Beth Helfrich, NC House District 98 candidate, answers our questions
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NC House District 98
Northern Mecklenburg County’s House District 98 features Republican Melinda Bales and Democrat Beth Helfrich, who are running for a seat currently held by outgoing Rep. John Bradford. Bales hasn’t yet returned a questionnaire.
To help inform voters in the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Beth Helfrich
Birth date: Jan. 21, 1981
Campaign website or social media page: bethhelfrichnc.com
Occupation: writer and editor
Education: BA, Davidson College
Have you run for elected office before?
No
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
My path to the General Assembly is different: I’m not a career politician, and I’m not running to create the next line on my resume. I’m stepping forward because of my deep commitment to our communities and to the strength of our shared future. A working mom of five, I spent nearly two decades in schools as a teacher, administrator, and PTO President. I have organized, fundraised, served, and led – all while raising small children, supporting our family’s small business, and launching my own.
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and most of the county’s towns are on board with draft legislation to get permission from the legislature for a sales tax referendum to pay for public transit and other transportation. If elected, would you support a bill that allows the sales tax increase to appear on the ballot? Why or why not?
The mayors of Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville recently issued a joint letter in support of asking the legislature to approve a sales tax referendum for transit; the three Town Boards each approved resolutions requesting the same. I agree with their rationale and would support a bill that allows the sales tax increase to appear before voters.
In North Carolina, abortion is banned after 12 weeks. State politicians, including gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, have said they want to restrict abortion even further. Do you support the state’s current abortion restrictions, and what is your approach to legislating issues related to reproductive health?
No, I do not. I support legislation that affirms our right to make informed decisions about our health privately and without government interference. We know that abortion bans are harmful, even deadly, for women. Bans with exceptions create impossible scenarios as patients and providers weigh medical and legal risks. I will work to restore abortion access and protect birth control and IVF, so that women - not legislators - are in charge of their reproductive lives.
What would you say is the biggest issue facing your constituents, and what would you do to address it if elected?
I have spent the better part of a year listening to the people of District 98 and asking what matters most to them: I’ve heard about traffic, healthcare, costs, schools, and reproductive rights. But underscoring all of these critical issues is a larger issue: Our state legislature does not reflect our state. Decisions in Raleigh should be driven by the needs and problems of everyday North Carolinians -- not political agendas, power plays, or extremism. A supermajority answers only to itself.
While violent crime rates are decreasing nationwide they are growing in large North Carolina cities like Charlotte and Raleigh. How would you tackle the issue of rising violent crime rates and what do you believe is the legislature’s role when it comes to public safety?
The safety of our communities, homes, and schools is paramount. Our first responders absolutely deserve adequate funding and resources. I will also advocate for common sense gun safety legislation like universal background checks and red flag laws. Long term, we must go upstream and invest in infrastructure and programming that we know builds safer communities: Childcare, schools, workforce development, mental health and recovery resources, and housing.
While inflation has slowed, rising prices continue to concern North Carolina residents. How will you ensure your constituents are able to afford basic necessities like health care, food and housing?
We must take a collaborative, cross-sector approach to affordable housing in partnership with our towns and county. State-level investment in child care provides working parents options for safe, affordable care. Innovative policies can help small businesses access capital, navigate rising rent costs, and provide living wages. We can expand telehealth options and reduce the cost of prescription drugs. And as we reevaluate tax codes, we must put people and small businesses before corporations.
Is there any policy by your party that you disagree with?
When elected, my job will be to serve the people of District 98: All of them! I am proud to be the Democrat in this race; I align with the party’s values and ideals in broad strokes. That said, I will always consider the people and needs of District 98 and my own integrity when drafting or supporting any specific policy or legislation.
This story was originally published October 16, 2024 at 4:17 PM.
