Taj Polack

Taj Polack

---

Nonpartisan

Personal

Religion

Christian: Presbyterian

Taj Polack ran for election to the Goldsboro City Council Ward 3 in North Carolina. Polack won in the general election on November 5, 2019.

Polack completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2019

See also: City elections in Goldsboro, North Carolina (2019)

General election

General election for Goldsboro City Council Ward 3

Taj Polack defeated Tonya Davis Barber in the general election for Goldsboro City Council Ward 3 on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Taj Polack (Nonpartisan)	68.3	580
	Submit photo	Tonya Davis Barber (Nonpartisan)	31.3	266
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	3

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 849
= 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.

2016

See also: Wayne County Public Schools elections (2016)

Three of the seven seats on the Wayne County Public Schools school board were up for general election on November 8, 2016. There was a primary election to eliminate two of the four candidates who filed for the District 3 seat on March 15, 2016. The winners of the District 2 seat and one at-large seat were determined during the general election.

The seats of District 2 incumbent Dwight Cannon, District 3 incumbent Patricia Burden and at-large incumbent Edward Radford were up for election. Burden was the only incumbent who filed for re-election and was joined by three other candidates in the primary election for the seat: Trebor Jackson, Taj Polack and Charles Wright, Sr. Burden and Jackson were the two winners of the primary and competed for the District 3 seat in the general election, with Burden winning the seat. Len Henderson ran unopposed and won the open District 2 seat. Finally, two candidates vied for the at-large seat, with Raymond Smith Jr. defeating Ven Faulk.

Results

Wayne County Public Schools, District 3 Primary Election, 4-year term, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Patricia Burden Incumbent	49.65%	1,998
Trebor Jackson	21.89%	881
Taj Polack	16.43%	661
Charles Wright, Sr.	12.03%	484
Total Votes (100)		4,024
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections, "03/15/2016 Official Primary Election Results," accessed September 2, 2016

Funding

The Wayne County Board of Elections did not publish school board candidate campaign finance reports on its website as of November 4, 2016.

See also: List of school board campaign finance deadlines in 2016

School board candidates in North Carolina were required to file campaign finance reports to their county's board of elections unless the candidate:

(1) Did not receive more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) in contributions, and

(2) Did not receive more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) in loans, and

(3) Did not spend more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

The third quarter campaign finance deadline was October 31, 2016, and the fourth quarter deadline was January 11, 2017.

Campaign themes

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Taj Polack completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Polack's 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 am a former fireman with 19 years of experience servicing the city that I currently represent, it is due to the lack of equal distribution of resources throughout the city that peaked my interest in seeking this office. I also have noticed the divisiveness seen as it pertains to the votes of the previous council and strive to work towards unifying the new council thereby achieving more unanimous votes and less split votes, I feel that this can only be accomplished once every individual on this council appreciates the value for equality and humanity.

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?

• Concerns of constituents above any agenda.

• Advocate for city employees.

• Ensuring equal distribution of resources.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe that in order to break generational issues education and dissemination of equal resources is paramount. I believe that in order for any society to progress everyone within that society should have a sense of worth and equality. The major concern that I have in my district specifically is the high number of government funding housing that causes a sense of inferiority to many individuals within these areas. I have a proposal that will not only stimulate economic growth through development but will also give these residents a chance of home ownership by building small home communities in areas owned by the city and creating an attainable mortgage that these residents could afford. The city of Goldsboro has a 24 percent poverty rate whereas the median income average is under $30,000 annually being that this is a military town many reality companies realize that they can price gouge and that prevents many from living in decent neighborhood. I am a person that believes in personal accountability but I also believe that home ownership by way of tiny homes/small homes ( houses ranging from 600-900 sq ft) could be a critical step moving forward for this great city. In conclusion it is evident that my passion for affordable housing is one of the greatest assets that can turn this city in the right direction.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

It is important because it is at the roots of state government and I feel that local municipal elections are the foundation of all elections.

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

My mother is my greatest inspiration that I follow, she gave up the life that she wanted to provide care for her ailing mother and still was able to acquire a Master's degree in Special education where she worked dilligently until retirement. I look at her attributes as an individual that always put others first.

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

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

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

Honesty and transparency.

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

My willingness to work with people from different backgrounds.

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

To be a liason for their constituents and being able to negotiate with fellow colleagues.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy that I would like to leave is that I never compromised my integrity to represent myself in a way different from my upbringing.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I always am brought back to my childhood and remember the poems written in the book A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein because even though the poems were written to appeal to young adults the meaningful message is still relevant to an adult.

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

Marty Mcfly because I would love to go to the past to reverse some of the horrific parts of this country's existence.

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

Journeys " Don't stop Believing"

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

Being too passionate about things that I could not change by myself.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The main thing that I think many people are unaware of is the power that they have in the decision making process.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Experience is always good but a connection with the community is more of an asset to this office.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The ability to be receptive to new and innovate ideas is a must in this office, a sedintary mindset only impedes progress.

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

2019 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Suggest a link

• Wayne County Public Schools