Mark Speed, candidate for NC Senate District 11
READ MORE
Candidates for NC Senate District 11
Democrat Mark Speed is running against Republican incumbent Lisa Stone Barnes. District 11 covers Franklin, Nash and Vance counties. Get to know the candidates with our NC 2022 Voter Guide.
Name: Mark Speed
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 55
Campaign website: www.electmarkspeed.com
Occupation: Retail management, farmer and small business owner
Education: AA
Have you run for elected office before? I currently serve as a county commissioner
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Service on county boards of agriculture, animal advisory, social services, and Franklin, Vance, Warren Opportunity
What are the three issues that you see as most important to your district and what will you do to address them?
Public education, Medicaid expansion, female reproductive rights. Introduce and support any legislation to protect and advance these issues. I’ll work with both sides of the aisle to reach common ground.
At a time when costs are rising, state government has a surplus. How should it be used?
Public education should be fully funded.
Will you vote for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina?
Yes.
What has the legislature gotten right, and what has it gotten wrong, about public education in North Carolina?
Public education has been on the chopping block for a number of years. It is wrong to deny our children the fundamentals of a start in life. Our Lieutenant Governor has openly stated his desire to eliminate public education. Where will the financially challenged get an education? Vouchers have been proposed, but I doubt this approach will have any endurance.
Should North Carolina change its abortion laws? How?
There should be fewer restrictions on abortion after 20 weeks.
Please add anything else voters should know about your position on the legality or availability of abortion in North Carolina.
There are too many variables to be legislating further restrictions. Doctors are refraining from providing services in cases of gray areas. This is proving to be detrimental to health and life of many females.
Should medical marijuana be legalized in North Carolina?
Yes.
What, if anything, should the legislature do to shape curriculum dealing with topics of race, sexuality and gender?
I have spoken with numerous teachers and don’t see any urgency for change at this time.
Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?
Yes.
This story was originally published October 7, 2022 at 2:48 AM.
