The Political Beat Primary Candidate Guide: North Carolina State House District 105

House District 105 includes southeast Charlotte and Mint Hill.

In the race for House District 105, two Republicans are vying in the primary: incumbent Tricia Cotham. Cotham did not respond to our candidate guide questionnaire. If we receive responses from them, we will post them here.

The winner of this primary will face Democrat Ken McCool in November.

Kelly VanHorn

What is your occupation? Educator.

Why are you running? I am running to give voters a choice to fully fund public schools, prioritize affordable healthcare, and safely connect our communities via public transportation infrastructure and light rail. Lastly, I want to hold the incumbent accountable for her voting record that has not prioritized these issues. Also, the Democratic candidate has been a Republican and refused to answer any questions regarding public education and healthcare when I reached out. Specifically, I chose to run as a Republican because I felt conservative on protecting our taxpayers and believe in individual freedom and state/local control while also encouraged by the equality preamble in the Republican Organization Plan. I had hoped that my experience, faith, and work ethic would be valued by both parties and that I could be a bridge to restore faith and function to the NC House District 105. I believe that loving each other, serving the people, and working together is not limited to one party. I am not a false or protest candidate, as I intend to work within the Republican Party to accomplish these goals. However, the Republican NC GOP leaders have decided to ban me from all party meetings and gatherings. I would like voters to convince Republicans on March 3 that there is room at the decision table for moderates and unaffiliated voters who just want our leaders to represent them with core values of love and service that value the Constitution and due process. The Constitution and Bill of Rights is an American thing, not a liberal thing.

What is the top priority for your district and how do you plan to address it? The top priority for my district is getting a state budget. This means being a bridge between the two parties as a moderate to end the gridlock it means putting our communities first and values above party lines.

Following recent events, including the murder of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail, how do you plan to address concerns surrounding violent crime and mental health in the state?

I plan on working with coalitions in the communities I serve, develop bills to continue to address issues such as affordable mental health care, juvenile accountability and supports, and gun laws that make sense-SB 50 does not make sense. I have been actively campaigning against the NC House override. I would encourage or would like required training courses like concealed carry to be offered with grant funding, donations, or even in our budget prior to a gun permit being issued. The issue is in how guns may be used, not the actual guns themselves. I am open to a research based discussion and legislation on semi automatic weapon issue to non law enforcement.

In light of rising costs and federal changes, should the legislature fully fund Medicaid to ensure coverage remains in the state?

The legislature has hard decisions to make. The math isn’t making sense. How can the state fully fund our schools and healthcare with a zero corporate tax? How much can our state afford-with the federal government funds to fully fund both? Ideally both would be fully funded. NC leadership will need to advocate for the federal dollars to be restored and it not to be solely on the backs of our taxpayers by forms of property taxes and sales taxes as money is shifted around.

What is your position on abortion? Should North Carolina pursue additional abortion restrictions?

I believe that this choice should be between a woman and her physicians while under 12 weeks. This decision is especially concerning when the mother has to choose her own life or that of her child. Moreover, in cases of incest where the child is under 18 should be made by the guardians and physicians.

Those that are against any type abortion for any reason should consider that that life is valuable and needs to be supported as fiercely until death after birth as well. In other words, I value life of the mother and child always.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

My opponent changed her values when she changed her party. She took over 420,000 in GOP PAC funding after her switch. I will not be moved from my commitment to our children and communities from any special interest group. I will not hide inconvenient truths. I encourage dialogue to find solutions that work and value our differences as strengths. At the end of the day, I answer to this question: Did I act like Jesus models? Can others see love, grace, and mercy in my actions? I don’t have all of the answers and will make mistakes. I will honor my promises in action every day by engaging with all of those in my community.

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