North Carolina's 13th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 17 Democratic primary)

I am running because I love my country, the people in it and want to be a part of making decisions to help our nation.

I will try to promote laws that will benefit the largest majority of people, regardless of gender, race and party affiliation.

I will continue to fight for what is right with determination.

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Reclaim your voice. Reclaim our democracy

We need an economy that works for everyone.

We need police and criminal justice reform that treats everyone equally regardless of where they come, what they look like, or how much money they have.

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What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm a realist fighting to change the culture of politics.

I will have the most rational, realistic, honest, and transparent platform in the country, because I'm supposed to.

I'm running because our kids deserve limitless opportunity and a peaceful world in which to pursue it.

Because of my chosen profession, I have seen first hand many elderly and disabled people go without their medications because of the high pharmaceutical costs. No one should have to choose between eating and taking their medication. So affordable drug cost and affordable medical insurance is very important to me! I am also concerned with the plight of small business owners, small farmers and with the educational needs of our students. I invite you to visit my website jcb4nc.com for more information.

America’s democracy is under attack from authoritarian forces within our own borders. As an Air Force Veteran who served to protect and defend democracy, I cannot sit on the sideline to just watch the erosion of voting rights, which are fundamental to a functioning democracy. Congress must update The Voting Rights Act and outlaw gerrymandering whereby politicians are manipulating district boundaries, picking their own voters, and making their districts so safe for re-election that they are virtually unaccountable to voters. Congress must pass campaign finance legislation to undo the disastrous Citizens United ruling, which allows corporations and billionaires to use anonymous campaign dollars (“dark money”) to drown out the voice of average voters.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

As a teacher and a father of young children, I am obviously passionate about education. As a person who realizes my time on this Earth is but a blip in the annals of history, I would like to be a part of the generation that decides that if we are doing something harmful to the planet, we should make every effort to stop doing that. I don't want to leave my children a mess to clean up. I think the issue that bothers me the most on that topic is the vast overuse of plastics. Finally, I find dozens of other issues interesting simply because I'm excited to see what might happen to them when our representatives decide that the American people can be trusted with honest debate that doesn't result in bullying, misinformation, half-truths, propaganda, and indecency. Whether we're talking about the potential insolvency of our entitlement programs or immigration or prison reform or universal healthcare, they're all interesting and important topics that need civil, honest, fair representatives debating solutions that benefit the majority of Americans. I invite you to please visit my website at dentonleenc.com to see my thoughts on every major issue we face. My website is as transparent and complete as any you will ever find, because I wanted anyone who wanted to know anything about me to be able to go there and find out exactly who I am.

I have been blessed to have quite a few wonderful role models in my life. If I can only choose one, it will have to be my mother. She is intelligent, kind, compassionate and has dedicated over 36 years of her life to teaching. I want to continue to follow her example of serving the people.

I look up to my wife. Who is the most kind and patient person I know.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I don't know that I have any famous or historical figures that I look up to. I do, however, look up to everyday people who face extraordinary challenges but do so with grace and positivity and humility. For instance, one of our best couple friends has a son with cerebral palsy, and to watch them deal with that challenge every day is inspiring to me in ways that are hard to fully explain. They don't want pity for their challenges or for their son, they just seem to want to be and do better today than they did yesterday, to be as normal as possible, and they want him to be as loved and accepted as is possible. They don't seem to want or expect any special treatment or attention either. I've often found myself in awe of their contentment - and their commitment - over the years. Other than people like that, there is one man who I think about every single day that I do not want to disappoint. That man is the vision of who I think I should be, because I spent a lot of years being embarrassed by the real me. I have been sober (double cold turkey of alcohol and tobacco) for over four years now after nearly two decades of progressively worsening alcoholism, and I spend time every single day thinking about who I am and how I can be better today than I was yesterday. So I look up to the man I expect myself to be because I failed in doing that for many years.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I'd recommend watching the West Wing. It's one of my favorites.

I believe that the most important principle for an elected official is honesty. There are many others as well. These include respectfulness, creativity, tolerance, decency, compromise, good listening and communication skills. The elected official represents the people, not the party.

