TCB April 28, 2022 — The Primary Election Guide

APRIL 28-MAY 4, 2022 TRIAD-CITY-BEAT.COM

2022

PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE

UP FRONT | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK For Bob, at the end

I

did it, Bob. I wrote your eulogy and I’ll deliver it to the people this week when we gather in your name. I hit

by Brian Clarey the sweet spots, glossed over the rough patches and included the things I know people need and want to hear at the end.

Now it’s time for me to say my own goodbye. And like it always was between us, between a lot of fathers and sons I suppose, much of it will remain unspoken.

I could write 10,000 words about your life and its effect on me, more if I had the strength today. I don’t. But I’ll say this: You were really something, big as life and adventurous and boisterous. When you showed up, everybody knew it. We could hear your laugh from 100 yards away and you could fill up an entire room all by yourself.

Some of the things you taught me: how to throw a football in a spiral and a baseball on a rope, how to drop a bank shot, how to drink away an evening and then, when the time

TUESDAY, MAY 03

ORQUESTA AKOKÁN

THURSDAY, MAY 05

MAUVE ANGELES

MAY 07

A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO CHRIS GARGES

MAY 07

SILENT DISCO DANCE PARTY!

MAY 12

SPIRIT SYSTEM / IRATA / PETROV

MAY 13

TYLER NAIL / HIS & HERS

MAY 14

STRYPER / THE FIFTH

MAY 17

FIVE TON FACES / SECRET MONKEY WEEKEND

MAY 18

JOHN 5 / WRITTEN IN GRAY

BUSINESS PUBLISHER/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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2

came, how to stop.

I never would have quit drinking, Bob, if you hadn’t done it first. You didn’t want to be my role model. But you were anyway. You didn’t try to be my hero, and that, ultimately, was your most important gift to me. With nothing to live up to, I was free to be myself.

I understand now that those things you didn’t do for me are the ones that made me who I am. And that in so many ways I am very much like you anyway.

I want you to know that I was proud of you, even through your darkest days, though I wasn’t always happy with your choices. I want you to know that I loved you, but also I liked you — liked hanging out with you, laughing with you, bouncing ideas off you, tapping into your vast trove of knowledge and institutional memory. I want you to know that we have plundered your wardrobe and are wearing your clothes. And I want you to know that we will be telling your stories — so many stories — forever.

It’s quiet here without you, Bob. But we’ll fill the silence somehow.

Carolyn de Berry, John Cole, Owens Daniels, Luis H. Garay, Kaitlynn Havens, Jordan Howse, Matt Jones, Autumn Karen, Michaela Ratliff, Jen Sorensen, Todd Turner

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NEWS | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

NEWS

PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE 2022

by Sayaka Matsuoka, Suzy Fielders, James Douglas, Brian Clarey

Triad City Beat’s first Primary Election Guide since 2020 is the biggest one yet — 134 candidates in 31 races running more than 15,000 words and consuming most of the pages in the print edition, as well as most of our other newsroom resources. We’ve got info on every candidate in every primary race in Guilford and Forsyth counties, except the judicial races which are beyond the capabilities of our newsroom this year. A well-informed voter would want to use this guide as a starting point on researching candidates, but there is enough information here to send voters confidently to the ballot box. And there is more reporting on most races on our website.

All information has been gleaned from media reports, candidate websites and social media accounts, and from the candidates themselves when they have responded to our questionnaires. They’re listed in alphabetical order after the incumbent in each race, if there is one.

Early voting starts today, Thursday April 28, and runs through Saturday, May 14. Election Day is on Tuesday, May 17.

BALLOT REFERENDA There are two referenda on the ballot this year in Guilford County: a large school bond and a sales-tax increase to pay for it. They are on the ballot in reverse order.

Guilford County Local Sales and Use Tax (For or Against)

A quarter percent (0.25 percent) sales tax increase would help pay for the $1.7 billion school bond that is also on the ballot. The tax increase would not apply to groceries, gas, car sales or prescription medicines. County commissioners have passed a resolution stating that they would decrease the property tax rate if this sales tax increase is passed.

Guilford County School Bond Referendum (For or Against)

This item refers to a $1.7 billion school bond that will help fund safety and technology upgrades at all schools, fund three new schools, rebuild 18 and fully renovate 13 schools within Guilford County. It is a continuation of school funding on top of a $300 million school bond that was passed in November 2020. The bond is in response to a 2019 study that found that half of the schools in the district were in either poor or unsatisfactory condition. Reporting

by Triad City Beat found that the worst schools in the county disproportionately affect minority students.

4

US SENATE Eleven Democrats and 14 Republicans are vying for the chance to win the Senate seat vacated by Richard Burr, also a Republican, when he decided not to run again just months after his last re-election. The race will be one of the most expensive in the country, if not the most, with deep ramifications on the slim majority in the Senate.

Democrats Dr. Greg Antoine A veteran of the navy and army who retired at the rank of colonel, Greg Antoine originally hails from Mississippi, where he was the first Black student to integrate and graduate from a formerly all-white public high school in his hometown, according to his campaign website.

Antoine is a licensed physician who has fought hard for veteran’s medical care and supports the expansion of Medicaid as well as improving rural broadband to increase telemedicine access. Antoine also lists voting rights as a top priority and supports “an expansion of resources focused on securing our borders” as well as “ending cash bail for minor nonviolent first-time offenders.”

Antoine supports the reduction or elimination of student debt, universal pre-K and the continuation of the child-tax credit. As of March 31, Antoine had raised $11,066.48 and had $5,290.65 ending cash on hand.

Cheri Beasley A political heavyweight, voters will recognize Cheri Bea-

sley as the first Black woman to serve as the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court (March 2019-December 2020). Prior to that, Beasley served as an associate justice of the NC Supreme Court. Beasley has won endorsements from figures such as Attorney General Josh Stein, Rep. Kathy Manning and Vice President Kamala Harris. Her priorities include expanding the Affordable Care Act with a public option, investing in early-childhood education, “reforming student loan programs” and increasing funding for HBCUs and tribal colleges. Beasley supports a $15 minimum wage, making the Expanded Child Tax Credit permanent and passing federal paid family and medical leave. She would vote to strengthen abortion rights and expanding renewable energy. When it comes to criminal justice reform, Beasley supports the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, legalizing and regulating marijuana, reforming sentencing and ending some mandatory minimums and the cash bail system. Beasley is a strong supporter of campaign finance reform who supports overturning Citizens United. Despite not accepting any corporate PAC money because she “believes leaders should be accountable to the people, not special interests,” Beasley is outraising all of the candidates in the Senate race, Democrat or not. So far, her campaign has raised $8.6 million with $5.1 million ending cash on hand as of March 31.

Chrelle Booker Chrelle Booker is the current Mayor Pro Tem of Tryon and works full-time in tele-

vision broadcasting. She is also a licensed realtor and a board member of the National League of Cities Information Technology and Communications Committee. Booker supports an online system for voter access and family and medical leave for workers. She explains that she is “pro-choice” but not “pro-abortion” and supports gun control including mandatory training for gun owners.

She supports legalizing mariujana for medicinal uses and raising the minimum wage to $15.

Thus far, Booker’s campaign has raised $6,389 and has $2,840 ending cash on hand.

James L. Carr Jr. Born in Lexington, James L. Carr Jr. served in the US Air Force from 1985-89 and currently works as an IT consultant.

According to his campaign website, Carr Jr. supports expanding rural broadband, Medicare for All and apprenticeship-type work programs for students who graduate high school. He also supports building public rail systems to connect those who live in rural areas with jobs. Carr has not filed any campaign finance information with the FEC. Robert Colon This is not Robert Colon’s first time running for federal office.

In 2020, he made an unsuccessful bid for the 7th Congressional District and came in last in the Democratic primary. On his website Colon says he

Alyssia Rose-Katherine Hammond A Winston-Salem State University alum, Alyssia Rose-Katherine Hammond is a 33-year-old social-justice advocate from Raleigh. She has canvassed for the Democratic Party in the past, has worked in healthcare and led protests against police brutality.

As the youngest candidate in the race, Hammond views her age as an asset.

“I believe my young spirit and strong leadership skills will inspire more young adults and the youth involved into politics, and serving our country,” she writes on her website.

No campaign finance information was available for this candidate.

Constance Lov Johnson Constance Lov Johnson is no stranger to running for political office. In 2014 she ran for the NC Senate District 34 seat; in 2017 she ran for mayor of Charlotte; and in 2020 she ran statewide for Superintendent of Public Instruction. She has made it through the primary to the general election just once, in 2014. She has served as the publisher of CityPolitical magazine and Legislative Star, outlets that educate Black voters, for 20 years. This time around Johnson lists that she is supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan and Biden’s Build Back Better Bill.

No campaign finance information was available for this candidate.

Tobias LaGrone A “pro-life conservative Democrat,” Tobias LaGrone believes that “all life is sacred from the womb to the tomb.” LaGrone

began working as a pastor at the age of 19 and has taught religion at various colleges in the area. He supports a national registry for officers who have engaged in misconduct as well as a bill that would require employers to notify employees if they are planning to replace them with any form of artificial intelligence.

LaGrone has raised $6,706 thus far and had $2,186 cash on hand as of March 31.

BK Maginnis An alum of UNCG, BK Maginnis explains on his website that he was compelled to run for office after Trump was elected president and after the events of Jan. 6.

“Winning this Senate race is critical not just for the citizens of North Carolina, but also for the people of the United States and the democracy we hold so dear,” he writes on his website.

He supports increasing law enforcement officers’ pay, limiting Congressional terms to 20 years and reforming the Supreme Court nomination process.

Maginnis also supports two years of free community college after high school graduation as well as a mandatory twoyear military obligation with non-combat options.

No campaign finance information was available for this candidate.

Rett Newton Rett Newton is a veteran who served in the Air Force in 28 roles and was mayor of Beaufort, NC in 2017. During his time as mayor, Newton helped the town prepare and recover from hurricanes, responded to the COVID-19 crisis and upgraded the town’s water and sewer lines. Newton supports expanding the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid and eliminating for-profit prisons. Based on his social media posts, Newton supports workers’ rights including the formation of unions and increasing the federal minimum wage.

Newton has raised $214,694 as of March 31 and has $19,373 cash on hand.

Marcus W. Williams Like Constance Lov Johnson, Marcus W. Williams has run for public office many times before. In 1992, Williams ran for governor, in 2008 a US Senate seat. In 2012 he ran in the Democratic primary for US House District 8; in 2014 he ran in the Democratic primary for NC Senate District 13, in 2016 he ran in the Democratic primary for attorney general — losing by just under 7 percentage points — and in 2020 he ran for US House District 9 in the Democratic primary.

His campaign website still lists him as running for attorney general. Williams is a practicing attorney with more than 30 years of experience who posts clips of former TV interviews and newspaper articles on his social media and website in lieu of campaign priorities.

Williams has raised $2,492 thus far and has no cash on hand.

