Republican running for open NC House seat on his top priority for District 90

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 90 who responded to our questionnaire, in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.

District 90 is located in Surry and Wilkes counties and is currently represented by Rep. Sarah Stevens, a Republican who is not seeking reelection.

There is a Republican primary for the seat between A.J. Daoud, Paul Barker and Dan Kiger.

Barker and Kiger did not respond to the questionnaire.

A.J. Daoud

Age as of March 3, 2026: 68

Political party: Republican

Campaign website: AJDaoud.com

Current occupation: CEO

Professional experience: Police officer; executive, public company; and small business owner

Education: Master of Business Administration

Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Vice Chairman, Zoning and Planning, N.C. Lottery Commissioner, White House N.C Liaison, Republican National Committee Sergeant at Arms. Past President Jaycee, National Vice President Police Athletic Leagues

What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Economic development: Move district out of Tier 1 Status. Reduction of expense to prevent outrageous property tax hike as Wilkes County has 45% hike. Improve relationship with local officials, state officials and departments. Continue decreasing state income tax and develop more property tax exemptions such as residents paying same as second homeowner. I think these are a good start to establish hope for District 90 citizens.

The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? A regional comparison of Southeastern states to make North Carolina competitive in teacher retention. As a former school resource officer, teachers are unsung heros. Administrative costs need a strong review and return teacher pay from desk sitters. A look at the imbalance in the budget at Forsyth County School System shows education boards are top-heavy.

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? Get a budget passed! Open door to negotiate. Troopers, teachers and state employees are hurting because no new budget mean no cost of living increases and frozen programs.

North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? Yes! States with attract retirees which increases tax revenue through other channels. Lend to attention to better maintenance infrastructure.

Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? When serving as lottery commissioner we fought wasteful spending successfully. Improvements in the auditor’s office have increased and exposed wasteful spending. We know that government mentality is to spend, not to conserve. The N.C. General Assembly needs to be quicker on response on the auditor’s finding on issues.

Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Times have changed. Areas I’ve seen that offer medical marijuana seem to attract a legal excuse for nonmedical uses. I support medical marijuana if prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacy.

What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Being in a rural area and seeing Surry County almost losing a hospital, Stokes County struggling to keep theirs open and Wilkes Hospitals. There’s been federal attempt to offer to assist with rural hospital survival. The state needs to make it attractive for companies to assist or grow rural hospitals such as happened in Northern Hospital with Novant.