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NC Voter Coalition

North Carolina

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Semone earner her bachelor's degree in business, management, marketing, and related support services from Avila University. She has previously served as chairwoman of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission. She is also the founder of the non-profit BrighterStill.

Semone currently works as a real estate broker for Coldwell Banker. 

Semone Pemberton's campaign for State Senator for North Carolina Senate District 19 is her first run for public office.

Supports investing in infrastructure to create jobs, attract businesses, and boost long-term economic growth in Fayetteville.

Supports investing in infrastructure to enhance transportation, modernize utilities, and create a business-friendly environment.

Supports upgrading and expanding critical infrastructure to attract investment and create job opportunities.

Believes investing in infrastructure boosts economic growth and enhances residents' quality of life. Supports improved transportation, modernized utilities, and access to advanced technology for safer, more efficient, and sustainable communities.

Believes investing in infrastructure enhances residents' quality of life through enhanced transportation networks and modern utilities.

Believes in investing in infrastructure to support technological advancements, including expanding broadband access and upgrading telecommunications networks.

Supports expanding broadband access, upgrading telecommunications networks, and implementing "smart city" initiatives.

- Supports investing in infrastructure to create jobs, attract businesses, and boost long-term economic growth in Fayetteville.
- Believes investing in infrastructure enhances residents' quality of life through enhanced transportation networks and modern utilities.
- Supports expanding broadband access, upgrading telecommunications networks, and implementing "smart city" initiatives.

Economy

As of June 14, 2024, Semone Pemberton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Supports police reforms to enhance accountability, transparency, and community trust, including body-worn cameras, civilian oversight boards, and stronger use-of-force policies.

Supports police reforms to enhance accountability, transparency, and community trust, such as body-worn cameras, civilian oversight boards, and stronger use-of-force policies.

Believes adequate resources for law enforcement are essential to effectively prevent crime and ensure community safety. Supports ensuring police departments have necessary funding, equipment, and personnel.

Plans to ensure police departments have necessary funding, equipment, and personnel.

Plans to facilitate dialogue between law enforcement, community leaders, and residents to develop tailored crime prevention strategies. Believes in fostering partnerships and open communication for effective crime resolution.

Plans to facilitate dialogue between law enforcement, community leaders, and residents to develop tailored crime prevention strategies. 

Believes in addressing public safety by tackling systemic issues like poverty, homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse through targeted interventions and investments in social services, education, and economic development.

Plans to address underlying issues that contribute to crime like poverty, homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse through investments in social services, education, and economic development.

Supports investing in comprehensive training programs for officers, including de-escalation, cultural competency, and crisis intervention, to handle diverse situations professionally and ethically.

Supports investing in comprehensive training programs for officers, including de-escalation techniques, cultural competency training, and crisis intervention training, to handle various situations.

Believes ensuring neighborhood safety requires "adequate funding for our police departments" and meaningful reforms to promote accountability and trust. Plans to advocate for a multifaceted approach to public safety.

Believes in "standing with law enforcement" to ensure public safety.

Supports "increased funding for police departments" to enhance public safety.

- Supports police reforms to enhance accountability, transparency, and community trust, such as body-worn cameras, civilian oversight boards, and stronger use-of-force policies.
- Plans to ensure police departments have necessary funding, equipment, and personnel.
- Plans to facilitate dialogue between law enforcement, community leaders, and residents to develop tailored crime prevention strategies. 
- Plans to address underlying issues that contribute to crime like poverty, homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse through investments in social services, education, and economic development.
- Supports investing in comprehensive training programs for officers, including de-escalation techniques, cultural competency training, and crisis intervention training, to handle various situations.

Public Safety

Believes investing in teachers and improving their work environment attracts top talent and ensures students receive quality education.

Supports increasing teacher pay and improving their work environment.

Believes in the power of vocational training and apprenticeships to equip students with valuable skills and hands-on experience. Supports investing in vocational education to prepare the workforce for future jobs and strengthen the economy.