Republicans Jen Banwart Jen Banwart, from Apex, left a 19-year career with the Dept. of Defense, where she specialized in tactical operations support, to run for Senate. She has not been included in any televised debates. According to her Twitter, because she does not accept PAC donations — she has raised less than $5,000. She favors strong defense — both of the United States and the Constitution, feels “very uncomfortable with the broad nature of the current abortion conversation,” believes in “medical freedom” but not universal healthcare, disagrees with critical race theory, thinks that “sanctuary cities” should be cut off from state and federal funds, supports fracking and spending cuts at the federal level.

Lee A. Brian Lee Brian of Clayton has no experience as an elected official, has not participated in any candidate forums nor appeared in any debates. Her website is very lean, with no

policy positions but a link to a Telegram conspiracy channel and a list of “White Hat Websites” that includes far-right activists Steve Bannon, the My Pillow guy, Dan Bongino and Gen. Mike Flynn.

She has raised less than $5,000.

Leonard L. Bryant Leonard Bryant of Fayetteville is one of several Black Republicans in the race, with 31 years served in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, and a degree from Liberty University. From his website: “The White House is censoring conservatives. Legacy media is censoring conservatives. We must speak out about the issues that matter, from the radical agenda to force toddlers to conform to liberal gender ideology to the left’s attack on parental rights in public education, we all must speak out against their very dangerous agenda and refuse to be silenced.”

He has raised $6,577 and has $1,741 ending cash on hand.

Rep. Ted Budd Sitting US Congressman Ted Budd, a gun-shop owner born in Winston-Salem, got his seat in 2017 after winning exactly 20 percent of the vote in a 17-way primary in a district built for a Republican.

He then rode Trump’s coattails to beat Democrat Bruce Davis in the General Election by more than 12 points. Budd is Trump’s choice for the seat, possibly because he voted against impeachment twice, voted to overturn President Biden’s election after Jan. 6, 2021 and has repeated falsehoods about the integrity of the 2020 election — which he himself won by almost 37 points.

Other than Trump’s endorsement, his platform mirrors everyone else’s except maybe more so. From his website: “The Senate is our last line of defense against the Left’s woke, socialist agenda and weak foreign policy. Putting America first is the only way that our country will succeed.”

So far his campaign has raised $4.2 million and has $1.9 million ending cash on hand.

NEWS | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

supports reducing government spending on weapons of war and remodeling the justice system. He states that he avoids money from lobbyists and donates at least half of his salary back into the community to “remain a true, genuine voice of the people.”

No campaign finance information was available for this candidate.

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NEWS | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

Drew Bulecza On his website, cowboyforcongress. com, Drew Bulecza says, “Although you can only vote for me in North Carolina I want to make this a nationwide campaign for a few reasons. Nationwide publicity will inspire other everyday Americans (like the truck driver in Jersey or the cowboy in NC ) to step up and take back our country!” Oddly, the site itself is a subdomain of his business site, TWSSH Buildings, selling pre-fab steel structures like carports and barns. He’s against government overreach, pro Second Amendment and wants to “remove the career politicians” from Congress. He has raised $0, according to the FEC.

He is still legally unable to practice law in NC. Benjamin E. Griffiths There’s no website for candidate Benjamin Griffiths, who lives in Charlotte, and a campaign Facebook page is bereft of policy positions. But in the comments he expresses support for impeaching President Biden, election integrity, Congressional term limits and former President Trump.

The page currently has 25 followers. He has raised about $5,000.

ishing sanctuary cities. He’s a close third in the money game right now with $4.15 million raised so far, behind Democrat Cheri Beasley ($8.6 million) and Republican Rep. Ted Budd ($4.2 million). Is it worth mentioning that he graduated from Ragsdale High (Class of ’74)?

the Lord to hear His instruction, the Lord has impressed on my heart the issues of Unity, National Security, Education, Prison Reform and Abortion.”

Mark Walker Who knows why Trump chose Budd Charles Kenneth Moss instead of former Charles Moss of Randleman has no Rep. Mark Walker, campaign website, has reported no funds who declined to run and done no interviews. He’s almost for re-election in NC’s certainly the same Charles Moss who 6th Congressional District after court-orhas been running for office in NC since dered redistricting turned it blue. His 1986, according to this News & Observer positions are pretty much identical — article from 2016, the last time he ran basically Trumpian Republicanism — for governor. He received 7.66 percent but Walker came about through GreensKenneth Harper Jr. of the vote in the March primary that boro’s Lawndale Baptist Church, where Another Black Reyear. His Facebook page has not been he was an assistant pastor and where publican, Kenneth updated since September 2015.

Guilford County’s Tea Party chapter, Harper of Archdale Conservatives for Guilford County, Marjorie K. Eastman has a narrative: a Lichia Sibhatu began. Walker says Trump has been An Army Reserve former student-body Lichia Sibhatu is a pressuring him to drop out. And he’s a combat veteran with president, high school daycare owner from distant fourth in the money race, with tours in support of athlete and academic achiever, his best Raleigh but was born just $1.68 million raised and $509,318 operations in Iraq and friend died before his senior year of high in Eritrea, a country cash on hand.

Afghanistan, Marjorie school sending him into a spiral that led on the Horn of Africa.

Eastman is also an to expulsion and arrest, followed shortly She has been endorsed award-winning author by the birth of his first child. He has by the American-Ethiopian Public of The Frontline Generation: How we Served worked as a salesman — vacuum clean- Affairs Committee. Her main issue Post 9/11. She’s bullish on national ers, modular homes, cars, insurance — seems to be abortion — she’s against security and strong borders, believes and has raised more than $33,000 for his it — and she’s raised almost $8,000 in increased law enforcement will reduce campaign. He has $2,025 ending cash small donations and has $1,100 ending DISTRICT 5 No Democrats are running in this race which means violent crime and is positioning herself on hand. There are no policy positions cash on hand. Her Twitter has just two that the winner of the Republican primary will take as an alternative to career politicians. on his website, but he is against “cancel posts: one announcing her campaign She’s up there in the money race as well, culture,’ masks and career politicians. and another from March expressing the the seat. fourth overall with almost $800,000 desire to work with Britney Spears on Republicans raised so far.

Pat McCrory new music.

Virginia Foxx (i) As the seven-term Assuming office in David Flaherty Jr. mayor of Charlotte Debora Tshiovo District 5 of US House David Flaherty has no campaign website (1995-2009), Pat MCAccording to her in January 2005, or social media we could find aside from Crory was considered LinkedIn page, Debora Virginia Foxx remains his voter-registration info, has raised no a progressive RepubTshiovo — another in the seat today. funds according to the FEC and has not lican, spearheading Black Republican in Prior to that, she was returned an email sent to his campaign initiatives like public transportation the race — is a Congoa member of the NC Senate and the account. He is the son of David Flaherty and downtown development. As the lese-American citizen deputy secretary for management for Sr., the late two-term state senator who one-term NC governor (2012-16), he with a recent master’s degree in public the state.

Since taking office, Foxx has served in the cabinet under NC goverpresided over the Republican takeover policy from the University of Maryland. represented and been staunchly in line nors Jim Holshouser and Jim Martin, of the General Assembly that included Her political experience includes seven with the increasingly conservative GOP, and ran unsuccessfully for governor numerous redistricting boondoggles and months as junior office coordinator at and is one of several North Carolina himself in 1976. Flaherty Jr. served in the disastrous HB 2 “Bathroom Bill” the International Monetary Fund in representatives who continues to push the state House in the 1990s, then left that saw numerous film production, 2017 and as a lobbyist for Maryland the Big Lie. In her first year in office, she to become district attorney of Caldwell sporting events and convention leave the Common Cause, “a nonpartisan, grassCounty. In 2000 he was arrested for state for years to come, costing the state roots organization dedicated to restoring voted against sending aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina and has voted against DWI in December 2000. In 2005, the between $450 and $650 million. Now the core values of American democprograms like the American Rescue Plan state bar transferred him to disability he’s running as a Washington outsider, racy.” Her website, which is two weeks inactive status due to “depression and though his views are indistinguishable old, is short on policy and long on faith: Act in 2021. She is anti-LGBTQ rights, opposes the Equality Act and doesn’t addictive diseases which significantly from the others at the front of the pack: “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and get impair his professional judgment, perfor- fiscal responsibility, military spending, my orders from on High. As I have been believe in abortion even in cases of rape or incest. In 2019, she voted against mance or competence as an attorney.” supporting conservative judges and pun- praying for this country, and waiting on

US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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Michael Ackerman Michael Ackerman currently resides in Valle Crucis with his wife and daughter. He taught middle school US History on the Navajo Reservation in Sanders, Ariz.

Additionally, he is a former police officer in both Arizona and South Carolina, with 14 years of combined service. In 2014 while serving with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina, he was awarded the Silver Star for being shot in the line of duty.

According to his campaign website, he served as a Juvenile Court Counselor with the NC Dept. of Public Safety until October 2021. He shares there, “I was terminated because I would not comply with Governor Roy Cooper’s tyrannical vaccine mandate.”

If elected, his top goal listed on his website is to “introduce and or support articles of impeachment for President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Secretary of State Blinken for Malfeasance and Misfeasance in office.”

His campaign had raised $24,961.10 and had $1,174.85 cash on hand as of March 31.

DISTRICT 6

After winning the district handily in 2020, Democrat Kathy Manning, who does not have a primary this month, looks towards November to keep her seat.

So far Manning has raised $1.47 million and has $1.24 million ending cash on hand, more than five times the highest-raising Republican in the race.

Republicans Gerry Austin Summerfield and Oak Ridge resident Gerry Austin is an Army National Guard veteran who worked for both the Greensboro Police Department as well as the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office for decades. According to his website, Austin supports

voter ID, “finishing the wall,” protecting the Second Amendment and improving veterans’ lives through medical and mental healthcare and housing. As a former first responder, Austin believes in funding law enforcement and opposes “critical race theory, or any similar indoctrination,” in public schools. He is pro-life. Austin has raised $4,848 and has $1,253 cash on hand.

Castelli has raised $204,497 thus far, including $140,000 in loans — the most of any Republican — and has $144,621 ending cash on hand.

Mary Ann Contogiannis Dr. Mary Ann Contogiannis is a plastic surgeon with a practice in Greensboro. AccordMarvin Bogulawski ing to her website, she Marvin Bogulawski has is running because she has “witnessed worked as an engineer firsthand how government often interand executive in corferes, rather than enhances, an individuporate America for the al’s or a business’ success.” She is against last 30 years, according gun control, abortion and raising taxes. to his website. His “Non-military federal budgeting should LinkedIn profile states that he currently be decreased,” she states. “In particular, works as a director of operations for better control of entitlement program Agiliti, a Minneapolis-based medical spending with elimination of duplicate equipment management company. spending across government agencies Using his work experience, Bogulawski should be enacted.” states that he would “drive out billions Contogiannis’ campaign has raised and billions of dollars of waste at the $14,740 and has 12,995 cash on hand. federal level.”

He believes that life starts at concepLee Haywood tion, supports voter IDs and says that This is Lee Haywood’s big Chinese companies in America are second time running a “communist attack from within our for Congress. In 2020, country economically.”

