SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Republican Senator Michael Lee is seeking re-election this year, having served four terms in the North Carolina legislature.
READ MORE: What to expect when voting in NC during the 2024 election season
Lee is facing off against Democratic challenger David Hill and Libertarian candidate John Evans.
A Wilmington resident and co-partner in Lee Kaess law firm — focusing on real estate and land use — the incumbent is focusing his campaign on economic development, lowering the cost of living and environmental concerns. He addresses the issues in his questionnaire below.
A few items to keep in mind ahead of casting a ballot this year: Absentee ballots are already being mailed and early voting is open at locations including:
- Carolina Beach Town Hall, 1121 N. Lake Boulevard
- CFCC Downtown Campus, Health Sciences Building, 415 N. Second St.
- Future NHC Board of Elections, 226 Government Dr.
- Northeast Regional Library, David Poynter Room, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.
- NHC Senior Resource Center, Multipurpose Room, 2222 S. College Rd.
Voters will be able to cast ballots at any of the above places and even register to vote beforehand on Oct. 17-18, Oct. 21-25, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27, noon – 5 p.m., and Nov. 2, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Election Day is Nov. 5, with polls opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. All voters will have to go to their precinct to cast a ballot, as shown on their voter registry.
An ID must be presented to cast a ballot in the election. Acceptable forms of ID include NC drivers license or state ID, U.S. passport, college or student university ID, some state employee IDs and out-of-state drivers license or ID, as long as voter registration was done within 90 days of the election. IDs not in good standing can be expired by one year or less.
Port City Daily has compiled candidate questionnaires so voters can read up on contenders’ stances before heading to the polls this election season. All answers have been edited only for clarity; the candidates’ opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
The paywall is dropped on profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election.
Port City Daily: What would be your first three priorities if elected and are there any bills you would seek to immediately introduce in the 2025 session? Explain the latter if so.
Michael Lee: Generally, I will continue to focus on economic development, keeping the cost of living down and making sure we are good stewards of our environment. Please see www.leefornc.com for more information on these efforts.
As to some of the specific work I will expand on, I will introduce the 2025 Water Safety Act to further the work in protecting our drinking water and environment. This will add to the body of work I have already completed through the Water Safety Acts of 2018, 2021 and 2023. A summary of some of this work can be found at Episode 3 of www.leefornc.com/unscripted.
I will introduce a bill or include in the budget the expansion of the program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A brief explanation of this work can be found at Episode 4 of www.leefornc.com/unscripted. Currently, it is available at 15 North Carolina Community Colleges.
PCD: Housing and rental costs in the tri-county region, as well as statewide, have significantly increased in recent years. What policies would you advocate for addressing the state’s affordable housing crisis?
ML: I will continue to provide funding and have the state administer various programs throughout the state (e.g., Urgent Repair Program, Rental Production Program, Workforce Housing Loan Program, Key Rental Assistance, Homeowners Assistance Fund, etc.).
In addition to recurring programs, the state provided $170 million in fiscal year 2022-23 to address gaps in funding on previously awarded grants for affordable housing in North Carolina. These gaps result from a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the inflated price of materials. Without this gap-funding, projects across the state and construction of thousands of units would not have continued.
As you can see, the state (through both federal and state funds) continues to work on housing affordability in a very direct way.
PCD: Many North Carolina residents cite education among their top concerns for the 2024 election. The National Education Association ranks North Carolina 38th in the nation for teacher pay and the teacher attrition rate increased this year. Do you believe the state’s education funding model is adequate or would you advocate for changes — what, if so? What is your position on public vs. private school voucher spending?
ML: I am a strong supporter of education for North Carolina students. As the co-chair of the NC Senate Budget Committee, I helped secure a 9.5% funding increase for K-12 education in the state’s biennium budget. This investment includes teacher pay raises, a $200 million teacher supplement (in addition to local supplements), the creation of a new School Health Personnel Allotment, and significant funding increases in various critical areas. The National Education Association (NEA) ranks North Carolina 12th in the nation for the proportion of K-12 funding provided by the state, a testament to our commitment. While the national average is 47% of every dollar coming from state funding, North Carolina consistently provides between 60% and 63%.
