Tag: Cumberland County NC

To help voters learn which candidates are on their ballot and where they stand on important policy issues, The News & Observer is publishing candidate questionnaires in all state and federal races in North Carolina on the March 3, 2026, ballot.

Below are the candidates running for NC House District 43 who responded to our questionnaire, in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.

District 43 is in Cumberland County, next to Fort Bragg. It has two primary elections — both Democratic and Republican. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Diana Wheatley. Wheatley is being challenged by Clarence Goins Jr. Wheatley’s questionnaire answers are below. Goins did not respond.

In the Democratic primary, the two candidates are Janene Ackles and Ronald Pittman. Ackles’ responses are below. Pittman did not respond.

Janene Ackles

Age as of March 3, 2026: 55

Political party: Democratic

Campaign website: electackles@gmail.com

Current occupation: Business consultant

Professional experience: Nonprofit consultant/ grant writer

Education: Strayer University, AACS

Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Brought $925,000 to the city of Rocky Mount for infrastructure in less than 60 days, gave free grant writing services to 12 Cumberland County nonprofits which netted over $200,000 in funding to put on various programs across the city.

What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Economy — especially affordability. Families are struggling with rising housing, food, child care and utility costs while wages lag behind. I will fight for livable wages, worker protections and strong support for small businesses. My focus includes stabilizing housing costs, expanding affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, and investing in education, job training and reentry programs so our local economy works for everyone, not just those at the top.

The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? North Carolina should pay teachers in a way that reflects their value and keeps great educators in our classrooms. I support a competitive salary scale: $50,000–$55,000 starting, $60,000–$70,000 mid-career, and $75,000–$90,000 for 15–30+ years. This approach improves recruitment, rewards experience, boosts retention and ensures students benefit from stable, experienced teachers.

As of January, North Carolina was the last state not to have passed a new, comprehensive budget. What would you do to help make sure a budget passes? As a legislator, I would push for early, transparent negotiations and keep the focus on core needs like education, health care, and public safety. I would work across party lines, use public accountability to keep the process moving, and refuse to let political gridlock delay pay raises, services, and funding that families and communities rely on.

North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? North Carolina’s 3.99% income tax rate should be fair and support both families and essential services. Rather than cutting it further across the board, I support targeted relief for low- and middle-income taxpayers to ease cost-of-living pressures while ensuring we can fund quality public schools, health care, and infrastructure that benefit everyone. Broad tax cuts shouldn’t come at the expense of the services our communities depend on.

Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? No. Too much taxpayer money is being diverted to private school vouchers instead of strengthening public education. Meanwhile, Cumberland County continues to face serious infrastructure issues, including flooding and poor zoning decisions. Tax dollars should be used more efficiently by prioritizing public schools, safe infrastructure and responsible planning that benefits the whole community.

Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Yes, I support legalizing medical marijuana for pain management when prescribed and monitored by a licensed physician. It can provide relief for patients with chronic pain or serious medical conditions and offers a safer alternative to opioids when used responsibly under medical supervision.

What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? The biggest barrier to health care access in my district is distance, especially in eastern areas like Cedar Creek, where it can take 30 minutes or more to reach a hospital. Many residents lack transportation, making timely care difficult. I support establishing satellite or mobile clinics to bring essential health services directly to rural communities — because access to care can be the difference between life and death.

Diane Wheatley

Age as of March 3, 2026: 74

Political party: Republican

Campaign website: www.DianeWheatleyNC.com

Current occupation: Retired registered nurse/ business owner

Professional experience: Registered nurse, small business owner

Education: A.D. in nursing, continuing education in business administration and nursing

Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Past chair of Board of Education, past county commissioner, three terms in N.C. House, over 25 various boards and commissions and decades of service to the community.

What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Continuing to return funding for infrastructure, clean water, education, health care, public safety and lifestyle improvements. I will continue to partner with the mayors of the communities in my district to identify their needs and use my seniority and influence to provide grants and funding to meet those needs. I have returned over $5 million of tax dollars to our community in my first two terms.

The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? The current state contribution to teacher salary is $41,000 with adjustments for advanced degrees. That compares with $38,000-$42,000 in adjoining states. I would like to see it quickly increase to $50,000, keeping in mind that starting salaries are supplemented by additional funds from federal and local money. I would also like to see the cap on experienced teachers removed so that we can keep these skilled teachers and mentors in the classroom.

As of January, North Carolina was the last state not to have passed a new, comprehensive budget. What would you do to help make sure a budget passes? As a member of the House, I voted for a very good budget that included increases for teachers and state employees, among other things, while still cutting taxes and balancing the budget. As a fourth-term member of the House, I will have the seniority and influence to help bring about a workable compromise with the Senate to get a budget passed by both houses.

North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? Yes. Our low tax rate is a major reason for the growth of our economy. As long as the economy continues to grow, we should share that prosperity with our citizens by cutting their taxes.

Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? I think the growth in our economy and the increase in the rainy day fund despite the extraordinary challenges we have had to face recently speaks for itself. There will always be ways to do better and this Republican led legislature is constantly looking to improve every day.

Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? I became a registered nurse to help people who were sick and in need. I would never deny a patient a therapy that would legitimately help. If a truly medical form of marijuana was produced by a major pharmaceutical company, dispensed by a recognized licensed pharmacy, based on a medical physician prescription, I would support that. I cannot support a system based on so-called “dispensaries,” sold by nonmedical individuals and based on a mere recommendation.

What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Health care costs and health insurance premiums are too high. We have a shortage of both doctors and nurses, and we have lost too many rural health care facilities. I have supported the medical school and nursing programs teaming Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. This should increase our supply of health care professionals. I was lead sponsor of a bill to make better use of telehealth. I support expanding the health insurance market and a review of Certificates of Need.