SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Democratic candidate Jon Berger is facing off against Republican incumbent Ted Davis for the district 20 House seat in this year’s election.
READ MORE: What to expect when voting in NC during the 2024 election season
Berger has a 30-year career working for the U.S. government in foreign service and policy; his last post was at Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) at Camp Lejeune. He is the recipient of several state department meritorious awards for his work overseas.
A Wilmington resident, Berger is focusing his campaign on restoring women’s reproductive rights, holding industrial polluters accountable for contaminating the water, air and land, and investing more in public schools while phasing out the school voucher program. 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 opens mid-October 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.
Jon Berger: A. Repeal SB20 and restore the reproductive rights that were previously in place in North Carolina.
B. Reinstate family income limits for school vouchers, freeze voucher funding and gradually phase out the program.
C. Enact a “polluters pay” bill that imposes substantial penalties on those responsible for contaminating our waterways.
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?
JB: North Carolina continues to face an affordable housing crisis affecting urban, suburban and rural areas alike. As a state legislator, addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that provides immediate relief while implementing long-term structural reforms. I would work to expand existing programs such as the North Carolina Housing Trust Fund and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to ensure they incentivize developers to build more affordable housing.
Additionally I would prioritize support for first-time homebuyers, especially in working-class and marginalized communities, to help them transition from renting to home ownership.
To further address the housing crisis, we must expand tax credits for renters based on their income and rental costs ensuring that low- and middle-income families aren’t overburdened by housing expenses. Strengthening rent control and stabilization measures, along with enhancing tenant protections is also essential to prevent vulnerable individuals from becoming homeless and to help them remain in their homes.
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?
JB: Since 2014 North Carolina’s public school funding has been both inadequate and inequitable. As of 2023 the state ranks 39th in the nation for per-pupil spending, according to data from the National Education Association Public Schools First NC and Education NC.
The State Supreme Court has ordered the General Assembly to allocate hundreds of millions more annually in education funding following the Leandro Plan, which I strongly support. This plan would increase teacher pay per-pupil spending and provide much-needed upgrades in infrastructure and technology.
I strongly oppose the expansion of the voucher program, which now allows the wealthiest families to receive taxpayer support for private school tuition. These private schools are not held to state standards and should not be subsidized with public funds. However, I am open to discussing the effectiveness of voucher programs for lower-income families with concerns about public schools.
Additionally. I advocate for studying the use of a weighted funding formula that allocates more resources to schools serving students with the greatest needs ensuring funding is distributed more equitably across rural urban low-income and special-needs populations.
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?
JB: In light of recent storms in Southeast North Carolina and the damage from Hurricane Helene in the west, it is clear that we need to strengthen long-term climate resilience in New Hanover County and across the state. A comprehensive approach is required to address vulnerabilities to rising sea levels hurricanes flooding extreme heat and other climate-related risks.
This includes investing in both hard infrastructure, such as seawalls and flood barriers, as well as natural solutions like restoring wetlands and barrier islands to protect coastal communities.
Additionally, floodplain maps must be updated to account for future sea-level rise and extreme weather and development in high-risk areas should be restricted with any new projects adhering to climate-resilient construction standards.
Decisions made by the General Assembly over the past 15 years may have contributed to the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Helene, particularly in western North Carolina. Republican lawmakers rejected limits on construction on steep slopes, blocked rules requiring homes to be elevated above flood levels and loosened building regulations, making it harder for the state to qualify for federal climate-resilience grants.
These decisions reflect the influence of the home-building industry, which has resisted stricter building codes aimed at increasing climate resilience. As a legislator, I will work to restore regulations that protect lives and property from climate-related 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?
JB: To fund the NCDOT more sustainably, we should explore alternative approaches like a statewide pilot program for a mileage-based user fee, which charges drivers based on the miles they drive rather than fuel consumption. This would create a more equitable system as electric and fuel-efficient vehicles currently pay little-to-no fuel taxes but still contribute to road wear. Adjusting electric vehicle registration fees could also ensure that EV owners contribute to transportation infrastructure.
Additionally, allowing local governments to implement small voter-approved sales taxes dedicated to transportation projects can provide another funding stream. NCDOT’s spending priorities should focus on maintaining and repairing existing infrastructure, while investing in resilient systems to withstand climate events — particularly hurricanes and flooding.
Other key areas include investing in smart infrastructure technologies like real-time traffic management and expanding public transit in growing urban and suburban areas. It’s also critical to ensure equitable transportation spending focusing on underserved communities and rural areas to improve transit access road safety and reduce travel times for essential services like healthcare and education.
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?
JB: My philosophy centers on maintaining the balance of power through separation of powers, decision-making at the most appropriate level of governance and democratic accountability. The General Assembly (GA) holds legislative authority while the executive branch is tasked with implementing legislation.
