NATIONAL, STATE And

2016 NATIONAL, STATE and LOCAL ELECTIONS VOTING GUIDE

Candidates are listed in the order they appear on the ballot.

COMPILED BY: MVBC FAMILY LIFE COMMITTEE

Information compiled from ontheissues.org, ballotpedia.org and the candidate’s website unless otherwise noted. PRESIDENT

Donald Trump (R) Real Estate Developer Television Personality; Business Author ABORTION Believes abortion should be banned at some point in pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest or life of the mother

DEBT Believes the debt needs to be reduced. Hates the way our government spends our taxes. ISRAEL Called for a closer alliance with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. MARRIAGE Marriage is between a man and a woman and should be defined state by state. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Would fight in court for greater freedom of religious expression because America is trying to sanitize Christianity from the public square.

Hillary Clinton (D) 67th US Secretary of State 2009-2013 Wife of 42nd President of US, Bill Clinton 1993-2001 U.S. Senator New York 2001-2009 ABORTION Supports family planning, and the idea of safe, legal abortion. Denies the science of fetal pain DEBT Voted “no” on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness ISRAEL Has been a staunch supporter of Israel for her entire career MARRIAGE Supports the right of same-sex couples to wed RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Supports the Federal Equality Act which states that no appeal to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act can be made if someone alleges religious-liberty infringement. It would add the categories of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” (SOGI) to the list of similarly protected categories found in the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Nationalreview.com

PRESIDENT (Cont.)

Gary Johnson (L) Governor of New Mexico 1995-2003 ABORTION Should be decided by the states. Supports women's rights to choose up until viability of the fetus. Supports the notion of parental notification and that public funds not be used for abortions. DEBT Cut all federal spending by 43% to rectify our fiscal blunders. ISRAEL Cut all support and aid to Israel MARRIAGE Doesn’t oppose gay marriage as a matter of public policy. The government shouldn't be in the marriage business. Would not be opposed to belonging to a church that supports gay marriage. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

Jill Stein (G)

ABORTION is pro-choice and is opposed to the Hyde Amendment, which bars the use of certain federal funds to pay for abortion except in cases of incest, rape or to save the life of the mother. DEBT believes eliminating the need for foreign oil and establishing a year 2000 military budget will go a long way to stopping the deficit ISRAEL believes Israel is guilty of war crimes. She wants to stop U.S funding to Israel unless they change their policies and stop boycotting Gaza.

MARRIAGE is a big supporter of equal marriage,

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Question: How do you respond to Hobby Lobby's argument? Stein: Religion is used there as a surrogate for patriarchy--usually male--to dominate women's reproductive lives. It's a misuse and an abuse of the concept of religion that is simply be used as a surrogate.

US SENATE

Richard Burr (R) US Senate 2005-Present Chair Senate Select Committee on Intelligence ABORTION Voted for: prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life Rescinding funds for Planned Parenthood for 1 year Pain capable unborn child Protection Act DEBT Supports a balanced budget amendment ISRAEL Nothing Found MARRIAGE Supports a Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage Believes that marriage is a function of state law RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing Found

Deborah Ross (D) Former NC House (2003-2013) Former ACLU attorney (managed ACLU of NC, 7 years) Deborahross.com Endorsed by The People’s Alliance PAC, which is firmly guided by a progressive mission. ABORTION Abortion is a Woman’s Unrestricted Right Endorsed by Emily’s List (source: The Charlotte Observer, 1-14-16) ISRAEL Nothing found DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Voted “no” on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman (Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2011-2012 N.C. legislative records , Sep 12, 2011) RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

US SENATE (Contin.)

