think there’s a lot of benefits with competency-based education,” Sanborn said, adding it allows students to work on their strengths and need to move

Are you in favor of competency-based education?

What do you think the district should do with its renewal status?

Hightower wants to consult with the community, but if the community opposes consolidation he would as well.

Hightower thinks it is a good idea, but not realistic. He said it would not be realistic for a teacher to teach so many levels, though it could work for K-5 students.

Hightower does not like the renewal status and thinks the district should get rid of it. He said he is not a fan of standardized tests, but thinks they set a standard.

Sanborn does not oppose consolidation and described it as a safety issue that also ties up money that could be better used in other places.

Sanborn is in favor of competency-based education and thinks it could benefit students by allowing them to achieve mastery at their own pace. She thinks staff has to have the capacity they need to implement it and families need to understand it as well

Sanborn likes the flexibility renewal gives the district to make local decisions like setting its own calendar.

She said she wants RSS to continue to operate a district with district-wide expectations and oversight.

toward mastery at their own pace.

She said some students may need a slowed pace while others need an accelerated pace to prevent boredom. She said it could help with student engagement, different learning styles and is more aligned with real-world experiences that vary between students.

“I believe that competency-based could be a benefit for our students, but again we have to do more research, we have to make sure that we understand it as a district, as how it’s going to be implemented and how best to support our students with this type of education.”

Sanborn said staff has to have the capacity, skill level and understanding of competency-based education to implement it. She said families and students need to understand it as well.

“There’s got to be some expectations built in,” Sanborn said.

scribe himself as a fan of standardized testing, Hightower said he thinks they set a good standard for how districts are graded. They also affect who wants to move here, Hightower said. A district with poor test results is not attractive to people who may want to move here. The same is true for businesses, he said, which leads to economic impacts.

“Let’s do what everybody else in the state is and let’s compete,” Hightower said. “I don’t like standardized tests. There’s no doubt I don’t like them, but that’s the way they grade you and those test scores are important no matter what anybody says.”

Baseball is still a major part of Hightower’s life, and he drew a comparison between eliminating standardized testing and playing baseball without keeping score.

Hightower says he does not think anything positive has come out of renewal.

“I was at East Rowan before Dr. Moody got in here, Renewal and we were blowing test scores out of the water,” Hightower wants the Hightower said.

RSS Superintendent district’s renewal status to Lynn Moody, who is retirgo away.

While he doesn’t de- ing, is a vocal opponent to

standardized testing. The district is using its renewal status to explore alternate ways of assessing students and plans to roll out a pilot with short, specially designed tests called “verifiers” that show whether a student has mastered a concept and is ready to move to the next level in a subject.

Standardized tests were waived by the federal government this spring amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

So there are no test results for the district from last semester.

Sanborn likes the flexibility renewal gives the district to make local decisions and she noted the advantages of the district being able to set its own calendar.

“Calendar and schedule has been a nightmare for years,” Sanborn said, “even when I was director of high schools, with high school students not finishing the first semester and having exams until late January.

So that kind of flexibility is a strength.”

For most districts, the state sets the earliest possible start date in mid-August each year. Some districts can receive a waiver to start a week early if they

show a need to do so. The waivers are commonly given to districts in mountainous parts of the state with more adverse winter weather.

While RSS can set its own calendar, it opted to start on Aug. 17 like most other districts in the state this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It started early in 2019.

Sanborn said she wants RSS to continue to operate as a district, with district-wide expectations and oversight in place, instead of a collection of schools heading in different directions.

“We can get there different ways, but we still need to have that same focus,” Sanborn said.

Sanborn said the county is a relatively mobile community. If one child moved between two elementary schools without continuity, that student could lose ground during the switch.

Each school has created its own renewal plan about how it intends to use the freedoms and the district created a “directional system” that revolves around interpersonal skills, academic skills and unique life goals.

After incumbent concedes, Studer unopposed for the southeast area school board seat

By Carl Blankenship

carl.blankenship@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Jennifer Studer, a local nurse, will be on the ballot along with incumbent Susan Cox for the southeast area seat on the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education. However, she’s received the endorsement of incumbent Cox, who says she’s conceding the race.

Cox originally did not prepare to run for reelec-

tion, but filed after no one else stepped up. After meeting with Studer, Cox decided she wou ld Cox be a good fit for the board and decided to put her support behind the nurse instead of competing for the seat. It was too late for Cox to get her name off the ballot in August.

S t u d e r, 43, said she sees the positives of consolidation like focusing resources, but also Studer understands the sense of community identity as well.

“I know there’s a call for change, but we just need to be sure the whole picture is being put into focus and decisions are not

based solely on money,” Studer said.

She believes students are being provided a safe environment in class right now, but the district needs to remain cognizant of COVID-19.

As a nurse, Studer said she teaches patients about the importance of hand washing. Studer said she would like to see an increase in in-person school days and an eventual return to full-time, in-person

instruction.

“I think virtual is suitable for some, but not most,” Studer said.

She is interested in competency-based learning. Studer said she wants to see what works with pilot programs the district will be launching in the near future and will not take for granted that the district will need to make adjustments. “ I v i ew c o mp e te n cy-based as more than

10 facts about voting during COVID-19 Staff Report The following are 10 facts and suggestions about voting during the COVID-19 pandemic from the N.C. Board of Elections.

• In 2020, three voting options are available for voters: absentee by-mail, in-person early voting and Election Day voting. Voters can decide which option works best for them.

• Through a new partnership, NC Division of Motor Vehicles’ customers may now apply online to register to vote or update their voter registration address and political affiliation.

• Voters who cast their ballots in person in 2020 will find numerous safeguards in place at early voting locations and Election Day precincts. They include: social distancing, free hand sanitizer and single-use pens, personal protective equipment for poll workers and frequent cleaning of voting sites and equipment.

• In-person voters are strongly encouraged to wear masks while at their polling place. Free masks will be available at all voting sites.

• North Carolina allows all voters to cast an absentee ballot by mail. No

special circumstance is needed. Registered voters may request a ballot for the November 2020 general election online through the Absentee In-person vot- B a l lo t R e Portal, ers are strongly quest or fill out the North Caroliencouraged Absentee to wear masks na B a l lo t R e while at their quest Form.

Return the polling place. form by mail, fax or Free masks will email, in person to be available at your county board of elecall voting sites. tions.

• Based on recommendations from the State Board of Elections, the N.C. General Assembly passed laws in 2020 to simplify absentee by-mail voting, including reducing the ballot witnessing requirement from two people to one, allowing requests to be submitted by email, fax and online.

• The North Carolina Task Force on

Elections and COVID-19 Response first met in March 2020. Made up of state and county elections officials and an Emergency Management representative, the group is providing advice on steps necessary to respond to the pandemic and ensure voting is safe and accessible in 2020.

• State elections officials worked closely with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to provide guidance for health protections at voting sites. DHHS also issued guidance to allow multipartisan assistance teams (MATs) to assist voters who are patients or residents in facilities such as hospitals and residential care facilities to register to vote or request an absentee ballot.

• The federal CARES Act of 2020 is providing $13.1 million to North Carolina. The money is being used to help the 100 counties to conduct elections during the pandemic.

• Elections officials encourage North Carolinians to serve their communities and democracy as election workers in 2020. We need the public’s help to make elections safe and accessible – now more than ever. Fill out an interest survey at bit.ly/democracyhero.

knowledge transfer and the ability to simply recall information,” Studer said.

Studer said testing does not demonstrate mastery.

Studer said renewal gives the district the ability to perform a higher level of service and the district needs to strive to illustrate the advantages of renewal to the community.

“I just don’t think people know what has been accomplished with renewal,” Studer said.

School board seats and schools North Area: Kevin Jones (2018-2022) — North Rowan High, North Rowan Middle, North Rowan Elementary and Hanford-Dole Elementary.

West Area: Travis Allen (2018-2022) — West Rowan High, West Rowan Middle, Hurley Elementary, Mt. Ulla Elementary and West Rowan Elementary.

Salisbury Area: Alisha Byrd-Clark (2016-2020) — Salisbury Hight, Knox Middle, Overton Elementary and Isenberg Elementary.

East Area: Josh Wagner (2016-2020) East Rowan High, Erwin Middle, Granite Quarry Elementary, Morgan Elementary, Rockwell Elementary and Shive Elementary.

Southeast Area: Susan Cox (20162020) — Jesse Carson High, China Grove Middle, Southeast Middle, Bostian Elementary, Knollwood Elementary, Faith Elementary and Koontz Elementary.

Special Area: W. Jean Kennedy (2018-2022) South Area: Dean Hunter (20182022) — South Rowan High, Corriher-Lipe Middle, China Grove Elementary, Enochville Elementary, Landis Elementary and Millbridge Elementary.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020 • 3B

SALISBURY POST

Salisbury area candidates differ on consolidation Board of Education

By Carl Blankenship carl.blankenship@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowa n - S a l i sbu r y S ch o ol s Board of Education incumbent Alisha Byrd-Clark and challenger Jonathan Barbee have different opinions on school consolidation.

Byrd-Clark, who is running for her second term, is a youth advocate who cofounded Gemstones and COM PA S S L eadership Academy with her late husband Alex Clark. The nonprofits reach out to at-risk youth in the community and the couple was awarded keys to the city in 2019 for their work.

Barbee is a 2020 Catawba College business administration graduate who works as a carpenter, installing cabinets in laboratories and classrooms.

Barbee serves on the Salisbury Tree Board and the Rowan County Historical Landmark Commission and is involved with other local organizations. He is vice chair of Rowan County Young Republicans.

