Endorsements: All of The News & Observer choices in the 2022 primaries

Our choices in Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primaries: (Full versions of the Editorial Board’s endorsements can be found at newsobserver. com/opinion.)

We have deep concerns with some of Republican Mark Walker’s positions, but we do believe he is principled and focused on real problems. His history of political independence should bring the most comfort in this primary to Republican voters worried about the direction of their party.

In the Democratic primary, Cheri Beasley brings strong experience as a public servant and trailblazer who could be a powerful voice for communities across North Carolina. We are troubled that she’s attempting to occupy a tentative and vague middle lane that will neither rally progressives nor stand up against the withering conservative attacks that are coming soon.

U.S. House

NC-2: In this Republican primary we made no recommendation.

NC-4: In the Democratic primary, we recommend Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam as a young progressive representative for a district that includes Durham and Chapel Hill. Allam would bring a fresh Democratic voice to Congress, one committed to serving the interests of lower income and middle class Americans.

In the NC-4 Republican primary, we made no recommendation.

NC-13: In this newly drawn district, both parties will have a fair chance of winning in November. That makes it more important that Democrats offer a candidate with campaign experience and a strong progressive record. We recommend Wiley Nickel, a state senator who has pushed for Medicaid expansion, better pay for teachers and restoring needed benefits to the state’s woefully inadequate unemployment insurance program.

In the NC-13 Republican primary we made no recommendation.

Wake Board of County Commissioners

In the District 1 Democratic primary, we recommend Donald Mial as the nominee for a seat coming open because Wake County Commission Chair Sig Hutchinson is not seeking another term. Mial has years of experience as a public servant, as well as support from current and former commissioners, including Hutchinson.

In the District 3 Democratic primary, we recommend Cheryl Stallings, a psychologist and former school counselor who has served on the Apex Town Council since 2019.

Wake District Attorney

In one of the stranger turns of the primary season, several outside groups have mounted an effort to oust Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman over issues that are largely manufactured. She has been a strong and reform-minded district attorney. We strongly recommend Lorrin Freeman in this Democratic primary.

Wake Sheriff

In this crowded Democratic primary, we recommend Roy Taylor, a veteran of civilian and military law enforcement. He would bring criminal justice reforms and accountability to a sheriff’s office that needs new leadership.

In the Republican primary, we recommend former four-term Wake Sheriff Donnie Harrison.

North Carolina

NC Senate 13 (DEM): Patrick Buffkin. (Rep): Jeff Werner. NC Senate 18 (Rep) Dimitry Slabyak.

NC House 33 (Dem): Rosa Gill. NC House 34 (Rep): No recommendation. NC House 35 (Rep): Brandon Panameno. NC House 37 (Dem): Christine Kelly. NC House 40 (Dem): Joe John. NC House 66 (Dem): Sarah Crawford

NC Supreme Court

In this Republican Supreme Court primary, the leading candidates are Appeals Court Judge April Wood and UNC professor Trey Allen, currently general counsel to the Administrative Office of the Courts. We recommend April Wood. She has experience as an appeals court judge and as a district court judge.