Sean Haugh (L) Pizza delivery driver

ABORTION Abortion is a Woman’s Unrestricted Right ISRAEL Nothing found DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Strongly favors same-sex marriage RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

US HOUSE DISTRIC 5

Virginia Foxx (R) US House of Representatives 2005- Present virginiafoxx.com

ABORTION We should continue to promote policies in Washington that protect life at all stages. Serves as a member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus. Supported “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act”, “Abortion Provider Prohibition Act”, “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” Voted to allow states to opt out of Medicaid Funding of Abortion Providers DEBT Must continue to cut wasteful federal spending ISRAEL Committed to the unbreakable bond that exists between our country and the State of Israel MARRIAGE Voted to constitutionally define marriage as one-man-one-woman RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Co-sponsored recognizing Christianity's importance to western civilization as one of the great religions of the world;

US HOUSE DISTRIC 5 (Cont.)

Josh Brannon (D) Software developer Joshforushouse.com

ABORTION Pro-choice

DEBT Nothing Found ISRAEL We should give equal support to Israel and the Palestinians

MARRIAGE Endorsed by “Equality NC” which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing Found

GOVERNOR

Pat McCrory (R) Governor 2013 - Present patmccrory.com ABORTION Signed a bill that would put in place a 72-hour waiting period before an abortion DEBT Paid off $2.75 billion debt to Federal Government MARRIAGE Nothing Found RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Vetoed bill exempting county magistrates and court clerks from issuing marriage licenses if the marriages conflict with their religious views.

GOVERNOR (Cont.)

Roy Cooper (D) Current NC Attorney General Former member NC House and NC Senate Roy Cooper.com Endorsed by The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission. ABORTION Pro-choice has supported NC law when different than his views. (Huffington Post, April, 2. 2015) DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Supports same-sex marriage Opposed new law that lets magistrates and court clerks to opt-out of performing same- sex marriages Refused to defend NC’s same-sex ban in court Endorsed by Equity North Carolina PAC which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

Lon Cecil (L) Electcecil.org

ABORTION Nothing Found DEBT End wasteful government spending MARRIAGE Relationships of love should not be determined by the state nor should any state certified marriage be given more legal protection than another. The government should no regulate or define marriage

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Protect freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly.

LT GOVERNOR One of the responsibilities of the lieutenant governor is to head the state board of education Dan Forest (R) Current Lt Governor Senior partner Little Diversified Architectural Consulting Danforest.com

ABORTION Believes in the sanctity of human life DEBT Nothing Found

MARRIAGE Nothing Found RELIGIOUS FREEDOM believes strong families and faith are the fundamental foundations of America

Linda Coleman (D) Previously served 3 terms in the NC House Director of the Office of State Personnel 2009-2012 Lindafornc.com

Endorsed by The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission.

ABORTION Will unequivocally oppose any attempt to limit a woman’s right to choose Endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice NC

DEBT Nothing Found

MARRIAGE Opposed the attempt by the legislature and the carriers of prejudice to penalize couples in domestic unions who are not married Endorsed by Equality NC PAC which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing Found

LT GOVERNOR (Cont.)

Jacki Cole (L) Technology sales

ABORTION Nothing Found DEBT Nothing Found MARRIAGE Nothing Found

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing Found NC ATTORNEY GENERAL

Buck Newton (R) Attorney NC State Senator 2010-Present Chairs the Judiciary I Committee Chairs the Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety bucknewton.com

ABORTION Rated 0% by Planned Parenthood of Central NC DEBT passed balanced, forward-thinking budgets that have right-sized state government

MARRIAGE Nothing Found

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Sponsored the bill allowing Magistrates to recuse themselves from performing marriage ceremonies that conflict with their religious beliefs (source: bucknewton.com, ballotpedia.org, votesmart.org)

NC ATTORNEY GENERAL (Cont.)

Josh Stein (D) North Carolina State Senate 2008-Present Currently serves as Minority Whip Joshstein.org Endorsed by The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission. ABORTION Voted against: prohibiting health insurance plans offered through an exchange from including coverage for abortion services a bill that prohibits any individual from performing or attempting to perform a sex-selective abortion requiring a physician performing an abortion to be physically present during the entire abortion procedure requiring an abortion clinic to have standards “similar” to those for the licensure of ambulatory surgical centers requiring an abortion clinic to establish a transfer agreement with a Hospital (votesmart.org) DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Endorsed by Equity North Carolina PAC which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Voted against the Bill allowing officials to not perform marriage duties that contradict their faith.

