Puedes leer este articulo en español en el siguiente enlace.
Three candidates are seeking to fill the vacant District 23 seat in the state Senate following the departure of Sen. Graig Meyer to lead the NC Justice Center.
The candidates are Jonah Garson, vice chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and state Representatives Allen Buansi and Renee Price.
The candidates confirmed to Enlace Latino NC that they are pursuing the position in the state Senate. So far, the North Carolina Democratic Party has not released an official list of all the candidates.
Rep. Buansi details priorities in education and health
Representative Buansi, who serves District 56 in the state House of Representatives, said his legislative leadership and legal experience prepare him to take on the role in the state Senate.
“I thought about the need to make sure that we have someone who’s ready to step in and hit the ground running. And I think I possess the experience, the leadership and certainly the heart for the work,” Buansi told Enlace Latino NC.
He said his top priorities are public education, access to health care and environmental sustainability.
“Public education is one of my top priorities, doing whatever I can to make sure that every child in North Carolina is going to a good, well supported public school,” he said, adding that he also seeks to expand access to affordable health care in rural communities where hospitals and clinics are limited.
Buansi also highlighted his public service since serving as a Chapel Hill town council member and his leadership as co-chair of the Democratic caucus and currently as the group’s vice chair.
Garson outlines agenda on voting rights, health and education
Jonah Garson, vice chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, confirmed he will seek the Senate seat.
“I’ve given everything I have as an organizer, attorney, and former voter protection director to build a better, reform-minded organization alongside Chair Anderson Clayton of Person County and many talented organizers and advocates,” Garson said in a statement.
Garson presented a platform focused on voting rights, access to health care, public education and protections for farmworkers and immigrant communities, among other issues.
“[My priorities] range from democracy and voting rights to healthcare to our K-12 education to farm loss and farm worker protections to food security, immigrant rights and justice,” Garson told Enlace Latino NC.
Garson noted that North Carolina has experienced significant growth in the Latino population in the district and argued that state leadership should reflect those changes while addressing issues affecting a wide range of residents.
Rep. Price highlights rural development and local economy
Representative Price, who serves District 50 in the state House of Representatives, highlighted her experience working in rural communities. She said her priorities will focus on agriculture and regional economic stability.
“One of my concerns, or priorities, would be advocating for small town USA as well as our rural communities and farmers,” Price told Enlace Latino NC.
She pointed to concerns about the aging farming population and increasing development pressure on farmland, adding that many small towns face challenges different from those of larger urban areas.
“Together, we must maintain our pursuit of a sound basic education for all, affordable housing, universal healthcare, resources for mental and behavioral health, climate change mitigation, universal broadband, support for farmers and small businesses, economic development, criminal justice reforms, and more,” Price added in a statement outlining her priorities.
Price previously represented all of Orange County as a commissioner and currently represents Orange and Caswell in the state House of Representatives.
“I have represented two of the three counties within Senate District 23,” she said. “Each county has its individuality, but I have worked with these communities for years.”
Price also mentioned her work on legislation to protect immigrant farmworkers, such as bills HB 78 and HB 80. Those measures seek to limit the presence of ICE on farms, construction sites and other sensitive locations in North Carolina.
Process to fill the vacancy
The vacant District 23 seat will be filled through an internal process of the Democratic Party.
Each county within the district, Caswell, Orange and Person, designates two delegates to form the State Senatorial Executive Committee.
Delegates cast weighted votes based on the population of each county to select the candidate who will fill the vacancy.
The selected candidate will assume the seat during the short session of the General Assembly that begins in April. The candidate will also appear on the November ballot as the party’s nominee.
Meyer said he will not participate in the selection process of his successor. However, he said he hopes the choice will be made before the start of the next session and shared what qualities he considers important in whoever takes the role.
“My advice is to choose someone who represents their community well, who can help build a Democratic majority and who is willing to speak clearly and firmly in the most difficult moments,” he told Enlace Latino NC.
PODCAST
Después de la tormenta
Hace un año, el huracán Helene golpeó al oeste de Carolina del Norte. La comunidad latina respondió con algo más fuerte que la tormenta: solidaridad.
🎧 En este episodio, conoce cómo las organizaciones latinas transformaron la crisis en resiliencia.
▶️ ¡Dale play para escuchar!
Republique gratuitamente nuestras historias en su website o periódico. Seguimos la licencia de Creative Commons. Dele clic al recuadro, y siga las instrucciones.
