2024 Nonpartisan Voter Guide Forsyth County North Carolina

The Governor manages the state’s operations, appoints agency heads, recruits new jobs, and can veto legislation.

REPUBLICAN

Current occupation: Lieutenant Governor

• Supports lower taxes and also tax subsidies for private K-12 schools.
• Opposes gun control.
• Would block right to abortion in most cases.
• Opposes action on climate change as “junk science” & calls the civil rights movement “crap.”
• Would “crack down on illegal immigration and make our country safer.”
• As Lt. Gov., fought “indoctrination” in schools.

Website: markrobinsonfornc.com

DEMOCRAT

Current occupation: Attorney General

• Supports more funds for teachers, public schools and child care centers.
• Would invest in “a clean energy economy” to create jobs and address global warming.
• Supports access to abortion & contraceptives.
• Supports an independent redistricting commission to protect voting rights.
• As Attorney General, sued scammers and makers of addictive drugs.

Website: joshstein.org

Due to space limits, this guide does not profile other candidates for Governor with under 5% of support, based on nonpartisan polling at the time of publication.  However, you can read about all the candidates at ncvoter.org/guide.

Candidates in each contest are listed in the order that they appear on your ballot.

 Think Your 1 Vote Doesn’t Matter? 

In 2020, a top state official won by less than 1 vote per city in N.C. What you do matters! 

The N.C. Supreme Court is not well known, but citizens elect its 7 Justices and its rulings affect everything: voting rights, fair prices, parental rights, racial bias, water quality, your privacy, and more. You can choose 1 Justice this year.

REPUBLICAN

Current occupation: NC Court of Appeals Judge

• Former Wake Co. prosecutor and judge advocate general (JAG) officer in the Army National Guard.
• Says he is “an originalist and a textualist.” He “believes the words of the Constitution mean what they say,” and he values “the rule of law.”
• Says in his experience “the law is applied the same to all citizens.”

Endorsed by: More than three dozen sheriffs; N.C. Republican Party

Website: jeffersongriffin.com

DEMOCRAT

Current occupation: NC Supreme Court Judge

• Former civil rights and voting rights attorney.
• Says courts should protect the “right to privacy [and] access to medical care.”  
• Says she’s committed to “equal justice under   the law” because she has seen the justice system hold people back rather than give them “access to equity and fairness.”

Endorsed by: Sierra Club; N.C. Young Democrats 

Website: riggsforourcourts.com

In addition to President, you can choose legislators to represent your concerns in Congress and the N.C. General Assembly. Vote for 1 candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 1 for N.C. Senate, and 1 for N.C. House based on your Districts. District lines are new this year; find yours at ncvoter.org/distr. 

DEMOCRAT

• Says: “Building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency.”
• Supports affordable child care and health care, paid family leave, and the right to an abortion.
• Wants new gun control and voting rights laws.
• Would fight price gouging by corporations.
• Supported the bipartisan immigration reform bill opposed by Trump.

Website: kamalaharris.com

REPUBLICAN

• Says: “My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!”
• Plans to replace Obamacare with insurance markets.
• Will combat fraud with new limits on access to voting.
• Wants to “certify teachers who embrace patriotic values,” end teaching about racism, and let parents elect principals.

Website: donaldjtrump.com

Several other presidential candidates from other political parties are on the ballot; they are profiled at ncvoter.org/guide.

Parts of Congressional Districts 6 and 10 are in Forsyth County. The District boundary lines were redrawn to help one political party. The candidates are profiled at ncvoter.org/guide.

Voters in Forsyth County elect legislators to the General Assembly to adopt the state budget and laws affecting everything from abortion to tax fairness. See ncvoter.org/guide for your Senate and House Districts and more about your candidates.

REPUBLICAN

• Past WS/FC School Bd. member.
• Supports “a culture of life that protects and provides for unborn children, mothers, and families.”
• Supports gun owners’ rights and increased   security for students and staff in schools.

Website: danacaudilljones.com

DEMOCRAT

• Social worker at WS/FS school.
• Wants improved access to affordable housing, child care, and medical & mental health services.
• Says all students deserve access to quality teachers, books & tech resources.

Web: rondamays4ncstatesenate31.campaign.win

LIBERTARIAN

He did not have a website at time of publication.

DEMOCRAT

• Current N.C. Senate member.
• Says will work with both parties to create more good paying jobs.
•  Supports Medicaid expansion.

Web: paullowefornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Owns real estate firm.
• Will seek a $7,000  voucher for families to    use “as payment toward Charter-Run or Teacher-Run Schools.”
• Supports 2-term limit for all elected officials.

Website: georgewareforncsenate.com

DEMOCRAT

This candidate is unopposed.

