SOUTHEASTERN, N.C. — Republican Warren Kennedy is running to serve a first term as representative for House District 18.
A retired law enforcement officer, Kennedy most recently worked as a sergeant for the Wilmington Police Department. Kennedy will appear on the ballot alongside Democratic incumbent Deb Butler.
Early voting begins Oct. 15. Same-day registration is available during the early voting period, which ends Oct. 31. Election day is Nov. 3. Check your voter registration and county elections office to confirm polling locations, dates, and hours.
Port City Daily emailed both candidates the below questionnaire and will run their responses ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Port City Daily edited responses for spelling and grammatical errors only.
Port City Daily (PCD): How would you grade Governor Roy Cooper’s response to the pandemic (A-F)? Did the state’s executive branch overstep its authority or are you comfortable with actions taken to protect public health? What, if anything, do you think should have been done differently?
Warren Kennedy (WK): In my opinion, Governor Cooper’s overall response to the pandemic receives a grade of D. In his defense, it was his first experience with a pandemic, so I think his initial response was fair and just, but he quickly lost his way. I sincerely think any governor of NC should consult with the council of state as described in the Emergency Management Act. Public health over the last six-plus months has been greater than COVID-19 alone, and elected officials should look at the totality of each and every decision, and its impact on the total public health of all residents.
In my opinion, the science and data used by Governor Cooper didn’t add up, as he seemed to move aimlessly back and forth between phases—phases that made it appear the coronavirus could tell time and knew the difference between being in a big box store verses a small business, or knew when one was sitting to eat or standing to walk to a restroom.
PCD: Do you support the current flexibility given to the state’s elementary schools to reopen, or do you think there should be more concrete recommendations and guidelines? Should this same level of flexibility be extended to all grade levels?
WK: In my opinion, a one-size-fits-all does not work during a pandemic. I believe the local authorities, county commissioners, county health departments, and local schools boards, should be given the authority to determine what is best in their individual counties. The number of cases varied greatly across our state and the local professionals are in the best position to determine what’s best for their residents.
PCD: Are you satisfied with the state’s current grant-based film incentive program? Should the state aim to bring back its previous refundable tax credits to entice filmmakers to bring projects back to the region?
WK: I was a supporter of the original tax credit, as I personally saw the benefits of it. As a career law enforcement officer in the City of Wilmington, I personally benefited from the extra work the film industry brought to North Carolina.
I recently read an article by Mr. Bill Vassar (Executive VP of EUE/ScreenGems Studios) that implied the grant-based film incentive
program is working well and that projects are returning to our state, so I would gladly look at expanding the current film incentive program as funding allows.
PCD: Over the past decade, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has lost more than one-third of its funding. Should the state increase funding for DEQ?
WK: The NC DEQ is one of the most important departments within our state
government; they are responsible for helping keep our water and air qualities safe. It must be properly funded but the actions of Governor Cooper over the last six-plus months has impacted our state’s finances greatly, and until I get to Raleigh as the Representative of NC House District 18, I cannot make a blanket statement on increasing funding for any individual department within our state without looking at the final numbers on what our finances look like coming out of this pandemic.
PCD: Should the state increase teacher pay? Why or why not?
WK: Governor Cooper’s actions and decisions during the pandemic will have a negative impact on our state’s finances for the next year or two. Governor Cooper vetoed the last budget presented him that included a pay raise for teachers so Governor Cooper failed to give teachers a pay increase. Governor Cooper called all the shots during the pandemic without consulting with the council of state, so he alone must accept responsibility for the financial woes that lie ahead for our state financially.
It will take the continued fiscal conservative approach of the last decade for NC to weather the financial impact of the pandemic and Governor Cooper’s solo decision making. Do teachers deserve a pay increase? YES, as do all state employees! Will the money be there in the next budget? We don’t know yet!
PCD: If elected, what local issues do you plan to advocate for at the state level?
WK: 1. Clean water and air are a must; our lives depend on it.
2. As a retired, career law enforcement officer, I am the most qualified candidate for NC House District 18 to bridge any gap that may exist between law enforcement, the NC Department of Justice, the NC Justice Academy, the Judiciary, and the communities they serve.
3. Attracting clean, high-paying jobs to North Carolina is of importance and we must have a highly trained workforce ready to do those jobs.
PCD: If elected, do you plan to advocate for stronger water quality monitoring and contaminant limitations of public drinking water and discharges? If yes, what specific solutions do you think are needed at the state level to address the region’s water quality concerns?
WK: We must work hard to find the appropriate funding for DEQ and other agencies that work to ensure we have clean water and air. We must cooperate with federal agencies and private organizations to work together for the common good and safety of our drinking water. I’m a law and order candidate. I believe being a law and order candidate means holding all violators of our laws, criminal or environmental, accountable. When a
company or corporation negatively impacts our environment, they should clean it up and be held accountable.
PCD: How would you rate the economic health of southeastern N.C. and what would you like to see happen to strengthen these numbers?
WK: Over the last decade, under conservative leadership, North Carolina paid off large debts, lowered taxes, and built a rainy-day fund. Now is not the time to lighten up on the efforts that began in 2010. As a fiscal conservative, I don’t believe in debt if it can be avoided. I advocate operating our state government in the same fiscal conservative manner that most residents operate their own homes and businesses. I will work diligently for New Hanover County, and all of North Carolina, to meet every need while doing it in a fiscal responsible manner.
PCD: The N.C. Division of Employment Security was slow to respond to millions of unemployment insurance claims filed this year in response to the pandemic. What would you do to address such a log jam in the face of a future crisis?
WK: All state agencies and employees must be held accountable. When a problem surfaces, it must be properly and appropriately examined and then corrected. If the problem was management, it’s time to address management issues. If the problem was personnel availability, personnel shortages need to be addressed. If the problem was a direct or even an indirect result of the pandemic, we must learn from the lesson and better prepare for the next unexpected event.
Send tips and comments to [email protected]
