Voter Guide Bladen County NC Election 2022

DEMOCRAT

Background: BS in Criminal Justice, UNC-Pembroke 2010; BCSO Deputy 2011-2016; MJA, Methodist University 2015; West Point Leadership 2015; NC   DMV License and Theft Inspector 2016-present; Advanced Law Enforcement certification 2021

Describe your top 2 or 3 priorities: Secure county-operated schools with SROs to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff. Moreover, implement community policing to increase officer visibility and foster relationships with citizens. Also, combat drugs for a better and safer county. Lastly, be an approachable Sheriff for ALL.

How would you enhance community accountability, e.g., through prompt release of arrest videos and funds for mental health personnel?  I will be transparent, cooperative and forthcoming with officer accountability. I desire footage as its purpose is to decrease LEO complaints and violent engagements. Video footage is beneficial for all parties involved. Mental health affects everyone and funding should be readily available.

Website: facebook.com/sheriffhakeembrown

REPUBLICAN

Background:  Sheriff McVicker is a Bladen County native and became the county’s sheriff after his election in 2014. He has 49 years of law enforcement experience, including with the Lumberton police department (1973-1977) and NC Highway Patrol (1977-2002).

Combined response regarding top priorities and community accountability: Provide a safe and secure environment for Bladen County residents and visitors. On the drug problem, continue to work with multiple agencies and conduct traffic stops which often lead to drug arrests. Traffic stops may be controversial, but they are valuable for effective law enforcement. The Sheriff’s office is also working with rehab facilities to accept people seeking addiction treatment as an alternative to jail. On school and community safety, increase the number of school resource officers and continue our Signal 92 program, which requires deputies to routinely visit schools and churches.

Website: none provided

DEMOCRAT

Background: I’ve served our state for nearly 30 years as a public defender, judge and Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, where I’ve worked to uphold the Constitution, protect our rights, and keep communities safe – no matter the politics.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities: North Carolina’s next Senator must fight to lower costs for our communities, provide access to good paying jobs, and grow our economy – from capping the cost of insulin to $35/month, growing manufacturing and industry jobs across our state, to ensuring access to affordable child care.

Describe how you would address one specific issue – Price increases/inflation: There’s no doubt we need to lower costs. I would hold corporations like Big Oil accountable for flagrantly price-gouging and putting their shareholders above the interests of working North Carolinians. We also must continue to grow a Made-In-America economy, so events abroad don’t raise prices here.

Website: CheriBeasley.com

LIBERTARIAN

Background: I am an anti-war combat veteran and an expert in the technology sector. I’ve worked for   various departments of the federal government including deployments to Afghanistan. I have a masters in cyber security and am a huge advocate for blockchain.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities: Veteran affairs, Cyber Security, Personal liberty.

Describe how you would address one specific issue – Gun regulation: I am opposed to any gun laws. Under the US Constitution, the people have the right to arm themselves against anything that may attack their home. There are no conditions to the Constitution.

Website: ShannonBray.us 

REPUBLICAN

Ted Budd did not respond to our survey.

GREEN

Background: Disabled Marine Corps combat veteran

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities: My priority is North Carolina’s working families. This means healthcare through Medicare for All, education available without cost at all levels, affordable housing, debt cancellation, and paying workers fair and just wages that are adjusted annually for inflation. We must end the war on drugs.

Describe how you would address one specific issue – Price increases/inflation: Adjust the minimum wage to reflect inflation and update it every year. Provide healthcare and education to all, and forgive medical and student debt to cut household costs. Begin a Green New Deal to end fossil fuel dependence, provide clean, renewable energy and create millions of high-paying jobs.

Website: MatthewHohForSenate.org

DEMOCRAT

Background: Member of the North Carolina State House (2011-Present); Educator for children with special needs; Small business owner of a home health company.

Please describe your top priorities: Expand Access to Healthcare, such as Medicaid expansion. Invest in our rural communities. Protect our drinking water from polluters. Increase Pell Grants, make community college free, and expand equity in higher education.

Describe how you would address one specific issue – Increasing prices/inflation: Our communities are working harder, but paychecks aren’t getting bigger. To help families address the pressures they’re facing, we need to make it easier for families to succeed at work and at home. That means raising the minimum wage, leveling the playing field, and fighting corporate greed.

Website: VoteCharlesGraham.com

REPUBLICAN

Candidate did not respond to our survey.