Republican Carson Smith faces Democrat Jim Harris in the race for the N.C. House District 16 seat.
In-person early voting begins on Oct. 15 and ends on Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Oct. 20, and those must be returned to the local board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
North Carolina residents can check their voter registration status on the North Carolina State Board of Elections webpage.
Here's a closer look at Harris. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar, style and length. Smith did not respond to the StarNews' request to participate.
Jim Harris
- Age: 72
- Occupation: Retired
- Education: Public high school; B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University; M.B.A. from Wayne State University
- Political experience: In NC, Pender County Precinct Chair, 2nd Vice Chair, and Chairperson (current), State Executive Committee member, and prior candidate for Pender County Commissioner District 1 in 2024
- Political affiliation: Democrat
What are the top issues facing your district?
Harris: 1) Affordability:high prices, low wages, housing, energy, insurance, childcare, taxes. 2) Healthcare: access,
coverage/inclusion, cost. 3) Transparency and Integrity: fair elections, ban trading while in office, campaign finance and PAC funding reform, term limits, mandatory retirement age limits, allowing citizen Referenda, and restoring honesty and integrity oversight. Before meaningful legislative reform can be achieved, and supported by the public, the issue of integrity must be resolved in advance, and visible to the public.
What goals do you have for your district?
Harris: I will commit to listen to and serve the majority regardless of party affiliation. This will support my efforts regarding the district’s top three issues to succeed. I support delegating organized and responsible growth controls, such as land use and U.D.O. re-design, zoning, permitting, negotiated fees and incentives to the counties. I will act to reverse all voter disenfranchisement, starting with a proposal to support district voting for all counties.
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
Harris: I value truth, facts, clear goals and accountability for results. I believe that we, the people are the answer to progress, not us vs. them. Our elected officials determine law and policy matters, promote or impede economic development and equal justice, and have a generational impact upon the quality of life for NC residents. Therefore, it's important to note that my qualifications include leadership experience, knowledge through education, strong organization and communication skills, problem-solving skills, management skills, and a strident moral and ethical passion to serve.
How will you tackle affordability?
Harris: I would encourage the formation of union partnerships between labor and large employers. I would propose to eliminate corporate “free rides” and propose common-sense income and property taxation. I would incentivize corporate day-care provisions for employed families. I would increase the state tax deduction to the first $50,000 of small business income. I would encourage public-private programs to provide reduced-cost financing, reduce regulations and permitting burdens, and allow county-driven negotiations to incentivize multi-family housing land use around “town squares” that offer business, services, and public parks. I would work toward an urban and rural transportation system to reduce the cost and reliance on automobile-only access to work, school, and services.
How will you increase healthcare access in your district?
Harris: I will focus on, and work with the municipalities in each county to maintain (and/or offer) urgent/critical hospital care and extended care facilities in rural locations. I support Planned Parenthood programs supporting men and women and would improve incentives to attract medical professionals via better housing, school, and transportation option. I would make permanent state funding to maintain our citizen’s health, not simply react to their illness, such as the ACA subsidies supported by Governor Stein.
What’s your plan to improve infrastructure in your district?
Harris: I will work with the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization, NCDOT and the counties to develop a proactive investment in infrastructure through long-range planning and clusters of land-use designations. We must rethink our current developer-driven, residential-only approach to “islands” of bedroom communities that have virtually impassable interconnections to jobs, schools, dining, and services.
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Meet the candidates for NC House District 16
