Still need to vote? Here’s all the N&O’s endorsements in one handy place | Opinion

The News & Observer editorial board has interviewed and researched the candidates who seek your vote on Election Day.

Here’s a recap of our recommendations for contested races on the Wake County ballot in 2024, including statewide and local judicial races. Our full recommendations in all races can be found at newsobserver.com/opinion.

President

Two presidential candidates are fervently seeking North Carolina’s vote, but only one would repay that support by humanely approaching immigration, by reducing threats from climate change and by encouraging a politics of hope and decency. That candidate is Vice President Kamala Harris. If she wins, so will North Carolina.

Governor

North Carolinians will have a critical choice to make between two men who want to be the next governor of our state. It’s a choice that can be framed in very stark terms: integrity and immorality, decency and demagoguery. It should be an easy one to make. We recommend Josh Stein for governor.

Attorney general

As North Carolina’s chief law enforcement official, Republican Dan Bishop would be a leader who tried to overturn a free and fair election, and in an office tasked with protecting North Carolina’s citizens, he would be a leader who has a long, harsh history of discrimination. We recommend Jeff Jackson for North Carolina Attorney General.

Superintendent

Michele Morrow has already been an embarrassment for North Carolina as a major party candidate. She should not be a public official representing our state and its people. If you believe our public schools can improve with thoughtful, collaborative, innovative leadership, the choice in this race could not be clearer. We recommend Mo Green for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Council of state

Lt. governor: As a fierce supporter for public education and a vocal defender of reproductive rights and voting rights, Democratic state senator and attorney Rachel Hunt would be a strong complement to Josh Stein, who has a substantial polling lead in the governor’s race.

Secretary of State: Incumbent Elaine Marshall continues to ably lead and evolve this essential office for business registration and record keeping.

Treasurer: Republican Brad Briner’s vision for the office is more narrowly focused on growing investments without taking on unnecessary risk, and he offers a meticulous blueprint on how he would get there. He brings a deeper experience and a more sophisticated knowledge in the financial and investment sector.

Auditor: Democrat Jessica Holmes was appointed auditor in 2023 by Gov. Roy Cooper. She is now running for a full term, and she’s had a problematic tryout. We recommend David Boliek, but we’re troubled by the partisan campaign he’s run, including his boasts about ending “woke” DEI programs and policies at UNC. We advise him to remain independent if elected.

Labor commissioner: We believe that North Carolina’s labor department has been too aligned with businesses on workplace issues and unfair wage practices. Braxton Winston’s experience as a worker would be transformative to an office that needs change. We endorse Braxton Winston for labor commissioner.

Agriculture commissioner: Republican incumbent Steve Troxler has long had a strong rapport with farmers and success in promoting North Carolina’s diverse agriculture industry. He is a capable leader and advocate for North Carolina agriculture, which continues to thrive under his watch.

Insurance commissioner: State senator Natasha Marcus, who has served on the Senate’s commerce & insurance committees, brings a precise and thorough approach to everything she does. She believes there needs to be more transparency in the commissioner’s office, particularly surrounding negotiations with insurance companies over rate hikes.

(Read fuller versions of our Council of State endorsements here and here.)

N.C. Supreme Court

Democrat Allison Riggs, who Gov. Roy Cooper appointed to the Supreme Court last year, is a thoughtful justice with a broad and deep knowledge of the law. This board largely shares Riggs’ interpretation of the law regarding gerrymandering, voting rights and reproductive rights. We also believe the court should have better balance between Democrats and Republicans. We recommend Allison Riggs.

N.C. Court of Appeals

Seat 12: Carolyn Jennings Thompson is a capable and fair jurist who is attentive to due process for all, and she is a solid choice for voters who prioritize a better ideological and racial balance on the Court of Appeals. Those factors are important to this board, but we also believe that our state’s highest courts desperately need judges with a demonstrated history of working across ideology and party. We give a very slight nod to Tom Murry for Court of Appeals seat 12.

Seat 14: Democrat Ed Eldred has clerked under two Court of Appeals judges and has diverse experience in criminal, civil, appellate and family law. We appreciate his fresh perspective and commitment to equity under the law.

Seat 15: Buncombe County commissioner Martin Moore promises to rule on the merits of cases instead of partisan considerations. Moore would bring important diversity to the Court of Appeals, including as a western North Carolina resident.

Read fuller versions of our judicial endorsements here.

Congress

District 2: We recommend reelecting Deborah Ross, who has a wealth of political experience and says she’ll have an impact regardless of which party is in the majority.

District 4: We recommend reelecting incumbent Valerie Foushee for a second term.

Full endorsements can be found here.