Integrity, a sense of service, and a willingness to always do their best.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honesty is number one. Always. You can number the rest any way you like. They are: transparency, compromise, civility, decency, creativity, open-mindedness, listening, respectfulness, communication, tolerance, and persistence. In principle, an elected official does NOT represent their political party. They represent the people that trusted them to lead. They also do not represent only those citizens who belong to their political party. They represent ALL of them and should consider every side to every issue, because I guarantee you every side exists within their constituency.

I am honest, caring and compassionate. I can admit if I do not know something. If I am wrong, i will admit that I am wrong. I love people and love serving them to make their lives better. I like to research the issues to find the best solution possible.

I believe in the values of integrity first, service before self, and stiving for excellence in all that I do. These are the core values of the U.S. Air Force and they are values that I try to live each day.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe I'm the most unique candidate in the nation simply because I could care less about political parties. Yes, I joined one so that I could compete (there is no other option if you want to compete,) but I ran for state legislature last year as an unaffiliated candidate because I believe political parties have left at least 40% of the population behind. The political middle has no home. But the unique thing about the political middle is that we have a knack for going out of our way to understand whatever side(s) of whatever argument we might disagree with. Disagreeing with something doesn't mean you can't understand it and try to compromise with it. That's who I am as a candidate. I'm also very creative, I think outside-the-box with much more excitement than I do inside-the-box, I go out of my way to understand and respect stances I may not fully grasp, I admit I'm wrong when I'm wrong, I admit I don't know when I don't know, and I have always had a gift of communication. My jokes might not land sometimes, I often wear my heart on my sleeve, and I can be awkward at times, but I've learned to appreciate who I am, and that comfort level gives me the confidence to know I am the kind of representative the people of North Carolina need in Washington.

What legacy would you like to leave?

To represent the people in their district and to make decisions in their best interest and in the best interest of the nation.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I'm less worried about a legacy and more worried about solving the immediate issues facing our country. Our democracy is under attack and we must protect it.

the first historical event that I remember was the fall of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was only eight at the time and too young at the time to appreciate the magnitude of the event, but I do remember my father and the other adults in my life talking about the event with great optimism about the future of the expansion of democracy world wide.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was at home sick with bronchitis at nine years old, and I was sitting on the floor in front of the television watching a shuttle launch. My mom was in the kitchen, and I remember like it was yesterday saying, "Mama, the shuttle blew up." It was the Challenger, of course, and it was most definitely the first major memory I have of a major historical event.

When I was in High School I worked three jobs. I was a cashier at Office Depot, I also worked at a rock climbing gym owned by a small business owner. Unfortunately, he was unable to keep his business open. I saw first hand the struggles of a small business owner. Additionally I sold Cutco knives as a direct salesman.

What is your favorite book? Why?

When I was 14, I started working summers and Christmas vacations at a plant nursery, mostly taking small one gallon plants and repotting them into two and three gallons pots to encourage their continued growth. I also put out pine straw, covered plants in the winter before frosts, and loaded trucks after larger plant sales. I did that for two years until I got my first job picking golf balls off of the driving range at a golf course. Over the next five years, through both high school and college, I worked at golf courses in a variety of positions, from washing carts and picking the driving range to working in the golf shop.

A Christmas Carol. This is a story of change and redemption. I love its message.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

My favorite book would probably be "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving. It's a strange book in that the two other people in my life that I've had conversations with about the book had totally different impressions of what its major themes or lessons might be. But that also means it's a deep, meaningful book. To me, it was important for me to fall in love with an almost unlikeable character, but he wasn't unlikeable because of anything he could control, and it taught me so much about people. The title character, Owen, is quite simply what most would consider "different." He's tiny with a high-pitched voice and he has a strange and often absent sense of humor, and his behavior in social situations is sometimes cringeworthy, but something about him just makes you fall in love with him and root for him. I've thought about that book many times in my life, and it has always led me to view people the way I think we all should. We're all different, we're all a little weird, we all do stupid stuff, we all make mistakes, we all have something ugly about us, and we all have our embarrassments. But we're all still beautiful in some way. And we're all equal and worthy of our fellow man's respect, always.

Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Baby shark. I have my children to thank for that.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

The U.S. House can be an institution that truly represents all people.

