News & Observer endorsements: Our local choices for state Senate

Despite the strong blue trend in Wake County, Republicans and Libertarians have stepped up to contest all five Wake County state Senate districts. It is good to see Democracy alive in Wake County, but Wake’s interests would be best served by Democrats retaking control of the legislature.

Nonetheless, one Republican running in a district bordering Wake County would be a good addition to the Senate. In District 11 covering Johnston and Nash counties, State Rep. Lisa Stone Barnes of Spring Hope is seeking to replace retiring Republican Sen. Rick Horner. Her Democratic opponent is a former state senator, Allen Wellons of Smithfield, who compiled a strong record in the Senate from 1996-2002. But Barnes’ service in the House, her local public service and her ties to agribusiness make her a good fit for the district. We recommend Lisa Stone Barnes.

In Wake County:

Senate 14. Sen. Dan Blue, the Senate minority leader, represented Raleigh in the House from 1981 to 2002 and 2006 to 2009. He served as House Speaker from 1991 to 1994. “My top priority is just common sense: to expand Medicaid coverage because we’re in the midst of this pandemic,” he said. He also wants the legislature to increase pay for teachers and and all school personnel.

Blue is being challenged by Republican Alan David Michael, who favors school choice and less business regulation. Also running is Libertarian Justin Walczak. We recommend Dan Blue.

Senate 15. Sen. Jay Chaudhuri was appointed to the seat vacated by Josh Stein in 2016 and has quickly risen to be the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat. His priorities are expanding Medicaid, providing more money for public schools and helping small businesses recover from the pandemic.

Chaudhuri has drawn two challengers. Republican Mario Lomuscio a pro-life advocate, a supporter of gun rights and an opponent of raising the minimum wage. Libertarian Kat McDonald is also running. We recommend Jay Chaudhuri.

Senate 16. Democratic Sen. Wiley Nickel, representing western Wake County, is among the Senate’s most progressive members. He has pushed for improved unemployment benefits and supports stronger gun control laws and an end to gerrymandering.

Challenging the first-term senator is Republican Will Marsh. He wants to lower taxes and encourage bipartisanship. We recommend Wiley Nickel.

Senate 17. Democratic Sen. Sam Searcy of Holly Springs won his seat in 2018 by defeating incumbent Republican Sen. Tamara Barringer, now a candidate for the state Supreme Court. Searcy, a co-owner of Graybeard’s Distillery in Durham, emphasizes his working class roots. He supports more funding for public schools and state universities and Medicaid expansion.

The Republican challenger is Mark Cavaliero, a CEO and retired Marine Reserve Colonel and Iraqi war veteran. He supports lower taxes, school choice and less regulation of businesses. Libertarian Travis Groo favors replacing the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control system with a free market approach. We recommend Sam Searcy.

Senate 18. Democratic candidate Sarah Crawford of Raleigh is making a second run at this seat after losing to Republican incumbent Chad Barefoot in 2014. The district lines encompassing northwest Wake and all of Franklin County have been redrawn and are more favorable to a Democrat. Her priorities are familiar Democratic ones: support public schools, expand Medicaid and stronger environmental protections.

The Republican in the race is Larry Norman, a former member of the Franklin County Republican executive committee. He supports school choice, gun rights and prayer in schools and wants to eliminate early voting. We recommend Sarah Crawford.