Beyond just increasing funding by $1.6 billion in this last budget, I believe it’s not just about how much we spend, but how effectively we allocate those resources. That’s why I have championed innovative programs such as SparkNC (SparkNC.org), the expansion of Advanced Teaching Roles schools (along with additional teacher supplements), and the implementation of the Science of Reading, which has placed North Carolina at the forefront of literacy outcomes nationwide. Additionally, I believe we need to make education funding more transparent and straightforward, which can be achieved through a weighted student formula.
My focus extends from early childhood education through to workforce training. We must continue supporting our teachers with better pay, engaging parents in the educational process, and providing school choice to ensure every child has access to high-quality, personalized education. Our recent budget also directed substantial funding increases New Hanover County Schools, Cape Fear Community College, and UNCW. It’s essential that our education system remains aligned with technological advancements and emerging workforce opportunities, preparing our students for the future.
PCD: Recent severe flooding from storms statewide, from Brunswick to Buncombe counties, have left devastation in its path, including demolished infrastructure. The National Weather Service anticipates major regional storms to increase in coming years. What policies would you advocate for to increase long-term resiliency?
ML: The past few weeks have made it clear that our entire state must confront the growing flood risk posed by severe weather events. I am committed to implementing smart, proactive policies that protect our communities while also saving taxpayer dollars. To do this effectively, decision-makers across North Carolina need a better understanding of flood risks and must incorporate those risks into our policies and public investments.
I am proud that the North Carolina legislature has already taken important steps by investing in innovative solutions like the Flood Resiliency Blueprint. This initiative empowers communities to respond to and recover from storms more effectively. I am committed to ensuring the full development of the Blueprint to help mitigate the impact of flooding and enable our communities to quickly return to normal following severe weather events.
Recently, we approved over $270 million to support communities recovering from disasters. But our work doesn’t end there. We must be strategic in how we allocate these funds. In the coming weeks, I will work diligently not only to support recovery efforts but also to ensure that rebuilding takes future flood risks into account. By doing so, we can avoid wasting valuable resources and prevent leaving communities just as vulnerable as they were before the storms.
This approach will strengthen our state’s resilience and help ensure that North Carolinians are better protected from future disasters.
PCD: The North Carolina Department of Transportation is seeking public input to determine future funding sources as the motor fuels tax — which provides almost half of the agency’s state revenues — becomes a less reliable means of covering infrastructure projects. Do you advocate for any alternative funding sources or spending priorities for the NCDOT — what, if so?
ML:
The legislature started a program where a small portion of sales tax is now being used to provide transportation funding as we know revenue from the motor fuels tax has been decreasing with increased efficiency in the internal combustion engine vehicles as well as the increase in the number of hybrid and electric vehicles. North Carolina started appropriating a portion of sales tax revenue in 2022 to transportation. In 2024-2025, 6% of North Carolina’s sales tax proceeds will be appropriated to transportation. This new transportation revenue source will provide approximately 12% of the total transportation budget. Given electric car sales average around 11% in the United States, this current level of funding from sales tax seems appropriate.
In addition to the creation of this new revenue source, we need to create a statewide critical bridge infrastructure fund. North Carolina’s Strategic Mobility Formula is a funding mechanism established in 2013 and is used to prioritize and allocate state transportation funds efficiently. It evaluates projects based on criteria such as congestion relief, safety improvements, economic development, and local support, ensuring that funds are allocated in a way that enhances mobility and boosts economic growth across the state. However, it does not address the replacement of critical bridge infrastructure like the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. I will work on the development of a new critical bridge infrastructure formula to provide funding to these critical needs.
PCD: The General Assembly has taken several measures to limit authority of municipalities — as seen in variance ordinances including tree regulation, impact fees, and some zoning policies — and the executive branch, for example in appointment powers (i.e. Coastal Resources Commission, Wildlife Commission, Building Code Council and Residential Code Council). What is your philosophy on the balance between the General Assembly’s powers and the executive branch, along with municipalities’ powers? Would you advocate for any reevaluations of authoritative powers on a specific issue?
ML: North Carolina is home to 100 counties and 552 municipalities, which include cities, towns, and villages. These municipalities are incorporated local governments, responsible for providing services like public safety, utilities, and transportation. However, with 652 local governments (counties and municipalities combined), it would be unfeasible for each local board to enact laws that differ or conflict with one another, as this would create a confusing patchwork of regulations across the state. That said and specific to District 7, the General Assembly has not placed additional limitations on local matters such as tree regulations or zoning in New Hanover County. Local governments in North Carolina retain the authority to create ordinances and regulations tailored to their specific jurisdictions. These localized rules are enacted frequently to meet the needs of communities.
