News

VOTER GUIDE: NC House District 117

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 20, 2024

Candidates for state House District 117 are incumbent Jennifer Capps Balkcom, a Republican, and Democratic challenger Steve Martinez.

Balkcom, 45, is a mortgage lender and manager of her family’s small business.  Before she was elected to the state House two years ago, she served on many community boards, including the Henderson County Planning Board. A seventh-generation native, she is the daughter of Kathy Ward and Ronnie Capps and stepdaughter of Dickie King. She and her husband have two boys. They live in Naples and worship at First Baptist Hendersonville.

Dr. Martinez, 68, a retired medical consultant, is married with grown children and grandchildren. Hobbies include music performance, being a motorcycle and classic car aficionado, quantum physics and related subjects.

Why are you running for the N.C. Legislature?

Balkcom: I would be honored for the opportunity to continue my service to the citizens of Henderson County in the General Assembly. For more than two decades, I’ve served in leadership positions, built partnerships, and worked closely with others to achieve positive outcomes for our community. And I believe that my long record of community service and public policy experience in the legislature will continue to serve our community well in Raleigh.

Martinez: I'm running for NC-117 to give a voice back to the people, instead of special interests groups and large money donors.

What are your highest priorities in the Legislature over the next two years?

Martinez: My priorities would include expanding health care, more funding for public education and hiring teachers, modifying the voucher program so money should go to people that need it, and not higher income earners, retain and keep intact farmland from development, and get rid of gerrymandering.

Balkcom: My first priority will always be the citizens of Henderson County and I will continue to provide our folks with the best constituent service that I can. As far as policy goes, Farmland preservation is very important to me. I know first-hand how important family farms are to our food production and our food security.

The Legislature has appropriated $794 million for private school vouchers since 2023. Do you support this spending? Why or why not?

Balkcom: Like the overwhelming majorities of likely voters in North Carolina, I support school choice, including public charter schools and private school vouchers. All children, regardless of their family’s income, should have access to the best possible education.

Martinez: I do not support so much money for voucher programs. The vast majority of these funds should be used for public schools since they are from taxpayers.

What should the Legislature do (if anything) to increase teacher pay?

Martinez: I believe that the money set aside for voucher programs should be used to increase teacher salaries and help offset the costs of the classroom. 

Balkcom: The legislature has consistently voted for teacher pay raises and I will support these continued efforts going forward.

Who do you support for N.C. governor and why?

Balkcom: As a conservative, I will be casting my vote for Mark Robinson.

Martinez: I support Josh Stein for governor, and the reasons are obvious. Josh is sane, stable, experienced, qualified, and reasonable, with no history of odd behavior and ridiculous remarks and views.

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