Haywood won the Bogulawski has raised $7,825 and has Republican primary $3,906 cash on hand. and ran against Democrat Kathy Manning in the general Christian Castelli election, losing by almost 25 percentage Christian Castelli points. This time around, Haywood has comes from a long line doubled down on his platform, even of military service that promoting the “Even More Politicaldates back to his great ly Incorrect Raffle” on his website in grandfather. Castelli which supporters can enter to win an spent 20 years in the AR-15 rifle, a half gallon of bourbon military, earning his Green Beret in 1998 or concealed-carry lessons for donating and serving as lieutenant colonel for to his campaign. His priorities include the Secretary of Defense. He attended funding law enforcement, eliminating Harvard University, earning a master’s deficit spending, eliminating governdegree in public administration with a ment regulations that hinder growth for concentration in international security small businesses and supporting school and political economy. He retired in choice. Haywood also states that he 2012 after being awarded the Legion of wants to create opportunity zones in the Merit for his service. After his retirement district, including one centered around Castelli started two logistics businesses NCA&T State University. Of all of the and helped his brother start a church in Republicans, Haywood has been one of Florida. Like his Republican colleagues the most publicly visible candidates in he supports a universal voter ID prothe last few years, showing up to local gram for elections, is pro-life, supports events such as those opposing lockdowns school choice and opposes critical race during COVID-19 and protests outside theory and is against vaccine mandates. of school boards.

He also supports the Second AmendHaywood has raised $48,062 and has ment, securing the border and opposes $14,162 ending cash on hand. increasing taxes.

Laura Pichardo Greensboro native Laura Pichardo is running for Congress a second time. In 2020, Pichardo faced opponent Lee Haywood in the Republican primary and lost by almost 50 percentage points. Pichardo is one of the youngest candidates in the race, having graduated from UNCG in 2014. She works as a global transaction services accounts payable analyst.

According to her website, she supports flexible options for students whether that be a traditional four-year college or twoyear technical program post high school.

“There should be maximum monetary limitation to how much a person can take out for student loans based on their chosen career path to protect them predatory loaning practices,” she states.

She supports voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations and limited government spending.

No campaign finance information was available for this candidate.

NEWS | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

both articles of impeachment against then-President Donald Trump and on Jan. 6, 2021, was one of 147 Republicans who objected to the certification of electoral votes for the 2020 election.

As of March 31, Foxx had raised this campaign cycle $1,244,118 and had $2,834,985 cash on hand.

William Schuch Licensed pilot, former police officer and welfare fraud investigator William “Bill” Schuch’s website reads less like a candidate’s campaign site and more like a personal diary. In long paragraphs, Schuch talks about the kind of person he is and then outlines broad issues with today’s society in lieu of an “issues” page. He mentions how the price of goods has risen and how the pandemic “has been used as the most prolific weapon ever designed by man” and that “free speech is gone.”

He takes issue with being asked what his pronouns are and of people “getting canceled.” He opposes things he claims incumbent Democrat Kathy Manning stands for including abortion, “boys in the girls room” and forced vaccinations.

No campaign information was available for this candidte.

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NEWS | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

NC SENATE DISTRICT 59

Currently represented by Republican Jon Hardister.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Hardister, who has no primary opponent, in the general election this November. Hardister had $89,545 ending cash on hand at the end of 2021.

Democrats Eddie Aday Eddie Aday is a veteran who has served in the marine corps and army national guard. He has lived with his family in the district since 2007 where they manage a small farm.

He believes in funding public schools, increasing apprenticeship programs, increasing support for social workers and mental health professionals, protecting the environment, increasing minimum wage and supporting veterans.

According to his 2021 end of year campaign finance report, Aday has raised $6,850 and had $3,750 cash on hand.

Sherrie Young Greensboro resident Sherrie Young filed to run in the state Senate race but has virtually no online presence indicating that she has done so. TCB couldn’t find a campaign website for Young and an email went unreturned.

DISTRICT 71

Three candidates, including the incumbent’s husband, are set to run in the Democratic primary for the District 71 NC House seat on May 17. As there are no Republicans running, the winner of the primary will win the seat.

Democrats

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Kanika Brown After launching an unsuccessful challenge to unseat Evelyn Terry in the 2020 Democratic primary, Kanika Brown is back to try again.

Brown currently serves as the community liaison for the Southside community through Experiment in Self Reliance.

In this position, she works on various projects throughout Winston-Salem, mostly in schools and recreation centers.

If elected, she plans to focus on education, healthcare, affordable housing,

the environment, financial literacy, and the minimum wage. Her stance on education includes a stronger focus on reading literacy, financial literacy and implementing a pet therapy program for youth. Brown promotes that healthcare needs to be affordable for all people and people should not be forced to choose between eating or paying bills and medication or medical expenses. She says she understands the importance of working across the political aisle and if elected is willing to work alongside all parties to make a difference.

schools. Additionally, he shared with TCB that there is a need for improvement in funding and opportunities for teacher development. Regarding healthcare, he promotes expanding Medicaid.

DISTRICT 74

Republican Jeff Zenger currently holds the seat and is running unopposed. The winner between Day and Lew will face Zenger in the general election this November.

Democrats

Carla Catalán Day Carla Catalán Day David Moore moved to Forsyth Born in Winston-Salem, County with her family David Moore believes in the 1990s, attending helping convicts in the Meadowlark Middle rehabilitation process; School and graduating helping others see they from West Forsyth High are changed individuals School. Day is a registered Environmenis one of his biggest priorities, according tal Health Specialist and owns a conto his website. This is an important issue sulting agency in Winston-Salem. The for Moore as an ex-convict himself who top priorities of her campaign include served a two-year sentence for marijuaexpanding Medicaid, funding public na trafficking. In 2004, he opened an schools and increasing support for social auto-body shop in Winston-Salem and services. As a working-class mother, Day the following year filed the business as a says she understands the feeling of cannonprofit. Currently, his business serves celing a child’s medical appointment due as a community-service work spot for the to not being able to afford the service. If Winston-Salem court system. He also elected, she aims to expand Medicaid for collaborates with the Winston-Salem Po- working-class and middle-class people. lice Department in their gang prevention She supports teachers when they say initiative to help at-risk youth. they need reduced classroom sizes and school supplies. She plans to do this by Frederick Terry pushing for funding for public education.

Frederick Terry resides Day fully supports the Leandro plan and in Winston-Salem with increasing NC educators’ salaries to the his wife Evelyn Ternational average of $63,645. ry who has held the District 71 House seat Sean Lew for five terms. Terry is a Sean (pronounced graduate of WSSU. He “seen”) Lew has lived is currently retired; however, he serves in Forsyth County for as the Legislative Assistant to his wife more than 20 years. He Evelyn. His community involvement received his Juris Doctor includes previously serving as chair for from the UNC School the Forsyth County Democratic Party. of Law and is currently an attorney Additionally, he served the following with his own practice in Winston-Salem. local organizations: United Way, Exper- Lew served as a citizen commissioner iment in Self Reliance, Inc., and MUSE for the city of Winston-Salem on two Winston-Salem. Terry’s main campaign community boards from 2003-06. His focuses are education, healthcare (with priorities include supporting family busian emphasis on women’s healthcare), nesses, strengthening schools, expanding and fighting against the inequalities in healthcare coverage and preserving state government. His stance on educanatural resources and green spaces. As a tion is that there is too much censorship small-business owner, Lew is passionate in schools and that private institutions about supporting family businesses in the don’t face the same challenges as public district to help them recover from the

pandemic. Lew said he supports increasing access to early childhood education, raising teacher pay and investing in increasing staff size to support the needs of students. He supports the Leandro decision to add $1.7 billion to schools in the state budget.

DISTRICT 91

With no Democrats running, the winner of the Republican primary in May will automatically win the seat in November. District 91 was redrawn after the 2020 census to encompass the whole of Stokes County and the northern part of Forsyth County.

Republicans Kyle Hall (i) Kyle Hall is the District 91 incumbent and a 2012 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. In 2015, when he was 25 years old, Hall was appointed to the House seat by Gov. Pat McCrory after the resignation of Rep. Bryan Holloway. He was elected to his first full term in 2016, then re-elected in 2018 and 2020. Hall describes himself as a “commonsense conservative committed to the ideals of limited government and personal responsibility.” Hall is Chair of the Agriculture, National and Economic Resources Appropriations Committee. As of April 20, Hall has raised $16,327 for his current campaign.

James Douglas (R) James Douglas (No relation to TCB contributor James Douglas) attended Davidson College and University of South Carolina.

Douglas believes that his long career in marketing and development will make him an effective state senator. If elected, his focus will be eliminating the state income tax by making federal tax deductible by the state, reducing taxes for seniors by not taxing Social Security benefits or pensions and improving education by supporting the development of online-accessible modules to help close education gaps.

Stephen James (R) Stephen James, from King, describes himself as a “Constitutional Conservative

GUILFORD COUNTY RACES GUILFORD COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DISTRICT 24

The primary responsibility of the district attorney is to prosecute all criminal cases filed in the Superior and District Courts. District attorneys also advise local law enforcement and prepare the criminal trial docket.

Avery Crump (D, i) Avery Crump was initially voted into office in 2018 after working as a district court judge in Guilford County for a decade.

While Crump cited her accomplishments during the last four years such as restoring drivers’ licenses and working to purge non-violent offenses from criminal records, the murder of Fred Cox Jr. by Davidson County Sheriff’s deputy Michael Shane Hill in November 2020 has colored the last two years of her tenure.

Rather than pressing charges against Hill, Crump presented two bills of indictment for voluntary manslaughter and felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury to a Grand Jury in June 2021. The Grand Jury failed to indict, finding insufficient evidence to support criminal charges. Attorneys representing the Cox family filed a civil lawsuit against Hill as well as the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in August 2021. The suit is ongoing.

When asked why she didn’t press charges initially, Crump said that “it is not unusual to go to the Grand Jury first in these types of cases.”

If re-elected Crump said she would focus on decreasing the backlog of cases by hiring more staff, increasing the number of defendants on the calendars and prioritizing homicide trials.

Brenton J. Boyce (D) First-time political candidate Brenton Boyce has been practicing law since 2007 and has had his own private practice since 2013. He puts criminal-justice reform at the top of his platform and said he would take a “proactive approach by reporting misconduct, refusing to prosecute offenses involving gross civil rights violations and fairly presenting witnesses to a Grand Jury in cases of police misconduct.”

If elected, Boyce said he would clearly establish policies to promote transparency, host regular opportunities for dialogue with the press and community members, modernize discovery practices to get evidence more quickly and consistently review where inequality exists in the system such as reconsidering policies on cash bail and plea negotiations.

Juan Monjaras Juan Monjaras has worked for more than nine years with the GCSO and a little more than a year with the Greensboro Police Department. A Latinx man, one of Monjaras’ focuses is his consideration of the Hispanic population and their interactions with police. If elected, he said he would work to “shine light on the common misconceptions regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, law enforcement and undocumented individuals.” If a deputy uses deadly force on the job, Monjaras said he would immediately issue a press conference “as soon as all facts are known. This will be done to show transparency and accountability.”