However, statewide laws are established to ensure consistency across different regions, preventing confusion for citizens who might otherwise struggle to keep up with a multitude of varying local laws. In areas that might seem local (coastal resources), statewide laws are implemented because actions in one region can affect another, demonstrating the interconnectedness of North Carolina’s resources and communities. This balance allows local governments to address their unique challenges while ensuring broader statewide consistency in laws that may impact multiple regions.
PCD: The NC Budget and Tax Center argues North Carolina has a regressive tax code by requiring low-income residents to pay a higher portion of their income in state taxes than the most high-income residents. What is your view on this assessment and would you advocate any changes to state tax policy?
ML: We have raised the zero-tax bracket for joint filers to $25,500 ($12,750 for singles), enabling more lower-income households to keep more of their earnings. Additionally, we have implemented a plan to reduce North Carolina’s income tax to a flat rate of 3.99% by 2026, with the potential to lower it further to 2.49% if certain state revenue thresholds are met. This approach aims to enhance our state’s competitiveness while returning more money to taxpayers.
Furthermore, we have eliminated the state income tax on military pensions, underscoring our commitment to supporting those who have served our nation. As a resident, taxpayer and elected official, I believe state taxes should strike a balance between maintaining essential services and fostering economic growth. North Carolina’s tax policy accomplishes those goals.
PCD: North Carolina is recognized as the nation’s second best state for business by CNBC, but is ranked as the worst state for workers by Oxfam. Are there any policies you would advocate to balance and improve the state’s conditions for business and labor?
ML: Balancing a strong business climate with improved conditions for workers is essential for fostering a more fair and sustainable economy. In addition to the current body of law protecting employees in the workplace, North Carolina has consistently supported its workforce through a variety of programs. These include initiatives offered by the state’s community college system, NCWorks, and various other programs in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Commerce. These efforts provide training, job placement, and career development services, helping individuals gain the skills needed for high-demand industries and supporting the economic growth of the state.
For state employees, North Carolina has demonstrated its commitment to supporting workers by implementing a paid parental leave program last year. This program allows state employees to take paid leave to care for newborn or newly adopted children, providing critical support for working families while promoting a healthy work-life balance. This step underscores the state’s recognition of the importance of family-oriented policies and its ongoing efforts to improve conditions for its workforce.
PCD: PFAS and 1,4-dioxane contamination in the tri-county region has been a major concern for residents in recent years. Local utilities have expressed issues over filtering substances that unfairly burdens ratepayers and dischargers. Would you advocate legislation to require dischargers to limit releases of the substances and pay for remediation? Explain.
ML: As many in our region are aware, water quality has been a primary focus of mine over the years. This commitment led to the passage of the Water Safety Acts of 2018, 2021, and 2023, landmark legislation addressing water contamination, particularly concerning PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). This legislation has been recognized globally as some of the most advanced in tackling PFAS, resulting in the creation of the NC PFAS Testing Network (ncpfastnetwork.com) and the development of cutting-edge technologies to filter and destroy PFAS. A detailed overview of some of this work can be found in Episode 3 of www.leefornc.com/unscripted.
In 2023, I also amended House Bill 600 to ensure that the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) could establish standards and requirements for PFAS and 1,4-dioxane dischargers. This was initially done through narrative standards and will eventually be solidified through formal rulemaking. At the time, some of the most significant sources of 1,4-dioxane contamination were water treatment facilities upstream of New Hanover County. I am pleased to report that, as a result of NCDEQ’s efforts, these facilities have largely ceased their discharges of 1,4-dioxane. NCDEQ has the authority to establish these standards.
I will continue to collaborate with the Administration to ensure North Carolina has the necessary laws in place that allow NCDEQ to continue the establishment of strong discharge regulations and hold polluters accountable for the damage they cause to our infrastructure. Unfortunately, despite some progress, the Administration entered into a settlement with a major PFAS discharger without requiring them to fund improvements to our water system. As a result, I have worked to secure state funding to address these issues, and the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) has had to pursue its own legal action to recover the costs of necessary plant improvements.
