Name: Abraham (Abe) Jones

Age: 73

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: https://abejonesfornchouse.com/

Occupation and employer: Attorney

1. What in your background qualifies you to represent the people of your North Carolina district effectively? What would you cite as your biggest career accomplishment? 

I have spent my career in public service, including serving as a superior court
judge, as an attorney, a county commissioner, and as a member of the North
Carolina State House.

In those roles, I have seen how the laws passed in Raleigh affect people’s lives
in very real ways—whether it’s the ability to afford housing, access healthcare,
get a fair hearing in court, or to simply have trust in their government. I am
most proud of the collaborative work in the General Assembly to pass
Medicaid Expansion. Additionally, I am proud of my track record of speaking
my mind and pushing back against harmful legislation.

2. What do you believe to be the three most pressing issues facing the next General Assembly? What steps do you believe the state should take to address them?

The Passage of a State Budget

Addressing Medicaid Shortfalls

Affordability and the Cost of Living.

First, Republican leadership at the General Assembly has failed in their most
basic duty of passing a state budget. It is very difficult for agencies, local
governments, and so many related entities to plan when the state and funding
are not set. The Medicaid shortfall, funding for our courts, and many of the
most pressing needs should be addressed through the budget process.

I would like to see the General Assembly take meaningful steps to protect
Medicaid, fund our government, care for our state employees and teachers,
and find ways to lower everyday costs for our fellow North Carolinians. The
General Assembly is currently in a massive stalemate due to infighting within
Republican leadership. Resolving these issues and working toward a
compromise would enable all members to better serve the people.

3. North Carolina expanded Medicaid two years ago. However, federal budget cuts now threaten the program due to a state “trigger law” that ends expansion if federal support drops below 90%. How would you address Medicaid funding to maintain coverage for the millions of North Carolinians enrolled?

The trigger law ultimately puts millions at risk. While it was the best offer
available to get the legislation passed, I believe that it is the state’s duty to
commit resources to maintain coverage if federal support dips. Unfortunately, the
coverage for so many North Carolinians is stuck in a game of political
gamesmanship, all while the feds continue to chisel away at our social safety net.

I will use my voice and my role in the legislature to fight for the continued
full funding of Medicaid expansion in this state, even if it requires additional state
resources.

4. The General Assembly has recently passed legislation limiting local control over zoning and development standards to address housing shortages. Do you support the legislature’s approach of limiting local zoning authority to increase housing supply, or should municipalities retain greater autonomy over land use decisions?

I wholeheartedly support increasing housing supply; however, the General
Assembly routinely strips local governments of their rights and powers. This is
bad policy. In recent years, we have seen the General Assembly change the
election structure of local governments, pass annexation/deannexation bills
without local input, and reallocate funding from local governments even after
prior commitments. This uncertainty is bad government. I believe we need to
prioritize clear goals for housing supply, remove unnecessary state barriers that
may drive up costs, widely support mixed-income/workforce housing and infill
developments, and provide funding for infrastructure so communities can grow
responsibly.

5. How would you address the rising costs of housing, child care, and basic necessities facing North Carolina families?

Too many families are being forced to choose between paying their rent, paying
for childcare, and putting food on the table. We as a need to look at meaningful
ways to lower the cost of childcare, build affordable housing, and increase the
workplace protections and pay of our workers. We routinely celebrate being the
best state in the nation for business but fail to recognize that we are at the bottom
of all metrics for our workers. In addition to changing policies on minimum wage
and fighting to build more affordable housing, I think we must invest in job
training and vocational education.

It should be our duty to provide meaningful, decent-paying, and dignified work in
our community. By training the future both through vocations and college, we can
take a meaningful step in offering opportunity to our community.

6. Climate disasters are intensifying: Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina in 2024, Tropical Storm Chantal flooded the Triangle in 2025, and coastal erosion threatens the Outer Banks. With much affordable housing located in flood-prone areas and FEMA resources stretched thin, what is your plan for climate resilience and disaster relief?

The degradation of FEMA and other federal disaster resilience programs under
the Trump administration is deeply concerning. As noted, impacts from tropical
storms and other major weather events are on the rise. Affordable housing tends
to be built in areas where the land is cheaper, and in a state like North Carolina,
that typically means low-lying areas that are more prone to these weather
systems. We need to build resiliency into our site plans and explore partnerships
between developers and government that enable sites to mitigate impacts. We
also need to explore meaningful ways to discuss what rebuilding looks like after
a disaster. The “once a century” floods of yesterday are becoming “once a
decade” floods of today. Ensuring we have good data that recognizes climate
change is a vital tool for building resiliency here in North Carolina. It is time we
treat this issue as a matter of public safety, not just an environmental one.

