SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Libertarian John Evans is campaigning for the district 7 seat in the North Carolina Senate race.
READ MORE: What to expect when voting in NC during the 2024 election season
A Wilmington resident and commercial general contractor, Evans faces off against Democratic candidate David Hill and Republican incumbent Michael Lee.
Evans 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.
John Evans: 1. I would seek to identify legislation already on the books that unreasonably abridges the prerogatives of individual North Carolina citizens in exchange for scant benefit to the entire people of North Carolina. Then I would seek to repeal those laws.
2. I would seek out and identify the special protections and privileges carved out for groups and corporations powerful enough to influence legislators. Then I would reform the underlying laws so that they provide even-handed treatment across all groups and individuals.
3. With the preceding simplifications, I would identify the savings of a reduced and simplified administrative profile and return the savings to the taxpayers of North Carolina.
The overall intent of these proposals is to make government functions simpler and more rational so that the genius of the 10,835,491 NC citizens prevails rather than the guiding hand of a few legislators. Government is only legitimate as a servant of its citizens.
Of course, this is an ambitious project and it would need to be done close consultation of the people at large through ready access to factual information and public debate over a number of years. But I believe that the result would be well worth the effort.
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?
JE: The increased cost of housing is mostly the product of inflation caused by irresponsible fiscal behavior and monetary policy at a national and international level. Therefore, this aspect of the problem cannot be solved on a state level.
To a lesser degree, housing cost is controlled by unimaginative building codes that mandate a “one system fits all” approach. Simpler, smaller and more creative designs should be permitted so that more widespread home ownership for lower income people is made possible. It amounts to downsizing and simplifying what is commonly called a “starter home.”
What I am trying to describe is something like tiny homes without wheels. From this base, the benefits of home ownership will become more widespread and introduces earlier in young people’s lives. These benefits include the accumulation of capital, family stability and broader “buy in” to our social order.
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?
JE: I favor greater diversity in educational opportunities in North Carolina. “One system for” all is an obvious failure. Students, their aptitudes and their interests vary. Human beings are not identical units. Different families and cultures have different aspirations. Educational should be flexible and responsive.
In this context, private and charter schools have a part to play and the parents and their children are entitled to claim their fair share of their own tax revenues in an attempt to acquire educational opportunities best designed to meet their aspirations.
One thing is consistent, however. First and foremost, students must be taught to think for themselves. Each student should be introduced to First Principles thinking and logic.
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?
JE: I would look to see if the taxpayers are subsidizing insurance rated for building in high-risk areas. Where it exists, I would eliminate it. If the wealthy desire to take on the risks of riverside and waterside property, they should be neither encumbered nor subsidized.
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?
JE: I am open to a diversity of funding mechanisms to pay for highway construction.
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?
JE: I am open to any system of government which makes the administrators suitably vulnerable to the displeasure of the people at-large through elections. However, I would first want to hear a convincing explanation as to why this regulatory change is warranted.
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?
JE: If the underlying analysis is accurate, I find the NC Budget and tax center’s arguments convincing and I am open to discussing their ideas.
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?
JE: If Oxfam’s analysis is trustworthy, I am interested in using their data in making taxing rates consistent.
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.
JE: Corporation should be held strictly accountable for harm they cause. So, yes, the offending parties should pay for PFAS filtration, either directly or indirectly.
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.
JE: I am prepared to discuss this in depth with the women affected. I am open to influence and compromise on this difficult issue. The professional institutions you mention are worth listening to, but my primary interest is in talking the women affected directly. They deserve no less.
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?
JE: I agree with Dr. Martin and I would be open to looking into her suggestions.
Yes, all of these laws should be looked at as a way to lessen the influence of lobbyists upon politicians.
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?
JE: This is an important topic. In essence we are talking about preserving a crime scene. At some point the “corruption police” will start doing their job. The evidence they will need must be preserved.
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?
JE: As above, this is an attempt to gather evidence of corruption. These NGO’s and fellow travelers hope that they are entitled to the same rights as human beings as set forth in the 14th amendment to our US Constitution. They are not. Also, I would be very interested to know who is moving to have this evidence destroyed.
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.