Supports investing in alternative education programs, such as vocational training and apprenticeships.

Believes parents should have the freedom to choose the best educational environment for their children, whether it's public, private, charter, magnet, or homeschooling.

Supports "school choice," whether public, private, charter, magnet, or homeschooling.

Supports expanding alternative education programs for children, college, and K-12 school policies.

Believes investing in education is crucial for North Carolina's future, focusing on children, college, and K-12 school policies.

- Supports increasing teacher pay and improving their work environment.
- Supports investing in alternative education programs, such as vocational training and apprenticeships.
- Supports "school choice," whether public, private, charter, magnet, or homeschooling.

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Semone Pemberton

Semone Pemberton was born into a military family, which instilled in her the values of service and dedication from an early age. She has been a resident of Fayetteville since 1995, having returned there in 2015 after a stint in corporate leadership. Details about her educational background, church affiliation, and family life are not provided in the information given.

Semone Pemberton is a REALTOR® with a history of corporate leadership experience. She has served as the Chairwoman of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission. Her professional journey includes a focus on community service and engagement.

M. Semone Pemberton has officially declared her candidacy for NC Senate in Fayetteville’s District 19 as of December 5, 2023. She has served as Chairwoman of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission. There is no mention of her holding any previous political office or her involvement in other committees or appointments.

Believes in "investing in infrastructure for economic growth." Supports policies addressing labor issues, trade, taxes, small business, and regulation to boost the economy.

Believes addressing public safety is a critical issue for the Fayetteville community.

Believes in the transformative power of education and is committed to leveling the playing field for all. Supports offering free mini-courses to empower individuals with essential life skills.

Believes education is essential for personal success, stronger communities, and a thriving economy.

The candidate's website says, "This short video provides an overview of School Choice, explains the fundamentals of what it is, how it works, and the benefits."

The candidate's website says, "Former Democrat NC Senator and member of the UNC Board of Governors, Joel Ford, explains why he supports School Choice."

Believes education is crucial for the state's future prosperity. Supports initiatives that prioritize education.

Ballotpedia, Steven Swinton

As of June 22, 2024, Steven Swinton did not have a website or publicly available contact information in order for us to send them our questionnaire.

Steven Swinton's campaign for State Senate representing District 19 is his first run for public office. 

As of June 14, 2024, Steven Swinton did not have a website.

Steven Swinton

As of June 20, 2024, Steven Swinton did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Steven Swinton's campaign for State Senate representing District 19 is his first run at public office. 

As of June 14, 2024, Steven Swinton did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

As of June 22, 2024, Steven Swinton did not have a website.

The News & Observer, Val Applewhite, candidate for NC Senate District 19

Ballotpedia, Val Applewhite

Val earned her bachelor's degree in business administration and her master's degree in political science.

Val is as a real estate agent. She previously served in the U.S. Air Force.

Val Applewhite currently serves as State Senator for North Carolina State Senate District 19. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. She previously served 3 terms as a member of the Fayetteville City Council.

As of June 14, 2024, Val Applewhite’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "Too many people still don't have access to healthcare and those who do are paying too much to see a doctor."

Supports the legalization of medical marijuana in North Carolina.

- Said, "Too many people still don't have access to healthcare and those who do are paying too much to see a doctor."
- Supports Medicaid expansion.
- Supports abortion access.
- Supports the legalization of medical marijuana in North Carolina.

Candidate website

Supports increased funding for schools and believes teachers are underpaid.

Believes schools are underfunded and teachers are underpaid.

- Believes schools are underfunded and teachers are underpaid.

Val Applewhite

As of July 8, 2024, Val Applewhite’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes too many families are struggling financially and that teachers are underpaid. Said, "too many people still don't have access to healthcare and those who do are paying too much to see a doctor."

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the North Carolina Senate. The North Carolina Senate is the upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- The State Senator is elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.

North Carolina State Senator, District 19

Candidates (3)

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