School consolidation Barbee opposes consolidation.

Barbee says he’s not in favor of wholesale consolidation because it would get rid of buildings that could serve other purposes. He doesn’t want to derail plans to create a consolidated K-8 facility between Knox Middle and Overton Elementary schools, but added that middle and elementary grades should be separated to prevent bullying.

“We need to look at a case-by-case basis for the rest of the county,” Barbee said.

Barbee pointed to conversations about closing Faith Elementary School as an example of the district not communicating enough with the community. Plans to close Faith Elementary have resulted in an effort to create a new charter school

Salisbury seat

What is your opinion on consolidation?

Alisha Byrd-Clark Incumbent Address: P.O. Box 484, Salisbury Age: 44 Occupation: Nonprofit operator Education: Strayer University master’s, WSSU undergrad

Jonathan Barbee Challenger Address: 101 Polo Dr., Salisbury Age: 22 Occupation: Carpenter Education: Bachelor’s degree, Catawba College

— Faith Academy. The people behind the academy brought their application to the state this month for an interview and had it continued.

Barbee has some ideas for what to do with buildings, including possibly leasing facilities to other organizations to host charter or trade schools as another source of revenue that would preserve the facility and possibly allow some form of teacher and administration retention.

Ba rbee sa id he ap proaches the issue as a busi nessma n, a nd the difficulty for the district maintaining the facility is maintaining the buildings on a shoestring budget.

“We’re really pushing, with our budget, what we can do,” Barbee said, adding he would be interested in negotiating with outside parties once there were interested parties.

Byrd- Clark said she walked into the conversation about consolidation when she came onto the

Do you agree with students being open right now?

Are you in favor of competency-based education?

Byrd-Clark does not oppose consolidation. She said she opposed it when she was elected, but is now better informed and thinks it is in the best interest of the district

Byrd-Clark supported returning under plan C and thinks any infections in the district is too many. She thinks the return has gone well, but stands by her vote for plan C.

Byrd-Clark is in favor of competency-based education, saying it gives students the chance to learn and achieve mastery at their own pace.

Barbee opposes consolidation and would like to explore other uses for buildings like possibly leasing them for other education purposes.

Barbee would return students to school, but not all at once.

His plan would not place students at home on certain days of the week.

Barbee does not oppose competency-based education and would like more research on its effectiveness. He likes that it tailors to individual students.

board on 2016 and that it has been a major topic of discussion for years.

After receiving information from the district about funding, upkeep and the number of empty seats in schools, about 5,000 in a district that currently serves about 18,000 students, Byrd-Clark said she believes the board needs to act. Byrd-Clark said the board needs to make the best decisions possible on whether to close or consolidate schools to save the district money and eliminate buildings it does not need.

“I don’t oppose it,” Clark said.

After she came on the board, district administration created a chart through a capital needs committee that assessed facilities based on maximum capacity, enrollment, capital needs, age of a building and utility cost to determine which schools would most merit closure.

Byrd-Clark said she opposed closures when she first ran for the board, but

did not have all the information she has now. ByrdClark said she is now more astute on the issue.

“I think it is in the best interest of our district to start consolidating some of our schools,” Byrd-Clark said.

Students returning to school Barbee said he would not return students to school all at once.

Barbee said he thinks classes need to be smaller and more spaced out, with a percentage of students in the building at one time, but not a specific number of days where children would not attend in-person.

Barbee noted it could be more challenging to distribute food to all students for lunch and recommending using local nonprofits to bridge that gap.

Byrd-Clark supported returning under plan C — all virtual — and stands by that vote, though she thinks the return has gone

well.

“Don’t get me wrong, I do not oppose face-to-face instruction, and I understand that a lot of students need that,” Byrd-Clark said, adding she would not try to take that from them.

Byrd- Clark said she was concerned about the tota l wellbei ng of the district when she voted against returning students to classrooms.

She said the handful of COVID-19 infections in staff and students are too many. Still, she’s heard from those in schools that things have gone well and that students and staff are happy to be back in the building.

Competency-based education Barbee does not oppose competency-based education.

“Diplomatically I would like to say that it is somewhere in the right direction, but we can include some of the old,” Barbee

said.

He recalled sitting at a work session meeting when district leaders explained the concept to board members and attendees.

Barbee said he likes how the concept tailors learning to individual students and would like more research on how it works.

Byrd-Clark is in favor of competency-based education.

Byrd-Clark said competency-based education gives students the opportunity to learn content and mastery at their own pace.

“They’re not pressured into moving forward even though they don’t understand,” Byrd-Clark said.

“That assures us that a child actually gets what they’ve been taught, and I feel that’s more important than anything. I would hate to just pass a child along just to keep up with all the other children. I’d rather make sure they grasp the concept of what they’ve been taught and they understand totally and fully.”

BRIAN HIGHTOWER

------------------------------------For ----------------------------------

Rowan Country School Board

2020

Paid by the committee to elect Brian Hightower

4B • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

SALISBURY POST

Howard, Townsend talk issues in 77th District race NC House District 77

By Natalie Anderson natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — While Rep. Julia Howard wishes to continue promoting tax incentives to recruit businesses to the district, challenger Keith Townsend wants an economy where “working class people have a chance.”

After serving more than 30 years in the state House, Howa rd i s seeking her 17t h ter m to represent House District 7 7, w h i c h includes Rowan and Davie counties. She’s being challenged by Townsend, a Democrat from Mount Ulla.

Tow n s end fore s e e s more economic development in the district after the state’s tax laws are changed, adding that the General Assembly has over the years eliminated the earned income tax credit and estate tax.

The earned income tax credit, according to the IRS, can be given to singles who earned between $15,000 to a little more than $50,000, or families earning between $21,000 to nearly $56,000, depending on the number of dependents claimed.

“I think the best thing we can do is to give working

Julia Howard Republican/Incumbent Address: 203 Magnolia Ave. Mocksville, NC 27028 Age: 76 Occupation: Appraiser, Realtor Education: Salem College

Keith Townsend Democrat/Challenger Address: 765 Graham Loop Rd. Mount Ulla, NC 28125 Age: 69 Occupation: Retired history teacher Education: Western Carolina University, UNC-Greensboro

class people a chance,” he said. “If you want to stimulate the economy, help the people who don’t have the resources because they will immediately put that into the economy. They don’t have any other option.

They need it then. The need is right in front of them.”

Tow n s e nd a l s o expressed concern with Howard’s part in the amount of additional money given to

What are the three most important issues facing your district/constituents?

Is the governor responding appropriately to the COVID-19 pandemic? Why or why not?

If re-elected, Howard wants to focus efforts on recovery from the COVID-19 impact, broadband expansion and getting people back to work safely.

“I know it was very harmful to some businesses but I believe with all my heart that Roy Cooper did the best he could.

Made the best decisions that he could at the time.” She said she believes things are getting better and sees Cooper lifting restrictions.

Howard wants to continue supporting tax incentives and tax credits to recruit businesses to the district.

If elected, Townsend wants to prioritize funding public school education, expanding Medicaid and “giving working class people a chance.”

While Townsend feels for business owners at this time, he supports cautious reopening across the state.

“This is very likely to get very bad again. I think that whoever’s in charge needs to look first at the dynamics before they force these openings.”

“I think the best thing we can do is to give working class people a chance. If you want to stimulate the economy, help the people who don’t have the resources because they will immediately put that into the economy. They don’t have any other option.”

unemployed workers in the state amidst the pandemic.

When the state budget was passed in September, lawmakers only increased the state’s share of benefits by an additional $50 per week.

And while he’s sure some may have taken advantage of such a program, the “vast majority of the people on a program like that are on there because they need it.”

District 76

from home. She mentioned progress already achieved with broadband expansion, which includes the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology, or GREAT, grant passed in 2018. That grant program incentivizes and pushes for broadband growth in rural areas. In early September, Gov. Roy Cooper announced an additional $4 million in supplemen-

tal GREAT grant funding through the COVID-19 Recovery Act. Additionally, part of the 2020-21 budget includes about $30 million for broadband expansion.

As a retired history teacher who taught at West Rowan High School, Townsend says he is concerned with funding for public schools. He said

See District 77, 5B

NC House District 76

Continued from 1B

ward. While Warren said governors across the nation are basing their pandemic response on a political basis, Heggins said the response has been based on science and data.

Warren said the nation knew little about the virus in February or March, but it was clear by the end of April the most vulnerable population includes those with pre-existing conditions, congregate care facilities and the elderly. As a result, Warren said, the state should have moved its resources to concentrate on that population instead of a “shotgun approach” that’s killing the economy.

Additionally, Warren said state health officials should report more distinct numbers, such as how many cases are mild or asymptomatic, to paint a full picture of the virus’ impact.

Heggins said she supports Gov. Roy Cooper’s pandemic response and credited North Carolina with being “one of the states that have fared pretty well.”

“I believe that Gov. Cooper has been doing the right thing to protect North Carolinians by asking us to protect each other,” she said.

In August, state health officials announced an error in hospitalization data reported on the state’s website, which resulted in a higher count of tests performed. Health officials noted the error didn’t affect the overall key metrics and trends used to monitor and better understand the pandemic in North Carolina and that it didn’t impact the reporting of results to patients or doctors.

Heggins said it’s easy to have a data flub anywhere, and that it was highlighted by critics of the governor since.

“I think what’s important is that that data flub has not done anything to damage North Carolinians,” she said. “I think that’s what we have to focus on.”

