Sept. 20, 2016

The Forum heard today from four candidates for re-election to legislative seats representing Mecklenburg districts. Two are unopposed on Nov. 8, and the challengers in the other two contests were not present. So the visits served chiefly as education for the voters in the room and online – and at one point as education for the candidates.

Joyce Waddell, the incumbent in Senate District 40, faces Republican Marguerite Cooke.

Beverly Earle, the incumbent in House District 101, faces Republican Justin Dunn.

Becky Carney, the incumbent in House District 102, is unopposed.

Carla Cunningham, the incumbent in House District 107, is unopposed.

Issues raised included redistricting, party discipline, House Bill 2, raising the age of majority to 18, where Democrats might pick up seats, whether Millennials are disaffected from both political parties, flat taxes, legislation allowing police to withhold body camera footage and ending solar tax credits.

The legislators expressed surprise at a question whose premise was that landlords can discriminate against low-income holders of Section 8 housing vouchers by declining to accept the vouchers.

The video below includes the four legislators’ presentations, beginning at minute 1:35, and an extended Q&A beginning at 12:01.