Darren Staley

Environment / Energy We can, and I believe should, invest in manufacturing clean energy solutions and jobs of the future. But we cannot, and I will not, allow hardworking people working the jobs of now to be left behind. My support for manufacturing workers isn't lip service. I've been there. I will fight for you. Environment / Energy At the age of 26, the factory where I worked since I left high school closed. I saw first-hand the devastation that follows such a traumatic event. Hopelessness, humiliation, suicide, overdose, disability. People are not a line item on a corporate spreadsheet. I will fight hard to make sure nobody else has to experience that kind of despair. We can, and I believe should, invest in manufacturing clean energy solutions and jobs of the future. But we cannot, and I will not, allow hardworking people working the jobs of now to be left behind. My support for manufacturing workers isn't lip service. I've been there. I will fight for you. Now, going on 50, I work on the management side. I understand the importance of standing up for small business and the workers who make it all happen. We need to incentivize all businesses in a way that allows them to pay workers not just a living wage, or a decent wage, but a good wage. Workers are not just the life blood of any business with the services they provide, they are also customers. Education We have to get kids excited about learning. We need to make going to college something kids are looking forward to, not just for a better job, or to please their parents. And we don't do that by banning books and removing uncomfortable topics from the curriculum. We do it by letting teachers do their jobs and paying them what they deserve. Your child's teacher is as important as your child's pediatrician, and should be treated with the same reverence and respect. Teachers should not have to go out of pocket or do fundraisers for necessary classroom materials. You invest in your children's future, and the country's future, by investing in their teachers. We also do not need to choose between the sciences and the arts. Both are crucially important to a well-rounded education. Once I came around to embracing education, it changed everything for me. I want that for every child now and for adults who fell through the cracks like I did. I will be a strong advocate for teachers, for public education, and for making college affordable for all who wish to pursue it. Education I will be a strong advocate for teachers, for public education, and for making college affordable for all who wish to pursue it. Education We also do not need to choose between the sciences and the arts. Both are crucially important to a well-rounded education. Once I came around to embracing education, it changed everything for me. I want that for every child now and for adults who fell through the cracks like I did. Guns The NC-36 District is, for all intents and purposes, a 70/30 district at best. That is simply not acceptable. Any district for any elected office, regardless of the favored party, that is drawn solely to ensure a ''safe seat'' for a single party or candidate is unacceptable. ''Voter fraud'' is a great keyword. Actual incidents of it are rare, and it is a term generally used by candidates who want less people to vote, to make it harder for people to vote. I encourage everyone to vote, regardless of party, and I want to make it easier for you to do so, not more difficult.