7. The General Assembly recently passed a new congressional redistricting map. This marks the state’s seventh congressional map since 2016. How do you view the most recent redistricting? And do you support independent redistricting processes, or do you believe the legislature should retain this power? 

The most recent gerrymandered congressional redistricting map is an example of
the worst aspects of politics in our government. Whether you believe Phil Berger
colluded with the President or not, this map is just another step towards
predetermined election outcomes. North Carolina is a competitive state and
deserves competitive elections. I would fully support an independent redistricting
process.

8. The General Assembly failed to pass a 2025–27 budget, leaving teachers without raises. North Carolina ranks 43rd nationally in teacher pay. How would you address teacher compensation, and what will you do to ensure a budget passes that adequately funds education?

The current rate of teacher pay is unacceptable. Republican leadership in Raleigh
has continued to allow our teachers' standing to slip in relation to our
neighboring states. Teachers in communities along the North Carolina border
routinely leave our school systems to teach in Virginia, South Carolina,
Tennessee, and Georgia. In those states the starting pay can easily eclipse that of
our veteran teachers.

First, in the House, we reached consensus on the 2025 budget to restore master’s
pay. This was a great initial step toward pay parity; we also need to pass that
budget to fund salary increases for teachers and state employees. These are just
first steps. We need holistic conversations about education priorities. Pay is one
part of the equation we must also talk about the conditions of our schools, the
resources we make available to our students, and the millions of dollars we are
throwing at private school vouchers.

9. North Carolina currently has a 12-week abortion ban with certain exceptions. Some legislators have proposed further restrictions. Do you support the current law, do you believe access should be expanded, or would you support further restrictions?

I do not support the current 12-week abortion ban and will strongly oppose any
efforts to impose further restrictions. I fully support expanding access.
Healthcare decisions should not be subject to political restrictions.

10. Federal legislation will ban most hemp-derived THC products, like delta-8, by November 2026, threatening North Carolina’s hemp industry. Meanwhile, recreational marijuana remains illegal and medical marijuana bills have stalled. What is your position on hemp regulation and how would you address the upcoming federal ban, if at all?

There must be some nuance in any regulation of the hemp-derived industry.
While we can all agree that these products should not be in the hands of young
ones, teenagers, etc., an outright ban is not a good policy. There are many
individuals that use these products, especially our seniors, and removing their
access to care is a poor step. My hope is that the Federal Government provides
clarity on how they envision the availability and usage of these products.
Afterwards, the legislature can work on a framework for a fair enforcement of this
industry. Our ultimate goal should be to protect our kids and avoid prematurely
bankrupting this industry.

11. Gov. Josh Stein recently signed “Iryna’s Law,” which eliminates cashless bail, requires mental health evaluations for certain defendants, and attempts to restart the death penalty by requiring alternative execution methods if lethal injection is unavailable. The law also accelerates death penalty appeals. Where do you stand on the death penalty and changes made by the law?

I do not oppose capital punishment. However, the state has a large responsibility
to provide a justice system that delivers fair treatment and equal protection to all
citizens. A costly bail bond system, lengthy trial times, and overcrowded prisons
all currently contribute to a process that disadvantages those without money and
resources in North Carolina. Our state legislature must find solutions to these
problems to create a more efficient and fair legal process.

I voted against the recent changes proposed in H307, Iryna’s Law, because they
continue to overburden the justice system without providing any funding for local
court systems. Additionally, it fails to address any of the root causes of violence
and inequity in our communities. 

12. Tech companies are investing heavily in North Carolina data centers, bringing jobs and tax revenue but also consuming significant electricity and water resources. How should the state balance data center investment with environmental protection and community concerns?

Economic development must be balanced with sustainability. I fully support:
Requiring data centers to pay their fair share, looking into less burdensome
avenues of development, and supporting conversations of how to minimize the
impact on water resources. I recognize that data centers are an industry of both
today and the future; however, that does not mean we need to mortgage our
state’s future with high electricity costs and a threatened water supply.

I believe we should use the development of data centers in our neighboring
states as an opportunity to learn about the best development and how to limit
impacts. We should not be rubber-stamping these developments, especially given
the secondary impacts they can have.

13. Give an example of an opinion, policy, vote, or action you changed based on constituent feedback. If you have not yet held elected office, describe a time when you changed your position on an issue after listening to those affected by it.

Throughout my career, I’ve adjusted my approach after speaking with those
directly impacted by my decisions. Particularly during my time in the justice
system, the lived experiences of those who came before me informed my
decision-making.

As a legislator, one of the most important things we can do is listen to our
constituents. Policy is best when it reflects the people.

14. Are there any issues this questionnaire has not addressed that you would like to address?