Incumbent Democrat Beth Helfrich is seeking re-election and facing a challenge from former Republican representative John Rhodes in North Carolina’s 98th House district that covers the northern part of Mecklenburg County.
[ READ MORE >> Political Beat Preview: House District 98 ]
Helfrich has not responded to our candidate guide questionnaire. We will post her response here if we receive one.
John Rhodes (R)
Why are you running?
To represent my former and future constituents in the 98th House District in North Mecklenburg and the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville. As a constitutional conservative it’s important to me to defend my constituent’s constitutional rights, freedoms and liberties. As well, to bring down the high cost of living for my constituents and all North Carolinians. While Republicans in Raleigh have been successful in accomplishing a lot towards this goal, we can do more by continuing to lessen the overall tax burden for citizens and the regulations on businesses. There is a huge need to address the I-77 toll debacle in North Mecklenburg and Charlotte and pursue these being turned into general purpose lanes once again. At very least to address the exorbitant fees associated with the tolls. As well I plan to address the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System to make the system more responsive and effective for the students and parents of North Mecklenburg.
Are you in favor of the three constitutional amendments on North Carolina’s ballot? Why or why not?
YES, I’m in favor of all three common sense Republican backed constitutional amendments.
Amendment 1 - Present photo ID when voting ensures voter integrity at the polls. Passage of Amendment One poses no hindrance whatsoever to the public in voting by showing valid photo ID as the same is required when Boarding a commercial flight, renting a car, checking into a hotel, driving a vehicle, registering a vehicle, financial activities such as cashing a check, opening a bank account, applying for a loan, filing for Social Security, applying for a passport, applying for government benefits, notarizing official documents, getting a marriage license, buying alcohol, entering an age restricted place of business, employment and education, taking certain professional licensing exams, entering government buildings, visiting someone in prison, picking up packages from a post office. This is a very limited list .. there are many more.
Amendment 2 - The Republican backed constitutional amendment to keep the State income tax rate from being raised higher than 3.5% will reduce the cost of living for North Carolinians. North Carolina state government has taken more than enough money through taxation in the past from the already overtaxed citizens of North Carolina. Government NEVER has an income problem, it’s ALWAYS a priority of spending crisis. The Republican backed amendment will take less money out of North Carolina taxpayer’s pockets and force state government to prioritize spending. Once again, the common sense Republican backed amendment seeks to reduce the cost of living for North Carolinians and we call all be in favor of that.
Amendment 3 - The Republican backed constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments. Once again, the Republican backed constitutional amendment is an attempt to bring the cost of living down for hard working North Carolinians who own property.
What should the state do about data centers?
The state of North Carolina should not allow data centers to be built in North Carolina. The purpose of data centers is to amass large amounts of personal data, information, and surveillance and tracking of North Carolinians and all U.S. citizens and is arguably a violation of the U.S. Constitution. These massive structures place a burden on the environment and natural resources of a community.
CMS has faced numerous controversies over the past month, what, if anything, should state lawmakers do?
When I served multiple terms in the North Carolina House in past sessions, I was a primary sponsor of H.B. 1017 “The Mecklenburg Education Freedom Act” which would allow the citizens of Mecklenburg County to have a vote on breaking up or consolidating the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system into multiple more locally responsive smaller school systems. The massive overpopulated, administrative heavy CMS system should be broken up into multiple distinct school systems with their own governing bodies more reflective of the communities and students they would serve.
What legislation will you pursue to bring down costs?
We must lower the overall tax burden on citizens which in turn will affect everything that the public spends money on such as gas and groceries. While Republicans in Raleigh have done this there is more work to be done. When I served multiple terms in the North Carolina House in past sessions, I was a primary sponsor of H.B. 1018 Taxpayer Protection Act and H.B. 492. These two bills when implemented would lower the overall tax burden on citizens and in turn lower the cost of living allowing them to keep more of their money in their own pocket. I will file and run these bills again once elected. Government never has an income problem, it’s always a priority of spending crisis. Government has taken enough of the public’s hard earned money.
What sets you apart from your opponent?
Experience is everything. I was elected by the citizens as North Mecklenburg’s state representative in the 98th House District for multiple terms in the past. Have served on multiple committees in the state legislature. I’ve served at the local government level and was elected by the citizens of Cornelius as a Cornelius Town Commissioner. I’ve gone to Washington at the Federal level to advocate for transportation dollars to come to the North Mecklenburg area and was successful in securing those funds for needed road improvements in the North Mecklenburg area. I’m a constitutional conservative that stands on the side of individual citizens and upholds the constitution and defends individual citizen’s liberties and freedoms. As a constitutional conservative I stand on the side of citizens and what public policies are best to keep more of their hard earned tax dollars in their own pockets, not state government’s. I have a credible record of fighting for tax paying citizens at the local and state level as their state representative in the 98th House District.