Both of the candidates running in the March 5, 2024, Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 13 — Melvin Cooper (D) and Katie Tomberlin (D) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
Cooper:
- “Women’s Rights: In North Carolina women are 51% of the population, yet are still on the outside of companies’ Board Rooms, meaning left out of major decisions. With the recent Supreme Court strikedown of Roe vs Wade, women have lost control of decisions concerning their bodies, what little control they may have left by NC legislation must be protected. There is also a high sex trafficking of girls and women, the laws must be improved to prevent or deter such trafficking. NC can do better and we must do better. Women’s rights are human rights.
- Teachers: We all know that if you are reading this, you should thank a teacher. NC is ranked 46th in the Nation, we were once ranked 13. How can a state fall to such a low ranking, it is from the legislation giving none to just 2023, where they received a 1% raise.Yet, college athletes can now be compensated for playing sports, or the ones that turn pro can receive million of dollars. Where is that thank a teacher? We have an Education Lottery system, monies are given to school but it should be placed in the teachers’ hands so they don’t have to go into their pocket each year for supplies. Again Thank a Teacher for there service.
- Affordable Housing: This is an every-town problem. With the cost of buying a house or the shortage of housing, it will remain a problem. The once-American dream of a white picket fence is gone. I have come across in Carteret County, young families in a one-bedroom apartment wanting to get out and move into a house but we are in a time when people is turning their house into short-term rentals, making more in a year. House of Representatives care not to attack this issue, reason not wanting to upset the Realty Companies. As a Representative I will seek to get a law on the books that would allow for the great American Dream.”
Tomberlin:
- “My main issue for this election is the protection of the 14th Amendment, which we all know as ‘equal protection under the law.’ Side note, this applies to men, as the ERA has not passed yet to ensure women’s equality legally. Back to the 14th, after the recent overturning of Roe v Wade, state legislatures became pivotal in decisions once protected under this amendment, causing women’s reproductive health, LGBTQIA+, civil rights and more at risk. The precedence set by the overturning of that Supreme Court case ruling puts many rights potentially at risk in the hands of our current legislature in the near future. We need politicians that understand the implications of these decisions.
- I believe we need to invest in building more affordable housing, as well as revamping old hotels, schools, and other similar buildings into housing options. Affordable doesn’t mean $250,000 for a majority of us in Carteret and Craven counties, or across the state honestly. Affordable should actually be equal to attainable.
- Students should be taught true history, and not skewed history. Part of growing up is seeing the decisions made by those before us, and learning from these decisions as we move forward. All students deserve access to free school meals and a solid basic education.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
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