TJ Phipps In 2018, Phipps ran against current Sheriff Danny Rogers in the GUILFORD COUNTY Democratic primary, SHERIFF losing by about 15 percentage points. In Democrats terms of experience, Phipps has the most of the three candiDanny Rogers (i) Danny Rogers was first dates when it comes to working in law enforcement. He is a retired Greensboro elected as Guilford County sheriff in 2018, Police captain and a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy. As one of his unseating six-term incumbent Republican main concerns, Phipps noted the “distrust of law enforcement, particularly in BJ Barnes to become communities of color.” In 2020, Phipps the first Black sheriff of the county. signed a petition that called for police Rogers worked in the Guilford County Detention Center from 1985-87 and as a body-camera footage to be made available to the public as much as possible.

High Point police officer from 1987-90.

He supports the co-response model of His last law enforcement job before bepolicing and said questionable jail deaths ing elected to sheriff in 2018 was in the should be investigated by the State BuGuilford County Sheriff’s Office from 1990-93. Rogers said that the biggest is- reau of Investigation every time. sues facing Guilford County are the lack of engagement between law enforceRepublicans ment and community members to help Phil Byrd solve crimes as well as a lack of adequate Phil Byrd retired pay for employees. When asked about in 2014 as a senior specific practices he would support to captain of the sheriff’s address police reform, Rogers talked office after a 30-year about a broader outlook on the issue, career. Byrd said that stating that his office was “committed to he wanted to build breaking down barriers of culture and trust and loyalty within the department race by engaging with every community again and to make sure that employees within Guilford County….” felt supported. He also expressed support to those who speak out at school board meetings.

“I will be the sheriff that goes to school board meetings,” Byrd said. “We need the sheriff to go to school board meetings and lay out the problems, lay out the proposals and let the school board answer the problems through the sheriff.”

EL Melvin Lee Melvin, the only Black candidate in the pool of Republicans, also worked for the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department but for only three months in 2018. Prior to working for GCSO, Melvin worked for 24 years as a state trooper, the last 18 of those stationed in Guilford County. He talked about how morale had dropped under Danny Rogers’ leadership. He also argued that the Jan. 6 event wasn’t an insurrection. Adding to Byrd’s support for those speaking out at school board meetings, Melvin took it one step further.

“If I’m sheriff, you can stand on top of the desk and scream from the top of your lungs about what’s right for your child’s education,” Melvin asserted.

“That’s your First Amendment right.”

While the sheriff’s office may provide deputies to monitor school board meetings, the school board members have the right to have any individuals removed from meetings if they so choose. Melvin also said that if he were elected, he would decrease the amount of time to get a gun permit to “six weeks or less” and promised to double or triple the amount of officers in schools.

Adam Moore Adam Moore has worked in law enforcement since 2014 and also considered the importance of employee morale and staff retention. According to his LinkedIn, Moore worked as a police officer for the Haw River Police Department and said how many of the officers there know at least 75 percent of the people in the community. Because of that, Moore said that, were he elected, he would have his deputies working in the communities where they live as much as possible. He also repeatedly pushed for the importance of the sheriff and deputies having

NEWS | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

and lifelong Republican.” TCB reached out to James multiple times and hasn’t received a response. A flashy dresser, his campaign page on Facebook shows an enthusiasm for poker.

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a presence in all parts of the county, not just in Greensboro.

Randy Powers Randy Powers has served as the Director of DMV Enforcement and as a Chief Deputy/Colonel of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, according to his website.

If elected, Powers said that he would ensure that officers patrol the county, not within the city limits of Greensboro or High Point.

with sheriff’s deputies. He also stated the importance of working with Democrats to make changes

GUILFORD COUNTY COMMISSION AT-LARGE Democrats

Kay Cashion (i) Kay Cashion has been on the Guilford County Commission since 2004, and was known in the community for her work in the furnishings and decorating business Billy Queen prior to taking office. She has also been While he has never a strong advocate for victims of domestic worked for the Guilviolence. Some of her proudest achieveford County Sheriff’s ments include instituting and facilitatOffice, Billy Queen ing the first county citizen’s academy has worked for more in 2011, leading a study on substance than 30 years in law abuse in young adults in the county and enforcement, including in positions with another on family and domestic violence the US Border Patrol and as a special which led to the establishment of two agent in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco family justice centers, and serving as a and Firearms. Working as an undercover member of the committee that studied agent, Queen said he was subjected to ways to improve the county’s behavioraggressive behavior by the police includal-health services. She believes the couning being kicked. ty should be spending more money on “I know there are bad guys out there, funding for schools and county facilities. but they’ve got to be treated with respect also,” Queen said. “If you want respect, Greg Drumwright you have to treat them with respect.”

While this is only Greg In addition to bridging the gap between Drumwright’s second law enforcement and the community, time running for politiQueen stated that he would use his nacal office — he ran for tional experience to communicate with the Guilford County the different agencies around Guilford School Board in 2018 County and Greensboro such as city and lost — his name is well-known council, the county commissioners and in the local community for his efforts district attorneys. leading racial equity marches in Graham in 2020, as well as his recent efforts to William White seek justice in the killing of Fred Cox Jr. As one of the youngest which took place in High Point in 2021. candidates running, After leading a peaceful rally in Graham along with Adam on Oct. 31, in which officers deployed Moore, White doesn’t pepper spray at protesters, Drumwright have as many years of was charged with two felony counts professional experiof assault against a law enforcement ence but did come with specific policy officer and obstructing justice, and three plans including working with the county misdemeanors of failure to disperse commissioners to increase all deputies’ on command, resisting a public officer annual salary to $60,000 per year. White and public disturbance. In September has served in the Marine Corps and as 2021, an Alamance County judge found an officer with the Greensboro Police Drumwright guilty on the first two Department. He expressed an interest in misdemeanor charges. Drumwright, who utilizing technology, such as developing maintains his innocence and has said an app where citizens can request calls that he and his lawyers are appealing the for service and communicate directly

charges, told TCB that the charges are an example of the kind of racist policies he has been fighting against for decades.

Drumwright has prioritized criminal justice reform as the main arc of his platform and supports police reform including integrating more de-escalation tactics and mental-health training for officers. He supports the $1.7 billion bond for schools and dispersing rental assistance faster to families in need.

Republicans Alan Branson Alan Branson first won election to the board of county commissioners in 2012 to District 4. In 2020, Branson narrowly lost his re-election bid. During his time on the board, Branson served as both the chair and vice-chair. During his tenure, Branson said the board increased the budget for Guilford County Schools and the sheriff’s department. He also noted that during those years the county created the special ops building for the sheriff’s department, the Family Justice Center, the county mental-health facility, the new animal shelter and made improvements to county parks. He said that he’s concerned about “bond debt” and “how it will affect the taxpayers.” He also pointed to repairing schools, homelessness and drugs, and building a better relationship between the public and first responders as some of his priorities.

inson said he would work to “encourage fathers to be the first educators of their children” to instill morals such as uprightness and integrity.

GUILFORD COUNTY

COMMISSION DISTRICT 2 Republicans Alan Perdue (i) Incumbent Alan Perdue has represented District 2 since 2014. As a two-term incumbent, Perdue said that he wants to continue using his experience as a first-responder to serve his community. When he was 16 years old, Perdue joined the volunteer fire department and eventually rose through the ranks within the Dept. of Emergency Services to become director in 2003. He said that the current staffing levels in departments that provide essential services is one of his biggest concerns. Keeping property taxes as low as possible and maintaining a business-friendly environment through limited regulations is high on the list of priorities for Perdue.

During his tenure, Perdue said he’s been proud of overseeing projects like the building of the new emergency services facility, the new animal shelter and the new behavioral health facility all without raising property taxes.

Stephen Arnold Stephen Arnold was Alvin Robinson first elected as a county First-time political cancommissioner in 1991 didate and pastor Aland served until 2010. vin Robinson told TCB Prior to that, Arnold that he is running for served on High Point county commissioner City Council from 1985-88 and in the because the “Guilford NC General Assembly from 1988-90.

County Board of Commissioners needs In his 20 years as county commissioner, to remember that neither the board, or Arnold said that helping to make the any other government bodies, is God.” downtown ballpark and the veterans Robinson worked as a full-time firefightmemorial in Triad Park a reality were er from March 2003-December 2021. two of his successes. During his tenure, He also served as a part-time deputy for Arnold was seen as the board’s strongest the Guilford County Sheriff’s Departconservative voice, an aspect that he told ment before being fired from both jobs TCB he would bring back to the board if in December after invoking a religious re-elected. exemption against the county and city’s He noted how he opposes critical race COVID-19 testing policies. One of theory (which is not taught in public Robinson’s main concerns is poverty schools), “outrageous bond proposals,” within the county. To alleviate this, Robhealth mandates as well as restrictions

GUILFORD COUNTY

COMMISSION DISTRICT 3 Republicans George McClellan During a March 15 candidate forum at Kickback Jack’s in Greensboro, McClellan talked about his support of first-responders and his experience on Oak Ridge’s town council. He touted voting on 10 budgets as a member of town council without increasing taxes and said he would do the same if elected as county commissioner. He also said he would give sheriff’s deputies a raise and would support reasonable requests from the school board but that the “money must follow the child.” McClellan has come under fire from progressives for pushing for an audit of the school district.

Dan Suter Dan Suter is using his background as a project manager to differentiate himself from his opponents.

“Business project managers, they strategically plan, they tactically implement projects in a well-organized format for the best use of the dollars allocated in the most efficient manner within schedule and within scope that was actually outlined to produce the product, service or result that benefits you as the people,” Suter said in a Facebook video posted on March 14.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Suter is a senior project director for LabCorp, a position he has held for almost 15 years. Prior to that, he worked as a program manager for Gilbarco Inc. Pat Tillman Until very recently, Pat Tillman served as a school board member for District 3, a seat he won in 2016. During his tenure on the school board, Tillman was a conservative who got along with

his Democratic colleagues and would not always vote along party lines. Tillman said he wants Guilford County to be the most business-friendly county in the southeast, the safest county and the cleanest and most welcoming county in the region. Job creation and retention as well as building and maintaining public schools rank high on Tillman’s list of priorities. He said he views the two as inextricably linked.

“Empirical evidence and current data shows that in order to attract and retain a high-functioning workforce we must have a robust pipeline of career-ready students ready for these challenges,” he said.

GUILFORD COUNTY

COMMISSION DISTRICT 7 Democrats

community programs and trainings that help disadvantaged communities.

Lisa McMillan Lisa McMillan’s website states that she is running for county commission to advocate for accountability, safe and secure schools, and effective county government. As a school bus driver, McMillan advocates for all drivers being “paid as professionals and offered permanent, full-time employment” and for education professionals to be paid a livable wage. McMillan also supports creative solutions to homelessness including tiny house communities.

Republicans Kenny Abbe TCB did not hear back from Kenny Abbe for this piece and could not find information about this candidate online.

According to his candidate filing, Abbe lives in Greensboro.

Frankie T. Jones Jr. (i) Incumbent Frankie T. Jones was first appointed to the District 7 seat after longtime Karen Coble Albright incumbent Carolyn Coleman passed away in late January. Jones was a member of the advisory committee for the 2020/21 Greensboro/Guilford County Financial Capacity Study, currently works as the vice president in the investments department at Lincoln Financial and is also a licensed attorney with 14 years of experience. He wants to focus on affordable housing, economic development, public health and school infrastructure. He supports the school bond and the salestax increase on the ballot. In terms of public health, Jones said he would focus on continuing strategic partnerships with local health providers, diverting people from non-emergency visits to local ERs Anthony Izzard Izzard has worked as a Fatherhood Coordinator for various organizations around Guilford County for more than a decade.

