What Johnston County GOP House member and primary challenger say about issues
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Primary contest frames affordability, taxes and state budget priorities for District 26.
- Both prioritize health care access, including mental health and telehealth expansion.
- Riedel calls for cutting waste and audits; White stresses tax reductions and oversight.
To help voters learn which candidates are on their ballot and where they stand on important policy issues, The News & Observer is publishing candidate questionnaires in all state and federal races in North Carolina on the March 3, 2026, ballot.
Below are the candidates running for NC House District 26 who responded to our questionnaire in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.
The primary is between two Republicans — incumbent Rep. Donna McDowell White and challenger Margie Riedel. The district is entirely in Johnston County, which is adjacent to Wake County on the edge of the Triangle region.
Donna McDowell White
Age as of March 3, 2026: 77
Political party: Republican
Campaign website: https://donnawhitenc26.com/
Current occupation: State representative and registered nurse
Professional experience: Registered nurse and aging specialist, homecare and home health and aging specialist for the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services, nurse consultant for the North Carolina HIV/Aids Program for the Division of Public Health, home health homecare nurse for Johnston County Health Department, pediatric nurse manager of Johnston County Health Department, generalized public health nurse, school nurse and clinic nurse for Orange County Health Department.
Education: Watts Hospital School of Nursing and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: House representative District 26, 12 years on Johnston County Board of Education as Finance Chair, 13 years on Clayton Board of Adjustment Chair, 15 years Clayton Planning Board Vice-Chair, 13 years Advisory Chair Clayton High School, Clayton Rotary Program Chair, member Clayton/Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, Chair NCBIO Life Sciences Caucus, Child Fatality Task Force, Early Childhood Caucus, Chair of the NC Victims Interagency Council, charter member of the governor’s safer school taskforce.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Affordability — affects all residents of my district regardless of party. I will continue to work to give back as much tax relief as possible, doing so in a fiscally conservative manner. Throughout my tenure in the N.C. House, I have worked to further reduce the tax burden of my district from the state level and spur economic development to bring high wage careers for the people of Johnston County. As part of my work, effective Jan. 1, 2026, the state individual income tax was reduced from 4.25% to 3.99%.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? I voted for the 2025-26 House budget which sets starting pay to be $55,000 and for teachers with 30+ years of experience to be $75,600.
As of January, North Carolina was the last state not to have passed a new, comprehensive budget. What would you do to help make sure a budget passes? I am on the pro forma team that keeps the House open on a regular basis with skeletal sessions. Therefore, I am there almost every day meeting with constituents, and I am ready to vote for the full budget now.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? Every year since I have been in the House I have voted for reducing our income tax rate. Our formula is still working, but maintaining that success requires a responsible conservative budget that attracts job creators, while making North Carolina more affordable.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? I believe the state is using taxpayer money efficiently in most areas, but in other areas it is not. I will continue to work with our great state auditor to ensure proper oversight of our tax dollars, and they are not wasted.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? As a nurse I continue to work with my veterans’ organizations to see what works best for them.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? My district has an award-winning hospital, well-trained physicians, excellent nurses, multiple urgent care centers. If there is a deficit it is providing assisted outpatient treatment for those with severe mental health issues. I am currently serving as a member on the House Select Committee on Involuntary Commitment and Public Safety and as a nurse who has worked in hospitals serving clients with mental health issues my experience continues to be valuable to find solutions to these issues.
Margie Riedel
Age as of March 3, 2026: 53
Political party: Republican
Campaign website: www.ElectMargieRiedel26.com
Current occupation: Teacher and Realtor
Professional experience: I have 24 years of experience teaching elementary students. I served as the Vice President of Programs for the Central N.J. Reading Council, and I am a representative on the Teacher Advisory Council for Johnston County Schools. I also served two years as the Co-Chair of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Committee on that council.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Susquehanna University
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: I’ve never been a politician, and I think that is refreshing. As a Realtor, I’ve worked closely with families navigating our county’s explosive growth. For nearly 20 years, I’ve been a public servant in the truest sense as a second-grade teacher right here in Johnston County. I see the underfunding and policy decisions that affect our classrooms, and that’s why I’m passionate about taking my voice to the General Assembly.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Education is a top priority for me, as I have dedicated my career to teaching our youth. The state must guarantee a foundational education and empower parents to make decisions about their children’s learning pathways. North Carolina is a leader in higher education, and our universities are world-renowned. Yet, as we are praised for earning the rank of No. 1 for business, we are 51st in per pupil funding, and 50th in funding effort for our students. This is a travesty for North Carolina and must be addressed.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? The General Assembly removed longevity pay, and kept salaries stagnant for 16 years. In 2008, a veteran teacher earned $54,914.75 with longevity pay. In 2026, the same teacher earns $55,950. Adjusted for inflation, that salary would be $82,645.55. The average salary in the U.S. for educators is $74,177. I fully support the Republican-sponsored bill introduced in February 2025 raising beginning teacher pay to $50,000, restoring master’s pay, and giving increases for experienced teachers.
As of January, North Carolina was the last state not to have passed a new, comprehensive budget. What would you do to help make sure a budget passes? I’d stay at the table and finish the job. I wouldn’t walk away and leave thousands of state employees in limbo — without raises, stuck with an old budget, and unsure about critical programs. If any of us abandoned our responsibilities like that, we’d face consequences. Yet the General Assembly faces none. We deserve representatives who treat governing as a duty, not a part-time obligation. We need leaders who put people over politics, and get the work done for North Carolina.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? I applaud efforts reducing the income tax rate to 3.99%, which is below the national average. However, first we need to look at reducing waste, fraud, and abuse in our state, and have a better idea of budget revenues before further tax rate discussions. I agree with lowering taxes for the hardworking residents in our state, but we have many unmet needs including education funding, infrastructure and health care that need consideration. Let’s eliminate the waste then look at how to improve N.C.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? No. I support accounting for every tax dollar. State Treasurer Brad Briner found $170 million in unallocated and unspent funds this year, and a recent state audit showed over $138 million in unspent funds tied to thousands of long-vacant positions. It’s time for responsible leadership that puts these resources to work for our families, schools and future. Despite budget surpluses in recent years, our state ranks 50th in the nation for public school funding effort and per-pupil spending.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Watching my father suffer the agony of cancer, I would support a Compassionate Care Act for legalizing medical marijuana that would propose a strictly regulated system for patients with debilitating conditions like cancer, epilepsy, PTSD and Parkinson’s. Safeguards need to be put thoughtfully into place including patient and physician guardrails, mandatory screenings, supply chain and regulatory controls, product safety and public protection.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? The biggest barriers to health care in District 26 are affordability and access. Due to the lack of pricing transparency and the shortage of doctors in rural areas our citizens face surprise fees, unclear drug pricing, and pre-authorization delays. I would work with legislators to find a compromise to improve these factors for seniors and working families. I would make sure federal rural health grants/funds make it into Johnston County to recruit providers, expand telehealth, and cut costs.
This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 7:09 PM with the headline "What Johnston County GOP House member and primary challenger say about issues."
