Patrick Buffkin, candidate for NC Senate District 13
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Candidates for NC Senate District 13
Democrats Lisa Grafstein and Patrick Buffkin and Republicans Jeff Werner and David Bankert are running for North Carolina Senate in District 13. Get to know the candidates with the 2022 Voter Guide.
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Name: Patrick Buffkin
Political party: Democratic
Age on election night: 39
Website: www.patrickforNC.com
Occupation: Renewable energy and utilities attorney
Education: B.S., NC State University and J.D., NCCU School of Law
Have you run for elected office before? 2019 Raleigh City Council District A.
Civic involvement: Leading the Raleigh City Council’s effort to pass the 2020 Housing Bond, to increase investments in our city parks, to reimagine policing in Raleigh, and to make government work better for everyone.
School test scores dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. What should North Carolina do to improve student performance?
North Carolina should make summer school sessions available to students, increase teachers’ salaries and benefits, restore respect for the education profession, comply with the Leandro decision, and fund improvements to school buildings.
What do you want to happen in North Carolina if Roe v. Wade is overturned?
If Roe v. Wade is overturned, I want to see North Carolina take independent action to protect reproductive rights for North Carolinians, by adopting the Roe v. Wade protections through statute and constitutional amendment.
What should North Carolina do to reduce violent crime?
North Carolina should increase support for at-risk youth, establish a statewide intervention program to help people escape the cycle of violence, get illegal guns off of the street, continue policing reforms, and help people rejoin their communities after serving a criminal sentence.
Should medical marijuana be legalized in North Carolina?
Yes, North Carolina should join the majority of states in the U.S. that have legalized medical marijuana.
What should the state’s minimum wage be? What policies would you support to help struggling North Carolinians?
North Carolina should have a minimum wage of $15 per hour, with an index to inflation. Help for struggling North Carolinians should include relieving their tax burden and funding programs to help these people meet their daily needs for child care, health care, and housing.
Should North Carolina expand Medicaid, and how?
Yes, North Carolina should expand Medicaid by streamlining eligibility rather than including eligibility requirements as other states have done. This will improve our public health and have a positive financial impact for the state budget, hospitals, and other providers.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?
I agree with the Democratic Party’s policies because these policies have created opportunities for me to have a better life, including education in the public school universities and to live in Raleigh. I want to give back and see greater opportunities available to our future generations.
What are your top issues? Pick up to three.
Climate change; education; housing.
This story was originally published April 21, 2022 at 8:31 PM.