Jason Chambers

Name as it appears on the ballot: Jason Chambers

Date of birth: 8/7/86

Occupation & employer: Lab Technician

1. What do you see as the most important issues facing North Carolina? If elected, what are your top three priorities in addressing those issues?

Jobs and the economy are priority #1. I want North Carolina to be a national leader in economic growth and development. This requires putting policies in place that will incentivize entrepreneurship as well as encourage existing businesses to expand and in some cases relocate to North Carolina.

2. What issue or issues made you want to run for this office?

There were many factors that went into my decision to run. First and foremost, I have a desire to serve the community. Unlike some politicians, I want to listen to my constituents and represent them to the best of my abilities in the North Carolina House of Representatives. I believe I can work with other members of the General Assembly, in both parties, to help spur job creation and move North Carolina’s economy forward. There is no reason for our unemployment rate to be above the national average.

3. What in your record as a public official or other experience demonstrates your ability to be effective in the U.S. House? This might include career or community service; be specific about its relevance to this office.

I am not running for US House, I am running for NC House. I have never held elected office so I do not have a record as a public official. I did run for NC House District 30 in 2010 against longtime incumbent Paul Luebke and had a respectable showing in an impossible district, receiving 36% of the vote, the most a challenger has ever earned against him.

4. District 50 is a large and varied district that spans four counties. How do you plan to connect with and represent its residents? As you’ve campaigned, what common themes are you hearing from voters?

District 50 does not cover 4 counties; it just covers Durham and Orange. It is a large and primarily rural district. Having lived my entire life in northern Durham and growing up about a mile from the Orange County line, I know the district very well and I can represent the people of the 50th District effectively. Simply put, I am an average, ordinary, hard-working person. I grew up in a working class family and I believe in the values of individual liberty and personal responsibility. These are the same values that I hear the people of District 50 espousing when I interact with them.

5. Identify a principled stand you might be willing to take if elected that you suspect might cost you some popularity points with voters.

I really can’t think of one at this time, but I’m sure at some point if I am fortunate enough to be elected, there will come a time that I will vote my conscience on a particular piece of legislation that some voters may disagree with.

6. What do you see as the primary sources of our state’s budget problems? What measures should the General Assembly use to address them?

The current majority has made real strides in improving the budget and if more pro-growth policies are enacted, we would see revenues to the state dramatically increase, thus greatly reducing our budget problems.

7. If you want to decrease state education spending please explain what you would cut? If you want to increase state education spending tell us what areas would see more money?

I feel we should basically maintain current levels of education spending.

8. What is your position on Amendment One?

The people of North Carolina will decide on May 8th.

9. Do you support women’s reproductive rights, including the “right to choose” as set out by the U.S. Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade? Do you support the recently passed state requirements on ultrasounds and waiting periods for women seeking an abortion? Do you support attempts to eliminate funds for Planned Parenthood?

I believe the law requiring ultrasounds and waiting periods makes sense. With something as serious as an abortion procedure, a woman should have all the information necessary available to her to make an informed decision.

10. Would you support Gov. Perdue’s call for a 3/4 cent increase in the sales tax or another revenue measure to restore cuts or cover other costs? Would you support a revision of the state tax code that led to an increase of revenue?

No, I would not support a 3/4 cent sales tax increase. I would support a revision to the state tax code.

11. What is your position on capital punishment and the Racial Justice Act?

I do believe there are certain cases where capital punishment is warranted. There should however, be indisputable evidence that the individual is guilty. I oppose the Racial Justice Act and it has been a total disaster, which I predicted would be the case. The RJA relies on statistics in determining the appropriateness of a death sentence, rather than the facts of a specific case.

12. Both parties have been criticized for overreaching during redistrictings. Would you support an independent commission drawing the lines in the future?

I would certainly be open to the idea.

*** I would like to note that I am the only Republican candidate running for NC House District 50 from Durham County. I truly believe it would be good for Durham to have a representative who is a member of the majority party in the General Assembly. Republicans hold very large majorities in the Senate and House and those are likely to hold, if not expand, this November. Also, I consider myself conservative on most issues, but I am a true independent thinker and I will always put the needs and concerns of my constituents first.