NC AUDITOR Conducts financial audits, performance audits, information technology audits, and investigations into fraud, waste, abuse of taxpayer money, and corruption.

Chuck Stuber (R) Previously a FBI Special Agent Chief Investigator for NC State Board of Elections Chuckstuber.com

Investigations  Boyce Hudson, a N C Dept of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) official, convicted for a $100,000 agreement to use his official position to expedite a permit for a company attempting to establish an ethanol plant.  Jim Perry, the former Mayor of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and David Brady convicted for offering the $100,000 payment to Hudson  Ruffin Poole, a close aide to N.C. Governor Mike Easley, convicted on federal tax charges related to his acceptance of illegal benefits from entities for whom he used his official position to influence the approval of permits  NC Governor Mike Easley pled guilty to a felony charge resulting from his acceptance of free flights while campaigning for the governor’s office.  Former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, indicted for his role in the acquisition of hundreds of thousands of dollars in allegedly illegal campaign contributions Beth Wood (D) Previously worked as a CPA Current NC Auditor Bethwoodcampaign.com

Accomplishments • Identified hundreds of millions of dollars in wasteful spending • Maintained objectivity and independence in the Auditor’s office • Produced audits with irrefutable findings • Aggressively presented audit reports for legislative action • Followed up on previous audits to ensure corrective actions are taken

Endorsed by Equity North Carolina PAC which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians. Endorsed by “Lillian’s List of NC” which helps elect pro-choice progressive women who are running for election to the North Carolina General Assembly and statewide offices Endorsed by The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission.

COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE

Steve Troxler (R) Comm of Agriculture 2005 - Present stevetroxler.com His accomplishments as commissioner include increased agricultural contributions to the economy, an increase in agricultural exports, conservation of farmland, a neutral agricultural department budget, and farmers being able to become registered meat handlers.

ABORTION Nothing found DEBT Nothing found

MARRIAGE Nothing found

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

Walter Smith (D) Farmer; North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Board

Smith wants to encourage the continuation of family farms, defend humane treatment of animals, increase infrastructural development in rural areas, keep agriculture research stations open, protect the environment, ensure food and consumer safety, and promote agricultural marketing.

COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE

Mike Causey (R) Serves on three boards: Guilford County Agriculture Advisory Board; Guilford Co. Environmental Review Board; Public Officers and Employee Liability Insurance Commission under NCDOI. Ncspin.com/mike-causey Causey wants to increase competition into the insurance market, ease consumer frustration over insurance claims, to eliminate the state's insurance rate bureau, and to make the department of insurance more accessible to taxpayers. ABORTION Nothing found DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Nothing found RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

Wayne Goodwin (D) Comm of Insurance 2009 – Present Asst Comm of Insurance 2005-2008 NC House 1996-2004 Goodwin wants to keep insurance rates low for businesses and consumers and to maintain a competitive insurance market. He has also pledged to expand the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program, support the Safe Kids program, combat insurance fraud, and operate the department of insurance in a transparent manner.

Endorsed by The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission. ABORTION Nothing found DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Endorsed by Equity North Carolina PAC which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

COMMISSIONER OF LABOR

Cherie Berry (R) Comm of Labor 2001-Present

Charles Meeker (D) Mayor of Raleigh 2001 to 2011 Raleigh City Council for eight years. Practiced law since 1975 Charlesmeeker.org Endorsed by The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission.

MARRIAGE Endorsed by Equity North Carolina PAC which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

SECRETARY OF STATE The secretary of state is responsible for overseeing corporations, charitable solutions, notaries, securities, lobbying and the uniform commercial code.

Michael LaPaglia (R) CEO LaPaglia & Associates 2008 - Present Lapagliafornc.nationbuilder.com

Describes himself as a "limited government, free-enterprise advocate." His campaign website asserts that less government intervention and fewer regulations will allow business to thrive in the state.

