Tricia Cotham’s primary challenger calls for reform to NC’s teacher pay system
To help inform voters in the March 3, 2026, 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.
This story focuses on the 2026 Republican primary for North Carolina House District 105, which features incumbent Tricia Cotham and challenger Kelly VanHorn. The district covers eastern Mecklenburg County, including Mint Hill. It snakes west through parts of Matthews and south Charlotte, too.
The Charlotte Observer and News & Observer asked all candidates in this race to complete a questionnaire to inform voters about their opinions on big issues facing voters. Cotham did not complete a questionnaire.
Kelly VanHorn
Political party
Republican
District number
105
Age as of March 3, 2026
48
Campaign website
Current occupation
Educator
Professional experience
23 years as an educator in North Carolina
Education
Masters of Arts in Teaching from University of North Carolina at Charlotte; BA in Sociology/Secondary Education Social Studies from SUNY Cortland; Academically Gifted Teaching from University of Virginia Peabody Institute
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.
Red, Wine and Blue, AFT-NC, CMAE/NCAE, Tutoring at-risk youth, Piedmont APRI, Elevation Church (Prayer team, Production, Welcoming team, Love Week 10 yrs) and other faith based communities, Town Halls (Ezelle Park planning community team, Little Flower, transportation/School Board)
What is the most important issue in your district, and what do you want to do about it?
I will work with fellow legislators to release the court-ordered Leandro funding directly to school districts and into our classrooms. This investment ensures smaller class sizes, competitive pay for educators and staff (at least $20/hour), enhanced school safety and robust support for early childhood and higher education. By bringing parents to the decision-making table, we will reimagine and fund our public schools to be the top choice among many choices for every family.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience?
First, I don’t think pay should just be based upon years of experience alone. Pay should also be based upon educational level. Masters pay must be restored, which should be the same about as National Board Certification, at 12%. Beginning teachers should have health care in retirement restored. The average starting teacher pay in the US is $72,000. Base pay should start at $52,000 and incrementally increase 4% each year. In addition, longevity pay restored. Minimum wage for classified $20/hour.
As of January, North Carolina was the last state not to have passed a new, comprehensive budget. What would you do to help make sure a budget passes?
I would work with fellow legislatures on both sides of the aisle to come up with fiscally sound solutions for issues that we face with budgeting. We need to cut out the pork barrel funding and stick to the issues. I will work tirelessly for solutions and seek out professionals in their fields to consult with on topics that I need greater understanding about it in order to make a decision.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further?
I think the bigger issue is the increase in property and sales taxes for individual taxpayers. There are bills in the works to limit the amount that local governments can tax on property (dwellings). We may need to keep corporate taxes at 2-3% to fully fund our state for transportation and infrastructure needs.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not?
Our NC state government was able to have $8 billion in unassigned reserve funds while having a 2.5% corporate tax. The NC lottery was supposed to amplify education funding, not replace it. Last year, only 16% of the Education Lottery money raised went to classrooms. They must find the waste and give the 32% that was promised when the NC Lottery Bill was passed. Property owners and taxpayers should not have to pick up the tab for bloated payroll or inefficient systems. Corporations 1.5%.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not?
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the attorney general to expedite the process of moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. This recognized marijuana as having medical value, making it easier to research and available via prescription. I agree, after reading research studies, that medical marijuana can be more beneficial than high-cost pharmaceuticals, cost less and increase tax revenue. Revenue could be reinvested in our schools, Medicare funds and infrastructure.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it?
The biggest barrier to health care access in my district is affordability. In 2026, residents of Mathews, Mint Hill and Pineville face several specific barriers to health care access ranging from escalating costs to significant geographic and logistical hurdles. I will work with our NC legislatures on working on comprehensive health care reform in our state that takes care of our seniors, working parents and children. This includes access to transportation and highly trained health care workers.