He works with fathers and families on workforce trainings, mental-health trainings and more. To help the district he grew up in, Izzard advocates for spending more money on

This is Karen Coble Albright’s second time running for office. In 2020, she unsuccessfully ran for soil and water commission. Albright currently works as a paralegal. During a March 15 candidate forum at Kickback Jack’s, she said supporting the police department, veterans and voter integrity are her top priorities. While she didn’t share specific policies, spouted popular Republican tropes about “illegal people coming over the borders” and making sure to bolster the Republican party so that “Democrats don’t destroy our country.”

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on religious liberty. He said he supports school choice and law enforcement agencies.

GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 2

There is only one Democrat, Amdana Cook, running in this race so the winner of the Republican primary will face her in November.

Republicans

Crissy Pratt Crissy Pratt is one of the candidates running as part of a slate called New Vision, New Direction, put together

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by the local conservative group Take Back Our Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a Master of Education in instructional technology, and is a national board-certified teacher. As a former educator, Pratt said that what concerns her the most about Guilford County Schools is student performance. She does not believe in banning books, instead offering action items such as a set of criteria for rating books as well as a process to allow potentially controversial books to remain in libraries. On critical race theory, she said, “I do not believe that we should be teaching that students should be separated into two groups based on race: the oppressed and the oppressors.” However, she said that schools should teach “an accurate version of history that reflects our country’s painful reality, which should include African-American history, Native American history and all of the history of our country.”

Marc Ridgill Marc Ridgill is a registered Republican and former Greensboro police officer who worked in Guilford County schools as an SRO. In 2020, TCB reported on comments Ridgill made on Facebook that likened Black Lives Matter protests to anarchy and felonies. He has previously run for Greensboro City Council and Guilford County School Board, in 2015 and 2018 respectively, losing both times in the general election.

GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 6

There is only one Democrat, incumbent Khem Irby, running in this race so the winner of the Republican primary will face her in November.

Republicans

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Tim Andrew Tim Andrew is another candidate running as part of New Vision, New Direction, put together by the local conservative group Take Back Our Schools. Andrew, who works as a project manager, lamented

about students’ test scores and suggested that the board should devote more time during its meetings to monitor student progress. He also told TCB that he is “not for banning books per se, but we have to agree that some books are not age appropriate.” He also conceded that there are varying beliefs about what critical race theory is in the public sphere.

“If you believe that critical race theory is simply teaching the uglier parts of American history, then I will agree with you that history should be taught,” he said.

Matthew R. Kuennen Matthew Kuennen, an associate professor of exercise science at High Point University, said that the health measures put in place by the current school board during the pandemic were “draconian” and were “not based in science.” Kuennen also stated that he has “significant concerns about critical race theory being taught in schools” and argued that the theory “re-writes” the history of the United States. He did not express support for teaching African-American history in schools and said that Jan. 6 was not an insurrection.

CITY OF GREENSBORO

City council races, including the mayoral race, are nonpartisan but we have listed each candidates’ political affiliation. The general election for the city races will take place on July 26 instead of in November.

GREENSBORO MAYOR

Nancy Vaughan (D, i) Nancy Vaughan has been mayor since 2013 and has served on Greensboro City Council off-and-on since 1997, when she was first elected to represent District 4.

During her time as mayor, there has been a considerable amount of economic development in the city including the construction of the Tanger Center, LeBauer Park and partnerships with new businesses such as Honda Jet, Boom Supersonic and Toyota. During the 2020

protests she instituted a citywide curfew, which opponents said violated the First Amendment. She also supports making sure police and fire departments are well-funded. After the murder of Marcus Deon Smith, she worked with the police department to change certain policies such as discontinuing the use of hogtying, but voted against written consent for searchs by police and didn’t support an independent investigation into Smith’s death. She supports a co-response model of policing and the “500 Jobs for Teens” which pairs 14- to 21-year-olds with summer jobs.

Mark Cummings (D) Mark Cummings is an attorney who runs his own practice out of downtown Greensboro. He formerly served as a Guilford County District Court Judge until December 2019 when he resigned after a yearlong state investigation into misconduct. Cummings, who told TCB that the investigation was flawed, said that “when the then-chief justice improperly and without legal authority, suspended me… and it was evident that the legal process that followed could take years… I chose to resign and return to private practice.”

Cummings mentioned the rise in crime as one of his biggest concerns, stating he supports police reform, not a defunding of the police. He also said to combat the mass exodus of graduates from the city, he would start a “Learn Here, Earn Here” initiative that would create incentives for companies that hire recent graduates from local colleges and universities.

Justin Outling (D) Justin Outling has been on city council since 2015 when he was elected to District 3. He currently works as an attorney and partner at Brooks Pierce;he did not specify whether he would continue in the position if elected as mayor. Critics have pointed out that Outling has had to recuse himself from voting on several measures before council because Brooks Pierce was one of the parties involved.

Still, Outling said it wouldn’t be a problem.

“It is worth noting I have served seven years on council without notable issues in this regard,” he said.

Outline did not support an independent investigation into the death of Marcus Deon Smith but did support the written-consent measure. He has used misleading data on violent crime in Greensboro and has said he would hold monthly work sessions focused on public safety. He also said the criteria for releasing people on bonds should be reconsidered given the rise in domestic-violence issues. Outling also wants to prioritize investment in East Greensboro and create an innovation corridor that stretches from NC A&T State University to the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship.

Eric Robert (U) Eric Robert is a local real-estate developer and designer at QUB Studios. A political outsider, Robert said he is running for mayor because current elected officials “have promoted self-serving extreme cronyism and an elitist environment.” Robert said he supports the notion of police reform and not a defunding of police because the latter “is simply not a viable and realistic option.” He supports increasing officer pay and body-camera footage being made available to the public immediately as well as a civilian oversight board.

He has been an outspoken critic against those he believes are working together for their own profit, like other developers in the city.

“Such access and influence are alarming as some elected leaders forget that their constituency actually includes more than just the three or four rich guys,” Robert said.

GREENSBORO CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE (May vote for THREE)

Marikay Abuzuaiter (D, i) Come May 17, this will be Marikay Abuzuaiter’s seventh time running for office and her fourth time running as an incumbent. Since her election in 2011, Abuzuaiter has come

that economic development, including small businesses that pay workers a living wage, was high on her list. She also said she wants to help the police department develop a better relationship with the community. Last year, prior to Michelle Kennedy’s resignation, Johnson was the only other councilmember besides Kennedy who supported an independent investigation into the death of Marcus Deon Smith.

Taffy Buchanan (U) The largest issues facing Greensboro in Hugh Holston (U, i) Taffy Buchanan’s opinHugh Holston was ion, are homelessness, unanimously chosen food shortages and for the seat in Sepunsafe living spaces. tember 2021 after As a longtime resident of Greensboro, Michelle Kennedy Buchanan said she’s fit to help lead the resigned from the post city because she has “witnessed firsthand in August to take a job with the city. all of Greensboro’s changes, both good Holston, who is registered as unaffiland bad.” iated, formerly served as chair of the In terms of police reform, Buchanan city’s planning and zoning commission said that everyone in the community and has served as chair of the board was hurt by the death of Marcus Deon of adjustment. As part of his run for Smith. She said no one should die at the re-election Holston said he is focusing hands of police and that there needs to on “three pillars for progress: economic be reform on a “sensitivity level.” development, public safety and commu- “Officers need to be better trained on nity engagement.” He argued that some de-escalation and on how to recognized of the main issues facing Greensboro mentally ill persons,” she said. include job creation, and making it Mentioning the recent growth the city easier to do business in Greensboro by has seen with major contracts like Boom designing effective public transit, housing Supersonic and the Toyota megaplant, and public safety.

Buchanan said she would continue to work with programs like “NCWorks to Yvonne Johnson ensure that our community have a the (D, i) opportunities to receive proper training First elected to Greens- and acquire skills that will allow them to boro city council be able to equally compete and benefit from 1993-2007 to an from this growth.” at-large seat, Johnson has since served as Melodi Fentress (R) Greensboro’s first Black mayor (2007-09) Melodi Fentress is one as well as mayor pro tem, a position she of two registered Recurrently holds — the mayor pro tem is publicans who are runthe at-large member who gets the most ning for the at-large votes. seats in this race. FenJohnson has served as the executive tress currently works director for One Step Further, Inc., a as the owner of Rainbow Magic Alpaca nonprofit that helps people convicted Farm. Fentress noted the city’s crime of crimes through mediation for years. rate, improving the public transportation During her time as mayor, Johnson system and combating food deserts as helped to start the International Advisome of her key platform ideas. She also sory Council which helps understand said that the police department should the needs of the immigrant community be “fully funded,” and should prioritize in Greensboro. In terms of what she combating violent and property crimes still wants to work on, Johnson noted rather than non-violent drug offenses. As

a farmer, Fentress advocated for easing restrictions on the rules for community gardens and urban farms. On her Facebook, Fentress has shared COVID-19 misinformation including posts stating that masks harm children physically and psychologically, as well as statistics that attempt to downplay COVID-19 by stating the survival rate of the world population. She has also compared the influx of migrants at the US-Mexico border to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in a Facebook story.

Tracy Furman (D) Tracy Furman is the executive director of Triad Local First, a nonprofit that promotes local businesses, a position she previously told TCB she would keep if elected to council. Furman mentioned the lack of access to shops and retail in east Greensboro and a need to improve the public transportation system, including allowing college and university students to use the bus lines for free. She also mentioned the need for better-priced housing for students as well as a need for council to keep its overarching goals for the city in mind when it comes to working with developers.

With regards to police reform, Furman said she wants to make sure the culture of the police department is “one of community policing and not militant enemy/ combatant.”

Franca Jalloh (D) Franca Jalloh, who has more than 15 years of legal experience helping the immigrant community, has served as the chair for the city’s International Advisory Committee — the first woman to do so — and currently serves as a commissioner on the city’s Criminal Justice Advisory Committee as well as a board member of the Police Community Review Board.

Jalloh listed education equity, economic opportunity, housing security and justice and public safety as her top priorities.

She supports eliminating cash bail and decriminalizing homelessness and mental health issues. She also stated that she would fight back “against hostile law enforcement agencies that seek to tear

our immigrant families apart.”

Dustin Keene (U) Dustin Keene is the owner of both Common Grounds Coffee Shop, which has been open since 2013, and the Flat Iron, a music space in downtown Greensboro which he resurrected in 2019.

Many of Keene’s talking points expressed broad views of change rather than specific policy initiatives, alluding to his lack of political experience. One of the more specific answers Keene gave pertained to his thoughts on police reform. To that, he mentioned that the department should invest in an education approach and officers should learn “how to de-escalate any situation.” He also supported paying police officers more.

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under fire for her alignment with local law enforcement, including her work as a confidential informant for the Greensboro Police Department. According to her campaign website, she has been endorsed by the Greensboro Police Officers Association. In addition to public safety, Abuzuaiter said her main objectives as a council member include economic development, infrastructure and housing for the influx of employees the city will see from its new business partnerships such as Boom Supersonic and the Toyota megaplant.

