Candidate Info Viewer (v4) - Wake County Democratic Party

Marcus Gadson

NC House of Representatives District 037

Candidate Statement:

As we approach America's 250th anniversary, I'm mindful of just how many opportunities this country has given me. I received generous financial aid to afford college, have the chance to work at my dream job teaching law students, and have just recently achieved my goal of owning a home, which I share with an incredible wife and two wonderful boys. In an era of dysfunctional politics and bitterness, I would be remiss if I did not express profound gratitude for my share of the inheritance we all have in our timeless founding documents: the promise that all of us are created equal and have worth and dignity.

Although this is my first run for public office, I have worked to serve the community over the past several years as a member of the North Carolina Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, a secretary in the Raleigh-Apex NAACP branch, and a member of the North Carolina ACLU's governing board. I look forward to drawing on all of these experiences to serve you in the General Assembly.

Issues:

Affordability

I'll pursue reforms to make life more affordable for North Carolinians by restoring the state earned income tax credit, creating a child and dependent care credit, creating a renter tax deduction, and lowering sales taxes on necessities like food, medicine, cleaning supplies, and clothes. These steps put more money in working and middle-class pockets. Housing costs are high because we don't have enough homes, so we must reform zoning, cut red tape, and speed up building so when a North Carolinian asks, Can I build? the answer is yes.

AffordabilityI'll pursue reforms to make life more affordable for North Carolinians by restoring the state earned income tax credit, creating a child and dependent care credit, creating a renter tax deduction, and lowering sales taxes on necessities like food, medicine, cleaning supplies, and clothes. These steps put more money in working and middle-class pockets. Housing costs are high because we don't have enough homes, so we must reform zoning, cut red tape, and speed up building so when a North Carolinian asks, Can I build? the answer is yes.

Making North Carolina public schools #1 in America

Too many North Carolina students struggle with basic reading and math and score below the national average, still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Yet teacher pay and school funding remain below average nationwide. That's unacceptable. In the General Assembly, I'll work to make North Carolina #1 in reading and math by investing in high-quality, experienced teachers. Low pay drives staffing shortages, so I support raising education funding to make salaries competitive, attract great teachers, and ensure every child has an excellent teacher, while holding schools accountable for results.

Making North Carolina public schools #1 in AmericaToo many North Carolina students struggle with basic reading and math and score below the national average, still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Yet teacher pay and school funding remain below average nationwide. That's unacceptable. In the General Assembly, I'll work to make North Carolina #1 in reading and math by investing in high-quality, experienced teachers. Low pay drives staffing shortages, so I support raising education funding to make salaries competitive, attract great teachers, and ensure every child has an excellent teacher, while holding schools accountable for results.

Protecting public safety and lowering crime

Our criminal justice system needs more resources to catch, convict, and rehabilitate criminals. In the General Assembly, I will therefore work to provide law enforcement and correctional officers with a salary increase, hire the additional officers the state needs to keep us safe, and provide them with the training to succeed. At the same time, I will always insist on accountability for police misconduct and that the police treat everyone with dignity and respect. I'll also work to reduce our recidivism rate by promoting the rehabilitation of convicted criminals.

Protecting public safety and lowering crimeOur criminal justice system needs more resources to catch, convict, and rehabilitate criminals. In the General Assembly, I will therefore work to provide law enforcement and correctional officers with a salary increase, hire the additional officers the state needs to keep us safe, and provide them with the training to succeed. At the same time, I will always insist on accountability for police misconduct and that the police treat everyone with dignity and respect. I'll also work to reduce our recidivism rate by promoting the rehabilitation of convicted criminals.

Affordability

I'll pursue reforms to make life more affordable for North Carolinians by restoring the state earned income tax credit, creating a child and dependent care credit, creating a renter tax deduction, and lowering sales taxes on necessities like food, medicine, cleaning supplies, and clothes. These steps put more money in working and middle-class pockets. Housing costs are high because we don't have enough homes, so we must reform zoning, cut red tape, and speed up building so when a North Carolinian asks, Can I build? the answer is yes.

AffordabilityI'll pursue reforms to make life more affordable for North Carolinians by restoring the state earned income tax credit, creating a child and dependent care credit, creating a renter tax deduction, and lowering sales taxes on necessities like food, medicine, cleaning supplies, and clothes. These steps put more money in working and middle-class pockets. Housing costs are high because we don't have enough homes, so we must reform zoning, cut red tape, and speed up building so when a North Carolinian asks, Can I build? the answer is yes.

Making North Carolina public schools #1 in America

Too many North Carolina students struggle with basic reading and math and score below the national average, still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Yet teacher pay and school funding remain below average nationwide. That's unacceptable. In the General Assembly, I'll work to make North Carolina #1 in reading and math by investing in high-quality, experienced teachers. Low pay drives staffing shortages, so I support raising education funding to make salaries competitive, attract great teachers, and ensure every child has an excellent teacher, while holding schools accountable for results.

Making North Carolina public schools #1 in AmericaToo many North Carolina students struggle with basic reading and math and score below the national average, still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Yet teacher pay and school funding remain below average nationwide. That's unacceptable. In the General Assembly, I'll work to make North Carolina #1 in reading and math by investing in high-quality, experienced teachers. Low pay drives staffing shortages, so I support raising education funding to make salaries competitive, attract great teachers, and ensure every child has an excellent teacher, while holding schools accountable for results.

Protecting public safety and lowering crime

Our criminal justice system needs more resources to catch, convict, and rehabilitate criminals. In the General Assembly, I will therefore work to provide law enforcement and correctional officers with a salary increase, hire the additional officers the state needs to keep us safe, and provide them with the training to succeed. At the same time, I will always insist on accountability for police misconduct and that the police treat everyone with dignity and respect. I'll also work to reduce our recidivism rate by promoting the rehabilitation of convicted criminals.

Protecting public safety and lowering crimeOur criminal justice system needs more resources to catch, convict, and rehabilitate criminals. In the General Assembly, I will therefore work to provide law enforcement and correctional officers with a salary increase, hire the additional officers the state needs to keep us safe, and provide them with the training to succeed. At the same time, I will always insist on accountability for police misconduct and that the police treat everyone with dignity and respect. I'll also work to reduce our recidivism rate by promoting the rehabilitation of convicted criminals.

External Candidate Links:

Marcus Gadson's Website