Both of the candidates running in the March 5, 2024, Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 98 — Beth Gardner Helfrich (D) and Lisa Jewel (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?
Helfrich:
- “We deserve government that works for us. Voter suppression, money in politics, gerrymandered maps, and power grabs hurt our democracy and damage trust. I will serve with accountability, transparency, and honesty.
- I’m a public school champion. Strong public schools are the backbone of strong communities. We must fully fund our public schools and expand support for early childhood education.
- We all deserve to live safe, healthy, and productive lives. I will work to expand access to quality healthcare, childcare, and reproductive care; fight for cleaner air and water; and demand common sense legislation that will keep our kids safer at home and in school.”
Jewel:
- “1. Reproductive Rights. A person’s body is their own. Nobody has a right to tell them what to do with it, especially the government. Their rights don’t just evaporate when they become pregnant or at any stage of their pregnancy.
- 2. Sensible Gun Legislation. We need to find allies in the center and right to take weapons of war off our streets. We need to return the veto to our Governor to ensure
- 3. Enforceable Environmental Protections. Let’s hold large energy companies and other businesses accountable for the pollution to our water, air, and ground. Taxpayers should not foot the bill for their mess, nor should we have to bear the increase in monthly rates to compensate.”
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.
Additional reading: