The Issues

Fiscal responsibility starts with respecting the people who pay the bills. Government should spend money wisely, prioritize real needs over wants, and never raise taxes simply because it is easier than making tough decisions. Every dollar collected from taxpayers should have a clear purpose and a measurable benefit for the community.

My approach to fiscal responsibility is rooted in common sense. That means carefully reviewing budgets, eliminating wasteful or duplicative spending, and focusing investments on services that truly matter such as public safety, infrastructure, and core government functions. It also means planning ahead so communities are not forced into sudden tax increases due to poor long-term decision making.

Rising costs are already putting pressure on families, homeowners, and small businesses. Government should not add to that burden. Responsible leadership requires asking hard questions, demanding accountability, and making sure spending decisions are driven by outcomes rather than politics. By focusing on efficiency, transparency, and long-term planning, it is possible to meet community needs without constantly reaching deeper into taxpayers’ pockets.

Fiscal responsibility is not about doing less. It is about doing things smarter, protecting taxpayers, and ensuring government lives within its means while delivering real value to the people it serves.

Education policy should focus on students, parents, and teachers, not politics. Strong public schools are the backbone of our communities, and they deserve support, respect, and resources to succeed. At the same time, families are not all the same, and a one size fits all approach to education does not work for every child.

I support investing in public education by prioritizing classroom needs, supporting teachers, and ensuring schools have the tools they need to prepare students for success. That includes focusing on academic outcomes, reducing unnecessary burdens on educators, and making sure funding decisions are transparent and effective. Strong public schools strengthen communities, attract families, and help drive long term economic growth.

I also believe parents should have options. Providing these options recognizes that students learn differently and that families should have the ability to choose the educational environment that best meets their child’s needs, whether that is traditional public school, charter school, private school, homeschooling, or online learning. Supporting school options does not mean abandoning public education. It means giving families flexibility while continuing to strengthen the public system that serves the majority of students.

Education decisions should be guided by what works, not by rigid ideology. By supporting both strong public schools and responsible school choice, we can focus on student success, respect parental involvement, and ensure every child has access to a quality education that fits their needs.

Growth should be managed responsibly. Sensible development means allowing communities to grow while ensuring infrastructure, public safety, schools, and essential services can keep pace. Development should strengthen communities, not overwhelm them or shift hidden costs onto taxpayers. Across Pender County and Onslow County, I regularly hear from residents who are concerned about overdevelopment and the strain it places on roads, schools, emergency services, and quality of life. Those concerns deserve to be taken seriously.

I believe development decisions should be guided by long-term planning, transparency, and accountability. Roads, water and sewer capacity, emergency services, and schools should be considered before projects move forward, not after problems arise. When development moves faster than planning, residents often pay the price through congestion, overcrowded services, and higher taxes.

Sensible development also means respecting the character of existing communities and being good stewards of the land. Thoughtful zoning, conservation where appropriate, and smart land use protect property values while supporting sustainable economic opportunity. Development should add value, create jobs, and align with the needs of the people who already live in the community.

As a local leader, I have focused on asking tough questions, planning ahead, and advocating for development that makes sense. That same approach will guide my work at the state level, supporting responsible development while ensuring communities are not left picking up the slack.

Public safety is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government, and it begins with ensuring emergency services and law enforcement have the support they need to protect the community. When residents call for help, they should be confident that trained professionals will respond quickly and effectively.

I believe strong public safety means properly funding and supporting fire, EMS, and law enforcement so services are not stretched too thin. During my time serving as a Town Councilman in Holly Ridge, I helped push for the Fire Medic Program to strengthen emergency response and better support EMS services. I have also consistently supported the police department by advocating for the addition of officers as the community grows, ensuring staffing levels keep pace with demand and officers have the support they need to do their jobs safely and professionally.

Supporting public safety means standing behind the men and women who serve while promoting accountability, training, and strong relationships with the community. Officers should have the resources, staffing, and equipment necessary to perform their duties, and residents deserve public safety policies that emphasize professionalism, transparency, and trust.

As communities continue to change, public safety planning must keep pace. That includes coordinating growth with emergency response capacity, supporting interagency cooperation, and making sure local governments have the tools they need to protect residents. My focus is on practical, commonsense solutions that keep communities safe, support first responders, and put public safety decisions where they belong, on real needs and real results.

Local and small businesses are the backbone of our communities. They create jobs, keep dollars circulating locally, and help define the character of the places we call home. Supporting small businesses means creating an environment where entrepreneurs can succeed without being buried by unnecessary regulations, rising costs, or government red tape.

I believe government should be a partner, not an obstacle. That means listening to business owners, simplifying processes where possible, and making sure policies are practical for small businesses, not just large corporations. Permitting, zoning, and compliance should be clear and predictable so business owners can focus on serving customers and growing their operations.

At the local level, I’ve supported efforts that encourage responsible growth and help businesses thrive alongside the community. Strong local economies depend on thoughtful planning, reliable infrastructure, and public safety services that allow businesses to operate with confidence.

At the state level, I will advocate for policies that support small businesses through fair taxation, workforce development, and common sense regulations. Supporting local businesses isn’t about special treatment. It’s about leveling the playing field, encouraging innovation, and ensuring the people who take risks to open a business have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to a strong local economy.

Strong infrastructure is the foundation of a healthy community and a strong economy. Water, sewer, roads, and reliable internet are not luxuries. They are basic services that families, businesses, schools, and first responders rely on every day. When infrastructure falls behind, growth slows, costs rise, and quality of life suffers.

I believe infrastructure planning must be proactive, not reactive. Communities need reliable water and sewer systems that can support residents and responsible development without forcing taxpayers to cover the cost of poor planning later. Roads should be safe, well maintained, and designed to handle current and future traffic, not constantly patched after problems arise.

Reliable internet access is now just as essential as electricity. Families depend on it for education, work, healthcare, and communication. Small businesses rely on it to operate and compete. Communities need it to stay connected. Expanding access to high quality broadband, especially in growing and underserved areas, is critical to economic opportunity and long-term success.

As a local leader, I’ve seen firsthand how infrastructure decisions affect everyday life. At the state level, I will advocate for smart infrastructure investments, coordination between state and local governments, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars so communities have the tools they need to grow, connect, and thrive without placing unnecessary burdens on residents.

Healthcare should be accessible, affordable, and focused on patients rather than paperwork or politics. Families deserve quality care they can rely on, and providers need a system that allows them to spend more time treating patients and less time navigating bureaucracy.

I believe improving healthcare starts with strengthening access to care, especially in growing and rural communities. That means supporting hospitals, clinics, and healthcare workers so services remain available close to home and encouraging practical solutions that reduce wait times and improve outcomes. Preventive care, mental health services, and timely treatment help keep people healthier while lowering long-term costs.

Affordability matters. Rising healthcare costs put real strain on families, seniors, and small businesses. Policies should focus on transparency, competition, and cost control so patients understand what they are paying for and have meaningful choices. Government should work to remove barriers that drive up costs rather than adding layers that make care more expensive or harder to access.