Joe John, candidate for NC House of Representatives District 40
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Candidates for NC House District 40
Democrats Joe John and Marguerite Creel are running for the nomination for North Carolina House of Representatives in District 40 in Wake County. The winner will face Republican candidate Marilyn Avila and Libertarian candidate Michael Nelson in November’s general election. John is the incumbent in the district.
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Name: Joe John
Political Party: Democratic
Age on election night: 83
Website: www.JoeJohnNCHouse.com
Occupation: Legislator
Education: AB, MA, JD - UNC-CH
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) NC District Court Judge; NC Superior Court Judge; NC Court of Appeals; NC Supreme Court Justice; NC House Representative
Civic involvement: Work: attorney-legal aid, assistant district attorney, small firm; trial/appellate judge; DMV deputy commissioner; State Crime Lab director; three terms House. Affiliations: civic (Chamber, Rotary Club); professional (NC, Wake Co Bar Associations); boards (LRHS Athletic Club, Greensboro Creative Arts Center); youth baseball coach.
School test scores dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. What should North Carolina do to improve student performance?
NCDPI’s March report finding slowed learning progress across all grades and subjects during COVID confirms my observations of several grandchildren. The report recommends targeted interventions, which I believe should include increased qualified adults in classrooms and specialized tutoring.
What do you want to happen in North Carolina if Roe v. Wade is overturned?
The protection of women’s privacy rights and access to health care as well as the First Amendment rights of abortion proponents and opponents must be sustained.
What should North Carolina do to reduce violent crime?
As a former North Carolina judge, I believe there are three measures: 1) Implement community-based prevention and intervention programs and focused, strategic enforcement priorities; 2) Address poverty, drug/alcohol addiction and child abuse/neglect issues; 3) enact a “red-flag” law.
Should medical marijuana be legalized in North Carolina?
With appropriate protections, I believe the time has come for legalization of medical marijuana in North Carolina.
What should the state’s minimum wage be? What policies would you support to help struggling North Carolinians?
I support raising North Carolina’s minimum wage to $15 per hour, incrementally over a five-year period. Reinstating the earned income tax credit would benefit struggling North Carolina taxpayers.
Should North Carolina expand Medicaid, and how?
I support closing the health care coverage gap immediately, without work reporting requirements, annual premiums or additional cost-sharing, to provide health care to hundreds of thousands of NC citizens and to recoup federal taxes we in North Carolina pay to support expansion in 39 other states.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?
I am an independent voice representing the voters of HD 40. My approach is the same as when I served as a North Carolina judge — gather all the evidence, weigh the alternatives, and make the best decision I can in the interests of North Carolina taxpayers. If my party’s position should be to the contrary, so be it.
What are your top issues? Pick up to three.
Education; criminal justice; and crime and safety
This story was originally published April 25, 2022 at 2:06 PM.