Richard Watkins

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Richard Watkins

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 17, 2022

Education

High school

Grimsley Senior High School

Bachelor's

Fayetteville State University, 2007

Ph.D

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Personal

Birthplace

Tyler, Texas

Religion

Methodist

Profession

Executive

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Richard Watkins (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent North Carolina's 4th Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on May 17, 2022.

Watkins also ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent North Carolina. He did not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on May 17, 2022.

Watkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Richard Watkins was born in Tyler, Texas. Watkins graduated from Grimsley Senior High School. He earned a B.S. in psychology from Fayetteville State University in 2007 and a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Watkins' career experience includes founding and working as the CEO of the Science Policy Action Network. Watkins has been associated with the Rotary Club of Raleigh and the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chapter of the NAACP.

Elections

U.S. House

See also: North Carolina's 4th Congressional District election, 2022

North Carolina's 4th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 17 Democratic primary)

North Carolina's 4th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 17 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 4

Valerie Foushee defeated Courtney Geels in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 4 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Valerie Foushee (D)	66.9	194,983
		Courtney Geels (R)	33.1	96,442

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 291,425
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Valerie Foushee	46.1	40,806
		Nida Allam	37.0	32,731
		Clay Aiken	7.4	6,529
		Ashley Ward	5.4	4,767
		Richard Watkins	1.3	1,155
		Crystal Cavalier	1.3	1,116
		Stephen J. Valentine	1.2	1,023
	Submit photo	Matt Grooms	0.5	435

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 88,562
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4

Courtney Geels defeated Robert Thomas in the Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Courtney Geels	64.5	19,645
		Robert Thomas	35.5	10,793

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 30,438
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• John Szoka (R)
• Rene Borghese (R)
• Nat Robertson (R)
• Craig Kinsey (R)
• Erik Fredsell (R)

U.S. Senate

See also: United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. Senate North Carolina

Ted Budd defeated Cheri Beasley, Shannon Bray, Matthew Hoh, and Michelle Lewis in the general election for U.S. Senate North Carolina on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ted Budd (R)	50.5	1,905,786
		Cheri Beasley (D)	47.3	1,784,049
		Shannon Bray (L)	1.4	51,640
		Matthew Hoh (G)	0.8	29,934
		Michelle Lewis (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	137
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	2,378

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,773,924
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Michele Parks (Independent)
• Marc White (Independent)
• Charles Roberson (Independent)
• Susan Gaddy (Independent)
• Brenda Rodriguez (Independent)
• Hayden Boyette (Independent)
• Barry Caulder (Independent)
• Kimrey Rhinehardt (Independent)
• Adrien Meadows (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate North Carolina

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate North Carolina on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cheri Beasley	81.1	501,766
		James Carr Jr.	3.5	21,903
		Alyssia Hammond	3.4	21,005
		Marcus Williams	2.8	17,446
		Constance Johnson	2.0	12,500
		Everette Newton	1.6	10,043
		Chrelle Booker	1.6	9,937
		Brendan K. Maginnis	1.1	7,044
		Robert Colon	1.1	6,904
		Greg Antoine	0.8	5,179
		Tobias LaGrone	0.8	5,048

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 618,775
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jenna Hamrick (D)
• Richard Watkins (D)
• Keith Davenport (D)
• Erica Smith (D)
• Jeff Jackson (D)
• Ava Edwards (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate North Carolina

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate North Carolina on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ted Budd	58.6	448,128
		Pat McCrory	24.6	188,135
		Mark Walker	9.2	70,486
		Marjorie K. Eastman	2.9	22,535
	Submit photo	David Flaherty	1.0	7,265
		Kenneth Harper Jr.	0.9	7,129
		Jennifer Banwart	0.4	3,088
	Submit photo	Charles Moss	0.4	2,920
		Leonard L. Bryant	0.4	2,906
		Benjamin Griffiths	0.4	2,870
		Debora Tshiovo	0.4	2,741
		Lee Brian	0.3	2,232
		Lichia Sibhatu	0.3	2,191
	Submit photo	Drew Bulecza	0.3	2,022

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 764,648
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Rene Borghese (R)
• James Gaghan (R)
• Carlton Ellerby (R)
• Marty Cooke (R)
• Jon Warren (R)
• Len McBride (R)

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Shannon Bray advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate North Carolina.

