North Carolina State Senate District 39 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 39 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for North Carolina State Senate District 39

Incumbent DeAndrea Salvador defeated Mark Robeson in the general election for North Carolina State Senate District 39 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		DeAndrea Salvador (D)	63.9	47,284
		Mark Robeson (R)	36.1	26,760

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 74,044
= 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?

Mark Robeson (R)

WE must address the spiraling violent crime rate. Charlotte is the 6th worst city in the United States for human trafficking and that needs to end now. We need to Empower Police while hiring the best of the best in law enforcement.

WE must address the Education gap in North Carolina as well as bringing our educators back to teaching rather than preaching. The vast majority of new jobs require more than a high school diploma—something that less than half of North Carolinians ages 25-44 currently have.

WE must send legislators to Raleigh who represent the people of their districts rather than their own political agendas and passions. Over 20% of North Carolina's annual tax revenue comes from Mecklenburg County, just one of 100 counties. Yet we are not seeing much of that return to our county in the state budget. We NEED actual representation in the state capitol.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Mark Robeson (R)

Crime

Education Budget parity Energy Independence Checks and Balances in government

Microfinance programs to help those on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder in our state help themselves with small business loans

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Ronald Reagan. He spoke at my graduation from The Citadel in 1993 and gave me my diploma. I admire the incredible achievements during his 8 years as President but truly it was his unbridled optimism and the way he made us as Americans believe in ourselves again that is the example I wish to follow more than anything else.

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

Mark Robeson (R)

The Bible expounds on my personal philosophy as well as the belief that our nation was founded on Judeo Christian values and therefore is my political philosophy. In a larger sense, our Declaration of Independence is the document that explains that government is of, for and by the people and that its only job is to protect the rights that God ALREADY granted to us and so we can exercise freewill according to the Bible.

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Honor, Duty, Respect

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Honesty in all affairs and empathy for those who need help. Loving everyone as God's children and getting work done that benefits all the people of North Carolina. High level of efficiency and staying on topic and getting things done. Prioritizing matters. Ability to find common ground with everyone no matter background or political persuasion. Infectious enthusiasm.

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Understanding the job description explicitly and carrying it out with honesty and in the best interest of the people that legislator represents.

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Roxanne by The Police

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Ideally where there is not only mutual respect but also an obsessive observance of the checks and balances system of our government. Neither has more power than the other. Despotism is the default form of government throughout the centuries and therefore we have to stay forever vigilant to make sure that doesn't happen.

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Dealing with overwhelming population growth. We are such an amazing state that everyone wants to live here! We must have an education system that addresses all North Carolinians and give parents the power over what their children learn rather than bureaucrats. We have to remember that government is in place to serve the people, not the other way around. As the population explodes we need legislators who have business acumen so that more businesses will move here-and stay here- with great jobs for our citizens.

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

Mark Robeson (R)

I don't like that form of government because of a lack of checks/balances, but I am sure things get done faster than in a bicameral state legislature.

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

Mark Robeson (R)

No. Citizen legislators are the key to our constitutional republic.

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

Mark Robeson (R)

It's imperative. Relationships are what energize out of the box thinking and creativity so that legislation can be written to ensure better lives for all. Getting along with each other and loving our neighbors is the key to success (and happiness).

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Mark Robeson (R)

Following the NC Constitution and having it done by the General Assembly.

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Appropriations, Commerce, Education, Public Safety

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Yes

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

Mark Robeson (R)

Yes. Up until the point where you are compromising your moral principles- that is where it stops.

See also

More about these elections:

• North Carolina State Senate elections, 2022

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