Katie Rossabi (R) In past articles for TCB, Katie Rossabi has said she didn’t feel that the current city council has supported the police department and its chief. On her website she supports increasing pay for officers and “will speak out against those who wrongly try to vilify them.” She also notes that she would support any police reform by experienced law enforcement. In a campaign video on her website, she stated that Marcus Deon Smith, who was killed in September 2018 after he was hogtied by police, was treated “humanely” by officers who “helped him get assistance.”

Part of Rossabi’s stance on policing may be influenced by her husband Amiel Rossabi, who has supported the Greensboro Police Officers Association through his work Linda Wilson (D) Linda Wilson currently serves as the executive director of the Sebastian Health Center on the A&T campus. If elected, Wilson said she would focus on economic development, expanding public transportation and improving safety.

With regards to policing, Wilson said she supports providing police offices with

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mental health training, cultural sensitivity and equity and inclusion training.

To do that, Foushee said he would create pathways to homeownership and encourage investment in Black communities through development.

one of the most progressive candidates in the city council race. She supports giving the city’s criminal justice advisory commission more power to investigate police conduct and said she supports the CAHOOTS model of policing, which is an alternative response where mental-health providers respond to certain calls without armed police. Currently the city employs a co-response model.

GREENSBORO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3

Bill Marshburn (R) This is Republican Bill Marshburn’s first time running for office. In 2008, he was Timothy Kirkpatrick (R) charged with nine counts of communiSharon Hightower TCB did not receive answers to candicating threats after threatening to shoot (D, i) date questionnaires for Timothy Kirkmembers of city council. As reported Sharon Hightower patrick and at the time of publication, by the News & Record, Marshburn was won her seat back in he did not have a candidate website. arrested outside of the city council build2017 with overwhelming downtown after he called a senior ing support, garnering LaToya Bernice GREENSBORO CITY city planner and threatened to come to more than 84 percent Gathers (R) the city council meeting the next day of the vote. In a previous TCB piece, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 As a medical health and “shoot all the council members.”

Hightower pointed to her work as the Goldie Wells (D, i) professional, La Toya In addition to concerns about increascity council liaison on the Ad-hoc ComGoldie Wells has Gathers stated that she ing crime and rising prices, Marshburn mittee on African-American Disparity served in District 2 believes poverty, educondemned the media’s coverage of the as well as passing the city’s $15 per-hour since she was appointcation and housing are pandemic, stating that “they have comminimum wage as efforts she’s made to ed to city council in the three social determinants of health. pletely misinformed the public through close racial disparities in Greensboro.

2017 after Jamal Fox She noted that increasing area income, falsehoods and zero reporting of any She also mentioned wanting to continue resigned from the post. combating climate change, prioritizing dissenting information on COVID-19 being involved with the city’s Minority Wells also previously represented the dis- housing affordability and investing in and the lockdowns.”

Women Business Enterprise program trict from 2005-09. Wells played an inhigher education institutions were high Expanding on his ideology, Marshburn which provides opportunities for mistrumental role in founding the Renaison her priority list. When it comes to nority contractors. Hightower was also sance Community Co-op and helped get public safety, Gathers noted that she sup- appeared to condone police’s behavior in both the George Floyd and Marcus pivotal in the passage of Juneteenth as the White Street Landfill closed prior to ports the police department and would Smith cases, stating that “the safest way a citywide holiday, an act that was final- her time on council. In 2018, Wells sup- work to recruit officers to fill vacancies. to restrain someone is to restrain more ized in 2020. In past articles, Hightower ported the installation of a metal detec- She also stated that the city should inthan apparently necessary. Restraint has rejected the notion of defunding po- tor in a credit union which sat between crease workforce development programs protects both parties.” lice, and has instead expressed support the co-op and a Family Dollar. Those for young people to deter violence. for Cure Violence as well as racial-equity who opposed the measure at the time Zack Matheny (R) training for police as well as investments said it reinforced negative stereotypes Portia Shipman (D) Republican Zack in affordable housing, job training and about commercial real estate that serves Like Cecile CrawMatheny was first mental-health services. In 2019, HighBlack residents. In 2018, Wells opposed ford, Portia Shipman elected to the District tower supported an independent investhe solicitation ordinance that replaced is pushing herself as 3 Greensboro city tigation into the death of Marcus Deon the city’s panhandling ordinance, saying a community socouncil seat in 2007, Smith but has remained fairly silent on that the ordinance discriminated against cial-justice advocate a position he held the issue since then. panhandlers directly. In 2020, opposed in this race. A former until he left office in 2015 to become a written consent policy, arguing that it member of the city’s zoning commission president of Downtown Greensboro Felton Foushee (D) wouldn’t stop racial discrimination. and redevelopment committee, Shipman Inc., a position he still holds. When First time political canserved as the regional director of the asked about whether he would contindidate Felton Foushee Cecile Crawford (D) state’s NAACP for three years and is the ue to work for Downtown Greensboro was born and raised in Cecile Crawford has founder and executive director of the Inc. if elected, Matheny responded that Greensboro. He grew touted herself as the Sherri Denese Jackson Foundation, an neither he nor the city attorney, Chuck up in the Greenfield people’s candidate, organization that advocates for domesWatts, have found a direct conflict of Homes community expressing more tic-violence awareness and prevention. interest. His understanding of economand graduated from progressive views than Racial inequality is the biggest issue ic development is what gives him a leg Dudley High School before attending incumbent Goldie facing the city, according to Shipman. In UNCG. Eventually, Foushee found work Wells. As part of her priorities if elected, her response about how she would work up on the other candidates, Matheny argues. That’s why he sees working with at the Hayes-Taylor YMCA and became Crawford noted making sure families with immigrant and refugee communidevelopers as integral to the growth of the Director for the Black and Latino have affordable housing, addressing ties, she said that while the city should be the city. If re-elected, he said he would Achievers program there. Currently root causes of violence and increasing welcoming to newcomers, that by doing focus on strategic vision, housing, jobs, Foushee works as a history professor the minimum wage past just $15 per so, the Black community “suffers more public safety, future growth and smart at UNCG and as a racial equity and hour. She pointed towards building up when this happens.” leadership. Matheny supported some engagement officer for the Racial Eqthe local economy by supporting local “Let us find a way to make room for form of police reform in theory, stating uity Learning Community. If elected, businesses, ensuring rental housing is our immigrant friends and make sure to that the city should “have a strategic Foushee said he will focus on alleviating financially viable, as well as setting up take care of our permanent residents as focus on mental health, which is beyond issues of economic disparity in the city, an eviction legal defense fund and a well,” she said. the police department and is an area in particularly those that face the Black right to counsel for renters. When it need of reform.” community in southeast Greensboro. comes to police reform, Crawford is

GREENSBORO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1

Robert Bodenhamer (R) Robert Bodenhamer is a political outsider who touts his lack of political experience as a plus in his campaign. He has served as an EMT and a firefighter for 25 years and worked in the emergency room at Wesley Long Hospital as well. His time on the frontlines impacted his worldview and has helped him to empathize with different groups of people, he said. As a first responder himself, Bodenhamer said he supports his fellow police officers but that if they are accused of wrongdoing, he would be the “first to throw them in the fire.”

As a solution to the increased tensions between police and communities of color, Bodenhamer suggested a more transparent hiring process. To increase collaboration between the different universities, Bodenhamer suggested a large festival — hosted by A&T and Bennett College — that would celebrate the Feb. 1 sit-ins every year.

GREENSBORO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5

Tony Wilkins (R) Tony Wilkins is the former executive director of the Guilford County Republican Party and a former city councilmember who served from 2012-17, when he lost to Tammi Thurm by 10 percentage points. As a candidate who has aligned himself closely with law enforcement, Wilkins failed to answer the question about whether or not he supports police reform. Instead, he stated that his biggest concern as a candidate is getting crime under control and maintaining a strong police department by supporting the police chief with money and tools. If re-elected, Wilkins expressed his goal of making Greensboro the “most business-friendly city in the state.”

Tammi Thurm (D, i) As an incumbent, Tammi Thurm mentioned her work on the city’s first permanent supportive housing project as well as the passage of the non-discrimination ordinance in 2021. The biggest issues facing the city, Thurm said, are affordable housing, public transportation and public safety. To ensure the last item, Thurm said she would invest in embedding mental-health professionals within the department to work with officers on calls. In 2020, Thurm and former councilmember Michelle Kennedy were the most vocal supporters of a written-consent policy for police searches that was suggested by the city’s criminal justice advisory committee. In the end, the proposal failed. When it comes to economic development and how it will impact the city, said she wants to prioritize ensuring minority and women-owned business en- FORSYTH COUNTY tities land contracts and expanding the COMMISSION AT-LARGE city’s transportation system so workers In the at-large race this year, there are two Democrats can get to their jobs easily. running, the winner of which will face Republican

FORSYTH COUNTY RACES

Terri Mrazek in the general election come November.

Democrats

El Amin wants to continue working on what he says are “three critical needs in District A” that include more resources for a focused economic development, reducing gang activity and focusing more resources towards academic excellence. A believer in workforce development, El Amin wants to spend less money on PAYGO funds and doesn’t believe in a reduction of law enforcement spending.

Ted Kaplan (i) A lifelong politician, Ted Kaplan has served three terms as County Commissioner, three terms as a member of the NC House, five terms as a member of the NC Senate and two terms as Senate Majority Leader. He views his years of experience as a leg up against his opponents.

Budget minded when it comes to his position as a commissioner, Kaplan is Tonya McDaniel (i) optimistic.

Tonya D. McDaniel “I have dealt with billion-dollar budgets was first elected as a for years,” he said. “Budgets that are balcounty commissioner anced and fair.” Kaplan is pleased with for District A in 2018. the current budgets. “[We are] keeping Citing the budget our AAA Bond ratings and meeting the she has overseen as needs,” he says. “Our biggest challenge a commissioner, she’s looking forward today is finding employees.” to helping put more resources in her community. She plans to work alongside Dan Besse state representatives and school board Dan Besse served for members to ensure a cohesive budget.

19 years as a Winston-Salem City Coun- “I am also looking forward to recognizcil Member, successful- ing our LGBTQ+ communities in the ly running for election future and continuing the work on supporting the State Goal of 100 percent and re-election five clean renewable energy by 2050 and times. If elected to county commission, creation of green jobs,” she said.

Besse said he will primarily be concerned with the public.

Phil Carter “Public schools, public health, public Currently the co-chair safety, affordable housing development,” of Housing Justice he said. “[T]here must also be investNow, Phil Carter is an ment in other community safety proadvocate for housing grams, including violence interruption, rights. He is also on mental health services, neighborhood the NC Democratic investment, education and poverty reExecutive Committee. If elected, Carter duction programs.” intends to be a “critical thinker, reviewing budget analysis, and keeping a keen FORSYTH COUNTY eye on wants, needs and savings of the COMMISSION DISTRICT A taxpayers’ taxation.”

(May vote for TWO) Carter thinks current law enforcement The District A race has two seats available with five policies need addressing, as well as housDemocrats — including two incumbents Fleming El Amin and Tonya McDaniel — fighting to make it to ing issues. “Our commissioners easily the general election. The top two vote-getters will move invest taxpayers’ money in large corpoon to the November general election along with the two rations and developers, not local busiRepublicans who have filed — Reginald Reid and nesses or the everyday person,” he said.