While she agrees with the overall statewide response, she said local leaders could have been more proactive and more on top of what businesses were doing and ensuring locals wear face masks.

Both Warren and Heggins agree the pandemic has exacerbated some of the biggest issues facing the district. Foundational to Heggins’ platform is the eradication of poverty in Rowan County. To do

Howard said tax incentives must continue to be pushed in the district, adding that Rowan County presents a prime area for jobs and such incentives.

She noted COVID-19 will continue to be an issue for lawmakers to address.

Because of that, broadband expansion also will continue to remain a major issue, particularly with many children learning virtually

How would you work to enhance economic development in the district?

Harry Warren Republican/Incumbent Address: 201 Kingsbridge Rd. Salisbury, NC 28144 Age: 70 Occupation: Human Resource Specialist Education: Kent State University

Al Heggins Democrat/Challenger Address: 1210 Old West Innes St. Salisbury, NC 28144 Age: 56 Occupation: Salisbury Mayor Pro Tem Education: UNC-Charlotte

so, Heggins said, workers’ rights have to be expanded and they must be provided with safe working environments. She supports raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

The current rate of poverty for children in Rowan County is 25%, while the statewide average is 20%, according to the 2019 State of the County Health Report.

Heggins supports the expansion of Medicaid and added that lawmakers must work together and be sincere, serious and proactive with the information available regarding Medicaid. “ We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are people living and dying without health coverage,” she said. “That’s unacceptable. That’s not even humane. So don’t talk to me about being a Christian when you are willing to let people die because they don’t have health coverage.”

North Carolina is currently one of 12 states that has not yet expanded its Medicaid program. Cooper requested that Medicaid expansion be included in the 2020-21 budget, but it ultimately didn’t make the final budget bill that was passed and signed into law.

Warren agrees health care is an important issue, particularly because of the

What are the three most important issues facing your district/ constituents?

How would you work to enhance economic development in the district?

Is the state’s current Confederate monuments law in need of modifying? Was the city within authority to make a deal relocating the “Fame” statue?

Warren wants to continue addressing education, health care and the economy, particularly due to the impacts on all three from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The main thing is keeping your eyes open, ears open and communicating with folks to find out what are the impediments to your business and your company for growing and developing and moving on. And what can we do in the legislature to help bring companies in here to be competitive.”

“I think the legislative intent was clear that safety hazard pertained to the structural integrity of the monument,” adding that the law could be clarified. “In that sense, I believe that those questions should be put before the people in that area.”

Foundational to Heggins’ platform is eradicating poverty in North Carolina. To do so, Heggins supports expanding workers’ rights, expanding Medicaid and funding education fully.

Lawmakers have to continue being engaged with business owners. If elected, she wants to focus on East Spencer’s development. “There’s been lots of money that has come into North Carolina and quite frankly, not enough of that money has come into Rowan County to support our small businesses.”

“We didn’t need a lightning rod in the middle of our city that was beginning to draw more violent crime.” Heggins said the state law in place constrains local governments, but that it’s not the only law that constrains local governments.

pandemic. However, in lieu of expanding Medicaid, he referenced a health care program lawmakers are trying to put together that would be unique to North Carolinians.

Education and economy Both Warren and Heggins prioritize strengthening education. Heggins said funding education fully will help citizens improve their lives and build wealth.

Warren said the economy is of great concern, especially as businesses are operating at reduced capacity, which results in reduced revenue. The added safety protocols come with additional costs, which leads to businesses “breaking even.”

“We’ve got to be very, ver y concerned about that because we’ve seen businesses that have been closed that just can’t come back,” he said. “We have businesses out there right now that are going toward bankruptcy.”

Warren said legislators have already begun working to address these issues with the establishment of bipartisan working groups within the House Select Committee on COVID-19.

Warren is a member of that committee and serves on the Economic Support

Working Group.

“In a unique fashion, Republicans and Democrats worked together to come up with great strategies that affected all three of those areas,” he said.

Both Heggins and Warren agree that broadband expansion is critical to the district.

Warren said that no one can conduct a business, big or small, without it. He referenced the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology, or GREAT, grant program passed by legislators in 2018, which incentivizes and pushes for broadband growth in rural areas.

In early September, Cooper announced an additional $4 million in supplemental GREAT grant funding through the COVID-19 Recovery Act. Additionally, part of the 2020-21 budget includes about $30 million for broadband expansion.

Redistricting North Carolina is no stranger to legal battles regarding redistricting.

Warren served as a member of the Joint Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting in 2019 and referenced one of his bills, the NC FAIR State & Congressional Districts Act, which currently sits in the House Committee on

Redistricting. That bill calls for the establishment of an independent redistricting commission that consists of 16 registered voters, including 11 voting members and five nonvoting alternative members. Members would be selected by the Senate majority and minority leaders, the House majority and minority leaders, along with four members selected by the other eight voting members of the commission.

However, both the House and Senate should have final say before the redistricting maps are drawn, he said.

“It’s important to remember that it’s a Constitutional responsibility, not just a right, of the General Assembly … to do those maps,” Warren said. “The approval has to rest with the voice of the people.”

Heggins said it’s important to ensure the lawmakers protect “the heart of our democracy.”

“A part of that heart of our democracy is making sure that people, No. 1, have access to the right to vote,” she said. “And that, No. 2, understand that they are within lines that are being drawn in which their vote really does count. And in which they can have candidates who have to compete and work for that vote.”

Heggins added that it’s harmful to democracy when someone vying for

public office can assume they will win that seat. It doesn’t bode well for constituents, and it allows elected officials to become complacent, she said.

If re-elected, Warren would be among the most senior members of the House, but he has no desire to move into a leadership role.

“From what I’ve seen over the years, I think I can accomplish more for Rowan County as a chair of a committee rather than caucus leader or majority leader or speaker or speaker pro tem,” he said. “I would rather be able to be more flexible where I’m at right now as a senior member.”

Warren chairs multiple standing committees in the House, including the Finance and State and Local Government committees.

He also serves in leadership positions in the Joint Legislative Elections Oversight committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on Local Government and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Unemployment Insurance.

Both Warren and Heggins were asked to name a strength of their opponent.

They both complimented the other on being a good public speaker.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020 • 5B

SALISBURY POST

In state Senate race, Ford says governor exceeds authority; Ellis supports COVID-19 response NC Senate

By Natalie Anderson

natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

SA LISBURY — Sen. Carl Ford doesn’t approve of how Gov. Roy Cooper has led the pandemic response in North Carolina and wants a full reopening. But his opponent, Tarsha Ellis, said she believes Cooper’s efforts have been based on science.

Ford, a Republican, currently represents District 33 in the state Senate, which consists of Rowan and Stanly counties. Before his election to the Senate in 2018, he served in the state House for three terms, representing District 76 from 2013-18.

He’s being challenged by Ellis, a political newcomer and Democrat who lives in Salisbury.

Ellis said Cooper’s response has been responsible and science-driven. She noted the pandemic cannot be taken lightly and referenced an elementary school teacher from Stanly County who died from COVID-19 on Oct. 4. The teacher, Julie Davis, taught third grade at Norwood Elementary School.

Ford, however, said he doesn’t think Cooper has responded effectively to the pandemic because the economy should be opened fully. He noted other states have reopened more than North Carolina and added that “bumps” are possible but that “everything’s better” once the state gets past those bumps.

“This COVID thing — it’s real. There are people getting sick. There are people that have it that never get sick. God help us, it’s terrible there are people that have died from it,” Ford said. “But when you look at the numbers, and how they keep changing … you get skewed data and it’s hard to make decisions.”

Ford referenced a mistake in data reported from state officials. In August, the state announced an error in hospitalization data reported on the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services website, which resulted in a higher count of tests performed.

However, they noted the error didn’t affect the overall key metrics and trends used to monitor and better understand the pandemic in North Carolina, and that it didn’t impact the report-

Carl Ford Republican/Incumbent Address: 320 Ketchie Estate Rd. China Grove, NC 28023 Age: 63 Occupation: Radio station owner Education: RowanCabarrus Community College

Tarsha Ellis Democrat/Challenger Address: 4435 Queens Rd. Salisbury, NC 28144 Age: 47 Occupation: General Merchandise Sourcing Analyst Education: UNC-Chapel Hill

ing of results to patients or doctors.

In reference to the data error, Ellis said it’s normal to have hiccups throughout the process, especially when dealing with a novel virus.

But it’s important for people to continue doing their part to stay safe, she said.

Ford said Cooper “should reopen everything,” even if that means requiring extra safety precautions like face masks or extra sanitation.

Business owners are hurting, and the death rate has plunged, he added.

Cooper’s biggest mismanagement, however, is what Ford views as Cooper’s abuse of emergency powers. Ford said he’d like to see state laws changed because they were intended for responding to natural disasters that lasts for weeks, not months. Ford supported Senate Bill 105, which would have required the governor to receive approval from the Council of State before closing businesses further or exercising other emergency powers. Cooper vetoed it,

What are the three most important issues facing your district/ constituents?

Is the governor responding appropriately to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Why or why not?

What action, if any, can the N.C. General Assembly take to address racial injustice and police brutality issues?

Reopening the economy to get people back to work, transportation and cutting the governmental “red tape”

“I think he should reopen everything. I think we need to change (the emergency powers law) regardless of who the governor is, or what party they’re in. It just doesn’t need to be one person making these decisions for months on end.”

Ford said such things should be handled at the local level, but legislators can work with the police chiefs’ association or sheriffs’ association and Highway Patrol. “I’m sure some of those problems exist. I think that we have, fortunately, less of those in our area.”

