What are the top issues for NC House District 99 Democratic candidates?
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 election for the North Carolina House District 99 Democratic primary, which features Nasif Majeed, Veleria Levy and Tucker Neal. The district covers parts of northeastern Charlotte and Mecklenburg. The Charlotte Observer asked all candidates in this race to complete a questionnaire to inform voters about their opinions on big issues facing voters.
Veleria Levy
Political party: Democratic
District number: 99
Age as of March 3, 2026: 57
Campaign website: www.checklevy.com Current occupation: Healthcare Policy & Advocacy Consultant/ Founder HerHealth Consulting
Professional experience: Health care advocate and nonprofit executive with over 20 years of experience in health policy, advocacy & community-based systems change. Former executive director of a statewide advocacy organization advancing health equity for LGBTQ communities & people living with HIV. Founder of HerHealth Consulting, advising organizations on policy, equity & community engagement. Extensive experience in governance, coalition building, advocacy & legislative advocacy.
Education: BS From North Carolina A&T State University; MSL in Healthcare Law & Policy from Wake Forest University School of Law
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. Vice Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, with prior service as County Chair, Congressional District Chair, Precinct Chair & member of the African American Caucus. Played an active role in statewide advocacy efforts supporting Medicaid Expansion. Board Chair of RAO Community Health & Triad Health Project. Leadership roles with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated & Jack and Jill of America (Queen City Chapter). Graduate of the Institute of Political Leadership.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it?
District 99 is one of the fastest-growing and most diverse districts in North Carolina, but growth without planning is pricing families out. Housing affordability, rising energy costs, and access to jobs and childcare are deeply connected. I will fight for affordable housing, utility fairness, workforce investment, and infrastructure that keeps long-time residents from being displaced.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? Teachers deserve salaries that reflect their training, experience, and impact. Starting pay should be no less than $50,000, with step increases that reach $85,000 to $90,000 for educators with 30 or more years of service. Competitive pay is essential to recruiting teachers, retaining experienced educators, and ensuring stability in classrooms across North Carolina.
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? A state budget is a moral document that reflects our priorities. I would push for transparent negotiations, clear timelines, and accountability to pass a budget that fully funds education, health care, and infrastructure on time. When budgets are delayed, teachers, families, and small businesses pay the price. Legislators should not receive full pay while the state budget remains unfinished.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? No. Further reductions would jeopardize funding for schools, health care, and infrastructure, especially in fast-growing districts like District 99. North Carolina already has one of the lowest income tax rates in the nation. Our focus should be responsible budgeting and fair tax policy that supports working families, not cuts that shift costs to local governments and taxpayers.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? Not consistently. Delayed budgets, underfunded classrooms, and rising utility costs show that spending priorities are often misaligned with community needs. Efficient use of taxpayer dollars means investing in education, health care access, infrastructure, and workforce development while demanding transparency and measurable outcomes. I oppose wasteful corporate giveaways that fail to deliver real public benefit.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not?
Yes. Medical marijuana should be legal, regulated, and guided by medical professionals. Patients with chronic pain, cancer, epilepsy, PTSD, and other serious conditions deserve safe access to treatment. Legalization must prioritize patient safety, strong oversight, and equity, while ensuring communities are protected and public health remains the central focus.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Affordability and access remain the biggest barriers. Even with Medicaid expansion, families face high out-of-pocket costs, provider shortages, and transportation challenges. As a health care advocate, I will protect Medicaid, oppose policies that raise costs, expand the health care workforce, and strengthen community health centers so care is accessible, affordable, and available close to home.
Nasif Majeed
Political party: Democratic District number: 99 Age as of March 3, 2026: 80 Campaign website: majeednc.com
Current occupation: Businessman
Professional experience: First African American Burger King Franchisee in Charlotte, Decorated Air Force Combat Pilot, flying over 120 combat missions over North Vietnam as a Captain and Aircraft Commander of a B-52 Strategic Bomber, Second African American pilot to fly for Piedmont Airlines now American Airlines, worked 14 years as a Clinical Chaplain for the NC Department of Corrections.
Education: BS Degree Business Administration & MS Degree Agricultural Education, North Carolina A&T State University
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. NC House of Representatives (8 yrs), Charlotte City Councilman (8 yrs), Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission, Charlotte Housing Authority, West Trade Merchants Association, President, West Charlotte Business Incubator, President, Plaza Eastway Partners (18 Neighborhoods in NE CLT), President, Governors North Carolina Commission on Education for Economic Growth, Charlotte Conventions & Visitors Bureau, Private Industry Council, Historic District Commission
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? Rising Property Taxes and Affordable Housing, I was appointed to the House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Reform and I will make suggestions and vote to reduce their tax burden. I collaborated to add $10 million dollars to the NC Housing & Finance Budget.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? I don’t know but I am a strong advocate for raising NC teacher’s pay to the national average. I have supported all legislation to increase teacher pay over my 8 years in the legislature.
