Billy Martin, candidate for NC Senate District 46
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Candidates for NC Senate District 46
Democrat Billy Martin is running against Republican incumbent Warren Daniel. District 46 covers Buncombe, Burke and McDowell counties. Get to know the candidates with our NC 2022 Voter Guide.
Name: Billy Martin
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 73
Campaign website: billymartin4nc.com
Occupation: Retired educator
Education: BS, Winston-Salem State University and MA, Western Carolina University
Have you run for elected office before? Yes. Marion City Council member (1995 - present)
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Four years mayor pro tem — City of Marion, NC
What are the three issues that you see as most important to your district and what will you do to address them?
Education — higher teacher pay/retention; Medicaid expansion; broadband/ internet service throughout North Carolina.
At a time when costs are rising, state government has a surplus. How should it be used?
Higher teacher pay, higher legislator pay and infrastructure.
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?
Our legislature has continuously underfunded education, eliminated benefits for teachers and used public tax revenues to fund private, charter and homeschooling.
Should North Carolina change its abortion laws? How?
There should be no restrictions on abortion.
Please add anything else voters should know about your position on the legality or availability of abortion in North Carolina.
I am not a pro-abortion advocate. I believe in a woman’s right to choose the best options pertaining to her personal health issues.
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?
School curriculum has been politicized causing confusion and division. Teachers should be allowed to teach their subjects as along as they are teaching the truth, not confusion and division. My experience in education did not spend a lot of time on race, sexuality and gender.
Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?
Yes.
This story was originally published October 7, 2022 at 3:56 AM.