J. Eric Ager, candidate for NC House District 114

Name: J. Eric Ager

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 48

Campaign website: ager4nc.com

Occupation: Farm manager/retired Naval Aviator

Education: B.A. from U.S. Naval Academy

Have you run for elected office before? No.

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have coached sports teams and managed leagues around the country during my time in the Navy and currently manage a community non-profit designed to get kids outside “to work hard, get dirty, and have fun.”

What are the three issues that you see as most important to your district and what will you do to address them?

1. Affordable, accessible mental health care — Work to pass legislation that prioritizes mental healthcare funding in the district and state.

2. Environment and agriculture — bring farmers and environmentalists together to protect our air, water and soil.

3. High-speed internet — get the state government to help bring better internet access to all parts of the state.

At a time when costs are rising, state government has a surplus. How should it be used?

The first priority for the surplus should be to improve our schools by increasing teacher pay and investing in programs that will ensure we recruit and retain the best teachers and staff in our public schools.

Will you vote for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina?

Yes.

What has the legislature gotten right, and what has it gotten wrong, about public education in North Carolina?

The legislature has begun to understand the importance of respecting the important work that teachers and staff do in our public schools, but has gotten off-track with efforts to push dollars out to for profit institutions that don’t always adhere to the standards required in public education.

Should North Carolina change its abortion laws? How?

There should be fewer restrictions on abortion after 20 weeks.

Please add anything else voters should know about your position on the legality or availability of abortion in North Carolina.

I believe that health care choices should be made by people and their health care providers in consultation with trusted family and pastoral advisors.

Should medical marijuana be legalized in North Carolina?

Yes.

What, if anything, should the legislature do to shape curriculum dealing with topics of race, sexuality and gender?

The best people to develop curriculum for our kids are the teachers who teach them everyday. Legislating curriculum from Raleigh is not the right answer.

Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?

Yes.