Voter Guide

David Flaherty, candidate for US Senate

By Danielle Battaglia

Updated April 26, 2022 5:54 PM

Candidates in competitive primaries for 2022 local, state and Congressional elections respond to questions about their positions. ROBERT LAHSER

North Carolina candidates for US Senate

Sen. Richard Burr is not running for another term in 2022. Those running to replace him include Democrats James Carr Jr., Robert Colon, Alyssia Hammond, Constance (Lov) Johnson, Tobias LaGrone, B. K. Maginnis, Rett Newton, Marcus Williams, Greg Antoine, Cheri Beasley and Chrelle Booker; Republicans Marjorie Eastman, David Flaherty, Benjamin Griffiths, Kenneth Harper Jr., Charles Moss, Pat McCrory, Lichia Sibhatu, Debora Tshiovo, Mark Walker, Jen Banwart, Lee Brian, Leonard Bryant, Ted Budd and Drew Bulecza; and Libertarian

Shannon Bray. Get to know the candidates with our NC 2022 Voter Guide.

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Name: David Flaherty Jr.

Political party: Republican

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 69

Campaign website: dflaherty4senate.org

Occupation: Retired

Education: UNC-CH (BS, Math; JD, Law)

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) N.C. District Court Judge (25th District); N.C. House (46th District); District Attorney (25th District).

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Helped establish Child Advocacy Centers (Burke, Caldwell & Catawba); helped replace “Fair Sentencing” Act with “Structured Sentencing” Act; involved in numerous pieces of legislation (too many to list all here); got inclusion of both civil and criminal terms in all Superior Court Sessions, and more.

What is your plan for limiting the effects of inflation?

First, making the U.S. self-sufficient in energy again and voting against any unnecessary, but inflationary, excess spending bills.

What is the federal government’s role in controlling or ending the COVID-19 pandemic?

It is limited (by law, states have more say); feds should have more to do with aiding in the development of vaccines, therapeutics, treatments and their availability to the states and the public; also, the equipment needed.

What is the federal government’s role in combating the effects of climate change?

All governments should be concerned with protecting our environments but not to the extent that we otherwise kill our citizens.

What is your plan for reducing violent crime?

Rather than putting more restrictions on law abiding citizens, we need to start enforcing criminal laws against those who commit crimes.

What should happen if Roe v. Wade is overturned?

It should probably go back to being a state issue limited only by our Constitution and its amendments.

Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?

We spend too much, which hurts our citizens and economy.

What are your top issues? Pick up to three.

Immigration; economy and jobs; and crime and safety.

This story was originally published April 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM.

Danielle Battaglia

McClatchy DC

Danielle Battaglia is the congressional impact reporter for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer, leading coverage of the impact of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and the White House. Her career has spanned three North Carolina newsrooms where she has covered crime, courts and local, state and national politics. She has won two McClatchy President’s awards and numerous national and state awards for her work.