Elaine Marshall (D) Secretary of State 1996-Present Elainemarshall.com

One of her main focuses since taking office has been the protection of copyrights and deterring counterfeit goods. She expanded the residency requirement for Notaries Public to include illegal immigrants.

Endorsed by The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission. ABORTION Endorsed by “Lillian’s List of NC” which helps elect pro-choice progressive women who are running for election to the North Carolina General Assembly and statewide offices DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Endorsed by Equity North Carolina PAC which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSRTUCTION

Mark Johnson (R) Member at-large of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education Lawyer Remarkableschools.com Johnson's campaign themes include focusing less on student assessments, increasing the presence of technology in the classroom and supporting local education initiatives in lieu of setting inflexible statewide standards.

June Atkinson (D) Supt. of Public Instruction since 2005 Drjuneatkinson.com

Endorsed by The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission. ABORTION Endorsed by “Lillian’s List of NC” which helps elect pro-choice progressive women who are running for election to the North Carolina General Assembly and statewide offices DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Endorsed by “Equality NC” in 2014 which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found TREASURER

Dale Folwell (R) CPA NC House 2005-2013 Speaker Pro-Tempore Head NC Division of Employment Security 2013-2015 Dalefolwell.com

ABORTION Introduced the Unborn Victims of Violence Act DEBT Nothing found

MARRIAGE Vocal supporter of the Defense of Marriage Act

Dan Blue III (D) Former investment banker with Bear, Stearns & CO 2004 Founded Pharmaceutical Inc (bought) 2009 Practice of law in the area of corporate debt financing and bond counsel for debt issuances bluefornc.com

MARRIAGE Endorsed by Equity North Carolina PAC which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found NC STATE SENATE DISTRIC 45

Deanna Ballard (R) Director of Office of the Pres/CEO, Samaritan's Purse Ballardfornc.com ABORTION Supports protection of unborn from moment of conception DEBT “There must be meaningful action to ensure timely balanced budgets and higher accountability of government agencies and administrators who spend your tax dollars.”

MARRIAGE Nothing found RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Will fiercely protect the rights and freedom of law-abiding citizens, challenging those who target churches and organizations because of their faith

Art Sherwood (D) Biomedical engineer Artsherwood.org

ABORTION Nothing found DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Endorsed by “Equality NC” which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found NC HOUSE of REPRSENTATIVES DISTRIC 93

Jonathan Jordan (R) Incumbent Jordan4nchouse.com ABORTION Voted to pass a bill that prohibits health plans offered through the state Health Insurance Exchange from providing coverage for abortion services, Voted in favor of and co sponsor of HB730 (to allow conscience and refusal clauses for health care professionals concerning recommending abortion and prohibiting insurance coverage for abortion services). DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Declared his firm support for Amendment One, which bans same sex marriage. (High Country Press) RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

Sue Counts (D) Retired in 2008 as Watauga County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Suecountsfornchouse.com ABORTION Endorsed by “Lillian’s List of NC” which helps elect pro-choice progressive women who are running for election to the North Carolina General Assembly and statewide offices DEBT Nothing found MARRIAGE Endorsed by “Equality NC” which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Nothing found

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISIONERS DISTRICT 1 Perry Yates (R) General Manager New River Building Supply Current County Commissioner Diane Warman Blanks (D) Writes a monthly column called Blue Ridge Mountain Views for the High Country Press

DISTRICT 2 Elizabeth Shukis (R) Co-owner Diverified Building Solutions Owner White Glove Shukisforwatauga.com

• Supporting Education means thinking about the infrastructure of our schools before they start to show wear and tear. • Quality living focuses on investing in recreational facilities and care of our beautiful mountain environment. • Economic development means enriching local businesses and providing incentives for new local businesses. John Welch (D) ASU Athletics Current Member of the Watauga County Board of Education I will focus on open government and a renewed emphasis on our public schools. Education must remain a top county priority. We need to work together to decrease poverty and the number of homeless children, in addition to supporting those resources which care for all Watauga County citizens.

