News & Observer endorsements: Wake County’s NC Senate and House primaries | Opinion

NC STATE SENATE DISTRICT 13 (Southern Wake County)

Two Republicans will compete to face Democratic Sen. Lisa Grafstein in November.

Vicki Harry, a small-business owner and a former teacher at Wake Christian Academy, did not respond to requests for comment. On her website, she says, “I will strive to cut taxes, reduce regulations, and provide businesses with the breathing room they need to create well-paying jobs.”

Harry’s opponent, Scott Lassiter, may be a familiar name to those who follow state politics. Lassiter, a former Apex Town Council member, named House Speaker Tim Moore in 2023 in an alienation of affection lawsuit involving Lassiter’s wife. He dropped the lawsuit shortly after it became public.

As an assistant principal for the Wake County Public School System, Lassiter would bring direct knowledge of public schools and their needs to the legislature. “I am fully committed to equipping the public schools to ensure they have the resources to compete,” he told the Editorial Board.

We recommend Scott Lassiter in the State District 13 Republican primary.

NC SENATE DISTRICT 14 (Western Wake County)

Terry Passione, 58, is a long-haul truck driver from Knightdale, but his trip in this Democratic primary will likely be a short one. He’s challenging Sen. Dan Blue, 74, a longtime state lawmaker and now the Senate’s minority leader.

Passione said Blue’s long service is one reason he’s challenging him. “People get in, they get comfortable and they forget why they are running in the first place,” he said.

Blue is a lawyer and a deeply experienced lawmaker who gives Wake County a strong voice in the legislature. We recommend Dan Blue in the Senate District 14 Democratic primary.

NC HOUSE DISTRICT 33 (Southeast Raleigh)

The retirement of seven-term Rep. Rosa Gill created a vacuum in Southeast Raleigh politics. Three Democratic candidates have stepped forward to fill it.

Debra Dunston, 65, a retired state Department of Motor Vehicles employee, promises to push for more affordable housing and greater health care access for low-income people. She also wants to be an advocate in the legislature for state employees, who face high vacancies in their ranks. and pay that is shrinking with inflation.

“That is one of my main things that I want to do,” Dunston said. “Throughout the years, we have been a forgotten group of people.”

Antoine Marshall, 36, an attorney, is making his third attempt to win this seat. This time he won’t be facing a popular incumbent.

Marshall wants to expand affordable housing and find ways to prevent lower- and middle-income residents from being dislocated by gentrification. “We are struggling to keep teachers and police officers in the community,” he said.

Marshall also wants to provide more legal aid to people facing civil cases in which they can’t afford a lawyer. “Navigating our court system without legal counsel is very difficult,” he said.

Monika Johnson-Hostler, 49, brings strong experience to this race. She has served on the Wake County Board of Education since 2013 and has been the executive director of NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault for more than 20 years.

Johnson-Hostler knows the value of public schools. She said, ”I was raised by a single parent with a high school diploma and my mother instilled in me to take full advantage of my public school education to create a better life for myself.”

We recommend Monika Johnson-Hostler in the House District 13 primary.

NC HOUSE DISTRICT 35 (Northern Wake County)

Two newcomers are seeking the GOP nomination in this district formerly represented by Democratic Rep. Terence Everitt, who is running for the state Senate.

James Norman, 46, a commercial real estate appraiser, supports a conservative agenda – gun rights, lower taxes and school choice – including expanding vouchers for private school tuition. But in a district that includes Falls Lake, he also supports managed growth and protection of the lake.

Mike Schietzelt, 37, an attorney specializing in civil litigation, also describes himself as a conservative, but he wants to do more to support public schools. “I am a product of the public school system,” he said. “I am troubled by the state of our public education system.”

It’s refreshing to hear a Republican support the vital role of public schools after years of underfunding by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

We recommend Mike Schietzelt in the House District 35 Republican primary.

This story was originally published February 20, 2024 at 12:13 PM.