SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Republican candidate Ted Davis hopes to keep his district 20 House seat in this year’s election. He is facing off against Democratic challenger Jon Berger.
READ MORE: What to expect when voting in NC during the 2024 election season
Davis is a former New Hanover County commissioner and 2024 Dogwood Award recipient — which honors people in North Carolina who keep people safe, healthy, and happy in their communities. He has served in the House since 2012.
He touts his time in office as focused on holding polluters accountable for PFAS contamination, supporting numerous local industries, such as in film and the nonprofit and tourism sectors, and pursuing appropriations in the favor of public safety. Davis 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.
Ted Davis: During the 2023 legislative session, I filed House Bill 864 to require a party to pay a public water system any actual and necessary costs incurred by that public water system to remove, correct, or abate any adverse effects upon the water supply resulting from PFAS contamination exceeding a permissible concentration limit for which that party is responsible. This would protect the rate payers for the affected public water system from having to pay such expenses. This would apply to Chemours as a responsible party and the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority as a public water system.
Although this bill received a favorable report in the House Environment Committee, of which I am a member, the bill did not proceed to the House floor for a vote. If I am re-elected, I will immediately file this legislation again at the beginning of the 2025 long legislative session and advocate for it to be passed into law. I am committed to protecting my community from pollution, ensuring that we have clean drinking water, and making those responsible for the pollution pay for the damage that they have done.
I have filed bills and worked diligently to obtain funding for local projects that will help people and benefit our area, such as the film industry; Good Shepherd Ministries; Food Bank; Wilmington Opioid Response Team; Fire Department Search and Rescue Team; Transportation Infrastructure Resiliency, Wrightsville Beach/Lower Cape Fear Utility Authority merger; Fort Fisher Historic Site; and Fort Fisher Aquarium. I will continue to file such bills and pursue such appropriations that have a positive impact on my district, as well as the rest of New Hanover County.
As the chairman of the senior Judiciary 1 Committee, a chairman of the Justice and Public Safety Appropriations Committee and a chairman of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety, I will continue to file bills and pursue appropriations to protect the law-abiding citizens of North Carolina from those who commit crimes and endanger our safety.
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?
TD: Out of control inflation is hurting the people of New Hanover County in many ways. The rising prices that we face every day at the grocery store and gas pump, as well as increased costs of other necessities of life, leave families with less money to pay mortgages or rent. We have got to get the reckless policies that have increased these costs out of the way so that we can get more money into the hands of the hard-working people of our local area, as well as the rest of North Carolina. I support helping to reduce regulatory barriers that keep us from providing more affordable housing in our communities. I support expanding incentives to encourage developers to build more affordable housing. I support more adaptive reuse of properties that have fallen into disrepair so that we can expand our housing inventory while maintaining current footprints as much as is possible. I am pro-business and support economic development that creates jobs with good paying wages so that people can afford to rent or buy a home.
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?
TD: I worked on 16 different budgets as a county commissioner that included funding for K-12 schools, as well as 15 different budgets as a member of the Cape Fear Community Board of Trustees, so I understand the importance of educational funding. Having raised 2 children, and now having school aged grandchildren, I also know it is critical that our children get a sound education and feel safe at school. Since being in the State House, I have voted for every budget that contained raises for our K-12 teachers, as well as subsidizing their health insurance and retirement. I have also voted for funding for school safety, as well as additional funding for the growing number of students in our public schools. I have previously obtained specific funding for Cape Fear Community College Marine Technology Program, Southeast Area Technical High School (SEA-Tech) expansion, and a 4th grade tutoring program. I believe that parents should have a choice in the education that their children receive in view of their particular needs and circumstances, so I support home schooling, charter schools and opportunity scholarships, alongside robust support for our traditional K-12 public schools. We can and must continue to do more for our teachers, school staff and students.
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?
TD: I am a member of the American Flood Coalition, which is a nonpartisan group advancing solutions to flooding and sea level rise. I was a primary sponsor for legislation entitled “An Act to Modify The Transportation Infrastructure Resiliency Fund Grant Program,” which authorized the Division of Emergency Management to administer a grant program using funds appropriated to the Transportation Infrastructure Resiliency Fund that allows State agencies, units of local government, metropolitan planning organizations, rural planning organizations, councils of government, and nonprofit corporations to apply for funds to ensure transportation resilience against natural disasters. $30,070,250 was appropriated in the budget from the State Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to establish a new program to provide grants for disaster relief, general mitigation, and transportation mitigation projects. We must be deliberate and mindful about these risks as we grow and develop. I support policies and funding that keep resiliency and sustainability in New Hanover County and across North Carolina. We must continue to invest in storm water and flood mitigation in our beach towns and beyond.