Funding education, expanding Medicaid and providing the ability for workers to make affordable, living wages

Ellis said Gov. Roy Cooper’s pandemic response has been responsible and science-driven.

“We can’t take this pandemic lightly.”

Ellis said lawmakers need to ensure laws are being applied equally. “Talking about racial issues can be uncomfortable for some folks, and that’s just part of life. I think that’s where you’ll see a lot of that unrest — when folks feel like laws aren’t applied equally.”

saying that the extra bureaucratic and administrative obligations would hamper the ability of executive branch officials to respond to such a devastating pandemic.

Ideally, Ford said he would like to see the governor have p owe r s fo r fo u r weeks and then require full approval from the Council of State for further actions. Once 60 days pass, Ford said the governor should reconvene the General Assembly and allow each district to be represented and a part of the decision-making.

“I think we need to change it, regardless of who the governor is or what party they’re in,” he said.

“It just doesn’t need to be one person making these decisions for months on end.”

Health care and economy Ellis values education and health care as two particularly important pieces of the state budget.

Additionally, she wants to

SALISBURY POST FILE PHOTO

Early voting begins Thursday. See listing of early voting locations in story about early voting on 7B.

District 77 Continued from 4B

funding and resources have been undermined, particularly with voucher programs such as opportunity scholarships. While it’s a program that means well, he said, money is being siphoned to private schools from public schools. Instead, he proposes private schools should use private sources of funding and grants.

He notes that, while religious schools are within their right to accept or reject students based on “moral clauses,” it becomes problematic when, for example, LGBTQ+ students may not be accepted despite their parents are still paying taxes for those vouchers.

“They’re simply shifting resources and children into the private sector and out of the public schools,” he said. “(Public schools) are one of our great institutions. We really are resegregating schools themselves.”

Townsend supports the expansion of Medicaid and notes it’s something that works to everyone’s advantage and something rural areas need.

“A lot of times Republicans will pat themselves on the back about how frugal they are,” he said. “They talk about their rainy day fund. I saw in March they had $1.2 billion in the rainy day fund. That’s supposed to be for rainy days. Well, it’s pouring down rain on many North Carolinians right now.”

Additionally, he noted

see more North Carolinians earn wages that support working families so they can afford housing and “put down roots here.”

“A lot of it goes back to (whether we’re) paying folks an affordable wage so they can afford housing,” she said. “And the more successful we are talking with each other and working with each other to create those opportunities just makes the family structure even stronger.”

She supports the expansion of Medicaid, which she views as “just caring for your neighbors and your friends and family.”

And expanding it would help address opioid crises being experienced in both Rowan and Stanly counties, she noted.

“We have so many states that have already (expanded Medicaid) with little impact to no impact to their state budgets and they’ve had nothing but positive things to say about enacting that piece,” she said.

“So why wouldn’t we want to do that here for North Carolina citizens?”

Currently, North CarHoward said she believes Cooper has done the best that he could.

“Far be it for me to be critical because I certainly wouldn’t have known the right thing to do,” she said.

“Nobody knew (in March), and we still don’t know everything. I know it was very harmful to some businesses, but I believe with all my heart that Roy Cooper did the best he could — made the best decisions that he could at the time.”

Nonetheless, she’s optimistic the numbers are improving and credits Cooper with lifting restrictions in the economy.

While Howard said she couldn’t name a strength of her opponent since she’s never met him, Townsend said he commends her decades-long dedication to public service.

But Townsend wants to bring new ideas to the district.

“I can’t wave a wand and push them all through, but I’d be willing to work for them right away,” he said.

With Howard, “what you see is what you get,” she said, adding that there’s more to being a legislator than pinning a legislative pin on a jacket and driving to Raleigh.

“You’re there to help resolve problems and create an atmosphere that is for the betterment of all the people.”

North Carolinians still pay taxes on the Medicaid program, jointly funded by the federal and state government, that “they’re not able to benefit from.”

Townsend said he feels for business owners during this time, but agrees with Cooper’s response to the pandemic and said dynamics must be evaluated before forcing reopenings, particularly as some health experts predict the pandemic may get worse before it gets better.

Howard said she believes, if done carefully, people can go back to work and “do the things that they need to do in a safe manner.”

Unlike some of her ReContact reporter Napublican colleagues who have criticized the gover- talie Anderson at 704-797nor’s COVID-19 response, 4246.

olina is one of 12 states that has not expanded the Medicaid program despite it being jointly funded by the state and federal government.

Ellis said she wants to work with local and state leaders from both sides of the aisle to enhance economic development in the district.

Ford said he supports a full reopening of the economy to get businesses back on track and people back to work, especially as legislators will soon work to recover a different economy impacted by the pandemic. He wants to continue efforts in transportation development in the district, such as repairing small local bridges impacted by Hurricane Florence, which hit in 2018.

He credits the General Assembly with reducing corporate tax rates, which is currently at 2.5%. Despite past efforts from legislators, Ford said he’d still like to see the franchise tax eliminated to keep businesses looking at North Carolina. Currently, the franchise tax rate is $1.50 per $1,000 of a corporation’s

net worth.

He also credits the district’s current infrastructure with being an ideal location for new businesses.

In particular, he cited the widening of Interstate 85 and new interchanges, sewer and water line extensions as well as the North Carolina railroad corridor, which spans more than 300 miles from Charlotte to Morehead City.

“That’s why Chewy’s here. That’s why Gildan’s here,” he said. “We’ve got a better tax base and stronger tax base than we’ve ever had. And tax structure for businesses and individuals. So there’s a lot more we can do for economic development. But we’re blessed here with what people are looking for.”

Ford also wants to work with local officials to make changes that “cut the red tape” and limit government interference. For example, he’d like to have some procedures normally conducted at local DMV offices moved online.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.

Don’t photograph ballots; OK to bring voters guides Staff reports The State Board of Elections is reminding voters that North Carolina law prohibits taking photographs of or videotaping voted ballots.

Please refer to N.C.G.S. § 163-166.3 for more information.

“Voters should not take a picture of their completed ballot, whether they vote in person or by mail,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections.

“We respect voters showing their pride in casting a ballot but ask that they do so in another manner.”

The State Board has received multiple complaints of photographed absentee ballots and has been alerted to additional violations on social media in recent weeks. If a voter has taken a picture of their ballot and shared the photo online, the voter should delete the pho-

tograph.

When voting in person, voters may have phones or electronic devices with them as long as those devices are not used to photograph or videotape a ballot or communicate with anyone via voice, text, email or any other method.

Photographing a marked ballot is illegal in part because such photographs could be used as proof of a vote for a candidate in a vote-buying scheme. Electronic communication while voting is prohibited because of limits on voter assistance and to prevent disruptions in the voting enclosure.

Voters may bring voting guides, notes and other materials into the voting booth. They also may use electronic devices to access a slate card or candidate information, provided they don’t use the devices to communicate with anyone.

To find out what district you are in, find your polling place and view your sample ballot, go to vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ and search for your name.

6B • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

SALISBURY POST

Cunningham won’t directly address possible other affairs

By Gary D. Robertson Associated Press RALEIGH — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham refused on Friday to address whether other sexual affairs could surface days after The Associated Press repor ted h is Cunningham intimate encounter this summer with a public relations consultant.

Cunningham is in a closely contested, expensive race with Republican Sen. Thom Tillis that could determine control of the Senate. During a virtual news conference, he wouldn’t respond directly to multiple

questions from reporters about the existence of other affairs or extramarital allegations.

The U.S. Army Reserve officer and Raleigh attorney on Oct. 2 acknowledged the existence of sexually suggestive text messages between him and a woman, both of whom are married, and apologized for hurting his family and supporters.

Additional texts obtained

by The Associated Press and interviews show the relationship extended to an intimate encounter as recent as July.

“I’ve taken responsibility for the hurt that I’ve caused in my personal life.

I’ve apologized for it,” Cunningham said on the virtual news conference, his first meeting with reporters

since the texts were reported. “I’ve said what I’m going to say about it.”

Cunningham tried to return the campaign’s arc back to issues and Tillis, who with GOP allies have been relentless this week in trying to make his personal decisions the focus approaching Election Day. Both Tillis and the Senate Leadership Fund, a GOP super PAC run by allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, started running ads this week emphasizing TV reports about the revelations.

“Cal Cunningham — what else is he hiding?” the leadership fund’s ad says.

Like another virtual speech he gave on Wednesday, Cunningham again on Friday pushed back at Tillis,

said it’s Cunningham who has made integrity and truthfulness campaign issues through his own words and narrative of rooting out corruption while a military lawyer.

Cunningham’s “refusal to answer questions makes him unfit for office,” campaign manager Luke Blanchat said in a news release. The Cal Cunningham of just a week ago was making his personal life the cornerstone of his campaign, but now that the real Cal Cunningham has been exposed, he no longer believes questions about his personal life are relevant.”

The woma n tex ti ng with Cunningham, Arlene Guzman Todd, acknowledged the extramarital relationship this week. In a statement, she said the

relationship “spanned several months and consisted primarily of a series of text exchanges and an in-person encounter.”

The U.S. Army Reserve announced Wednesday it was investigating matters involving Cunningham, a lieutenant colonel. A reserve spokesperson didn’t explain why. Adultery is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and polls show the contest tight between Cunningham and Tillis. It’s the most expensive Senate race in the nation, with more than $122 million in spending by outside groups alone during the general election, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

US Congress District 13

Congress Continued from 1B

Huffman said. “They’re not even handing out umbrellas and that’s just wrong.”