2018

See also: North Carolina's 4th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 4

Incumbent David Price defeated Steve Von Loor and Barbara Howe in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 4 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Price (D)	72.4	247,067
		Steve Von Loor (R)	24.0	82,052
		Barbara Howe (L)	3.6	12,284

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 341,403 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4

Incumbent David Price defeated Michelle Laws and Richard Watkins in the Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Price	77.1	52,203
		Michelle Laws	16.4	11,120
		Richard Watkins	6.5	4,391

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 67,714
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4

Steve Von Loor advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Steve Von Loor

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Lee Brian (R)

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4

Barbara Howe defeated Scerry Perry Whitlock in the Libertarian primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 4 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Howe	76.9	528
	Submit photo	Scerry Perry Whitlock	23.1	159

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 687
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

U.S. House

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Richard Watkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Watkins' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, and I earned my Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in Microbiology and Immunology with a specialty in Virology. My research focused on the factors that influence disease progression towards AIDS in HIV-infected patients. Prior to attending UNC, I earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Fayetteville State University (FSU). I played varsity football for FSU throughout my entire undergraduate experience.

I am the founder and CEO of The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), formed in 2014 to fill dangerous gaps between scientific advancement and stakeholders. SPAN envisions a scientific enterprise that grows and creates opportunities, binding its success with the prosperity of society as a whole. I used to be the former president of the UNC chapter of Sigma Xi, and I am the current Director of Club Administration for the Rotary Club of Raleigh. I also also serve on both the Religious Affairs Committee and the Health and Wellness Committee for the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chapter of the NAACP.

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?

• As a father, I am extraordinarily concerned with the future that my daughter will inherit. For far too long our government and elected leaders have put on the back burner the climate crisis, and in doing so jeopardize our collective futures. I will bring to D.C the passion and the understanding that if we act now, we can create opportunities out of chaos, but if we don’t act now, the consequences will be both severe and unavoidable.
• I understand that every life has value, and every life is precious regardless of which identity you hold, everyone has an opportunity to safety. An opportunity to live in a healthy society and to be healthy themselves, and to be afforded all of the opportunities available in this country. I come from a people who were slaves, and who still have found themselves in a lurch in so many areas across our country. That’s why in our district, I’m looking forward to being our first African American and millennial representative in a district that is so diverse and young as ours.
• We are in the Research Triangle Park; the research, scientific, and medical communities represent the very fabric of this district. Our district has one of the highest concentrations of researchers and physicians anywhere in the country. As a scientist, I know that science is our way of taking advantage of so many different opportunities to make people’s lives healthier, to extend people’s lives and to transform the economy in a way that works for everyone. But only if we invest in science, medicine and the infrastructure. This is why at a time where the stakes couldn’t be higher, I am the best person for this job. I am the best person for this district because I am the district and the district is me.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public health, education, and our capacity for innovation. Equity has to always be front in center in public policy.

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

Humility, compassion, and integrity.

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

To represent the interests of your constituency.

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

Out of our three branches of government, the House of Representatives is unique in that the members of Congress are elected by the people. The House and the Senate are direct consequences of direct democracy. The House is the only chamber by the people and for the people.

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

No.

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

The climate crisis. The climate crisis is the greatest single threat to national security, public safety, and the economy. The climate crisis is the greatest single threat to these things, period.

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

I would love to be a member of these committee's: the Science, Space, and Technology Committee; the Appropriations Committee; the Energy and Commerce Committee; the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis; the Select Committee on Fairness and Growth; the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.

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

Yes.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am a supporter of term limits. This is about representation and public service, this is not about being enthroned. We must remove ourselves from the idea that only those who are in power are the only ones who have great ideas. Having incumbents takes away from the idea of public service, and instead creates a culture of who has the most political clout. My proposed term limit for both houses of Congress is 12 years. 12 years in Congress and 12 years in the Senate. 24 years is more than enough time to make an impact. 6 terms in the House, two terms in Senate.

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

As much as I respect what AOC and Cori Bush represent, I want to be my own kind of representative.

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?

There was a story that I heard from a constituent on how he hated that people were not taking the pandemic seriously. This constituent has a respiratory condition that affects the way his lungs operate. He requires an oxygen tank to breathe, but the pandemic has seriously limited the amount of oxygen tanks that he receives on a periodic basis. It’s a miracle that he’s alive, given the number of oxygen tanks that have been limited due to the pandemic. His story showed me that we must take care of the problems that are currently going on in our society. The pandemic has brought these problems to the forefront, and we must make sure that folks have access to a living wage and affordable healthcare. If we don’t, things are going to get even worse for everyone.

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

Yes, but not on all things.

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?

You have to tax equitably across the board. You cannot create revenue without investment, and you cannot create revenue without equitable taxation. We need investments in health, education, healthcare, sciences.

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.

