Democrat Felicia Baxter, candidate for NC Senate District 10, answers our questions
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Candidates for NC Senate District 10
Republican incumbent Sen. Benton Sawrey is running for reelection. He faces challenges from Democrat Felicia Baxter and Libertarian Christopher Sessions. District 10 covers Johnston County. Get to know the candidates with our 2024 NC Voter Guide.
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To help inform voters about the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Felicia Baxter
District/seat: Senate District 10
County or counties represented: Johnston
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 53
Campaign website: electfeliciabaxter.com
Current occupation: Talent acquisition communication specialist, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Professional experience: Wellness coach, community engagement and talent acquisition communication specialist
Education: B.A. in communications and media studies, NC State University
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. Member, Johnston County NAACP and volunteer, JCHS Alumni Association Food Pantry
What would be your top priority if elected?
For far too long, the majority in Raleigh has prioritized their own interests over those of our families. I’m running to change that and put our families first. If elected, my top priority will be improving the quality of life for the hardworking families of Johnston County. This means I’ll focus on enhancing our public schools, protecting the hard-earned rights of our people and making our community a more affordable place to live.
By percentage, what raises should state employees, school staff and teachers receive in the next state budget?
Our public employees, including teachers, have been underpaid for too long. It’s time for the state legislature to act. Failure to do so risks our ability to hire and retain quality staff and compete with the private sector. That’s why I support Gov. Cooper’s proposal for an 8.5% raise for public employees and tying these raises to inflation to help them support their families in the future.
What legislation would you support to improve Triangle transportation, housing or infrastructure? Please be specific.
I’ll work with anyone to improve our roads and invest in our state’s economy. First, I’ll explore opportunities for our state government to partner with the private sector. Second, I’ll investigate which federal dollars are not returning to North Carolina that should be. A bipartisan majority passed several common-sense infrastructure bills that invested in our community, and I believe we should be bringing those taxpayer dollars home, rather than seeing our hard-earned money go to other states.
Do you think the legislature should fund about $500 million for private school vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program? Why or why not?
I don’t. I believe that this $500 million is diverting funds from our public schools and, in the process, harming our kids and rural communities. This deprives rural areas of the resources needed for economic growth. Our state needs to prioritize strengthening our public education system for all students rather than subsidizing private schooling for a select few.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
I believe our party is often too quick to write off communities like ours during elections. Despite the very real progress we’ve made, like the investments Gov. Cooper and other commonsense leaders have made in our schools, and investments in our local economies, if voters don’t hear from us or know that we’re responsible for that progress, we risk leaving votes — and communities — on the table.
This story was originally published September 25, 2024 at 7:25 AM with the headline "Democrat Felicia Baxter, candidate for NC Senate District 10, answers our questions."