In order to help individuals personally impacted

by COVID-19, Huffman started what he calls his “instant impact program,” in which campaign funds are used to finance events where meals are handed out for free, among other charitable causes.

W hile Huffman, 58, has worked to help people locally, he said he can do more if he’s elected to congress. If elected, one of the main problems he’d focus on is health care. He says COVID-19 has exposed cracks in the health care system that need to be fixed.

“I believe that if you lose your job, you shouldn’t lose your health care,” Huffman said. “I’d like to see health care separated from having a job. We should make that more available to anybody to buy health care. We need to expand health care coverage in North Carolina. We need to expand Medicaid, Medicare.”

Budd, 48, sees economic growth as a solution to some health care issues.

“If you look at the expansion of Medicaid, what you’re doing is you’re defining a broad group of people as in poverty,” Budd said.

“I’m for really getting to the roots of this and grow-

accusing the Republican of using the incident to draw voters away from his record as a senator. Friday’s online event began with Cunningham speaking with representatives of a union and teacher lobbying group and a small business operator about additional COVID-19 relief that he blames Tillis for failing to deliver.

“I’m hearing from North Carolinians that are telling me in no uncertain terms that they want their Senate candidate talking about the issues like those that we’re talking about right here today. People are tired of hearing about personal issues,” he said.

Tillis, still recovering at his North Carolina home after testing positive for COVID-19 last week, has

Ted Budd Republican/Incumbent Address: Advance Age: 48 Occupation: Owner of ProShots gun range in Rural Hall Education: MBA from Wake Forest, Masters from Dallas Theological Seminary

Scott Huffman Democrat/challenger Address: Harrisburg Age: 58 Occupation: Owner of Charlotte Internet Education: North Rowan High School, trained in communications in Navy

ing the economy so as not as many people are defined by poverty.”

Budd said that, while the medical field can be “a confusing hodgepodge,” there is a “tremendous amount of health care out there for people.”

The two ca ndidates share common ground when it comes to expanding broadband in the 13th

District. Huffman, who has spent decades in the internet business and still owns Charlotte Internet LLC, believes his knowledge of internet technology will be an asset.

“We need to make sure that we expand broadband throughout the district and especially rural areas, because when broadband is expanded, that does a cou-

Where do you stand on Medicaid expansion?

How will you approach governing when it comes to social justice issues?

What is the best way to help businesses and people recover from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Expanding Medicaid would define a broader group of people as impoverished.

Instead of expanding Medicaid, Budd wants to focus on stimulating economic growth so that people can take advantage of existing healthcare options.

Supporting local leaders is the best way to handle social justice issues. Budd does not support altering history or mob violence, but understands that voices need to be heard and thinks that matters should be handled locally where they exist.

Wants to spur economic growth by safely reopening the economy. Believes that returning to high levels of economic productivity will help citizens. Has proposed legislature to keep the manufacturing of PPE in the U.S.

Favors expanding Medicaid because North Carolina tax dollars are already going toward its expansion in other states. Believes that expanded Medicaid would provide better health coverage to rural parts of North Carolina.

Thinks that police have become too militarized.

Says that there needs to be a greater emphasis on holding police accountable and officers should be taught to show more compassion. Police officers should receive more training on mental health issues.

Favors stimulus payments that would go directly to citizens to help put food on the table. Wants to see increased regulation of COVID-19 benefits and the creation of economic policy that directly helps people, not just companies.

ple things,” Huffman said.

“It increases connectivity to mom and pop shops and farmers. It gives them the ability to connect to resources online and it makes them more productive.”

Budd agrees that broadband is more critical now than ever before.

“It’s really become a new dividing line between the haves and the have

nots,” Budd said. “I am fully supportive of it. I supported the Rural Act, which is now law. It was signed by Trump, which provided funds to increase rural broadband through local telecoms.”

A l l voters i n Rowan County will have the chance to choose either Budd or Huffman in the Nov. 3 election. Following

redistricting in 2019, the 13th District’s boundaries were altered to include all of Rowan County. The 8th District, currently represented by Rep. Richard Hudson, stops at the Cabarrus and Stanly county lines.

Hudson, a Republican, is facing a challenge from Patricia Timmons Goodson, a Democrat and former N.C. Supreme Court Justice.

Some candidates will be unopposed on 2020 ballot Staff report The following candidates will appear on local ballots this year but do not face any declared competition: • Wayne Sasser, a Republican, who is running for re-election to N.C. House District 67. Sasser is currently in his first

Governor Continued from 1B

to land job opportunities and that people have the training and skills needed to fill them.”

But Forest notes the government’s first priority should be the security of people, which entails keeping “violent criminals off our streets and behind bars where they belong.”

He added that not reopening the economy will create far greater harm than what COVID-19 has done, adding that state leaders can protect the vulnerable and get healthy people back to work simultaneously.

Forest a lso sa id, if elected, his administration would be more transparent about COVID-19 data by including more information on recoveries as well as reports of suicide, domestic violence, drug overdoses and child abuse.

Currently, state health officials provide an updated number of presumed recov-

term in the House and is a pharmacist by trade. Voters will only have Sasser on their ballot if they live in his district, which is located in the southeastern part of the county. Other voters will either have the 76th or 77th House district on their ballot. See page 4B for a district map for N.C. House. All voters in Rowan

County will have the 33rd District N.C. Senate race on their ballots.

• Marshall Bickett, a Republican who is seeking another term as District Court Judge for District 19C, which covers Rowan County. Bickett became a judge in 2009 when there were additional judgeships added across the state.

• Craig Pierce and Mike Caskey, Republicans who are both seeking another four-year term on the Rowan County Board of Commissioners. Pierce and Caskey have served on the board together since 2012 and faced competition in the party primaries earlier this year. No Democrats have or other candidates

will appear on this year’s ballot.

• Bruce L. Miller, who is running for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. Miller has served for years on the board and is a retired agriculture teacher.

• Susan Cox, an incumbent on the Rowan-Salisbury School Board, will

appear on ballots for the southeast area seat, but she has conceded the race and endorsed her opponent, Jennifer Studer, who is a nurse.

To look at your personal ballot, use your computer or smartphone to visit: vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup. For questions about voting, call the local Board of Elections at 704-216-8140.

eries across the state each Monday on its website.

Cooper has advocated for the expansion of Medicaid during his time as governor, and notes the pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to expand that coverage to thousands of North Carolinians. He asked lawmakers in September to expand the program in the state’s budget, but it ultimately wasn’t included.

North Carolina is currently one of 12 states that hasn’t expanded the Medicaid program. Cooper noted that one of the 39 red and blue states that did pass it includes Indiana, when Vice President Mike Pence was governor.

“Though legislative leaders and my opponent continue to stand in the way, I’m fighting to expand Medicaid to close that coverage gap and extend coverage to at least half a million people, including families and veterans, at no additional cost to the state,” Cooper said, adding that expansion would boost the economy by

$4 billion and create 40,000 jobs.

Forest said he supports high-quality, affordable health care, but that Medicaid expansion “does not fit the bill.” Instead, he proposes recruiting health care workers to rural communities, working with lawmakers and the state treasurer to ensure more drug costs transparency and fighting to get those without coverage on private insurance.

“But right now, the quickest way to get people health insurance is to help them find a job,” he said.

While Forest acknowledged racism is real, he said social and racial equity begins with the right to life, adding that abortions have had a disproportionate impact on the African-American community.

Cooper said the death of George Floyd — a Black man who is shown in a viral video dying when a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes until Floyd stopped breathing — and other Black lives broke

open painful wounds. And as a result, North Carolinians have to listen to the people lifting up their voices for equality, and continue pushing for justice and solutions.

“We have to have those hard conversations, and then make sure those translate to real action to fight racism and build safer communities,” Cooper said.

Governors have the ability to form task forces to address specific issues, such as race. Cooper referenced the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice, which he established in June to recommend solutions to stop discriminatory law enforcement and criminal justice practices, while also holding public safety officers accountable. He added that the task force has already made recommendations to ban choke holds and install a duty for officers to intervene in excessive force or abuse cases.

Cooper served as Attorney General for 16 years

before being elected as governor in 2016. During that time, he worked hard to fight violent crime and protect people, he said.

“We have to make sure that we invest to attract and retain the best law enforcement officers that we can and make sure they reflect the communities they serve with more diversity,” he said. “We also need better training of law enforcement on de-escalation and bias training.”

Forest credits himself with working with and building trust with the General Assembly, as well as supporting bipartisan legislation. Some of that legislation includes the “Restore Campus Free Speech Act” passed in 2017 and the Small Business Healthcare Act, which allows for more association health care plans from the private sector for small businesses.

When asked to compliment their opponent, Cooper said he believes Forest values his faith and family the way Cooper does.

Forest said they both have families and bring that perspective to governing.

“I will continue to make decisions based on science and data to put the health and safety of North Carolinians first,” Cooper said.

“This moment demands me a su red a nd st r ong leaders who can hear everybody and who can be peacemakers in this state and this country because we need healing. I’ve done my best to be that leader and will continue those efforts in my next term.”

Forest said North Carolinians can be brought together through the shared values of hard work, family and patriotism.

“The next few years will be critical for our state.

As we rebuild our economy, we can’t leave any neighborhood behind — urban, rural or anywhere in between,” Forest said.

