North Carolina State Senate District 13 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in North Carolina, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for North Carolina State Senate District 13 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for North Carolina State Senate District 13

Lisa Grafstein defeated David Bankert and Michael Munger in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 13 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lisa Grafstein (D)	62.3	50,937
		David Bankert (R)	34.3	28,001
		Michael Munger (L)	3.4	2,769

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 81,707
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

David Bankert (R)

I will lead and I will bring people together.

The Constitution was put in place to protect us from our federal government, yet among many other things, the minds and very lives of innocents are under attack. Generally this means children as generally the younger you are the more innocent you are. Of late however, innocents of all ages are being lead to the slaughter. Many things are weaponized and aligned against us in ways we do not even know. Government at the state level needs to enact legislation to truly protect us.

Most if not all specific issues we have these days arises out of things "handed down" from on top that disrupt our lives and take away our freedoms. We need to get back to basics, come together and get these monkeys off our backs. Come together, save our country, our society first and we can solve all else from that point moving forward.

Lisa Grafstein (D)

Economic Justice and Workers' Rights

Healthcare and Reproductive Freedom

Voting Rights

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

David Bankert (R)

I have a son with a severe mental illness. I am viscerally connected to the issue of mental health.

I was adopted. In this day and age I wouldn't be here. As hard as my life has been with a lot of things, I love my life and I am glad I'm here. I infinitely favor adoption over abortion.

First Amendment Protection / Truth in Media

Election Integrity - a must. It's what stands between peace and something else. If there were ever a "threat to our democracy" - election fraud and voter fraud take first and second place!

Lisa Grafstein (D)

I am especially passionate about advocating on behalf of people with disabilities. As a civil rights and disability lawyer, I have made it my focus to litigates cases to enforce the rights of people with disabilities to live and work free from discrimination. She has represented people facing employment discrimination, voting rights violations, disability discrimination by public agencies, denial of access to public accommodations, and constitutional rights violations.

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

David Bankert (R)

My parents. Though they have gone home now, I always looked up to them. They were good, salt of the Earth people. Other than the time my dad found me lighting packs of matches on the back porch and took a belt to me and the time I got caught lying and had my mouth washed out with soap and stood in the corner one time, my parents taught by example. If I was engaged in some wrongdoing of some kind or another she had this look and would say to me "oh for shame!". The look and the shame taught me all I needed to know.

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

David Bankert (R)

The Postman Always Rings Twice with the notion that you must do the right thing. If you don't - it will come back to bite.

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

David Bankert (R)

Critical thinking. Being stalwart. Putting "The People" first in all decisions. Getting along with people - for the most part. And last but not least creativity.

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

David Bankert (R)

In a word I would say I am stalwart. Then smart and creative. I am a patient person. I have a good sense of humor. I have a youthful nature still with a good measure of youthful idealism now guided and with temperance.

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

David Bankert (R)

To put in place policies and law that maximize life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all the people and that underpin and bolster robust economies. To contribute to / help bring about the best health possible - physical, mental, spiritual and last but not least financial for all citizens.

What legacy would you like to leave?

David Bankert (R)

That I moved and inspired people. That I was instrumental in helping move the ball inside the 10 yard line in support of mental health and it's treatment.

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

David Bankert (R)

The JFK assassination. I was seven.

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

David Bankert (R)

Other than when I was young shoveling snow and mowing grass ... my very first real job was working labor in a brick mill. I unloaded literally tons of brick from the hot end of the kilns at the plant. On a hot day it would reach 140 F.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

David Bankert (R)

Captain Blood in the 1935 film starring Errol Flynn as the symbol of "the unvanquished man" - a great movie

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

David Bankert (R)

My son's mental illness. Schizophrenia. You have no idea unless you have lived it.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

David Bankert (R)

Upright and balanced with both considering the people first.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

David Bankert (R)

To enhance protection from the federal government and to keep our state from being further infiltrated by radical leftists and their destructive agenda.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

David Bankert (R)

I would need to study this more in detail. It is not on my radar and hypothetical for me at this juncture.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

David Bankert (R)

Marginally perhaps so far as day-to-day functioning - otherwise - no. Much other experience can be way more important. For the most part, age and experience dealing with people portend wisdom so life experience itself can be most beneficial.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

David Bankert (R)

Absolutely. We are all human beings. Listening to the thoughts and feeling of others is of paramount importance. Everyone has a story. Everyone has something to say.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

David Bankert (R)

Independent

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

David Bankert (R)

Technology, finance.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

David Bankert (R)

no

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

David Bankert (R)

maybe

Both sitting legislators 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?

David Bankert (R)

There are so many stories I wouldn't know where to start. People say I am very easy to talk to. I integrate everything everyone has to say into my thinking. So many touching - all impactful. A few memorable - where do I start?

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

David Bankert (R)

absolutely

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

David Bankert (R)

Compromise is tricky. Yes, sometimes, I do think compromise is necessary. Creative solutions, however and for the most part, preclude necessity and therefore desire.

See also

More about these elections:

• North Carolina State Senate elections, 2022

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