In North Carolina, four candidates are running for the office of lieutenant governor. This position is elected separately from the governor.
The position is currently held by Republican Mark Robinson, who is running for governor.
In the race for lieutenant governor, Republican candidate Hal Weatherman and Democratic candidate Rachel Hunt are tied in the polls. Libertarian Shannon Bray and Constitutional Party candidate Wayne Jones will also be on the ballot.
Below we outline the role of lieutenant governor and introduce the candidates along with a summary of their platforms.
Role of the Vice Governor
The North Carolina Constitution grants the lieutenant governor executive and legislative authority.
Executive authority includes being first in line to succeed the governorship, should that position become vacant.
Legislative authority, on the other hand, includes serving as president of the state Senate, but only casting tie-breaking votes.
Hal Weatherman, Republican
Republican candidate Weatherman served as chief of staff to former North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and former U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick. He has not been previously elected to public office.
Among his priorities, Weatherman wants to establish an “election integrity unit” in the lieutenant governor’s office, according to WUNC.
On education, Weatherman says he would like to see the federal government provide funding to states rather than offering grants through the U.S. Department of Education.
The Republican candidate supports expanding abortion restrictions with a "heartbeat bill," which would ban further abortions after six weeks.
However, it supports exceptions in cases of rape and incest and supports access to in vitro fertilization.
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Rachel Hunt, Democrat
Democratic candidate Hunt is an attorney and state senator, representing Mecklenburg since 2019. She follows in the footsteps of her father, former Gov. Jim Hunt, who served four terms and was lieutenant governor.
Among her priorities, she advocates for more funding for the police, expansion of job training, increased teacher salaries and better access to child care.
Hunt said the office should not “interfere with the State Board of Elections,” according to a WUNC interview.
On education, he proposed that the State Board of Education have a greater role in school governance. Hunt is also calling for an increase in funding for public schools from the legislature.
Unlike Weatherman, Hunt opposes abortion restrictions and wants to see legislation codifying Roe v. Wade into state law.
Shannon Bray, Libertarian
Bray has not held any elected office in the past and defines himself as a technology entrepreneur.
He holds a master's degree in cybersecurity from the University of Delaware, as well as a bachelor's degree in information technology from Colorado State University Global Campus.
He also holds associate degrees in science and arts, with a concentration in history, from Arapahoe Community College.
Wayne Jones, constitutional
Jones represents the Constitutional Party and has not previously held public office.
Jones is retired and previously worked in the telecommunications industry, according to a News & Observer interview.
The candidate stated that his priority in office will be to "clean up the State Board of Elections," according to the same interview.
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