Libertarian Brad Hessel, candidate for NC Senate District 18, answers our questions
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Candidates for NC Senate District 18
Republican Ashlee Adams is running against Democrat Terence Everitt, the incumbent. Libertarian Brad Hessel is also running. District 18 encompasses parts of Wake County and Granville County. Get to know the candidates with our 2024 NC Voter Guide.
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To help inform voters in 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: Brad Hessel
District/seat: Senate District 18
County or counties represented: Wake and Granville
Political party: Libertarian
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 71
Campaign website: Electbradhessel.org
Current occupation: Knowledge management consultant.
Professional experience: Simulation design, publishing, product licensing, technical writing and training, knowledge management and campaign committee treasurer.
Education: BA in History from Brown University
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. Vetted casino gaming employee training proposals for New York state, Rec High School Subdivision coordinator for CASL (Capital Area Soccer League) for five years and current member of the Beth Meyer social action committee.
What would be your top priority if elected?
Electoral reform designed to reduce the level of toxic partisanship. First, eliminate unfair restrictions on independent voters that legally ban them from serving on the boards of elections and effectively ban them from running for partisan office. Second, bring back instant runoff voting for county and municipal elections to incentivize candidates to reach out to voters beyond their support base and ensure no one can win without a majority. Third, implement nonpartisan redistricting.
By percentage, what raises should state employees, school staff and teachers receive in the next state budget?
One size does not fit all. Raises should minimally cover any rise in the cost-of-living since the last adjustment. Compensation — of which salary is just one component — also needs to be competitive, so as to attract enough quality personnel to get the job done. Having said that, the reach of state government far exceeds our grasp, and overall my focus would be on trimming the quantity of activities, while enhancing the quality of the work on the ones we should be performing.
What legislation would you support to improve Triangle transportation, housing or infrastructure? Please be specific.
Would consider eliminating exclusionary zoning that encourages building very large single-family homes on a statewide basis, as has been done in Oregon. With proper tuning to ensure the implementation accommodates county-and-municipal-specific concerns, this would enable builders to increase supply of both affordable and missing-middle housing. For transportation, my priority would be ensuring funds are spent on sustainable projects built where people live and work to maximize the impact.
Do you think the legislature should fund about $500 million for private school vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program? Why or why not?
Not a fan of vouchers which open the door to state restrictions. I favor enabling parents/students to direct the tax dollars allocated to each student as they see fit. Also free public schools from rules that obstruct administrators and teachers from focusing on teaching the three Rs. Expand open enrollment within and between public-school districts, allowing families more opportunity to find the best fit. Encourage schools to track and publish performance data for their graduates.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
Libertarians have two rules: [1] Don’t hit folks, and [2] Don’t steal their stuff.
Only psychopaths disagree with those rules. (Of course, there is an important exception to rule #1 if someone hits you first.) I am also endorsed by the Forward Party. Their commitment to electoral reform is generally excellent but I do disagree with their proposal to enable open primaries here because — contrary to their expressed hopes — I believe that would increase partisanship and discourage participation.
This story was originally published October 31, 2024 at 3:28 PM.
