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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