Recently, the Republican supermajority in the GA has shifted more appointment power to itself, particularly regarding regulatory boards and commissions traditionally under executive control. The 2016 McCrory v. Berger case highlighted this overreach with the North Carolina Supreme Court ruling that the GA had violated the separation of powers. This ongoing struggle between the legislative and executive branches undermines democratic governance.
I believe municipalities play a crucial role in addressing local issues and are often best equipped to understand their communities’ unique needs. I support legislation that returns zoning and environmental regulation authority to local governments, allowing them to respond effectively to local challenges, while adhering to state-level goals such as housing affordability and sustainability.
I advocate for a collaborative governance approach with distinct roles for the General Assembly, the executive branch and municipalities supporting more local control while ensuring state commissions remain expert-driven and balanced in oversight and appointments.
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?
JB: Our state’s tax code disproportionately burdens those with the lowest incomes, forcing them to pay a higher percentage of their earnings in taxes. I believe in a progressive tax system where individuals with lower incomes pay less than the highest earners. As a state legislator, I would advocate for reforms that promote equity while maintaining economic stability.
One key reform is establishing a progressive income tax structure, allowing tax rates to adjust based on income levels. Even a modest progression in tax brackets could significantly ease the tax burden on low-income citizens.
Additionally, I would support reinstating a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), eliminated in 2014. This credit has been proven to reduce poverty, incentivize work and provide relief to working families.
Furthermore, I would push to reduce or eliminate sales taxes on essential items like groceries, healthcare, products and utilities, helping low-income households. To balance this, I would consider imposing a higher sales tax on luxury goods, such as high-value vehicles and jewelry, to reduce the regressive impact of the sales tax while broadening the revenue base.
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?
JB: To ensure businesses thrive, we need to support labor-friendly policies that boost productivity, lower turnover and increase local spending, ultimately benefiting businesses. At the same time, we must create a strong business climate by offering targeted incentives and development support to attract investment, which in turn benefits workers by generating more job opportunities statewide.
Key policies to prioritize include gradually raising the state minimum wage, establishing paid leave laws, strengthening protections against sexual harassment, enhancing unemployment benefits and promoting the right to collective bargaining.
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.
JB: I fully support “polluters pay” legislation and state-level regulations for PFAS, the attorney general’s natural resource damages lawsuit against Chemours and DuPont and the removal of the state criminal and civil statute of limitations for PFAS polluters.
For decades DuPont and Chemours have dumped PFAS into the Cape Fear River, making it toxic, causing illnesses in our population and destroying wildlife. They have never been held fully accountable for this grossly negligent behavior.
I support imposing significant fines to fund comprehensive human as well as other wildlife epidemiological studies to effectively address PFAS exposures and their health impacts, as well as to remediate all affected areas and compensate affected communities. Lastly, we must take immediate steps to ban all PFAS in order to establish a safer, more sustainable future for the Cape Fear region.
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.
JB: I strongly believe that a woman in consultation with her family and doctor should havethe right to make her own healthcare decisions including the choice of abortion. If elected, I will work to repeal Senate Bill 20 and restore the protections we had for 50 years under Roe v. Wade, allowing for decisions up to 24 weeks. It is simply not the government’s role to dictate a woman’s personal healthcare choices.
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?
JB: I agree with the concerns raised about North Carolina’s inadequate ethics and conflict-of-interest oversight for public officials. Strong ethical standards and transparency are essential to maintaining public trust and preventing corruption. Weak oversight threatens the integrity of our institutions and increases the risk of conflicts of interest.
To address this I would advocate for creating an independent ethics commission with the power to investigate and enforce accountability clearer guidelines for avoiding conflicts of interest and mandatory ethics training for public officials.
Additionally, I believe reforms are needed in campaign finance lobbying and financial disclosure laws. Stricter campaign finance laws should be adopted to limit the influence of money in politics alongside increased transparency regarding donations and political spending. Lobbying regulations should be strengthened to ensure full transparency with real-time disclosures of lobbying efforts and expenditures.
Lastly, expanding financial disclosure requirements for public officials would help prevent conflicts of interest and allow voters to make more informed decisions. These reforms would foster a more ethical and accountable government in North Carolina.
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?
JB: If elected I will push to repeal the public records custodian law passed earlier this year. Transparency is fundamental to a healthy democracy and the 2023 budget provision undermines that principle.
We must strengthen North Carolina’s public records laws and advocate for policies that ensure citizens have access to the information they deserve to have in a well-functioning democracy. This will serve to restore public trust in our officials make the government more accountable to the people and ensure that North Carolina remains a leader in open government practices.
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?
JB: Yes, I would support reforms to the authority and oversight of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Operations (Gov Ops) particularly concerning its power to conduct warrantless searches and seize documents. While it’s crucial to hold entities receiving public funds accountablem these powers must be balanced with robust protections for privacy civil liberties and due process rights.
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