DISTRICT 4 David Blust (R) Current County Commissioner

We reduced the size of the budget, kept taxes low, and provided record amounts of funding to our local school system! I would like to form a water authority with Ashe County where the commissioners control the water availability and not the town of Boone. Supports the elimination of Boone’s ETJ and voiced support for the removal of House of Spirits.. (Source: High Country Press) Larry Turnbow (D) “The only hurdle standing in the way of making Watauga County a better place to live, work, and raise a family is the partisan one-upmanship of the current leadership on the Board of Commissioners”

NC SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE

Michael R. Morgan (D) Superior Court Judge 2005-Present Judgemichaelmorgan.com Endorsed by: The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission. The Replacements Ltd PAC whose primary purpose is to influence the election of local, state and national candidates who will best support and promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens. “Equality NC” which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians.

Robert H. Edmunds NC Supreme Court Judge 2001-Present Justiceedmunds.com

Endorsed by: Gov Pat McCrory NC Conservative PAC which supports candidates at the state and local levels who work for fiscally conservative public policy solutions that promote individual economic prosperity by limiting the size and scope of government.

NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE

Phil Berger (R) NC State Senate 2001-Present State Senate President Pro Tempore Attorney with The Berger Law Firm Philberger.org

Co-sponsored the Magistrates Recusal for Civil Ceremonies Bill Scored in the 80-89% positive by the American Conservative Union

Linda Stephens (D) NC Court of Appeals 2006-Present Judgelindastephens.org

Endorsed by: “Equality NC” which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians. Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund NC National Organization for Women The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission.

HUNTER MURPHY (R) Attorney 2006-Present www.huntermurphyforjudge.com Endorsed by: ICAUCUS a national, nonpartisan organization dedicated to bringing the people back into the election process by their participation to support good men and women who commit to and can demonstrate adherence to Constitutional authority. Asheville Tea PAC

Margaret Eagles (D) District Court Judge 2009-Present Eaglesforjudge.com

Endorsed by: The People’s Alliance PAC, which is firmly guided by a progressive mission.

Donald Ray Buie (I) Attorney 1981-Present

BOB HUNTER (R) Court of Appeals 2009-Present www.bobhunterforjudge.com

Appointed to the Court by Gov McCrory

ABE JONES (D) Has been a private attorney, a professor of law at UNC Chapel Hill, an N.C. Superior Court Judge and Assistant N.C. Attorney General. www.voteabejones.com

Endorsed by: “Equality NC” which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians. The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission.

Richard Dietz (R) Court of Appeals 2014-Present Dietzforcourt.com Appointed to the Court by Gov McCrory

Vince Rozier (D) Wake Count Distric Court Judge 2006-Present Endorsed by: “Equality NC” which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians. The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission.

NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE VALERIE JOHNSON ZACHARY (R) NC Court of Appeals 2015-Present Judgezachery.com

“I share the conservative values of many of North Carolina’s citizens “Legislatures, not judges, should make laws.”

Rickye McKoy-Mitchell (D) NC District Court Judge 1998-Present Judgemckoy-mitchell.com

Endorsed by: “Equality NC” which is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians. The People’s Alliance PAC which is firmly guided by a progressive mission.

NC DISTRIC COURT JUDGE 24

Joshua J. Teague (D) Attorney Facebook.com/teagueforjudge Nothing Found

Rebecca Eggers-Gryder (R) District Court Judge 2015-Present Judgebecca.com Nothing Found

County Board of Education (Vote for 3)

We were not able to find any information on or websites for these candidates.

STEVE COMBS Previous member of the school board

RON HENRIES (R) Current member of the school board and Board Chair Voted to keep The House of the Spirits in the High School

Barbara Kinsey Current member of the school board

Brenda Reese Current member of the school board and Board Vice Chair

Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor

We were not able to find any information on or websites for these candidates.

Todd Combs (D) Todd Combs Inc General Contractor

Angela Greene Gragg (R) Current Board member