“That’s why I’m running for governor.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-7974246.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020 • 7B

SALISBURY POST

— Sample ballot — PCT 40

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NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 2

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Sample Ballot Rowan County, North Carolina November 3, 2020

*B0039* BALLOT MARKING INSTRUCTIONS:

A. With the marking device provided or a black ball point pen, completely fill in the oval to the left of each candidate or selection of your choice as shown.

B. Where authorized, you may write in a candidate by filling in the oval and writing the name on the Write-in line.

C. If you tear, deface or wrongly mark this ballot, return it to request a replacement.

FEDERAL OFFICES

STATE OFFICES

(You may vote for ONE)

(You may vote for ONE)

Phil Berger, Jr.

Tarsha Ellis

Lucy Inman

Carl Ford

Rowan-Salisbury Schools Board of Education Seat 3 (East)

Democrat

NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 4

NC House of Representatives District 76

(You may vote for ONE)

(You may vote for ONE)

Tamara Barringer

Harry Warren

Mark Davis

Al Heggins

Republican

Republican

Wayne Goodwin

Democrat

Roy Cooper

Republican

Joseph R. Biden Kamala D. Harris

Steven J. DiFiore

(You may vote for ONE)

Democrat

Dan Forest

Josh Dobson

Republican

Republican

(You may vote for ONE)

Mark Robinson

(You may vote for ONE)

Yvonne Lewis Holley

E.C. Sykes

Democrat

NC Attorney General

(You may vote for ONE)

Josh Stein Democrat

Republican

Cal Cunningham

(You may vote for ONE)

Kevin E. Hayes

Craig Pierce

Jen Mangrum

Chris Dillon

Mike Caskey

Anthony Wayne (Tony) Street Republican

Beth A. Wood

Ronnie Chatterji

Reuben F. Young

Dale R. Folwell

Jeff Carpenter

Democrat

Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor

Republican

Republican

Democrat

NONPARTISAN OFFICES

(You may vote for ONE)

Democrat

US House of Representatives District 13

(You may vote for ONE)

(You may vote for ONE)

NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Seat 1

Ted Budd Republican

Scott Huffman

NC Commissioner of Agriculture

Democrat

Voters who live in the boundaries of the Kannapolis City Schools district will not be able to vote in the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education race.

Republican

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 7

(You may vote for ONE)

End of Ballot

Republican

Republican

NC Treasurer

Democrat

Constitution

(You may vote for TWO)

Democrat

NC Auditor

Libertarian

Write-in

Board of Commissioners

Gray Styers

Democrat

Shannon W. Bray

COUNTY OFFICES

Catherine Truitt Republican

Thom Tillis

Susan H. Cox

(You may vote for ONE)

(You may vote for ONE)

Republican

Lora Christine Cubbage

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 6

NC Superintendent of Public Instruction

Jim O'Neill

US Senate

Jennifer Studer

Republican

Democrat

(You may vote for ONE)

(You may vote for ONE)

Fred Gore

Elaine Marshall

Write-in

(You may vote for ONE)

Republican

Democrat

Republican

Libertarian

Marshall Bickett

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 5

NC Secretary of State

Republican

Jo Jorgensen Jeremy (Spike) Cohen

Rowan-Salisbury Schools Board of Education Seat 7 (Southeast)

(You may vote for ONE)

NC Lieutenant Governor

Green

NC District Court Judge District 19C Seat 5

April C. Wood

Democrat

Howie Hawkins Angela Walker

Write-in

Democrat

Jessica Holmes

Constitution

Alisha Byrd-Clark

Tricia Shields

Republican

Don Blankenship William Mohr

(You may vote for ONE)

Jonathan Stuart Barbee

DISTRICT OFFICES

(You may vote for ONE)

Libertarian

Rowan-Salisbury Schools Board of Education Seat 5 (Salisbury)

This district will be different depending on where you live. The other options are listed below.

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 4

NC Commissioner of Labor

Democrat

Write-in

Democrat

Democrat Constitution

Brian Hightower

Republican

Al Pisano

Donald J. Trump Michael R. Pence

(You may vote for ONE)

Republican

Kathy McDuffie Sanborn

Mike Causey

(You may vote for ONE)

(You may vote for ONE)

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Democrat

NC Commissioner of Insurance

NC Governor

F

NC State Senate District 33

Republican

(You may vote for ONE)

President and Vice President of the United States

NORTH WARD

E

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 13 (You may vote for ONE)

(You may vote for ONE)

(You may vote for ONE)

Cheri Beasley

Chris Brook

Paul Newby

Republican

Jefferson G. Griffin

Write-in

Democrat

Democrat

Steve Troxler

Bruce L. Miller

Republican

Republican

Jenna Wadsworth Democrat

Continue voting next side A

North Carolina

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C

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PCT 19A

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NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 2 (You may vote for ONE)

Phil Berger, Jr. Republican

DAVIE

Lucy Inman Democrat

NC House districts

77

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PCT 25 LANDIS E

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F

E

North Carolina

F

ROCKWELL

Senate BOARDNC OFState EDUCATION District 33

NC House

(You(You maymay votevote for ONE) for ONE)

Mark Davis

Mark DavisHoward Julia Craven

(You may vote for ONE)

Republican

Rowan-Salisbury Schools Board of Education Seat 5 (Salisbury)

67 STANLY

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 4 (You mayOFFICES vote for ONE) DISTRICT

April C. Wood

NC District Court Judge April C. Wood Republican District 19C Seat 5

Republican

Democrat

NCMarshall Court ofBickett Appeals Judge Republican Seat 5 (You may vote for ONE)

Lora Christine Cubbage

Lora Christine Cubbage

Fred Gore Republican

Rowan-Sa Board Seat 5

DISTRICT OFFICES Jonathan Stuart Barbee

Jonat

Alisha Byrd-Clark

Alisha

Democrat

Fred Gore COUNTY OFFICES Republican

Rowan-Salisbury Schools Early votingRowan-Sa Marshall Bickett Republican Board Board of Education begins Thursday.

Seat 7 Seat 7 (Southeast) (You ma (You may vote for ONE) See below left for Jennif Jennifer Studer early voting Susan COUNTY OFFICES locations.

Susan H. Cox Write-in SALISBURY POST FILE PHOTO

Republican

Early voting starts Thursday Early voting begins Thursday, and this year Rowan County residents have 17 full days to cast an early vote with no excuse needed.

Early voting times are from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. For the first time, voters can cast their ballots on two Sundays — Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 — from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Rowan County residents can visit the following locations for no-excuse, early voting: • Rowan County Board of Elections (West End Plaza), located at 1935 Jake Alexander Blvd. W, Suite D-10 • Cleveland Town Hall, located at

Write-in

Write-in

Board of Commissioners (You may vote for TWO) NC Court of Appeals Judge NC Court of Appeals Judge EARLY VOTING BEGINS OCT. 15, ELECTION DAY IS NOV. 3 Board of Commissioners Seat 6 Seat 6 (You may vote for TWO) CraigofPierce End End Ballot (You may vote for ONE) (You may vote for ONE)

ANDY MOONEY / SALISBURY POST

Staff report

(You ma

(You may vote for ONE)

(You may vote for ONE)

Democrat

Write-in

NC District Court Judge Write-in District 19C Seat 5

(You may vote for ONE)

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 5

Brian

Wayne Sasser

Democrat Republican

Tricia Shields

Democrat

Kathy

(You may vote for ONE)

Republican Democrat

Tricia Shields

(You ma

Write-in

(You may vote for ONE)

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 4

Rowan-Sa Board Sea

NC Brian HouseHightower of Representatives District 67

(You(You maymay votevote for ONE) for ONE)

Tamara Barringer Keith Townsend

BOARD O

(You may vote for ONE)

Rowan-Salisbury Phil Berger, Tarsha EllisSchools Tarsha Ellis Jr. Republican Democrat Democrat Board of Education The NC House of Representatives district on your ballot is Seat 3 (East) race listed Lucy Inman Ford Carl Ford you live. Instead of the Carl based on where District (You may vote for 76 ONE) Democrat Republican Republican above you may see either of the two below: Kathy McDuffie Sanborn NCofSupreme Court NC House Representatives Associate Justice District Seat774

F

Ballot Style B0039

-- VOTE BOTH SIDES --

NCState Supreme Court NC Senate Associate Justice District Seat332

Tamara Barringer Democrat

ROWAN

CABARRUS

(You may vote for ONE)

Republican

76

82

NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 4

E

Gray Styers

Gray Styers Craig Pierce

Chris Dillon

Chris Dillon Mike Caskey

Democrat

Republican

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 7 (You may vote for ONE)

Mike Caskey

Democrat Republican

Republican

Republican Republican

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 7 (You may voteOFFICES for ONE) NONPARTISAN

NONPARTISAN OFFICES

Reuben F. Young Reuben F. Young Soil and Water Conservation 302 East Main St. in Cleveland Democrat Democrat District Supervisor • Spencer Municipal Building meetCarpenter JeffSalisCarpenter (You may vote for ONE) Soil andJeff Water Conservation ing room, located at 600 South Republican Republican District Supervisor bury Ave. in Spencer Bruce L. Miller (You may vote for ONE) • Rockwell American Legion, located at 8580 U.S. 52 E. in Rockwell NCBruce CourtL.ofMiller Appeals Judge NC Court of Appeals Judge Write-in • South Branch, Rowan PublicSeat Li-13 Seat 13 brary, located at 920 Kimball in for ONE) "It is a combination (You may vote for ONE)of courage and clear thinking, (YouRd. may vote Write-in China Grove not fear, that Chris will Brook protect our freedom."