Michael R. Owens.

“They too need incentives to sustain and thrive, and I will fight Democrats to support citizens and small businesses.”

Fleming El Amin (i) Fleming El Amin has served on the Gardenia Henley Forsyth County Commission since 2017.

Gardenia Henley, an He was chair of the Forsyth CounAir Force Veteran, is a ty Democratic Party for two terms.

NEWS | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

Chip Roth (D) Though this is Chip Roth’s first time running for office, he has previously held a leadership position within the Small Business Administration after appointment by former President Obama; his wife, Denise, was appointed to head the federal government’s General Services Administration in 2015. His priorities include creating strong economic development and good jobs. Because of his experience at the SBA, Roth said he has experience advocating for small businesses. Roth has also worked for the Teamsters union, a position he said helped him to understand the needs of first-responders. He said one of his main concerns is the high crime rate. In order to address that, Roth said he would raise officer pay to help recruit more officers.

When it comes to police reform, Roth stated that he wanted to “make sure that our police department and our criminal justice system is colorblind.”

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retired US Diplomat Inspector General Officer from the Agency for International Development, where she was employed for 22 years. She has been a member of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, ran for Governor of NC in 2012, ran for US House in 2014 and 2016 and the NC House in 2020. If elected, she will focus on decreasing the tax rate, increasing Forsyth County employee salaries, supporting community non-profits and assisting taxpayers with affordable housing.

well as the failure to address mental and health issues causing burnout for teachers in the school system.

Richard Watts Watts has served Forsyth County public education for over 32 years. During that time, he was a teacher at Wiley Middle School, an assistant principal at Southwest Elementary School, and principal of Kimberley Park Elementary, Malishai Woodbury Sabrina Julian Gibson Elementary School and Voters will likely Coone-Godfrey Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy recognize Malishai Coone-Godfrey has School. He was named Principal of the Woodbury, who has been an active volunYear twice. He received an Education served on the WS/ teer in the WS/FCS Specialist Degree from Appalachian FCS Board of Edufor the last nine years. State University, master’s degree from cation for almost four She has two children Appalachian State University and years, three of those years as Board in the district, both at Title 1 Schools. bachelor’s degree from Wake-Forest Chair. Woodbury thinks schools are still Her campaign focuses on pushing for University. insufficiently funded, Pre-K accessibility more lobbying for funding and securing His platform focuses on safety for stuneeds attention and her experience on grants. Additionally, she wants to free up dents and staff, creating a sense of comthe school board helps inform her belief. teacher’s time to get them back to teach- munity in schools, academic achieve“The county should invest more money ing. She feels educators currently have ment and closing the achievement gaps, in increasing educator pay supplements, too many demands related to teaching building relationships and respect within Pre-K accessibility, and restorative juve- for the sole purpose of tests. If elected, schools through increasing morale, and nile justice, to name a few,” she said. “I she wants to change this to let teachers sustainable funding. think Forsyth County should spend less transition back to working with students If elected, he wants to be a part of money on luxurious amenities for certain directly. She told TCB she’s also conpushing the WS/FCS system to become parts of the county.” cerned about the current staffing crisis “the best in the state at education and in WS/FCS. She feels providing funding providing the best opportunities for all and resources to teachers will allow them students.”

WINSTON-SALEM/ to better address academic, social, and FORSYTH COUNTY Republicans emotional needs of students.

SCHOOLS AT-LARGE

(May vote for THREE) A dozen candidates have filed to run for three at-large seats: four Democrats and seven Republicans. Three from each party will advance to the November general election, along with Libertarian candidate Regina Garner, who has no primary opponent.

Democrats

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If re-elected, she plans to focus on teacher recruitment and retention, adequate pay to attract the best teachers, competitive pay for support staff, custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers, learning loss, third-grade literacy, and closing the achievement gap. Her biggest push will be to increase state funding so WS/FCS can attract and keep “our most valuable resources, our teachers.”

She recognizes the importance of creating a safe learning environment for all students to be seen and validated.

Deanna Kaplan (i) Kaplan is the only incumbent running for re-election in this year’s at-large school board primary election. She won the at-large seat in the 2018 election and currently serves as board chair.

She is proud of all the great strides she has made as chair, “in bringing our board together to focus on children first and providing the best education possible.”

Kimberly Stone Stone has been an active parent volunteer for the last 12 years while her two children attended WS/FCS. At the onset of the pandemic and throughout the first year of it, she partnered with guidance counselors and school food banks to keep elementary, middle and high school food pantries stocked. If elected, Stone plans to focus on creating stronger alliances with teachers, putting in better support systems for students, adding more incentives for student teachers and teacher retention, and engaging in programs that push towards career placement and futures that will help students escape the cyclical poverty this county has battled for decades. Her biggest concerns are the many students who have fallen through the cracks as

Sarah Absher According to Absher’s personal Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, she is currently a Registered Nurse in the Winston-Salem area. Absher does not appear to have a campaign website or social media accounts. She declined to answer candidate questions.

Carolyn Albright According to Facebook and her candidate email address, Albright is a professional photographer. TCB did not receive a response from Albright and there is currently no campaign website or social media accounts for her.

Robert Ninzio Capizzi According to Capizzi’s LinkedIn profile, he is the owner of CapED Educational Group, based in Winston-Salem. The company, which was founded in 1992,

helps students excel in academics and train for college entrance exams. Capizzi is also a Wake Forest University alum.

He does not appear to have a campaign website or social media account.

Allen Daniel Daniel volunteered in the WS/FCS school district from 2010-15 while maintaining a long-term career in software development. In 2015, he left that career for a one-year internship at Early College of Forsyth for licensure as a middle- or high school math teacher.

He taught during the 2016-17 school year and was a sub in fall 2017. He is currently a math tutor, both privately and for a local non-profit organization.

His campaign focuses on giving a voice to everyone in the system who feels unheard, addressing an inequitable distribution of resources, both human and financial, and holding every student accountable for their behavior.

Regarding student accountability, he feels schools are currently facing an issue with a lack of discipline and those students who want to learn cannot do so due to constant disruptions.

Tabitha Hackett According to Hackett’s campaign website, she was born and raised in Forsyth County and has lived in the area her entire adult life.

Both she and her three children have attended or are currently attending school in the WS/FCS system. Hackett is employed in the accounting department of a local auto dealership. Her platform focuses largely on having more parental involvement in the WS/FCS system. If elected, she wants to focus on turning the school board into a body where parent’s feel their concerns are heard and considered. Hackett says on her site, “I believe the parents have answers to the issues within the school system. It is my goal to see as much power as possible placed into the hands of the parents whom the school system serves.”

Millie Williams TCB did not receive a response from Williams and there is currently no campaign website or campaign social media accounts for her.

shaped public policy,” he says.

“I would push for a focus on the delivery of high-quality instruction for every child, investments in more experiential learning, more funding from the state to address pay, and cultural infusion in the curriculum.”

Trevonia Brown-Gaither Brown-Gaither taught mathematics for more than 19 years in both middle and high schools in the district. A post on her campaign’s Facebook account states “it is imperative that we address common safety issues such as bullying, harassment, and school discipline policies. Ensuring that every school has a dedicated social worker and school resource officer will provide a layer of safety not only for our students but also staff and a safe space for dialogue and solutions.”

Her priorities include keeping schools safe, equity in the classroom, advocating for students and teachers and pushing for transparency within the school system.

Chenita Barber Johnson WINSTON-SALEM/ Chenita Barber JohnFORSYTH COUNTY son is a cofounder of SCHOOLS DISTRICT 1 the Coalition for Equi(May vote for TWO) ty in Public Education, Five Democrats contend for two open seats in District which has advised 1 this year, including incumbent Alexandre Bohannon. policies to the school board, including The other incumbent, Malishai Woodbury, declined to studies of the 2016 bond proposals. run again. The top two vote-getters will automatically win the two seats in District 1, essentially making the Barber Johnson wants to address the school choice system, noting that it is primary the real election. detrimental to the entire community.

Democrats She is also a proponent of collecting community data about racial inequities Alexandre and gaps to increase reading/literacy.

Bohannon (i) The continued funding of home/school In Feb. 2021, Bohanparent coordinators is a necessity to her, non was appointed along with increased counselors. to the school board She wants the community to become making him the youngest member ever more involved. “Public education touches us all, as we all are stakeholders,” she to serve on the WS/FCS school board. said.

The largest issues Bohannon thinks Forsyth County schools face are a lack Ricky Johnson of funding from the state, low literacy Ricky Johnson is workrates, and the impact of COVID-19. ing to complete his Bohannon said that critical race theory doctorate in organizaisn’t taught in our school system but is “a tional leadership. His framework developed for the purpose of education background understanding how American racism has consists of volunteer-

ing and working in K-12 schools and outreach programs.

If elected, Johnson said he would push for academic achievement and discipline.

“Both fall under the guise of inequity and should be addressed…,” he said. He would also push for more teachers who are racially diverse. “[NC has] at least seven HBCUs that graduate hundreds of Black and Brown students each year,” he said. “We should take advantage of that opportunity that is right in front of us.”

Tarsha Shore Tarsha Shore has 30 years of experience working within the WS/FCS system.

She has worked as a teacher’s assistant, EC assistant and has taught middle and elementary grades. Shore wants to address the educational growth gap between minority and non-minority students and wants to look at the ways in which the pandemic has affected children. She believes “their social emotional needs [are] not being met, which contribute to them not having a sense of belonging.”

“I believe all children can learn,” she said. “I want the children of Forsyth County to have a quality education with the necessary resources they need to become productive citizens.”

WINSTON-SALEM/ FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS DISTRICT 2

(May vote for FOUR) The top four vote-getters in the Republican primary will advance to the general election in November where they will face Democrat Jennifer Castillo, who has no opponent in the primary.

ues to push for options for parents. If re-elected Crowley plans to focus on more support for teachers to address reading and math proficiency, equity in school facilities and resources, and putting students first in all decisions made.

On her website and campaign Facebook page, Crowley regularly talks about the importance of reading. When it comes to the wave of book-bannings across the country, she said, “Children should have access to as many books as possible that are age appropriate (no pornography).

Books that feature a non-traditional family (i.e. two moms) is not pornography.”

NEWS | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

Michael Hardman According to a video posted on Hardman’s campaign Facebook page, he attended schools in the WS/ FCS district and graduated from Mt. Tabor. He studied civil engineering at Virginia Tech and is a licensed civil engineer who works for a local construction company, at which he helps build schools. Based on Hardman’s campaign website, he plans to focus on teaching basic subjects without political agenda or bias, reducing the amount of screen time that students experience for school and homework, teaching students about American exceptionalism, restoring high expectations and empowering administrators to enforce behavioral standards and making curriculum and lesson materials easily available to parents online so they are able to make personal health decisions for their families.

Lida Calvert Hayes (i) Hayes was first appointed to a District 2 seat in 2015 after board member Jeannie Metcalf resigned. She then won re-election in 2018 as the top vote-getter and currently serves as vice chair. She attended Virginia Intermont Jr. College, University of North Carolina, and East Carolina University.

