Democrats vying for Senate District 12 seat differ on tax cuts, key issues
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Democratic primary features Hardaway and Anderson with contrasting tax views.
- Candidates prioritize teacher pay, budget passage and health care access.
- Affordability, education and rural services dominate candidate platforms.
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 N.C. Senate District 12 who responded to our questionnaire, in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.
Senate District 10 is in Sampson, Harnett and Lee counties. The Democratic primary is between Jheri Hardaway and Tanya White Anderson.
The Republican primary is between incumbent Sen. Jim Burgin and Tim McNeill, neither of whom responded to the questionnaire.
Tanya White Anderson
Age as of March 3, 2026: 60
Political party: Democratic
Campaign website: https://ncdemocrats.wixsite.com/tanyawhiteanderson
Current occupation: Retired
Professional experience: Retired federal worker, veteran, labor advocate, former educator
Education: M.A. in human resources, B.S. in psychology, A.A. paralegal
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Harnett County Democratic Party first chair; Harnett County first chair African American and Military; Chair, Stewart Creek Precinct; Veteran Caucus
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? $68,000 teacher pay, raises and ensuring fair compensation for teachers with higher degrees and qualified certification.
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? Persistence, justification, reasoning, compromise and persuasion.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Affordability. About 44% of people live at or below the poverty line. We need to crack down on monopolies, increase government assistance, child care, support farmers, housing, make health care prices transparent, raise the minimum wage, cancel student debt, and prioritize the well-being of our military personnel, their spouses, veterans, and retirees, and pass the budget. What is the GOP legislature hiding?
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? No
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? No, due to lack of transparency.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Yes, minimize safety, profitable if taxed correctly, some conditions can be controlled or maintained, medical benefits to the affected.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Affordability, provider shortages and limited transportation in rural areas
Jheri Hardaway
Age as of March 3, 2026: 37
Political party: Democratic
Campaign website: JheriForNC.org
Current occupation: Writer and educator
Professional experience: Writer, professor, business development
Education: B.A. in English and global studies, N.C. A&T State University, Class of 2011; M.A. in creative writing, Kingston University London, Class of 2013
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Harnett County Democratic Party third chair, member of the Omega Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Harnett County America 250 Committee
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? $75,000, pending any complaints or disciplinary actions.
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? Vote for people who care about the will of the people.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Education. I aim to work with organizations like N.C. Business Committee for Education to help introduce students to work environments and innovative thinking. Growing up in Wake County schools we went on many field trips, from the fire station to McDonald’s; we saw things behind the scenes. These experiences informed my thoughts about possibilities for the future. More exposure to ideas will inspire greatness in our youth and arm them with goals.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? Yes.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? No. Taxpayer money would go further with citizen oversight.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Yes. Perhaps if adults can indulge comfortably in their chosen vices, we will have less people abusing children.
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 to health care access is the lack of innovation when it comes to solutions. We do not have to remain beholden to the health care companies. Local preventative care discussions would be my first course of action.
This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Democrats vying for Senate District 12 seat differ on tax cuts, key issues."
