During this election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro spoke with candidates for local races representing Orange County. Each answered the same set of questions regarding their decision to run for elected office, their background in the community and what they wish for residents to think of when voting this fall. Their answers (lightly edited for clarity and brevity) are shared here, as well as links to their respective campaign websites or pages. If a candidate did not respond or chose not to speak with 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro, it will be designated with no audio. The order of candidates below is in the alphabetical order of their last names.
Orange County is represented by two districts in the North Carolina House: District 56, which covers the southeastern corner with Chapel Hill and Carrboro; and District 50, which covers the rest and all of Caswell County.
Neither seats saw primary election challenges in the spring, with one not drawing a Republican candidate. That means Democratic Rep. Renée Price will again claim victory for a two-year term, while District 56 sees between Democratic incumbent Allen Buansi and Republican candidate Jeffrey Hoagland.
All three candidates visited 97.9 The Hill’s studios to answer this series of questions:
Why were you inspired to run for this position? What do you believe is the top challenge North Carolina is facing as a state that we’re also seeing reflected locally? What is one achievement you’re proud of / that you support in the past two years of the General Assembly’s work, and what is one you disagree with? How do you plan to represent your district’s community and try to reflect their values in a legislature that is often divided along party lines? When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of?
NC House District 50 Renée Price (D)
Photo via the Renée Price Campaign.
https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/LOCAL%20ELECTION%20COVERAGE/NC%20HOUSE/Renee%20Price%20NC%20H50%20CI%20--%20FINAL.mp3
NC House District 56 Allen Buansi (D)
Photo via Allen Buansi for NC.
https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/LOCAL%20ELECTION%20COVERAGE/NC%20HOUSE/ALLEN%20BUANSI%20NC%20HOUSE%2056%20--%20FINAL.mp3
Jeffrey Hoagland (R)
https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/LOCAL%20ELECTION%20COVERAGE/NC%20HOUSE/JEFFREY%20HOAGLAND%20NC%20HOUSE%2056%20--%20FINAL.mp3
Early voting in the local and statewide elections for the 2024 general cycle begins on Thursday, Oct. 17 in North Carolina. Election Day is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5.
More of the 2024 Candidate Introductions for local elections can be found on Chapelboro’s Local Elections page .
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