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.
North Carolina’s fourth congressional district was held for decades by Democratic Rep. David Price before his retirement in 2022. The boundaries shift and change in most redistricting efforts by the state government, but Orange County and Durham County have always been anchors of the district. In its current makeup, District 4 also includes northeastern Chatham County and western Wake County.
This spring, Democrat and freshman Rep. Valerie Foushee faced no primary challenges and is looking for a second term in Congress after many years as a state legislator and local elected official. Republican candidate, technology executive and New Hill native Eric Blankenburg won a primary race against Max Ganorkar to face off against Foushee in the general election — along with Guy Meilleur, the Libertarian candidate from Durham. Both Meilleur and Blankenburg are seeking their first elected office positions.
97.9 The Hill reached out to each candidate in the race to ask the following questions:
- Why were you inspired to join this race/run for re-election?
- What are the top three issues you’re basing your campaign on this year?
- What is one achievement you’re proud of in the last two years of Congressional sessions and what is one thing you wish the legislature would have done differently?
- How do you plan to reflect your district’s community and values?
- When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of?
U.S. House of Representatives – North Carolina District 4
Photo via Eric Blankenburg for Congress.
Blankenburg did not respond to 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro’s requests to participate in the questionnaire.
Photo via Foushee for Congress.
Photo via FreeNC.
Meilleur did not respond to 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro’s requests to participate in the questionnaire.
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.
Featured photo via AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite.
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