Campaign website

Watkins' campaign website stated the following:

“	Safety Addressing concerns and threats to personal, financial, and environmental security to protect you and your loved ones. Safety includes: Addressing the Climate crisis and ending environmental injustice: Reducing carbon emissions. We need to electrify everything and shift to 100% renewable resources Increasing carbon capture, this includes investing in capture technologies, preventing deforestation and planting trees Ensuring that everyone is guaranteed clean air, soil, and water Full support for the Green New Deal legislation Full support for the Paris Climate Agreement Cybersecurity Currently there is no federal standard for Cyber Security, we need to create one. This is a situation of national security. Provide incentives and resources to drive and support cybersecurity standards Create a public education campaign regarding cybersecurity Personal End the war on drugs which is a war on poor people. Eliminate the federal prohibition of both medical and recreational marijuana Eliminate qualified immunity as a mechanism to allow justice to be sought Address the over-reliance on law enforcement by shifting resources into public education, mental health services, and personnel, social workers, drug rehabilitation, and public schools Address gun violence to include Common sense gun reform which includes background checks on all gun sales, waiting periods, deterring illegal gun trafficking, and closing the Charleston loophole and the gun-show loophole. Holding the gun industry accountable by repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act Financial Universal Basic Income of at least $2000 per month without cutting any existing social programs Increase minimum wage to at least $15/hour Support for a wealth tax, and ensuring tax collection on individuals in the top .01% (~100,000,000/net worth) Health I have been studying viruses and creating the next generation of scientists and healthcare workers for a decade. Over the past year, COVID has revealed dangerous shortcomings in our nation’s healthcare system and scientific enterprise. We need Medicare for ALL and heavy investment in scientific research if we are to save and extend lives. Research: Increase federal investment in basic science research Increase investment in medical research Create and fund the US Department of Science Infrastructure: With a particular focus on rural communities, we must increase federal investments in medical and health care infrastructure Improved accessibility to healthcare services such as telehealth and mobile primary care providers Ensure that hospital facilities are equipped with the proper equipment, technologies, and personnel Workforce: Providing federal support to dramatically increase both the scientific and medical workforces Ensure better DEI practices within the medical and scientific workforce Medicare for all: A single-payer system that covers everyone, for all medically necessary services which includes dental, vision, hearing aids, mental health, and prescription drugs. Opportunity Creating jobs and providing quality education is essential because there is nothing more important than being able to provide for your family. Right now North Carolinians across the state are struggling to survive. I’m running to make sure that all North Carolina families thrive, starting right here in NC-06 I believe in mass investments in public education, increasing classroom resources, continuous education for teacher development. I advocate for: 1) Universal pre-K 2) Universal Community College and Trade Schools 3) Universal Public Colleges and Universities 4) Create a federal standard where all teachers make a minimum of $60,000 I advocate for mass investments in infrastructure which includes high-speed broadband, repairing our roads and bridges, water and sewer, especially for rural communities. I plan to create special incentives for companies to offer high-wage jobs for every North Carolinian. Housing: Increased investment in affordable housing The prevention of gentrification through the protection of historic neighborhoods and communities Jobs: Protecting and supporting American manufacturing Protecting and supporting unions Increased minimum wage to at least $15.00 per hour Creating new jobs and supporting new economic engines. Equity Eliminating inequities and accepting nothing less than a just society, so that everyone has the right to safety, health, and opportunity. Equity means: Medicare for All and Universal Basic Income Ensure that everyone is guaranteed clean air, soil and water Ensure food equity across this entire state Tuition-free colleges, and public universities as well as trade schools and Universal Pre-K Increasing income taxes on anyone earning over $20,000,000 Support for a wealth tax, and ensuring tax collection on individuals in the top .01% (~100,000,000/net worth) Solutions A better tomorrow cannot be achieved through conventional leadership. North Carolina Deserves bold action, bold policy, and bold leadership. It’s not enough to talk about these issues, it’s time for action. My experience as an educator, a scientist, and an entrepreneur makes me the right candidate to push for progressive policies. This includes the proper investments for advancement in the field of science, education, and medical research needed.	”
—Richard Watkins' campaign website (2022)

U.S. Senate

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Richard Watkins did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

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Candidate

U.S. Senate North Carolina

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Footnotes

[show]

North Carolina's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ted Budd (R)

Thom Tillis (R)

Representatives

District 1

Donald Davis (D)

District 2

Deborah Ross (D)

District 3

Gregory Murphy (R)

District 4

Valerie Foushee (D)

District 5

Virginia Foxx (R)

District 6

Addison McDowell (R)

District 7

David Rouzer (R)

District 8

Mark Harris (R)

District 9

Richard Hudson (R)

District 10

Pat Harrigan (R)

District 11

Chuck Edwards (R)

District 12

Alma Adams (D)

District 13

Brad Knott (R)

District 14

Timothy Moore (R)

Republican Party (12)

Democratic Party (4)