Matt Hughes, candidate for NC House of Representatives District 50
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Candidates for NC House District 50
The Democratic candidates for N.C. House of Representatives District 50 in Orange and Caswell counties are Matt Hughes and Renee Price. The winner will face Republican Charles Lopez, who is running unopposed, in November to fill the seat currently held by Democratic Rep. Graig Meyer. Meyer is running for N.C. Senate. Get to know the candidates in our 2022 Voter Guide.
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Name: Matt Hughes
Political Party: Democratic
Age on election night: 31
Website: www.matthughesnc.com
Occupation: Finance Manager at BluePrint NC
Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A. in Political Science, Master of Public Administration (MPA).
Have you run for elected office before? Hillsborough Board of Commissioners (2018, appointed to a two-year term; 2020) Orange County Commission (2016)
Civic involvement: Former Chair of the Orange County Democratic Party. Commissioner for the Town of Hillsborough and Mayor Pro Tempore. Orange County Board of Adjustment, North Carolina Human Relations Commission, the Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority, Orange County Historical Museum.
School test scores dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. What should North Carolina do to improve student performance?
We can do better for our students and educators by investing in broadband, addressing racial inequities, mental health resources in schools, putting less emphasis on standardized testing, fully funding Leandro, increasing teacher pay, and expanding educational resources.
What do you want to happen in North Carolina if Roe v. Wade is overturned?
I will fight to codify Roe in state law. Reproductive justice is about more than just abortion. I will promote legislation that promotes the full range of services that allow women to have control over their bodies including investing in expanded OBGYN access.
What should North Carolina do to reduce violent crime?
North Carolina can move forward with reducing violent crime by making the investments we know already make a difference in education, mental health care, affordable housing, and job creation. I think the number one way to reduce violent crime is to strive to address the systemic issues of our state.
Should medical marijuana be legalized in North Carolina?
I believe medical cannabis should be legalized, but I would go further. Cannabis prohibition has damaged so many lives in North Carolina and across the country. I believe that we should legalize recreational cannabis use and set up a regulatory structure similar to the ABC Commission.
What should the state’s minimum wage be? What policies would you support to help struggling North Carolinians?
No one should have to work full-time and still struggle to pay for housing or to feed their family. I fully support a phased-in $15-an-hour minimum wage, so that North Carolinians can have access to jobs that allow them to live in their community and support themselves and their families.
Should North Carolina expand Medicaid, and how?
Republicans in the General Assembly have refused most efforts to expand Medicaid, thereby denying coverage for hundreds of thousands of patients. I support expanding Medicaid in the state on the basic premise that our residents should have affordable, accessible, and high-quality health care.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?
I think some Democrats, including many of my friends, see rural areas as a lost cause. I couldn’t disagree more. My district is a largely rural district and is where I grew up. Democrats have to show up in these communities and show that we share the same values and care about people here.
What are your top three issues?
Health care; education; voting and elections