PCD: A North Carolina law, SB 20, shifted the legal timeframe for most abortions from 20 weeks to 12 weeks. Organizations including the North Carolina Medical Society, the NC Academy of Family Physicians, and the NC Obstetrical and Gynecological Society oppose the law, arguing it will increase maternal mortality risk and limit safe care. Do you share these concerns and advocate for changes to North Carolina’s abortion laws? Explain.
ML: The law in NC (and my position) affirms a woman’s right to choose in the first three months of pregnancy. After that, it includes important exceptions: (i) up to five months if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, (ii) up to six months if there is a serious fetal abnormality, and (iii) at any point if the life or health of the mother is in jeopardy. These aren’t arbitrary rules; they were crafted after deep consultation with medical professionals, legal experts, and advocates from all sides. It’s a balanced, compassionate approach that respects both women’s autonomy and the importance of safeguarding life.
It’s worth pointing out that North Carolina’s law—one of the most thoughtful in the nation—has served as a model for how states can balance these competing concerns. It safeguards a woman’s right to make critical decisions about her body, while also respecting life and ensuring that protections are in place when a pregnancy becomes too dangerous to continue. This isn’t a theoretical issue. It’s about real women, real families, and real choices that deserve our careful, thoughtful consideration.
PCD: Duke law professors Ryke Longest and Amanda Martin have raised concerns that North Carolina has inadequate ethics and conflict-of-interest oversight for public officials. Do you agree with their assessment and would you take any actions or advocate any policies to address this issue? And do you believe the state’s campaign finance, lobbying, and financial disclosure laws should be amended in any way?
ML: I have not yet heard of the concerns raised by the Duke professors, but I would be happy to review them. Currently, there are two levels of oversight for ethical conduct: the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee and the North Carolina State Ethics Commission.
The Joint Legislative Ethics Committee is a bipartisan and bicameral body responsible for addressing ethical concerns related to members of the General Assembly. It investigates potential violations of ethics rules and standards and provides guidance on appropriate behavior for legislators.
The State Ethics Commission has a broader mandate, overseeing ethics and lobbying laws that apply to all public officials, including legislators. There is a comprehensive body of law governing the disclosure of financial interests for public officials. The Commission reviews these disclosures, which include details on sources of income, certain bank accounts and loans, equity holdings, and other assets. It also provides opinions and recommendations on potential or actual conflicts of interest.
If there are suggestions for improvements beyond the current law, I am always open to them. Ethical behavior is vital to the legislative process because it ensures that debates, votes, and decisions are impartial. Enforcing ethical standards helps prevent corruption and undue influence, protecting the integrity of our democracy.
PCD: A 2023 budget provision gave lawmakers authority to ignore public records requests and destroy public documents they deem not public records. A diverse coalition including the John Locke Foundation and the NC Press Association sent a public letter to the General Assembly requesting lawmakers rescind the provision because it “undermines the principles of transparency” the state’s public records law was designed to protect. Do you have a response totheir concerns and would you advocate for changes to increase transparency in the state government? How?
ML: Public records requests are a crucial tool for ensuring transparency and accountability in government. They allow citizens, journalists, and researchers to access government documents, ensuring that the actions and decisions of public officials are open to public scrutiny. This openness is fundamental to our democracy, as it fosters trust between the government and the people by providing a clear view into decision-making processes. I have always made it a priority to respond to public records requests from my office and will continue to do so.
PCD: A separate 2023 budget provision expanded the powers of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Operations, also known as “Gov Ops.” Critics have raised concerns over the committee’s powers, including the authority to carry out warrantless search and seizure of documents from any entity receiving public funds engaging in possible acts of malfeasance. Would you advocate any changes to the committee’s authority and oversight?
ML: I am not entirely sure who the “critics” are or what specific provisions of the recent legislation they are concerned about. However, I respectfully disagree with their conclusions.
Historically, the legislature has had a Program Evaluation Division and a Government Operations Committee, both of which played important roles in ensuring oversight and accountability within state government. Recently, these two functions were consolidated into the Government Operations Committee, which continues to perform a vital oversight and review role on behalf of the General Assembly.
The Government Operations Committee is responsible for reviewing the actions of state agencies, programs, and policies to ensure they are functioning efficiently and in accordance with the law. After conducting thorough reviews, the committee makes recommendations on potential policy improvements or adjustments. If, during its investigations, the Committee uncovers any actions that may warrant criminal investigation, it has the authority to refer those matters to law enforcement.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
