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JoCo Candidates Connection 2022
The JoCo Candidates Connection is a virtual, candidate forum coordinated by the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce to make it convenient and easy for our members and candidates to connect.
We asked the candidates to respond to one simple question: Tell us why you are running for office and what you will do to make our community a great place to start and grow a business.
We asked the candidates to respond to one simple question: Tell us why you are running for office and what you will do to make our community a great place to start and grow a business.
Click on any of the races below to view the candidate questions and their responses.
*All candidates on the May 17th ballot were invited to participate in this year’s midterm forum; candidates featured on our site submitted responses to our questions by the set deadline.
Kelly Wallace, Director of Operations for the Triangle East Chamber
Johnston County Board of Education
1/ Please introduce yourself and state the reason why you are seeking this position and why you think you are prepared to serve if elected. (Video)
Michelle Antoine
George Brewer
Stuart Lee
Jennifer Slabaugh
Mark Lane
Rick Mercier
Terry Tippet
2/ What are the top priorities for the Johnston County Board of Education? (Video)
Jennifer Slabaugh
George Brewer
Mark Lane
Rick Mercier
Terry Tippet
Stuart Lee
Michelle Antoine
3/ How can the school board ensure that every student receives a quality education? (Video)
Terry Tippet
Mark Lane
Rick Mercier
Michelle Antoine
George Brewer
Stuart Lee
Jennifer Slabaugh
4/ Based on the recent census data growth of Johnston County, what are the most important initiatives the school board must address to manage this growth? (Video)
Mark Lane
Rick Mercier
Terry Tippet
Michelle Antoine
Jennifer Slabaugh
Stuart Lee
George Brewer
NC Senate and House of Representatives
1/ Please introduce yourself and state the reason why you are seeking this position and why you think you are prepared to serve if elected. (Video)
NC Senate
Benton Sawrey
Jill Homan
NC House
Rick Walker
Jim Davenport
Donna White
Larry Strickland
2/ What are your top priorities for the people in your district and how will you accomplish them? (Video)
NC Senate
Jill Homan
Benton Sawrey
NC House
Jim Davenport
Larry Strickland
Donna White
Rick Walker
3/ How do you prioritize your obligations to constituents versus loyalty to your party? (Video)
NC Senate
Benton Sawrey
Jill Homan
NC House
Jim Davenport
Donna White
Rick Walker
Larry Strickland
4/ With inflation on the rise, what suggestions will you bring to help support North Carolina families? (Video)
NC Senate
Jill Homan
Benton Sawrey
NC House
Jim Davenport
Rick Walker
Larry Strickland
Donna White
US Senate and House of Representatives
1/ Please introduce yourself and state the reason why you are seeking this position and why you think you are prepared to serve if elected. (Video)
US Senate
Alyssia Rose-Katherine Hammond
James L. Carr Jr.
Rett Newton
B.K. Maginnis
Jen Banwart
US House
Kevin Alan Wolff
Renee Ellmers
Sam Searcy
Nathan Click
Denton Lee
2/ What are your top priorities for the people in your district and how will you accomplish them? (Video)
US Senate
Alyssia Rose-Katherine Hammond
James L. Carr Jr.
Rett Newton
B.K. Maginnis
Jen Banwart
US House
Kevin Alan Wolff
Renee Ellmers
Sam Searcy
Nathan Click
Denton Lee
3/ How do you prioritize your obligations to constituents versus loyalty to your party? (Video)
US Senate
Alyssia Rose-Katherine Hammond
James L. Carr Jr.
Rett Newton
B.K. Maginnis
Jen Banwart
US House
Kevin Alan Wolff
Renee Ellmers
Sam Searcy
Nathan Click
Denton Lee
4/ With inflation on the rise, what suggestions will you bring to help support North Carolina families? (Video)
US Senate
Alyssia Rose-Katherine Hammond
James L. Carr Jr.
Rett Newton
B.K. Maginnis
Jen Banwart
US House
Kevin Alan Wolff
Renee Ellmers
Sam Searcy
Nathan Click
Denton Lee
Johnston County Commissioner
1/ Please introduce yourself and state the reason why you are seeking this position and why you think you are prepared to serve if elected. (Video)
Jyl Burgener
2/ What are your top funding priorities for Johnston County and why? (Video)
Jyl Burgener
3/ With the continued growth in Johnston County, how should county Commissioners ensure infrastructure meets that growth? (Video)
Jyl Burgener
4/ What are the most important transportation issues facing Johnston County and how will you address these? (Video)
Jyl Burgener
Smithfield Council
1/ Tell us about yourself, your background, your strengths, and why you think you are prepared to serve if elected. (Video)
David Barbour
Doris Wallace
2/ Please give the reasons you decided to run for this office. (Video)
Doris Wallace
David Barbour
3/ With the residential and commercial growth we are seeing across the county, there is concern that some communities' infrastructure, water & sewer in particular, will not be able to handle the capacity. Do you feel your community is equipped to accommodate the growth that is coming? If not, what deficiencies do you see and what are possible solutions? (Video)
Doris Wallace
David Barbour
4/ Please share examples of how you have collaborated with others to solve problems or bring about positive change. How will you contribute to the unity of leadership within your town and in partnership with the county and neighboring communities? (Video)
Doris Wallace
David Barbour
5/ What specific issues do you think need to be addressed in your community? (Video)
Doris Wallace
David Barbour
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