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?
TD: The recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has destroyed highways and bridges that will cost billions to repair or replace and take years to do so. In looking at future budgets, I would support using a portion of our “rainy day fund” towards these costs, as well as increasing the % of sales tax revenue to the highway fund to support transportation needs and improvements. I would also support asking for federal assistance. In addition, I would be receptive to other suggestions as to how we can acquire future funding sources, without having to raise taxes.
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?
TD: I served the people of New Hanover County as a county commissioner for 16 years and I am in my 12th year as a state representative. I know how local and state governments work, and I certainly understand and appreciate the importance of the balancing act between the state, counties and municipalities. In certain circumstances, local members of the legislature have a better knowledge of what needs to be done locally than members of the executive branch in Raleigh. I have a positive working relationship with New Hanover County, the City of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, having worked on various projects and legislation together. I support reducing overly burdensome state overreach, while ensuring that New Hanover County and the municipalities therein have the local ability to be responsive to the particular needs of their own citizens.
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?
TD: Since being in the State House, I have voted for an increase for the zero-tax bracket, which means that an individual presently making $25,500 or less pays no state income tax. I have also voted for decreases in our personal income tax rate, as well as an increase for the Child Tax Deduction. I am amenable to looking at other ways to reduce the tax burden experienced by our low-income residents, such as reinstating the Earned Income Tax Credit.
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?
TD: North Carolina was recognized the previous two years by CNBC as the nation’s best state for business and was barely edged out by Virginia this year. This is because of the business-friendly steps taken by the Republican majority in the legislature to reduce personal income taxes, reduce corporate income taxes, reduce franchise taxes, and eliminate burdensome and unnecessary regulations to start and maintain a business. Businesses are coming to North Carolina and existing businesses are expanding, creating more jobs with good wages for people. I absolutely do not agree with Oxfam’s assessment because North Carolina is the nation’s greatest state for both businesses and workers.
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.
TD: I fully support “polluters pay” legislation and state-level regulations for PFAS, the attornies previously stated, I have pursued, and will continue to pursue, legislation that will require a party to pay a public water system any actual and necessary costs incurred by that public water system to remove, correct, or abate any adverse effects upon the water supply resulting from PFAS contamination exceeding a permissible concentration limit for which that party is responsible. The polluters, rather than the rate payers, should be responsible for paying for such expenses. My actions show that I don’t just talk the talk, but I actually walk the walk. I am committed to protecting my community from pollution, ensuring that we have clean drinking water, and making those responsible for the pollution pay for the damage that they have done.
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.
TD: I did not vote for the legislation that changed the timeframe to get an abortion from 20 weeks to 12 weeks of pregnancy. I did not vote against that legislation because it prohibited the previously permitted practice of withholding necessary healthcare to babies born after an unsuccessful abortion — allowing them to die; and it required abortion clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, to be licensed and inspected to ensure safe and adequate medical treatment. This legislation was vetoed by the governor, and I voted to override that veto because I did not agree with his action. Abortions are still legal as set forth in this legislation and women still have a choice in North Carolina.
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?
TD: I believe that public officials should be transparent in their actions in order to ensure ethical behavior that prevents conflicts of interest or corruption, and I support legislation that would enhance protection for an accountable government. Personally, I am well known for looking at all sides of a particular issue and voting my conscience for what I honestly believe is in the best interest of the people that I represent. I am beholden to no person or organization other than the citizens of New Hanover County and the State of 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?
TD: This particular provision was included in the policy portion of the 2023 budget that was allowed to become law by the governor. Our state motto is “Esse Quam Videri”, which means “To Be, Rather Than To Seem.” It is absolutely imperative that members of the General Assembly be transparent to make sure that there is trust in our state government. I have nothing to hide, so I would be willing to revisit this legislation to ensure compliance with our public records law while protecting legislators from irrelevant, excessive, or overly burdensome requests for information.
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?
TD: Once again, this particular provision was included in the policy portion of the 2023 budget that was allowed to become law by the governor. In order to protect our taxpayers from malfeasance by any entity receiving public funds, that entity must be willing to be subject to good faith warrantless search and seizure of documents to make sure that they are not engaged in wrongful conduct.
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