‘Someone who will show up.’ Retired teacher takes on GOP lawmaker in District 81.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Republican primary pits incumbent Larry Potts against Pamela Zanni, a retired teacher.
- Zanni prioritizes school funding and wants teacher pay at or above national averages.
- She supports lowering the income tax and legalizing medical marijuana.
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 81 who responded to our questionnaire, in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.
House District 81 in Davidson County has a Republican primary between Pamela Zanni and incumbent Rep. Larry Potts. Potts, who did not respond to the questionnaire, has served five terms in the House. Zanni is a retired teacher and is part of a group of candidates running in Republican districts with a focus on getting more public school funding.
Dylan Tucker is running without opposition in the Democratic primary.
Pamela Zanni
Age as of March 3, 2026: 55
Political party: Republican
Campaign website: https://saylorcommunicatio.wixsite.com/nc-educators-ballot/meet-the-candidates/pamela-zanni-nc-house-81
Current occupation: Retired teacher, restaurant server
Professional experience: 31 years in classroom
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Lees-McRae College; Master of Education, UNC Greensboro
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: None
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Having actual representation. My district has been represented by someone who only does “what leadership wants.” He is not responding to the concerns of the citizens of our district. My district deserves someone who will show up for them. Clearly our state budget and the funding of public schools are right at the top of our list.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? National average starts at $41,480 up to $64,820. This is the least that we can do.
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? Being in session would be a nice start. Actually addressing the elephant in the room. Do the work of the people!
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? Yes, while increasing the rate for those in the top 1%, with loopholes closed.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? No. They are currently sitting on a giant surplus while our schools are literally falling apart and teachers are leaving the state or the entire profession. This is outrageous.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Yes. If alcohol and tobacco are legal (with no redeeming qualities to them) then marijuana should be treated the same way.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Cost. I live in a rural, low-income area. With the skyrocketing costs of premiums, copays and prescriptions, my residents are having to choose between eating, having heat and their health. That is unacceptable. I would be the loudest voice in the room to be sure that our citizens are able to access care that is affordable. How to do this? Good question. If we knew how to do this, I would like to think that it would already have been done.