She shares her proudest achievements serving on the WS/FCS board is her work on the buildings and grounds committee for the school district. Her focus if re-elected will be on dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic, increasing pay for teachers and staff, ensuring corrective actions for staff happen when necessary, and safety in schools.

When it comes to the pandemic’s influences on the school system Hayes shares, “This has been a very difficult two years, but we have survived and hopefully will have learned from all of this and, as a result, will be a better system.”

Robert Barr Barr formerly served as an at-large member Republicans of the school board Leah Crowley (i) after being elected Crowley successfully in 2014 and served won a district two until 2018. He ran WS/FCS board seat for re-election in 2018 and lost in the in 2018, coming in general election as a wave of Democratsecond place behind ic female candidates won all three seats.

Lida Calvert Hayes.

According to his campaign website, he Over the years, she has taught at Moore Elementary School, volunteered as a PTA board member, Paisley Middle School, and Kernersville coach, mentor, and substitute teacher.

Middle School. Additionally, he worked While on the board, Crowley has been a as a curriculum coordinator at Atkins supporter of school choice and continMiddle School. He received a master’s

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in education from Wake Forest University and his undergraduate degree from Winston-Salem State University. His campaign focuses on academics, parental involvement, empowering teachers, and inspiring students to learn.

Jimmie Boyd Boyd is a parent in the WS/FCS system and does not have a background in education, a lack of experience that Boyd feels makes him more relatable. He feels those with education backgrounds have failed the kids and education system. His campaign focuses on curriculum and giving parents more access to engage with their children’s education. His campaign slogan is “Students Before Politics.” As is evidenced by his responses, Boyd is part of a wave of conservative Republicans who view the fight for schools and school boards as one revolving around the teaching of race and LGBTQ+ rights.

Boyd stated “I would have to say absolutely not to LGBTQ rights being taught in school, that is a sexual preference and not an educational point. LGBTQ rights has nothing to do with sex education, sex education concerns the body parts, functions the creation of life, and not sexual preferences.”

job to teach each one of them.”

Jason Lucero Originally from the West Coast, Jason Lucero was placed in the foster-care system when he was 6 months old, and stayed until he aged out. According to his campaign website, among the struggles he was still able to gain a good education which he attributes to his successes. “I came from nothing and understand what it’s like to benefit from an opportunity of getting a good education, and the programs out there to help educate our children.”

His campaign focuses on providing a safe, well-rounded education for all children, regardless of religion, race, or orientation. In addition to education, his platform focuses on reforming educator compensation plans and having parents and educators work more closely together.

Finally, while Lucero does not believe CRT should be taught in WS/FCS, he does state on his website that African American and racism history is important to learn to stop history from repeating itself.

Susan Miller Miller was a Reading/ Literacy Specialist with Stanley Elrod WS/FCS for over two Elrod has served more decades up until 2019. than 30 years in the Her experience during WS/FCS system with that time included a range of positions serving as an instructional facilitator at that include teacher, the career center, reading specialist, and coach, athletic director, teacher in the WS/FCS system. Miller assistant principal and principal. His received a bachelor’s degree in education campaign focuses on how his past work and a master’s in education in Literacy/ as an educator and administrator helps Reading (K-12). Her campaign focuses him understand the struggles educators on literacy and improving reading levels are currently dealing with daily. His goals for all students in the WS/FCS system. if elected focus on supporting teachers She feels the current 38 percent reading and helping students get back to pre-pan- proficiency rate for grades 3-8 in WS/ demic learning. Regarding getting back FCS is very concerning and unacceptto pre-pandemic learning, Elrod shared able. If elected, she plans to focus on students, parents, and teachers need to and prioritize literacy. She fully supports evaluate loses and work together to find Superintendent McManus’ ‘90 by 25’ a solution. He is also a strong advocate initiative. The goal of that initiative is to of ensuring students feel special and ensure that by the end of the 2024-25 important. school year 90 percent of third graders From his site: “All students in our system test as proficient readers. are equally important and it is our job to make them feel that way. They are all different, they are all special, and it is our

Holly Pegram TCB did not receive a response from Pegram and there is currently no campaign website or campaign social media accounts for her.

Yvonne Williams Williams was an educator for 30 years whose background includes teaching in public schools and private high schools as well as teaching Spanish at the college level. She received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from UNCG and a master’s in education from the University of Southern California. She is currently retired but still volunteers and substitutes in the WS/FCS system. Her platform focuses on increasing active community and parental engagement in

schools, working to provide more after school activities for students, increasing pay for certified/ classified educators, and scheduling evening town hall talks with all educators. Her goals, if elected, are to focus on student achievement, help ensure success for all students and advocate for strong public schools. She places much emphasis on the importance of having a school board that is “even-tempered, willing to collaborate, and have a sincere interest in public school education.”

Steve Wood TCB did not receive a response from Wood and there is currently no campaign website or campaign social media accounts for him.

OPINION

T

his issue marks the start of early voting in North Carolina, which is why we’ve devoted pretty much the whole thing to candidate profiles in every race in Guilford and Forsyth counties — with the exception of the judicial races, which we will revisit at another time.

Regular citizens — as opposed to journalists, candidates and other political junkies — don’t often pay much attention to primaries, particularly in off-year elections like this one. The last comparable election, in 2018, saw 14.35 percent voter turnout statewide, and only 11.55 percent turnout in Forsyth and 11.31 percent in Guilford. And those are just registered voters.

Untold thousands in our counties choose to sit these decisions out entirely, leaving them to others who are only too glad to dominate the conversation.

It’s pitiful. And our country would look like a much different place if we had 100 percent voter registration and mandatory participation in our elections. You should ask yourself why we don’t have that, as many other countries do, and who benefits from our voters’ malaise.

But it also means that your vote caries much more weight in the primary.

It’s so easy to vote. There are Early Voting stations all over Forsyth and Guilford, where you can also simultaneously register to vote. Election Day proper has become much less of a hassle since so many people vote early.

And it’s important to vote in the primary. Maybe even more important than voting in the General Election.

People who think the deck is stacked when it comes to American elections must understand that the primary is the place where the deck gets stacked, where an underdog can rise to the top of the pack — Rep. Ted Budd won his first congressional seat with just 20 percent of the primary vote. In Winston-Salem, Derwin Montgomery rose to prominence while still a student at WSSU, where he harnessed the power of early primary voting to unseat a longtime city council incumbent, facing no challenger from the opposing party in the general election.

Several elections this year will be decided in this primary, including the Guilford County district attorney’s race, where they decide who gets prosecuted and who doesn’t — one of the pressure points for social justice.

Some Greensboro City Council races are so close that a barroom full of people could affect the outcome. Same goes for the county commissions in Guilford and Forsyth. And the school board races, which often suffer from a dearth of candidates, are packed with first-timers pushing a very new slate of ideas.

One more reason why everyone needs to vote in this primary: We need you. Our community depends on a plurality of voices to make themselves heard when the time comes. And that time is now.

Shape our community’s future for the next 50-100 years.

for the school bond.

The average school building in Guilford County is more than 55 years old and in desperate need of heating, roofing, plumbing, technology and security upgrades.

OPINION | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

EDITORIAL Why you must vote in the primary election

The $1.7 billion school bond will:

• Ensure every school in Guilford County receives technology and safety upgrades, such as wireless connections, increased bandwidth and digital locks.

• Renovate, rebuild and construct 34 schools across the county designed for today’s learning environment.

• Expand Career & Technical Education, STEM, Arts and Early\Middle College opportunities to children of all income levels and demographics.

• Create facilities 1.5 times more efficient to operate, lower energy costs and reduce operating expenses.

• Create nearly 20,000 local jobs as construction takes place over the next 7-10 years.

Strong public schools benefit our entire community by preparing talent for the workforce, attracting and retaining businesses and supporting economic development.

More information about the school bond and the fraction of a penny (0.25%) sales tax to help repay the bond can be found at

www.smartschoolbond.com

Citizens from across the community are supporting the school bond and fraction of a penny sales tax for schools.

Scan here to hear their stories.

Turn out to vote on May 17

(or vote early starting April 28) and vote YES and YES at the bottom of the ballot.

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Paid for by the Committee to elect Derek Mobley

NOW LEASING THE STEELHOUSE CENTER FOR URBAN MANUFACTURING AND INNOVATION

1451 S Elm Eugene Street #BusinessisBuiltHere

BY CAROLYN DE BERRY

Duke Street, Greensboro

SHOT IN THE TRIAD | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

SHOT IN THE TRIAD

Scene from a sparsely attended rally held by the United Patriot Party of North Carolina.

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“Lex and Balances”--another themeless puzzle!

by Matt Jones

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS:

Across

11. British comedian who plays Ivan on “Our Flag Means Death” 8. Lake rental 15. Post-1968 tennis period 16. City with a SUNY school 17. Wool extract 18. Mark of shame that can be “hit” or “reached” 19. “Piece of cake” 21. Pre-packaged meals and desserts for a speedy checkout 22. Pogues bassist (and former spouse of Elvis Costello) O’Riordan 24. Nearly 20-year-old OutKast hit 25. NASCAR Cup Series champ of 2015 and 2019 29. 4:00 function 30. Respectful act 31. Symbols of September 35. Frisbee sport 38. Brisbane bouncer 41. Prepared in advance 43. Frere’s sibling 45. Bachelor chaser?

46. City dweller 48. Up and running, like a credit card reader 52. Original and influential 53. Tries to whack 54. Like some hobbitses 55. Auricular 56. Lyricist who wrote “Ain’t We Got Fun?” and “Makin’ Whoopee” 57. Basketball players Broyles and Benjamin (but not Wade)

Down

1. Use sparingly, with “on” 2. In a tough jam 3. Emmy-winning “Euphoria” star 4. Bumpy, like tires 5. Capital near Yellowstone 6. “Single Ladies (Put ___ On It)” 7. Title hunter of a 1922 film (whose real name was Allakariallak) 8. 2013 hit that mentions a tiger 9. “Step ___ pets” (palindrome that’s good advice) 10. Hall of Fame NFL coach Ewbank 11. “Dumb & Dumber” hairstyles 12. Rented out 13. Science that deals with nuclear energy 14. Spotted, Tweety-style 20. Pumped 23. Iron Maiden’s “Hallowed Be ___ Name” 26. Law, in Lyon 27. Slov.’s setting 28. ___-Z (rapper who played Freda Gatz on “Empire”)

PUZZLES | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

CROSSWORD

© 2022 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com)

SUDOKU 31. Certain ally 32. Schumer of “Life & Beth” 33. Jim’s love on “The Office” 34. Local fundraising gp.

35. Ultravox leader Midge 36. It got its current half-oval shape in 1629 37. Japanese floor mats 38. Gets control of, as spending 39. Slip-up left off 40. Euripides protagonist 42. Set the DVR back to 0%, say 43. Weaving of “Bill & Ted Face the Music” 44. Characteristic of low-quality TP 47. Club regulation 49. ___ Paqcha (Peruvian mountain) 50. Rhymester Ogden 51. Novelist Elinor who coined the “It girl” nickname for Clara Bow 52. Brit. money abbr., once

© 2022 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com)

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS:

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