Chris Brook Early voting will end at all locations Democrat Democrat Keith Townsend on Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Jefferson G. Griffin G. Griffin Though Friday marked the Jefferson deadline Republican Republican to register to vote, North Carolina allows same-day voter registration at any one-stop early voting location, but not on Election Day. Those wishing to register must appear at an early votF E D F E BallotNorth Style Carolina B0020 North Carolina ing site in-person, and Dprovide proof of residence with documents showing the VOTE BOTH SIDES -VOTE SIDES -Paid --for byBOTH Townsend for--NC voter’s current name and address.

NC HOUSE 77

8B • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

SALISBURY POST

With demand for mail-in ballots rising, here’s how to request, vote absentee in 2020

By Josh Bergeron josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

With less than one month until Election Day, requests for absentee by mail ballots are higher than ever.

Rowan County has nearly 12,000 voters have requested absentee ballots, multiples of what was requested during the last presidential election. Of those, more than 5,400 people have already cast their ballot by mail-in absentee, according to the N.C. Board of Elections.

This year, the Rowan County Board of Elections began sending out absentee ballots on Sept.

4. And while voting by mail is just one method to cast a ballot, it’s more popular than ever because of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing recommendations.

For voters interested, here are steps to cast a mail-in ballot in 2020. Elections officials advise not waiting until the Oct. 27 request deadline in case there are mail-related delays.

2. Complete the request: The request form asks for information that includes the person’s first middle and last name; date of birth; driver’s license number, ID number or last four digits of their social security number; current residential address; address where the ballot should be sent; voter signature and near relative or legal guardian signature (if applicable). A near relative or legal guardian can request a ballot on behalf of a voter. This year, a request form can be emailed, faxed, hand-delivered or mailed via the U.S. Postal Service or other delivery service to the Rowan County Board of Elections, 1935 Jake Alexander Boulevard West, Suite D10, Salisbury, NC 28147.

1. Initiate the request: This can be as simple as downloading a ballot request from rowancountync.gov/ elections or asking for the form via email by sending a message to rowan.boe@ rowancountync.gov.

People who email a request are asked to provide a phone number and address in addition to their full name. If a voter does not have access to a computer, he or she can call the Rowan County Board of Elections at 704216-8140 to ask for a request form.

Six competing for three seats on NC Supreme Court N.C. Supreme Court chief justice, seat 1

Place of residence: Raleigh Education: Graduate of The University of Tennessee College of Law and Douglass College of Rutgers University, master of laws in Judicial Studies from Duke University School of Law Occupation: Chief justice, N.C. Supreme Court Date admitted to the Bar: 1993 Candidate statement: Cheri Beasley is the 29th Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court — the first African-American woman to serve as chief justice of the state’s highest Court. As chief justice, she is responsible for overseeing the entire state court system, which includes 120 courthouses and 6,500 employees across Cheri Beasley NC. Beasley believes all North Carolinians should have Democrat, access to fair and impartial justice, no matter who they incumbent are or where they live. Beasley believes passionately in having an independent judicial branch that the people of North Carolina can trust. She also knows the courts can play an important role in helping people better their lives. That’s why she is working to engage schools, law enforcement, faith leaders, and other stakeholders in discussions about important community issues. That’s why she’ll continue working to make our court system more transparent, fair and accessible for every North Carolinian.

3. Receive and complete the ballot: Starting Sept. 4, the Rowan County Board of Elections began sending out ballots. Staff aim to have requests processed within 24 hours of receipt. For the 2020 election only, only one witness signature is required on the return envelope rather than the two in prior elections. In the presence of one witness, the voter should mark the ballot. The N.C. Board of Elections says a witness should not observe so closely that he or she is able to see what the voter marked. Alternatively, if the voter is not able to mark the ballot, it should be marked in accordance with the voter’s instructions. Certain people, including candidates for political office, nursing home or hospital employees or someone who holds a political office are prohibited from being a witness. A full list of prohibited witnesses is available at: ncsbe.gov/Voting-Options/AbsenteeVoting. A notary public is allowed to be a witness, but he or she cannot charge a fee for doing so.

After observing the voter marking the ballot, the witness must complete and sign the envelope in the designated place.

Place of residence: Raleigh Education: Law degree from University of North Carolina, bachelor’s degree Duke University Occupation: Senior associate justice, N.C. Supreme Court Date admitted to the Bar: 1980 Candidate Statement: First elected in 2004, I am the longest-serving Supreme Court justice, and the only current justice elected twice to this court. I’ve received widespread, bipartisan support across the state. In every case, I strive to fairly, impartially and consistently apply the law, faithfully interpreting as intended the Constitution and statutes. I am known as an honest, hard-workPaul Newby ing, commonsense justice. I’m the only justice who was Republican, a prosecutor. I’m supported by prosecutors and law enchallenger forcement.

Recognized for my legal scholarship, I teach law students, judges and lawyers. I have written a book on the North Carolina Constitution and received the N.C. Bar Association’s Constitutional Rights Award. Believing that civic education is important, I frequently speak to school groups and community organizations. For my community involvement, I received the Citizen-Lawyer Award and the Marine Corp League Good Citizen Award. I’m an Eagle Scout and have received the National Distinguished Eagle Award because of my service to scouting and the public. I received the Heroism Award for rescuing 9 people from a riptide.

I have been married to Macon Tucker Newby since 1983, and we have four children. We attend Christ Baptist Church where I have served as an Elder and teacher.

GRAPHICS BY ANDY MOONEY / SALISBURY POST

N.C. Supreme Court associate justice, seat 4 Place of residence: Raleigh Education: Bachelor’s degree, UNC Chapel Hill; juris doctor, UNC Law School; Master of laws in Judicial Studies from Duke Law School.

Occupation: Judge, N.C. Supreme Court Date admitted to the Bar: 1991 Candidate Statement: I am honored to serve on the N.C. Supreme Court and I am grateful every day for this opportunity. I believe that my background and judicial experience qualify me to continue serving on the N.C. Supreme Court. I have written over 500 opinions as an appellate judge. I am a strong believer in judicial independence and feel that judges should be totally free of any partisan or political influence. My bedrock principle as a judge has always been to be fair and impartial in every Mark Davis case. My wife Marcia and I have been married for 28 years.

Democrat, She is a former elementary school teacher and we have three incumbent children. We are both lifelong North Carolinians. I am very proud to be the first Jewish member in the history of the N.C. Supreme Court.

N.C. Supreme Court associate justice, seat 2 Place of residence: Hillsborough Education: Wake Forest University School of Law, 1999; bachelor’s degree UNC Wilmington, 1994 Occupation: Judge, N.C. Court of Appeals Date admitted to the Bar: 1999 Candidate Statement: Are you concerned about activist judges who legislate from the bench? Do you believe decisions made in our courtrooms reflect Phil Berger Jr. your values and beliefs?

As a judge, I have fairly and Republican impartially applied the law in challenger cases affecting our schools, families, and businesses.

As district attorney, my office made the community a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.

As your justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court, I promise you: I will uphold the Constitution and the laws of this state.

I will not legislate from the bench.

I will be consistent and fair.

I will hold individuals accountable.

The North Carolina Supreme Court has 7 members. Currently, Democrats hold a 6–1 majority. I am running to bring balance to the North Carolina Supreme Court.

If you want a conservative judge who upholds the Constitution, believes in the rule of law and will stand firm against activist judges, I would appreciate your vote.

4. Send in the completed ballot: Once the ballot is marked and witnessed, the voter or person assisting the voter must seal the ballot in the container-return envelope and complete the outside of the envelope. The voted ballot must be returned to the county board of elections no later than 5 p.m. on Election Day, with ballots received afterward only considered timely if they are received by mail no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 6. A voter or near relative may return it to the Rowan County Board of Elections in person as well as by mail. The Rowan County Board of Elections recommends voters ensure their envelope is postmarked if it’s sent close to the deadline.

Ballots cannot be returned to the person’s precinct polling place, but ballots can be returned to early voting sites.

Place of residence: Raleigh Education: Law degree from UNC School of Law, 1990; Bachelor’s degree, N.C. State University, 1984 Occupation: Appellate judge, N.C. Court of Appeals Date admitted to the Bar: 1990 Candidate Statement: In 30 years as a lawyer and a judge, I have served people in communities large and small. I am running for the North Carolina Supreme Court to preserve the rule of law, to keep our justice system Lucy Inman fair and free from partisan poliDemocrat, tics, and to provide justice for all. challenger Every person in every courtroom deserves to be treated fairly and with respect. That means judges must: Listen.

Honestly consider the facts of each case.

Honestly interpret and apply the law equally to everyone, without fear or favor.

Write consistent decisions in clear language that the public can understand.

Leave politics at the courthouse door.

In courtrooms across our state and at the Court of Appeals, I have fulfilled these duties. I will bring the same commitment, experience, and skill to the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Three retired North Carolina Supreme Court chief justices and dozens of retired and former justices and judges across our state — both Democrats and Republicans — have endorsed me as the most qualified candidate in my race.

Place of residence: Cary Education: Law degree, UNC School of Law; Bachelor’s degree, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Occupation: Clinical associate professor of legal studies, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Date admitted to the Bar: 1985 Candidate Statement: As a foster mom for 10 years and through our three foster to adopted children, I personally witnessed the paralysis of families caught in our “child protective services” system. I felt compelled to run for the Tamara N.C. Senate. In only six years, I authored Barringer and advocated successfully for 32 bills Republican, that became law. Ranging across the challenger ideological spectrum from the Foster Care Family Act to the Business Court Modernization Act, ALL passed almost unanimously by receiving broad bipartisan support.

