GOP candidates for seat in Wake and Granville on costs, health care and taxes
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Both Republican candidates endorse $50,000+ starting teacher salaries.
- Both stress cutting costs and government spending review; one cites tax cuts.
- Both push health reforms: red tape cuts and more pricing transparency.
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 Senate District 18 who responded to our questionnaire, in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.
Senate District 18 in Wake and Granville counties has a Republican primary between Cheryl Caulfield and Chris Stock. Sen. Terence Everitt, the incumbent, is running in the Democratic primary unopposed, as is Brad Hessel in the Libertarian primary.
Chris Stock
Age as of March 3, 2026: 30
Political party: Republican
Campaign website: stockfornc.com
Current occupation: Attorney
Professional experience: Attorney/General Counsel
Education: NC State University, B.A. political science and minor in Chinese studies; Juris Doctor, Campbell University 2023
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Member, Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce; member, Rolesville Chamber of Commerce; member, Knights of Columbus, Raleigh chapter; member, North Carolina Bar Association; New Lawyers in Practice Committee fellow; North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership fellow; E.A. Morris fellow; former legislative assistant to Sen. Brent Jackson.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? The biggest issue we are facing right now in District 18 is affording the American dream. We need to work on policies in the General Assembly that help reduce costs for the average working-class family so that they can improve their quality of life. There are a lot of policies we can work on that would alleviate excessive taxation on the middle class, especially property taxes, which I am a proponent of fixing.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? District 18 contains the largest school district in North Carolina, making teacher retention critical. Teacher pay should rise to keep talented educators in the classroom and focused on strong curriculum and student achievement. Republican-led states like Arkansas have raised starting pay and rewarded experience and performance. North Carolina should do the same, with competitive starting salaries at $50,000 or above and increases tied to experience and student success.
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? My experience with Sen. Jackson allowed me to be part of three different Republican budgets as a staff member. Those budgets created a rainy day fund that aided Helene recovery and also made our state the number one place for business growth and workforce development. Unlike Washington, we have systems in place that prevent us from having a shutdown. Republican leaders will reach a budget solution, and I look forward to bringing my experience on this topic to the legislature.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? We should continue cutting taxes in a way that is fiscally responsible and allows citizens to keep more earnings in their pockets. North Carolina’s gross domestic product is up 40.6% and population growth increased by 5.8% since these cuts have taken place over the past five years. We have a lot of opportunities to evaluate excessive spending, overtaxation and identify waste in our government. When I’m in the state Senate, I’ll be a voice for policies across the board that increase the quality of life for residents.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? The fiscal policies put in place by our Republican leaders in North Carolina have made our state one of the best places to live, work, start a business and raise a family. I believe we can always find areas within the executive branch bureaucracy where we can make spending cuts. We’ve seen other states in the news lately for objective misuse of taxpayer funds, and I’m grateful that we have individuals in place, like Auditor Dave Boliek, to continue to keep a watchful eye on the spending of taxpayer dollars.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Individuals with chronic illness and debilitating health issues should have access to medical marijuana as a treatment tool for pain, inflammation, and benefits to their overall quality of life. This should be an accessible treatment for those from all walks of life, including our veterans. I am not an advocate for legalizing public recreational marijuana usage as I believe it is detrimental to our society, culture and workforce.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Unnecessary red tape regulations are a burden to those seeking affordable and accessible health care. Changes made by the Affordable Care Act were detrimental to consumers who are profited off of by insurance providers. I’m a supporter of eliminating certificate of need policies in North Carolina as I believe they create a one-size-fits-all approach to health care. Additionally, with constant improvements in technology, we need to fully embrace telehealth opportunities in any health care legislation.
Cheryl Caulfield
Age as of March 3, 2026: 56
Political party: Republican
Campaign website: cheryl4nc.com
Current occupation: Wake County Public School System Board of Education, self-employed small business owner
Professional experience: Senior mortgage analyst (16+ years) training underwriters and processors, opened new branch and revamped branch with new processes, pipeline over $1 million loans; small business owner 22 years, WCPSS board member
Education: Fashion Institute of Technology (design), Farmingdale SUNY (business management), Capstone Institute (Federal Housing Administration/underwriting)
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Three-year WCPSS board member; co-founder, N.C. School Board Coalition; member, National School Board Coalition; board member, Carolinas Academic Leadership Network/John Locke Foundation; collaborated with the N.C. General Assembly on education legislation; partnership advocate: Wendell Community Mental Health, town halls, mayor academies, WakeMed mental health partnership and community planning, POE Health, community club speaker; town roundtables; advocate for town sustainability/community engagement; worked with municipalities to change vape shop ordinances near schools.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? The most important issue in my district is improving quality of life by restoring affordable living, strengthening education with higher standards and prioritizing classroom needs, reducing costs such as taxes, insurance, and medical costs, improving infrastructure and town needs, and supporting law enforcement so students, families, farmers, and small businesses can thrive in safe, thriving communities.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? National average for teachers (30+ years) is $72,000. I have collaborated with the General Assembly to increase starting teacher pay to $50,000/year, which is now a currently proposed bill in the House. I am also an advocate for longevity pay. Our teachers currently do not receive increases after 15 years, with the exception of year 25, yet the cost of living increases each year. I will push for our teachers to receive this pay, resulting in continuous increases.
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? Leadership means bringing all sides to the table to find common ground and achieve the most effective outcomes. Transparency fosters accountability and drives meaningful change. My focus is on these critical conversations to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? Beyond just the tax rate, we must address the overall cost of living for our families. Lowering this financial burden improves quality of life for everyone—whether young people buying their first homes, working families struggling to make ends meet, or seniors on fixed incomes, all being priced out by rising taxes, insurance, and medical costs. Restoring affordable living is essential for thriving communities.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? North Carolina taxpayers deserve to know their money is being spent wisely. We must ensure government programs are transparent, accountable, and efficient. By cutting waste, prioritizing essential services, and focusing on results, we can deliver better outcomes for families without raising taxes unnecessarily.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Not enough time to answer.
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 barrier is high costs and lack of transparent options. While hospitals must cover their operating costs to provide quality care, many cannot afford insurance. It strains finances and drives up overall health care costs. I would advocate for greater transparency in pricing, support policies that encourage competition and efficiency in health care delivery, and work to make essential coverage more affordable and accessible for all families.
This story was originally published February 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM with the headline "GOP candidates for seat in Wake and Granville on costs, health care and taxes."