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? Unfortunately, Democrats are not in the majority in the NCLEG. The majority is controlled by Republicans, and they are currently not reading from the same page as it related to the state budget.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? NC ranks 22nd among states in individual income tax competitiveness. NC currently uses a flat income tax of 4.25% that is one of the lower flat rates nationally. NC might want to study all aspects, and feasibility, of a progressive tax rate.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? No. The legislature passed a bill to fund $500 million dollars in taxpayers’ money to subsidize private schools, and we need to float state transportation bonds to address our state toll road needs. After the debt is satisfied, the roads should be reverted to, toll free.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? Yes. When I served as a Chaplain for the NC Department of Corrections, I discovered some 50% of inmates in the units I served were incarcerated for marijuana arrests. This is unproportional compared to the African American general statewide population. These convictions were felonies and severely handicapped them upon exit. This was devastating to the African American community inasmuch as law enforcement, was disproportionately arresting African Americans & economically devastating.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to health care access in your district, and what actions would you take to address it? Affordability. My number one priority when I ran for House District #99 was Medicaid expansion. That was achieved in the last session, affording health care for 600,000 North Carolinians. Now, in light of federal cuts, that is threatening to be eliminated. I am going to fight for no cuts to Medicaid.
Tucker Neal
Political party: Democratic
District number: 99
Age as of March 3, 2026: 21
Campaign website: instagram: @tuckerneal4nc
Current occupation: CNA in Home Healthcare Professional experience: Teaching Assistant in Industrial/Organizational Psychology courses. Mental Healthcare advocacy with nonprofit Psychology for All. 1 year of Sociological research experience with incarcerated populations. 3 years of direct patient care CNA experience in hospitals and home care settings.
Education: B.A. in Sociology from UNC Charlotte. B.S. in Psychology from UNC Charlotte
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. I have attended various civic meetings, as well as local progressive organization’s meetings. I am a member of The Gerontological Society of America. At UNCC, I was a senator in the UNC Charlotte Student Government Association and a journalist for the NinerTimes Newspaper. I wrote arts & culture articles, giving me deeper insight into the unique expression of Charlotte. I have participated in protest events across NC for free speech, LGBTQ rights, NO KINGS, ICE OUT, and environmental protection.
What is the most important issue in your district and what do you want to do about it? The affordability and sustainability of housing is hurting District 99. Many residents are unhoused, struggling to eat, and unable to remain economically insecure. These city-wide problems are driven by various social and legal factors. The most notable cause is the wealth-gap and economic oppression that has exacerbated in the 21st century. The steps I will take to solve this: Sponsoring legislation to lift wages for all workers, heavily tax corporations, cap rent, and restrict corporate greed.
The legislature sets teacher base pay. What do you think the salary range should be for teachers, from starting to 30+ experience? NC is consistently ranked from 40-50th in national teacher pay each year. Teachers are leaving the profession due to unfair wages and increased issues from public education defunding. Teachers should be paid accordingly for the deep value they provide our communities and children. In addition to restructuring public education and increasing funding, I will fight for legislation to start teacher pay at $65,000 yearly. I believe teachers should receive pay raises up to $3000 per 5 years of work.
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 believe, currently, Democrats are limited in their ability to help pass the budget without giving up substantial values and beliefs. I would work to educate Republicans on progressive ideas and attempt to work them into the comprehensive budget that will eventually be passed. To pass the budget on time, Republicans must be willing to negotiate, but they are not. Democrats aren’t willing to pass a budget that will hurt their constituents, and I would proudly stand with them.
North Carolina’s income tax rate for individual taxpayers is 3.99%. Should that be reduced further? I do not believe this rate should be reduced further. Do I want to see tax rated lowered for those living below the poverty line? Yes. I believe the further tax cuts proposed by the senate would benefit the wealthy at the expense of essential public services. NC’s organizations and institutions are underfunded. I believe we should freeze the income tax rate to stabilize state revenue.
Do you think the state is using taxpayer money efficiently? Why or why not? Somewhat, but overall, no. I believe we should reallocate lots of the funding. For example, I believe infrastructure spending should go to public transportation instead of new highways. I believe energy spending should be used progressively, funding renewable energy and sustainability. I believe 100% of education money should be used for public schools. I believe taxes should increase on corporations and the top 1% to fund new progressive projects in the budget.
Do you support legalizing medical marijuana use? Why or why not? According to medical research, marijuana is the least harmful illicit drug to users and those around them. Research also suggests recreational uses can have benefits. Some research on the other hand, suggests it to be associated with harmful psychological factors for those younger than 25. It should be legalized, but with age restrictions and sold by licensed, state-regulated businesses. Its legalization would provide numerous economic benefits for NC, which has a strong agriculture industry.
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 healthcare access in District 99 is affordability. Many residents cannot afford regular doctor visits, hospital stays, addiction/ mental health treatment, or regular necessary medications. Medicaid and Medicare are being attacked by the GOP and are becoming increasingly hard to access. To address these issues, I will fight for universal healthcare with Medicare and Medicaid expansion. I will fight to restrict insurance and pharmaceutical companies from corporate greed.
