Republican Mike Schietzelt, candidate for NC House District 35, answers our questions
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Candidates for NC House District 35
Republican Mike Schietzelt is running against Democrat Evonne Hopkins. Libertarian Michael Oakes is also running. District 35 encompasses parts of Wake County. Get to know the candidates with our 2024 NC Voter Guide.
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To help inform voters about the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Mike Schietzelt
District/seat: House District 35
County or counties represented: Wake
Political party: Republican
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 38
Campaign website: https://mikeschietzelt.com/
Current occupation: Attorney (business litigation)
Professional experience: Before entering private practice, I’ve also served as a constitutional law professor, a public policy researcher, and a professional trumpet player.
Education: Duke University School of Law, UNC-Greensboro (Bachelor of Music).
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Successfully advocated for the passage of Senate Bill 584 in 2019, a criminal law reform measure that garnered significant bipartisan support. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps (2011–15); service on local boards in Wake Forest and Durham.
What would be your top priority if elected?
Our most immediate need is offering families relief from inflation.
By percentage, what raises should state employees, school staff and teachers receive in the next state budget?
As much as we can afford. Quality teachers and staff are critical to improving student outcomes. And our state employees are vital to carrying out our state’s mission. But we have to start with the revenue that’s available and work from there.
What legislation would you support to improve Triangle transportation, housing or infrastructure? Please be specific.
We have to focus on US-1. We’re losing out on billions of dollars in economic growth and opportunities to lower housing costs because we do not have the infrastructure to support growth and higher density. The traffic in our county lowers productivity, lowers quality of life, and cannot be good for the environment. Fixing that problem starts with fixing Capital Boulevard.
Do you think the legislature should fund about $500 million for private school vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program? Why or why not?
Opportunity Scholarships were designed to help working-class families seek alternative education options that better fit their students. They should remain that way. Expanding the program risks turning it into a subsidy, which will only raise the costs of private education and defeat the purpose of the program. Given the harm of inflation that we’ve suffered, some expansion may be appropriate. But we need to draw a line and perhaps index that line to inflation.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
Historically, I wish Republicans across the country had worked harder to foster a culture that supports life and women in crisis. I’m proud of the measured approach NC Republicans took on this issue in 2023, and specifically in the investments they’ve made in community resources to help women choose life. As a member of the General Assembly next year, I will advocate for greater investment in those resources.
This story was originally published September 27, 2024 at 8:10 AM.