N.C. House

District 11: We recommend reelecting Allison Dahle, who advocates for civil rights for LGBTQ people, expanded mental health services, reproductive rights and environmental protections.

District 21: Incumbent Ya Liu says her top issues are reproductive rights, environmental protections and support for public schools.

District 33: Monika Johnson-Hostler, a member of the Wake County Board of Education, is executive director of the NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Her top issues are increasing teacher pay and getting more mental health support for students.

District 34: Democratic Rep. Tim Longest backs restoring the earned-income tax credit, opposes school vouchers and supports stronger environmental protections.

District 35: Democratic nominee Evonne S. Hopkins is in favor of protecting reproductive rights, strengthening public schools and encouraging more affordable housing.

District 36: Democratic Rep. Julie von Haefen supports more funding for public schools, protecting reproductive rights and addressing the cost and shortage of child care services. She also wants to end gerrymandering and make the legislative process more open to the public.

District 37: We disagree with Erin Pare’s positions on many issues, but she has energetically represented the views of many people in one of the county’s more conservative districts.

District 40: Democratic incumbent Joe John has a long record of public service, and he’s an advocate for independent redistricting, and more funding for the court system and public schools

District 41: Incumbent Maria Cervania wants to expand access to health care, especially reproductive health care, protect voting rights and increase funding for public schools, early childhood education and child care.

District 66: Democratic Rep. Sarah Crawford’s top issues are creating more affordable housing, opposing the expansion of school vouchers and addressing the mental health needs of young people.

Full endorsements in N.C. House races can be found here.

N.C. Senate

District 13: Democratic Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a civil rights lawyer, is sticking with her top issues: Protecting reproductive rights, supporting public schools and creating more affordable housing. She’s opposed to school vouchers and restrictions tied to the state’s new 12-week limit on abortion.

District 14: Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue, an attorney, is the Senate minority leader and a longtime veteran of both the House and Senate. This year his priorities are funding public schools, setting a tax rate that reflects the state’s needs and protecting reproductive rights.

District 15: Democratic Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, North Carolina’s first Indian-American state legislator, wants to restore reproductive rights, increase funding for public schools and ensure that all citizens have access to the ballot.

District 17: We recommend reelecting Sen. Sydney Batch, whose priorities include protecting reproductive rights, fully funding public schools and supporting paid family leave for every working person.

District 18: Democratic Rep. Terence Everitt is seeking to move up to the state Senate. He supports reproductive rights, more money for public schools and investing more in the state’s infrastructure. He also wants the state budget process to be more transparent.

Full endorsements in N.C. Senate races can be found here.

Wake County Board of Commissioners

In the District 6 race for the Wake County Board of Commissioners – the only contested seat of three up for reelection on the seven-member board – voters have a clear choice between Democratic board chairperson Shinica Thomas and Republican challenger Jacob Arthur.

We recommend Shinica Thomas for reelection.

Raleigh mayor

Raleigh’s residents are fortunate that Janet Cowell, after a successful career in public office and private enterprise, is willing to take on the sometimes tedious and tense work of being mayor. She would bring deep experience, an ambitious spirit and a talent for communicating to the job.

Full endorsement here.

Raleigh city council

At-large: We recommend Jonathan Melton, an effective and energetic council member who emphasizes communicating with residents, and Stormie Forte, who has been a collegial member of the council focused more on results than disputes for the council’s two at-large seats.

District A: Planning consultant Mitchell Silver would give the council valuable expertise, particularly as the city prepares to draw a new comprehensive plan that will direct growth for decades.

District B: Incumbent Megan Patton has listened, learned and made progress. She works closely with district residents and secured funding for Forestville Road Park.

District C: Incumbent Corey Branch has been a competent council member and his knowledge of city government is valuable, but his many challengers signal it’s time for new leadership for southeast Raleigh. The most compelling candidate in this group is Jared Ollison. He supports youth programs and proposes a more practical approach to serving the district than some of the more activist candidates.

District E: First-term incumbent Christina Jones has made a strong effort to reach out to her constituents, but her outreach to her council colleagues has not been as effective. We recommend John Cerqueira, who would bring a much different approach to the job.

Full endorsements can be found here.

Wake County Board of Education

District 3: Jordyne Blaise.

District 4: Toshiba Rice.

District 5: Lynn Edmonds.

District 6: Sam Hershey.

District 8: Lindsey Mahaffey.

Full endorsements here.

Other ballot items

Wake Soil and Water Conservation District: Reese Wamsley.

N.C. constitutional amendment: NO.

Wake County library bond: YES.

This story was originally published November 4, 2024 at 5:00 AM.