While having previous experience in government or politics is undoubtedly helpful, it also can be beneficial to have new people from all aspects of life/professions incorporated in the group. All people should be represented and having a varied group will help ensure this.

No, Our founding fathers had no experience in government and they helped birth a great nation. The whole point of a democracy is that people are self governed.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

This is one of those questions that you could answer a hundred different ways. Experience is absolutely beneficial in almost every aspect of American life, but politics are one area where that experience can begin to taint the person that began their service for all the right reasons. But when you have a good, fresh mix of old and new, you get a group of people who can bring creative innovation and new perspectives to a group of people with the experience to know what to do with those new ideas. I do not like what has become of leadership on either side, especially the side that offers nothing but a desire to stop the other side from doing anything, even if the restriction is done in a less than ethical manner. It's one reason I believe so strongly in term limits. When people have been in Washington 30+ years, they can say they understand the common man all they want. It doesn't make it true. Twenty years in Washington is long enough for anybody. Public office is a public service, but it's one that comes with far too much power. We have to restrict the time they are allowed to wield it.

I feel that the greatest challenge for the US over the next decade is to bring us back together as a nation. There has become too great a divide between us due to politics. It is fine to disagree on who is the best leader, but it should never tear apart families , friendships and our great nation. If we can't pull it together, how can we hope to stand united against any foe that should try to attack us.

Our democracy is under attack! Our greatest challenge will be to combat misinformation, racism, and to rebuild faith in the institutions of our democracy. We must protect our democracy. We need leaders who will put the needs of the nation over the their own political ambitions. If we can build a democracy that works for people there is no problem that we cannot solve. We can tackle climate change, healthcare schools, and create a healthy economy that works for everyone.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

This is the easiest question on this questionnaire. The greatest challenges are self-inflicted. I think most Americans would be stunned at the renewed strength, energy, and unity of our country if our elected officials simply decided that lies, misinformation, dissension, and propaganda no longer had a place in American politics. If politicians decided to lead with tolerance and harmony instead of partisanship and animosity, it is difficult to make a rational argument that we would not be in a better place or not be set up for a more civil future. It has been proven beyond any logical dispute that Americans follow the examples set by our leaders, and that means that there will be a toxic "us versus them" element to American politics for what will probably be the rest of time.

And as much as I try to defend the media's right to cover whatever stories they want to cover, I often wish they would recognize those figures who just want attention and fame but offer no substance other than the ability to make headlines, and once they've been pinpointed, I wish the media would just stop covering them. It would also certainly help if we had more media that chose to cover both sides of our issues, as well as the forgotten middle.

And yes, I'm well aware that I did not mention a single outside challenge that the US faces over the next decade. I don't think any outside challenge has a prayer of destroying the United States if we face those challenges together, and in a country of over 300 million people, you are NOT going to get your way even half the time. You in fact may NEVER get your way if your way is extreme. It will require some kind of concessions and compromise and a little give-and-take, but that's required of all of us to live in a country like this that guarantees as much freedom as we are guaranteed.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Appropriations

Armed Services Budget Education and Labor Energy and Commerce Foreign Affairs Oversight and Reform Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Veterans’ Affairs

Ways and Means

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Yes

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I believe in term limits. I would support a constitutional amendment that limits Senators to two terms and members of the House to four consecutive terms and six terms total.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I've been knocking doors every day in the district. I have heard several stories. Ones story that I cannot forget was from a former Marine who as a Black man had been accosted by police officers on three separate occasions in three separate jurisdictions. Systemic racism is very real, to overcome these issues we, as a nation, must admit the problem and face it head on. We need funding, training, screening, and accountability in all law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

I do believe that compromise is necessary and desirable in policymaking. We need to be able to see problems/issues from all sides and calmly present our cases and come to the best decision for the greatest majority of the people.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

Yes we most compromise and work with all points of view; but we cannot integrity, honesty, common since, and values.

Currently in the U.S. large corporations are getting away with paying little or nothing in taxes. Some are even paying negative taxes. Corporations must pay their fair share. The House must draft a fair tax bill that balances the budget and forces corporations to pay their fair share in taxes.