2024 Nonpartisan Voter Guide Guildford 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.

Guilford County voters are divided into 3 Congressional Districts. Vote for 1 candidate for the District where you live. See ncvoter.org/guide for more about your choices. Candidates are listed here in their order on the ballot. 

REPUBLICAN

• Member of Congress, first elected in 2004. 
• Favors more domestic oil production; protect the environment through private sector innovation. 
• Opposes gun control, “radical policies like Medi- care for All,” and federal mandates in education. 

Website: virginiafoxx.com 

DEMOCRAT

• Believes Congress should prioritize working-class families, small businesses & farms over corporations. 
• Supports access to abortion and quality healthcare. 
• Favors strong federal support for teachers, public schools, and access to high-speed broadband. 

Website: hubbardforcongress.com 

REPUBLICAN 

This candidates was unopposed until a late entry by KEVIN HAYES of the newly formed N.C. Constitution Party. Both men will be on the ballot. 

UNAFFILIATED

• Served 11 years in U.S. Army (Iraq, Syria, etc.). 
• Supports Congressional term limits, protecting voting rights, and combating gerrymandering. 
• Opposes gun control and supports individual liberties, including a woman’s right to abortion. 
• Aims to bridge partisan divide to solve problems. 

Website: etchisonforcongress.com 

REPUBLICAN 

• Member of Congress, first elected in 2012. 
• Wants to “unleash American energy to lower costs for everyone and create jobs.” 
• Opposes access to abortion, gun control, and government masking mandates to fight COVID. 
• Wants less taxes & regulation to help business. 

Website: richardhudson.org 

DEMOCRAT 

• Former police detective and parole officer; now board chair of New Horizons Life & Family Services. 
• Priorities: “Environmental Justice and Democracy issues”; raise minimum wage; address climate crisis. 
• Supports free community college classes. 
• For access to abortion and affordable healthcare. 

Website: nigelbristowforcongress.com 

The General Assembly in Raleigh has 50 members in the N.C. Senate and 120 members in the N.C. House who represent Districts across the state. All members will be elected this year for a two-year term. They adopt laws affecting healthcare, jobs, schools, taxes, racial justice, roads, voting, climate change, abortion, guns and more.

As in Congress, Democratic and Republican legislators often disagree on issues. Learn about the candidates seeking to represent your district at ncvoter.org/guide and Vote411.org.   

Differences between Democratic and Republican candidates reflect the differing positions of party leaders, like these from N.C. Senate leaders:

Example of Different Positions of Democratic vs. Republican Legislators in the General Assembly 

DEMOCRATIC SENATE LEADER 

• “Stop giving corporate titans and millionaires tax cuts and invest that money in our public school teachers and students.”
• “Restore the Earned Income Tax Credit for working families.”
• “Stop the sale of assault weapons, enforce strict backgrounds checks, and enact strong red flag laws to keep vulnerable parties safe.”
• Opposes U.S. Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v. Wade.

REPUBLICAN SENATE LEADER

• “Cut taxes on businesses and cut govt. regulation halting progress in the private economy.”
• “Increase the number of charter schools and funding for students to attend private schools.”
• Do not restore the Earned Income Tax Credit for working families.
• Opposes an assault rifle ban and strong red flag laws.
• Supports U.S. Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v. Wade.

Find your N.C. House and Senate contest at ncvoter.org/guide and Vote411.org 

• Senate District 26: Steve Luking (Democrat) vs. Alvin Robinson (Constitution) vs. Philip E. Berger (Republican) 
• Senate District 27: Michael K. Garrett (Democrat) vs. Paul Schumacher (Republican) 
• Senate District 28: Gladys A. Robinson (Democrat) unopposed 
• House District 57: Janice Davis (Republican) vs. Tracy Clark (Democrat) 
• House District 58: Amos Quick (Democrat) unopposed 
• House District 59: Tanneshia Dukes (Democrat) vs. Alan Branson (Republican) 
• House District 60: Joseph Perrotta (Republican) vs. Cecil Brockman (Democrat) 
• House District 61: Crystal T. Davis (Republican) vs. Mary Price (Pricey) Harrison (Democrat) 
• House District 62: Marjorie Benbow (Democrat) vs. John M. Blust (Republican) 

The County Commission adopts the budget for schools and other agencies, and it oversees land use, affordable housing, transit options, conservation programs, the health department, and many other vital services. Voters living in 4 Districts elect their board members this year; find your District at ncvoter.org/guide. 

REPUBLICAN 

This candidate did not have a website at the time of publication.