My primary legislative success modernized foster care to allow older youth to remain with their foster families until age 21 so they can pursue college or work force development programs. Before that reform, they were almost inexorably trapped in the poverty and deprivation in which they were born. As our work in North Carolina became a national model, I was recognized by the National Conference of State Legislators as a Child Welfare Fellow. I also received similar awards from the National Foundation of Women Legislators, N.C. Child, Prevent Child Abuse, the N.C. Child Advocacy Center, Children’s Hope Alliance and Benchmarks.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020 • 9B

SALISBURY POST

Ohio seen as long shot, but Biden makes big push there

By Bill Barrow and Will Weissert Associated Press

CINCINNATI — Joe Biden made two campaign stops Monday in Ohio, attempting to expand the battleground map and keep President Donald Trump on the defensive in a state long thought to be out of reach for Democrats after Trump’s wide margin of victory there four years ago.

The Democratic presidential nominee stressed an economic message and touted his own record while casting Trump as having abandoned working-class voters who helped him win Rust Belt

states that put him in the White House in 2016. The president’s reelection campaign countered that few expected Trump to win Ohio so comfortably four years ago and that he would repeat a similar upset on Election Day. In Toledo, Biden addressed United Auto Workers who Biden represent a local General Motors’ powertrain plant. The former vice president spoke in a parking lot with about 30 American-made cars and trucks arrayed nearby, and he

struck a decidedly populist note, praising unions and arguing that he represented working-class values while the Republican Trump cared only about impressing the Ivy League and country club set.

“I don’t measure people by the size of their bank account,” Biden said. “You and I measure people by the strength of their character, their honesty, their courage.”

Biden highlighted his role as vice president as the Obama administration rescued the U.S. auto industry after the 2008 financial collapse. President George W. Bush signed the aid package after the 2008 election, but the Obama administration managed

most of the rescue program.

“The auto industry that supported 1 in 8 Ohioans was on the brink,” Biden said at the drive-in rally, eliciting horn honks from people listening from their vehicles. “Barack and I bet on you, and it paid off.”

Vice Present Mike Pence staged his own event in Ohio’s capital, Columbus, concluding remarks at Savko & Sons, an excavation company that hosted Obama at one of its job sites in 2010, shortly before Biden took the stage in Toledo.

“You said yes to President Donald Trump in 2016, and I know the Buckeye State’s going

waiting game

to say yes to four more years,” Pence told the crowd.

In a nod to Senate confirmation hearings on Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court — where Biden’s running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, was participating remotely — Pence declared to applause that “We’re going to fill that seat.”

He also noted that Biden has refused to say whether he will heed the calls of some progressive Democrats who would like to see the party expand the number of seats on the Supreme Court, should Democrats win the White House and the Senate while retaining control of the House.

Trump defiant in his first post-COVID campaign stop

By Jill Colvin and Jonathan Lemire Associated Press

SALISBURY POST FILE PHOTO

Efforts to avoid long voting lines this year have led to a backlog of requests for absentee ballots.

Thousands of state voters don’t get their absentee ballots for weeks

By Bryan Anderson and Camille Fassett Associated Press/Report for America RALEIGH — Weeks from the election, three of North Carolina’s most populous counties are often taking two weeks or more to send absentee ballots out to voters who request them, an Associated Press analysis shows.

Understaffing, outdated technology and voter registration groups are straining a system that has struggled to handle an unprecedented surge of requests as many seek to avoid the risks of in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic.

Data obtained by The AP shows that in Wake County, the state’s largest, it took 15 days on average from when voters requested ballots via mail or an online portal to when the county printed and mailed out ballots during a period from Sept. 1, when the state launched

its online portal, through Oct. 5. The analysis only included people who requested a ballot on or after Sept. 1 and excludes ballots that were requested but not yet sent.

Average processing times for Buncombe and Forsyth counties were 14 days and 11 days, respectively, according to the data provided by the State Board of Elections through a public records request.

Many counties’ turnaround times were shorter and have slowly improved, such as Mecklenburg County, the state’s second-largest. It averaged seven days, which matches the average delay statewide.

But the AP analysis shows 10 North Carolina counties are taking more than that seven-day average to process requests.

Over 73,000 of the 458,000 people across North Carolina requesting absentee ballots had to wait at least 14 days for their county to get ballots print-

ed and mailed out.

Delays in North Carolina are one early sign of strain on the broader U.S. election system as millions of voters plan to vote by mail, rather than in person. Like several battleground states, North Carolina did not have a widely used mail-in voting system before the pandemic. Its rush to absorb the influx of absentee requests is coming with problems.

Slower processing times mean voters have less time to correct any potential errors like missing witness information. The delays could also stifle those who need to request a replacement if a ballot arrives damaged in the mail.

Democrats are especially concerned. They have requested more than twice as many absentee ballots as Republicans statewide.

North Carolina was the first in the nation to begin mailing out absentee ballots to voters on Sept. 4. The AP examined turn-

Big turnout

Busy start to early in-person voting in Georgia

By Kate Brumback and Sudhin Thanawala Associated Press ATLANTA — The chance to cast ballots on Georgia’s first day of in-person early voting Monday had thousands of people waiting for hours to make their voices heard.

Eager voters endured waits of six hours or more in Cobb County, which was once solidly Republican but has voted for Democrats in recent elections, and joined lines that wrapped around buildings in solidly Democratic DeKalb County. They also turned out in big numbers in north Georgia’s Floyd County, where support for President Donald Trump is strong.

With record turnout expected for this year’s presidential election and fears

about exposure to the coronavirus, election officials and advocacy groups have been encouraging people to vote early, either in person or by absentee ballot.

Many answered the call on Monday.

Cobb County Elections and Registration Director Janine Eveler said the county had prepared as much as much as it could, “but there’s only so much space in the rooms and parking in the parking lot.”

“We’re maxing out both of those,” she said. “People are double parking, we have gridlock pretty much in our parking lot,” she added.

Problems with the electronic pollbooks — along with high turnout — bedeviled Georgia’s primary in June.

The dysfunction renewed questions about Georgia’s ability to conduct fair elections.

around times during a crucial period — when statewide ballot requests surged from about 560,000 to nearly 1.2 million.

One-fourth of the state’s roughly 1.3 million absentee ballot requests to date have come from three Democratic-heavy counties: Wake, Buncombe and Forsyth.

It was at a Sept. 1 meeting when Corinne Duncan, elections director for Buncombe County, realized she had a staffing problem with only nine full-time employees processing requests.

“We realized how ridiculously tiny that operation was,” Duncan said. “We worked all day long and we processed 1,200 ballots and we realized that that was not going to cut it.”

It wasn’t until mid-September that counties were allowed by the state to use batch scanners to process multiple absentee requests. Before that, requests had to be scanned individually.

SANFORD, Florida — Defiant as ever about the coronavirus, President Donald Trump on Monday turned his first campaign rally since contracting COVID-19 into a full-throated defense of his handling of the pandemic that has killed 215,000 Americans, joking that he was healthy enough to plunge into the crowd and give voters “a big fat kiss.”

There was no social distancing and mask-wearing was spotty among the thousands who came to see Trump’s return to Florida. He held forth for an hour, trying to get his struggling campaign back on track with just weeks left before Election Day. Though he was hospitalized battling the virus only a week ago, Trump’s message on Trump COVID-19 was unaltered since his diagnosis: a dubious assessment that the pandemic was just about a thing of the past.

“Under my leadership, we’re delivering a safe vaccine and a rapid recovery like no one can even believe,” Trump insisted. “If you look at our upward path, no country in the world has recovered the way we have recovered.”

His voice was perhaps a touch scratchy but otherwise, Trump was, well, Trump.

Boisterous and bellicose, he thanked the audience for their well-wishes and declared he was no longer contagious as he embarked on a frenetic final stretch of the campaign.

Trump insisted that, after being given experimental medication and other VIP treatment, he felt great and was glad he no longer needs to be concerned about infection because he’s now “immune.”

“I feel so powerful,” said Trump, displaying no obvious signs of lingering infection. “I’ll walk into that audience. I’ll walk in there, I’ll kiss everyone in that audience. I’ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women ... everybody.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert, said Monday on CNN that those who recover from COVID-19 are likely to be immune for a limited period of time, but there are cases emerging of people getting reinfected weeks or months later.

Despite Trump’s battle with the disease, little had changed at the rally, which was like many others during the pitched general election battle against Democrat Joe Biden.

Supreme Court nominee vows fair approach to justice

By Mark Sherman, Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett presented her approach to the law as conservative and fair on Monday at the start of fasttracked confirmation hearings, while angry Democrats, powerless to stop her, cast her as a threat to Americans’ health care coverage during the pandemic.

With her husband and six of their seven children behind her in a hearing room off-limits to the public and altered for COVID-19 risks, Barrett delivered views at odds with the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose seat President Donald Trump nominated her to fill, likely before Election Day. “Courts are not designed to solve

every problem or right every wrong in our public life,” declared the 48-year-old federal appeals court judge, removing the protective mask she wore most of the day to read from a prepared statement.

Americans “deserve an independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and laws as they are written,” Barrett told the Senate Judiciary Committee, laying out her judicial philosophy, which she has likened to that of her conservative mentor, the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

The Senate, led by Trump’s Republican allies, is pushing Barrett’s nomination to a quick vote before Election Day, Nov. 3, and ahead of the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, which the Supreme Court is to hear a week after the election.

Republicans also hope to seat Barrett quickly enough to hear any legal challenges after the election.