Samuel Edney
Samuel Edney (Democratic Party) ran for election to the North Carolina House of Representatives to represent District 113. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Elections
2020
See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 113
Incumbent Jake Johnson defeated Samuel Edney in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 113 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jake Johnson (R) | 59.6 | 30,367 |
 | Samuel Edney (D) | 40.4 | 20,596 | |
| Total votes: 50,963 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Samuel Edney advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 113.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jake Johnson advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 113.
Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 113
Incumbent Cody Henson defeated Samuel Edney in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 113 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Cody Henson (R) | 57.5 | 22,407 |
| Samuel Edney (D) | 42.5 | 16,551 | |
| Total votes: 38,958 (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 North Carolina House of Representatives District 113
Samuel Edney advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 113 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Samuel Edney |
| ||||
| = 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 North Carolina House of Representatives District 113
Incumbent Cody Henson advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 113 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Cody Henson |
| ||||
| = 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
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Samuel Edney did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Samuel Edney completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Edney's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Ending Partisan Gerrymandering Healthcare Public Education
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Education. Because of great school teachers I escaped the poverty I grew up in. Per pupil funding for K-12 education is below where it was 10 years ago, it is $2400 per pupil per year below the national average and teacher pay in North Carolina ranks 37th in the nation. We can do better. We must do better. Our children, now more than ever, need a first rate education.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
My grandmother, Lucy King Anders. Born in 1879, she only had a 3rd grade education. Despite that, she was a mid-wife and a wise and wonderful woman. My values came from her - feed the hungry, care for the sick and stand up for what is right. North Carolina is off track - we have 100,000 children without healthcare, now is the time to invest in public education and provide the flexibility that our public school systems need to prepare our children for their future. With regard to the 19 unconstitutional laws passed in North Carolina over the last 8 years, I hear my grandmother saying "It's time to get the hogs out of the creek and let the water clear up."
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Moral Man, Immoral Society by Reinhold Niebuhr.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
First of all honesty. Tell the truth and make sure you have the facts. Second, an open mind. Listen for understanding, listen for understanding. Third, civility. Be nice, be nice, be nice. Just because someone has a different viewpoint does not mean they are your enemy. Finally, stay in touch. Tell people what you are working on, tell them what you have done and tell them what you have failed to get done. If you are truthful with people, work hard and do your best, most people will support you.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Growing up on a farm I learned early what hard work is, how satisfying it can be and sharing the values of hard working people. Most people, regardless of their career, want to do a good job. 85% of any given group - farmers, doctors, teachers, factory workers, etc. want to do a good job. 10% want to hit the ball out of the park every day. 5% are poor performers. We should focus on the 95% not the 5%. That is the path to success for all.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Fiscal responsibility first and foremost. Transparency second of all. Be a good listener. That means asking questions and seeking understanding.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I hope to leave North Carolina with a healthy environment with clean water, clean air and a bright future. I hope to strengthen our education system from PreK to the University System. I hope that we can solve the healthcare dilemma so that access to healthcare is available to all, not just those with money.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The Cuban Missile Crisis. I remember the drills in elementary school where we were told to get under our desks. From that, as I grew older I understood the need for a strong nation - defense, diplomacy and strong relations built on trust in the community of nations.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I grew up on a farm, so I don't really know what my first job was. I remember feeding chickens, gathering eggs and milking cows. One of my jobs was carrying the surplus vegetables from the garden around the community and selling them door to door to make ends meet. My first "public job" was at the Elks Camp in Henderson County North Carolina. I set the tables, delivered the food, cleared the tables, then swept and mopped the floor three meals a day. I got 1 1/2 days off a week. For the season, I was paid $50 plus room and board. I left home at 16 and worked full time at a textile mill for my junior and senior years in high school and while attending Asheville Buncombe Technical College.
What happened on your most awkward date?
I took a date to dinner at a steak house and didn't have enough to pay for it. My best friend loaned me a dollar to cover the bill.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving. I love to cook, love turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and the crowd. No stress over presents, good food, good conversation, children playing and being grateful.
What is your favorite book? Why?
"A Place on Earth" by Wendell Berry. Berry captured the rural life I am so familiar with. Burley Coulter and Mat Feltner come life for me through a combination of narrative and memories. No violence, no horror. Just real life. I have read all of Berry's fiction and own all of his fiction. My dream would be to visit him on his farm in Kentucky.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Mat Feltner from "A Place on Earth."
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My wife gave me a small sculpture by Emily Wilson for my birthday. I first saw Emily Wilson's work at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville on a wall in the Cannaday Building. Going to see it became the first thing we did when we arrived for my annual check up and the last thing we did before leaving. Now I see Emily's wonderful, uplifting work every day. What a gift.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
"When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" recorded by Travis Tritt and Patti LaBelle. Patti LaBelle, Aretha and Gladys Knight have been my favorite singers my whole life. And Jerry Butler "I Stand Accused". Soul music is the music of my soul.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Health. I developed a rare liver disease in the late 80s. It became serious in the early 2000s culminating in a liver transplant in 2008. In 2007 my private health insurer, a darling of Wall Street, began denying their obligations. The stress of fighting to stay alive and to get my health care providers paid was enormous. The wonderful nurses and doctors saved my life a number of times and my congressman, Heath Shuler, helped me hold the insurance company accountable. I survived and all my bills were paid. The ACA (because of the pre-existing conditions regulations) allowed me to change insurance companies. Now I am covered by a wonderful single payer system - Medicare.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
What is most important is for legislators to have real life experiences. Raising children, managing a budget, meeting a payroll, working with others to make decisions, etc. Working with victims of homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, etc provides invaluable insights. Having an open mind and being curious is important. Being informed from a variety of sources is very important as well. The willingness to get to the truth is critical.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Protecting our environment and addressing climate change are number 1. Preserving our democracy is number two. Competitive elections where every vote counts is crucial. Educating our children and providing them with access to healthcare are number 3.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
We have to maintain the separation of powers in North Carolina is vital. The legislature has taken the upper hand and things are out of balance. Maintaining the independence of our judiciary is crucial.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Getting things done depends on that. That is elemental to a working democracy.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
The League of Women Voters has done the best work on that, that I have seen. The legislature populates a balanced commission - all affiliations represented equally. Then the commission creates maps and approves them. It takes the politicians out of the map drawing process.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Education. Budget. Agriculture.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Yes
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Martin Nesbitt.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
No.
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?
A couple has supported me because I want to address the Opioid Crisis forcefully and on many fronts. They lost a son to an opioid overdose.
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.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