DEMOCRAT

This candidate is unopposed.

DEMOCRAT

• Small business owner.
• Supports public schools, clean energy, and quality healthcare.
• Defends reproductive rights.

Website: northfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Current N.C. House member.
• Supports minimal regulation of businesses and firearms.
• For private schools subsidies.

Website: jeffzenger.com 

REPUBLICAN

• Current N.C. House member.
• Led reforms of Medicaid and mental health services.
• For less business regulation.

Website: dannylambeth.com

DEMOCRAT

• Public school educator.
• Supports teacher pay increase and accountability for charter and private schools.
• Supports creating more affordable housing.

Web: facebook.com/p/Caroline-Warren-for-NC-House-75-61555537423512

DEMOCRAT

• Software mgmt. consultant.
• Says guided by: “Hear the cry of the Earth and of the Poor.”
• Will focus on women’s rights, public schools, voting rights, racial justice, and clean air and water.

Website: vivianfulknchouse91.com

REPUBLICAN

• N.C. House member.
• Supports cutting taxes and government spending.
• Will advocate for the unborn and “the right to keep and bear arms.”

Website: kylehallnc.com 

The Governor appoints leaders of some agencies (e.g., health and commerce), but voters elect 8 officials to lead other departments, plus the Lt. Governor. Here are the major-party candidates for those positions.

Candidates are in order as they appear on the ballot

*A third party candidate for this office is profiled at ncvoter.org/guide

The Lt. Governor presides over the N.C. Senate and sits on the N.C. Board of Education and other boards.

DEMOCRAT

• Supports investing in public school teachers rather than giving tax money to private academies.
• Emphasizes “standing with rural NC” for economic opportunity, broadband, and affordable housing.
• Supports access to abortion and healthcare.
• Promotes job training and housing for veterans.

Website: rachelhunt.com

REPUBLICAN

• Supports placing “armed school resource officers in each and every K-12 school.” Opposes gun control.
• Give companies tax breaks for apprenticeship jobs.
• For “Heartbeat” law to ban abortion after 6 weeks.
• Wants to integrate community college with universities to promote trades and practical skills.

Website: halweathermanfornc.com

The AG leads the Dept. of Justice, which protects consumers, defends state agencies, and advises local law enforcement.

DEMOCRAT

• Supports criminal justice reform: stop racial bias in sentencing, reduce incarceration for non-violent offenses, and improve reentry programs. Also supports public access to police camera videos.
• Supports gun control: require universal back-ground checks and enact “red flag” protective laws.
• Supports expanding voting rights, independent redistricting, and ending secret money in politics.

Website: jeffjacksonnc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Says: “Crime and lawlessness is out of control in our state and I believe restoring a culture of law and order is the most important job of the next AG.”
• Says he’s now “one of the toughest and most outspoken conservatives in Congress.” 
• Supports stronger measures to stop voter fraud and “ballot-box stuffing.” Opposes independent redistricting commission to draw impartial political districts. 

Website: votedanbishop.com

The Superintendent heads the Dept. of Public Instruction, which implements Board of Education policies and state law.

DEMOCRAT

• Experience: Led Guilford County School System.
• Top goals: “Prepare each student for their next phase in life.” “Enhance parent and community support” and a “safe, secure learning environment.”
• Supports more funds for pre-K schools, rural youth apprenticeships, and an 8.5% raise for teachers.
• Opposes “taxpayer-funded private school vouchers for the very wealthy.”

Website: mogreenfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Experience: Homeschool teacher and nurse.
• Supports an “independent audit of the public school system” and will challenge “indoctrination centers.”
• Believes school funding must be “fueled by a fiscally conservative, free-market, competitive environment.”
• Opposes teaching students about race and racism.
• Opposes COVID mandates; says “teachers unions forced school closures.”

Website: morrow4nc.com

The Secretary of State manages the registration of businesses, charities, and lobbyists and maintains N.C.’s official records.

DEMOCRAT

• Has served as N.C. Secretary of State since 1997.
• Says: “I’ve worked to cut red tape for entrepreneurs starting companies, prosecute criminals who masquerade as charities, and crack down on financial fraud.”
• Supports modernizing notary and other services.

Website: elainemarshall.com

REPUBLICAN

• Serves on the Gaston Co. Board of Commission- ers; was previously Town of Stanley mayor.
• Would “promote innovation and small business growth” and “protect consumers from fraud and identity theft.”

Website: electchadbrown.com

The Treasurer oversees state investments, local government borrowing, and the state employee health & retirement plans.

DEMOCRAT

• Plans to “protect our strong bond rating” and “expand our investment capacity” by moving more funds “sitting in cash” into higher-yield investments.
• Says: “The Treasurer’s office shouldn’t be a play-ground for partisan games.”

