NC educator who switched parties, former GOP lawmaker outline priorities
To help voters learn which candidates are on their ballot and where they stand on important policy issues, The News & Observer is publishing candidate questionnaires in all state and federal races in North Carolina on the March 3, 2026, ballot.
Below are the candidates running for NC House District 32 who responded to our questionnaire, in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.
The district in Vance and Granville counties has a Republican primary between Pamela Ayscue and Frank Sossamon. The incumbent, Democratic Rep. Bryan Cohn, did not run for reelection. Sossamon previously represented the district until he lost his reelection bid to Cohn in 2024. Ayscue switched parties from Democrat to Republican. There is also a Democratic primary between Melissa Elliott and Curtis McRae.
Elliott and McRae did not respond to the questionnaires.
Pamela Ayscue
Age as of March 3, 2026: 50
Political party: Republican
Campaign website: https://saylorcommunicatio.wixsite.com/nc-educators-ballot/meet-the-candidates/pamela-ayscue-nc-house-32
Current occupation: Detention teacher with the state’s division of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention.
Professional experience: Middle grades math and science educator with North Carolina’s public schools for 28 years.
Education: North Carolina Central University, Fayetteville State University.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Public education funding/Leandro (Vance) and school consolidations.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? $65,000-$75,000
As of January, North Carolina was the last state not to have passed a new, comprehensive budget. What would you do to help make sure a budget passes? As an elected official, I would prioritize accountability to the citizens of North Carolina who depend upon timely and responsible action by their state legislators.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? No, I believe in paying my fair share. I think that the corporate/business tax rate should be increased.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? No, the state is not funding traditional public schools as required by our state constitution.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Yes, if a medical doctor prescribes it.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Medicaid expansion delays and cost of care causes many residents in my community to delay care. I plan to seek resources, including grants and federal funding, to help with the cost of expansion.
Frank Sossamon
Age as of March 3, 2026: 71
Political party: Republican
Campaign website: frankfornc.com
Current occupation: Pastor
Professional experience: Pastoral Ministry
Education: Associate’s degree in mental health, Western Piedmont Community College; bachelor’s degree in biblical studies, East Coast Bible College; Master of Ministry in church growth and church planting, Southwestern Christian University; Master of Divinity, Houston Graduate School of Theology.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Chaplain for Northern Vance High School Football Team, Chaplain Director Maria Parham Health, President Granville County Crime Stoppers and Juvenile Crime Prevention Council of Vance County.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Economic development. I brought back to House District 32, while I served in 2023-24, $45 million for infrastructure, mental health safe beds in the Maria Parham Health and Franklin emergency rooms, the Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Technology Center at Vance-Granville Community College at Triangle North Industrial Park, water and sewer projects in both counties, body cameras for each deputy at the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, and airport water line funding. I would continue to appeal for money to support meaningful projects and expansions.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? $50,000 pay. Raises should depend on education, experience and performance.
As of January, North Carolina was the last state not to have passed a new, comprehensive budget. What would you do to help make sure a budget passes? Appeal to leadership to come to an agreement at a pre-determined time and resolve the differences.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? We’re already seeing it reduced to 3.49% in January and I support further reductions.
Editor’s note: The individual income tax rate is set to drop to 3.49% in 2027, depending on state revenue.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? The General Assembly is looking into government waste and increased budget transparency.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? No. I’ve seen examples and studies in other countries that show legalizing marijuana has not yielded the positive results that were promised.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Transportation. We currently have Kerr Area Transportation Authority which provides transportation, but it has its problems with taking extended time to get the person to the appointment and back home. I would advocate for more funding to make it more convenient and take less time to get to the doctor and back home.
This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 6:35 PM with the headline "NC educator who switched parties, former GOP lawmaker outline priorities."