DEMOCRAT

• Now serves on Board of County Commissioners. 
• 18-year career as middle-and high-school social studies teacher in Greensboro.
• Says: “Witnessing firsthand the stark differences in resources and opportunities available to students fueled my . . . commitment to equity in education.” 
• Goal: “every child has access to quality education.” 

Website: electmarybeth.com 

REPUBLICAN

This candidate did not have a website at the time of publication.

DEMOCRAT

• Now serves on Board of County Commissioners. 
• Would continue to invest in public education, improve staff pay & facilities, and address learning gaps caused by the pandemic. 
• Supports mobile clinics and Every Baby Guilford to “eliminate racial disparities” in infant mortality. 
• Emphasizes workforce training and infrastructure development. 

Website: electcarlycooke.com 

REPUBLICAN

• Wants to lower taxes and “incentivize business growth and investment.” 
• Opposes gun control. 
• Says: “Guilford County is currently experiencing a massive crime wave fueled by Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies.” Provide funds for law enforcement. 

Website: maritzagomez.com 

DEMOCRAT

• Now serves on Board of County Commissioners. 
• Says he is “working to create a Guilford County that welcomes and supports all people.” 
• Previously served as vice-chair of the county Democratic Party and ran for state legislature. 

Website: brandongraync.com 

DEMOCRAT 

This candidate is unopposed.

Superior Court judges handle cases involving felony crimes, civil disputes in excess of $25,000 and appeals from District Courts that hear lesser crimes and disputes. Guilford County is served by several Superior Court judges elected by District for 8-year terms. This year, county voters living in District 24B and 24E will elect judges. 

REPUBLICAN

• Former district attorney, now in private practice; has served 3 terms on Jamestown City Council. 
• Volunteered as a Teen Court Judge in High Point and served on numerous civic boards. 
• Wants to use “her experience and knowledge of the law to be the best judge she could be.”

Website: nixonforjudge.com 

DEMOCRAT 

• Current District 24B Superior Court Judge. 
• Previously served as assistant district attorney and has taught at two law schools in the Triad. 
• Says: “I am running to ensure that every individual’s rights are protected and that justice is served impartially.” 

Website: reesefornc.com 

DEMOCRAT

This candidate is unopposed.

THESE CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING UNOPPOSED

NORTH CAROLINA DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, DISTRICT 24

• Seat 03 – Ashley Watlington-Simms 
• Seat 04 – Caroline Tomlinson-Pemberton
• Seat 05 – Walter W. (Trip) Baker III 
• Seat 06 – Michelle Fletcher
• Seat 07 – Angela C. Foster  Seat 08 – Angela (Angie) Bullard Fox
• Seat 09 – Tabatha Holliday  Seat 10 – Charlene Y. Armstrong
• Seat 11 – Bill Davis 
• Seat 12 – Kelvin Smith
• Seat 13 – Brian Tomlin  Seat 14 – Tomakio S. Gause
• GUILFORD COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS – Jeff L. Thigpen
• SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUPERVISOR – Ray Briggs

The 9-member Board of Education hires the School Superintendent and oversees finances, pupil placement, school policies and curriculum choices. This year, voters living in Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 elect their members of the School Board.

DEMOCRAT

This candidate is unopposed.

UNAFFILIATED

• Served briefly on the Board of Education; owns training and management company.
• Puts emphasis on “conservative principles” and “common-sense leadership.”
• Supports charter schools and vouchers.

Website: goebelnc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Now serves on Board of Education; was Guilford County school teacher for 26 years.
• Says: “We have created an education system with standards so low that students can’t learn the truth.”
• Says: “Help us fight for our students and families.”

Website: loganforschoolboard.com

DEMOCRAT

• Former school board attorney in another city.
• Says: “Prioritize the potential of every child [and] physical and emotional safety.”
• Wants “attractive pay for teachers and staff” and “accountability for student achievement.”

Website: davidcoates.org

REPUBLICAN

• Former policy advisor for Gov. Pat McCrory.
• Says: “Behavioral health is an issue overtaking our schools.” Resources are needed to address this issue.
• Says: “Make student safety and learning a priority. . . . Expect transparency and accountability.”

Website: caradohner.com

DEMOCRAT

• Now serves on the Board of Education; registered nurse.
• Supports creating a safe learning environment for all students and the renovation of school facilities.
• Supports adding more counselors and social workers to help students and families.

Website: facebook.com/deborahnapper4d5

DEMOCRAT

• Now serves on the Board of Education.
• Supports initiatives promoting career development and technical education.
• Supports school safety awareness programs as well as better pay for teachers and staff.

Website: jenkins4district7.com

REPUBLICAN

This candidate did not have a website at the time of publication

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