Democrats in Montgomery & Stanly counties campaign on teacher raises, transparency
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Both Democratic candidates call for higher teacher pay; Howell names $50,000 start.
- Howell urges hospital pay raises/resources; Torres stresses rural health care investment.
- Both back medical marijuana; both call for greater spending transparency/accountability.
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 67 who responded to our questionnaire in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.
District 67 is located in Montgomery and Stanly counties and is currently represented by Rep. Cody Huneycutt, a Republican who is seeking reelection.
Huneycutt does not have a Republican challenger, but there is a Democratic primary for the seat between Roddrick Howell and Jocelyn Torres.
Roddrick Howell
Age as of March 3, 2026: 37
Political party: Democratic
Campaign website: N/a
Current occupation: Entrepreneurs
Professional experience: Mental health advocate.
Education: N.C. Central University
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: NAACP. Obama Fellow, Hillary for America, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Mental health
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? At least $50,000. It had not caught up with inflation.
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? Work across party lines.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? N/a
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? No, they are not. We need audits to see where we are wasting. We have so much growth but our basic services are breaking down.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Yes. It’s great for medical use and can be regulated easily today.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Pay raises and resources for local hospitals. They, just like teachers, are overworked and underpaid.
Jocelyn Torres
Age as of March 3, 2026: 23
Political party: Democratic
Campaign website: No website available at the moment. I can be reached at jocelynfornc@gmail.com
Current occupation: Instructional assistant
Professional experience: I have no professional experience as of right now.
Education: UNC Greensboro, Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and political science
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: I had the opportunity to serve as a finance intern for former U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning during her 2022 campaign. I previously served as a writer for Stanly County’s News & Press. I currently serve as the corresponding secretary for the Democratic Women of Stanly County.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? The issue I hear about most often is the rising cost of living, which we know impacts many other areas, including health care, education, and access to basic necessities. I want to advocate for policies that reinvest money back into our communities to lower everyday costs and strengthen local services.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? I am a strong advocate for better pay for our public school teachers. As a current employee of the county school district, I see firsthand that teachers take on far more than classroom instruction and carry enormous responsibilities. Their pay should reflect that. I also believe teacher pay should grow with experience, education, and longevity, and that both early and long-term educators’ pay should reflect the current cost of living and the value teachers bring to our communities.
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 would urge my colleagues to work collaboratively and in good faith to get a state budget passed. I would also encourage constituents to contact their senators and representatives to make it clear that continued delays are unacceptable. Each day without a comprehensive budget passed has real, negative impacts on our communities across the state.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? North Carolina’s income tax rate has been reduced in recent years, and I believe further reductions should be considered so working-class North Carolinians can keep more of their hard-earned income. Putting more disposable income in people’s pockets allows families to meet their needs and reinvest back into our local economy.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? Taxpayer money is used to fund essential services; however, recent news about North Carolina’s Education Lottery has raised concerns about efficiency. While the lottery is not funded by taxpayers, it’s public money intended to support education. When lottery sales reach record highs but school funding declines, this raises serious concerns about how public funds are being allocated. I believe greater transparency is necessary, so the public can clearly see where state funds are going.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? The legalization of medical marijuana has been an ongoing debate in North Carolina for many years. Medical marijuana is legal in more than 30 states. North Carolina should be one of them. Multiple studies, including research conducted by the National Institutes of Health, show positive, therapeutic effects in patients with PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, and other serious medical conditions. With appropriate regulation and oversight, medical marijuana can provide relief for patients.
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 greatest barrier to health care access in my district is the shortage of health care professionals. This workforce shortage leads to longer wait times and increases strain on already overextended physicians. Many residents are also not within close proximity to medical facilities. This makes it difficult to access timely care in cases of emergency. I would prioritize investing into rural health care access, including creating crucial infrastructure to support the needs of our residents.
This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Democrats in Montgomery & Stanly counties campaign on teacher raises, transparency."