Public service has been a part of my entire adult life whether it is serving my patients, serving my country, or now serving to people of my district. I have observed a trend in state government that favors centralization of policy and erosion of individual freedoms and this needs to be reversed. We need a renewed dedication to the philosophy of limited government, accountability of politicians, and limited taxation.

1. Lowering taxes and fees for the citizens of North Carolina.
   
   
2. Ensuring rural communities receive the same attention and resources from Raleigh.
   
   
3. Making sure that residents of our community are the prime recipients of the benefits of economic growth.

I have been a practicing physician in our community for over 25 years, I am a decorated combat veteran, and I serve on the Boards of several charitable and civic organizations. More importantly, I am a father, a husband, a man of Faith, and a native North Carolinian.

Fifty-one percent of NC is female. 22% of NC is African American. 17% of NC are seniors. I am all of these. I am also a retired teacher, school administrator, and college professor. I am an advocate for people. For these reasons, I truly believe I should add my voice to the General Assembly, as one of reason and compassion. The best kind of leadership requires both.

NC can do better when it comes to education. We see high quality and overall success in our 4 year and community college system. We see it in the amazing growth of Workforce Development. If we do not put more money in our k-12 schools we will find ourselves lowering our college admission standards just to get our students from k-12 admitted.

NC should reconsider the amount of money going to private school vouchers. Perhaps there is a happy medium where we retain some of those relationships for select students who need smaller environments for their learning success. I believe that state money should go to state schools and that the private schools that do receive it should be held to state-established standards for these settings, or else how do we know these children are doing any better there, than they were in their assigned public school? NC recently showed extremely low rankings: 43rd for teacher salaries and 49th for per-pupil expenditures. We can do better…and it’s time!

When we offer attractive salaries to teachers and treat them as professionals, we will be in a position to retain and recruit the best. This lends to positive results in the classroom.

I also want to be a voice for fair voting which means addressing gerrymandering. We cannot let politics silence voters. We pledge “liberty and justice for all”. Thus, our leaders should uphold this. Gerrymandering weakens representation.

I also believe that women’s maternal healthcare is a woman’s decision.

Public schools must serve all children. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the subsequent Title VI require that we not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, or sex. We must ensure equity for all students, providing them access to a sound basic education and the necessary curricular resources that support such. Students whose gender identity is not consistent with their birth-assigned sex are citizens and are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This includes an education equal to that afforded any other student. 

I have spent 35 years in Education where my service was all about opening minds to new perspectives and advocating for students and their communities. Teaching and leading a school are powerful avenues for touching lives, for inspiring dreams that become careers, for uplifting communities, and interceding for people when they need a hand. This is exactly how I see the role of State Representative.