Website: harrisfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Top priority: ”Remedy the chronic underperformance of the Retirement System” caused by “an irrational love of risk-free fixed income investments.”
• Would give a “fiduciary board of professionals,” not just the Treasurer, authority for investment decisions.

Website: bradbriner.com

The State Auditor reviews the financial management of agencies and programs that receive public funds.

DEMOCRAT

• Current Auditor; former Wake Co. Commissioner.
• Says she is “committed to safeguarding taxpayer dollars as the NC Auditor, leveraging her expertise, integrity, and unwavering dedication to equitable policies for the betterment of N.C.”

Website: jessicafornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Former prosecutor and UNC-CH Trustees Board chair.
• Says: “Led fight at UNC to eliminate woke diversity” and has “expertise to root out government corruption.”
• Would expose waste in government, “scrub voter rolls,” and examine efficiencies at DMV and schools.

Website: auditordave.com

The Commissioner leads the Labor Department, which inspects workplaces and enforces laws about worker health & safety.

REPUBLICAN

• Says: “Will fight for free enterprise, fair competition, and cutting government red tape.”
• Will protect workers who refuse orders to receive a COVID vaccine; opposes new heat stress regulations.
• Supports “accountability by keeping the commissioner’s picture on elevator certificates.”

Website: lukefarleync.com

DEMOCRAT

• Says: “CNBC ranked NC as #1 state to do business [but] Oxfam ranked NC as worst state to be a worker. This is unacceptable. Our workers deserve better.”
• Will ensure workers “work in a safe environment.”
• Will be a “whole worker” advocate for fair pay, job rights, training, and affordable health care & housing.

Website: votebraxton.com

The Commissioner leads the Dept. of Agriculture, which has the double role of promoting farm products and food safety.

DEMOCRAT

• Current farm and food systems manager.
• Says Ag Dept. should promote high-value crops, like berries, fruits, hemp, etc.; canneries; farms in Appalachia; processing facilities for nuts.
• Supports innovating financing for farmers, co-ops, and profit-sharing models to boost rural jobs.

Website: taberfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Served as Commissioner of Agriculture since 2005.
• Has focused on “developing new markets for N.C. farm products, preserving working farms and protecting the state’s food supply.”
• Promotes meat production and the “Got To Be NC” ag marketing programs, which he says are successful.

Website: stevetroxler.com

The Commissioner regulates insurance rates & practices, licenses building inspectors, and trains firefighters & rescue squads.

DEMOCRAT

• Current state Senator and attorney.
• Says: “My mission has always been to stand up against corruption, corporate greed, and bad government.”
• Would “force insurance companies to justify their rates at public hearings,” which doesn’t happen now.

Website: natashamarcus.com

REPUBLICAN

• Served as Insurance Commissioner since 2017.
• Would abolish Rate Bureau role in setting insurance rates because it “kills free enterprise.”
• Has added fraud inspectors, added consumer services, and cleared backlog of fire dept. inspections.

Website: mikecauseync.com

Court of Appeals judges hear appeals of criminal and civil cases from local courts; 3 of the Court’s 15 seats are open in 2024.

REPUBLICAN

Attorney and former state legislator, prosecutor, and judge advocate in the Army National Guard.

Website: jointom.com

DEMOCRAT

Current Court of Appeals judge; former Superior Court judge and attorney in private practice.

Website: judgecarolynthompson.com

DEMOCRAT

Attorney with over a decade of experience in trial and appellate court litigation.

Website: eldredforjudge.com

REPUBLICAN

Current Court of Appeals judge; previously practiced law for 26 years in family firm.

Website: reelectjudgezachary.com

REPUBLICAN

Current District Court judge in Rockingham and Caswell counties and former district attorney.

Website: chrisfreemanforjudge.com

DEMOCRAT

Buncombe Co. Commissioner with mediation and appellate law practice; former public defender.

Website: martinforjudge.com

Many local elections in Forsyth County were settled in the March primary, including most of those for Winston-Salem’s City Council. Here are some contested local elections on your November ballot, depending on where you live.

WINSTON-SALEM CITY COUNCIL

• Northwest Ward: Regina Ford Hall (Democrat) vs. James (Jimmy) Hodson (Republican)
• West Ward: Robert C. Clark (Republican) vs. Christopher Smith (Democrat)

FORSYTH CO. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

• DISTRICT B ONLY – Vote for up to 3 candidates
• Democrats Valerie Brockenbrough, Curtis Fentress and Marsie West; and Republicans Richard V. Linville, Gloria D. Whisenhunt and Gray Wilson