N.C. Senate District 17: Shirley Johnson

Name: Shirley Johnson

Age: 50

Party affiliation: Republican

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/share/17cdBqDYTh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Occupation and employer: Consultant Revived Life Coaching & Consulting 

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? 

My background uniquely prepares me to serve the people of my North Carolina district effectively. I bring over a decade of experience working for the Illinois State Senate, where I served in appropriations, press, and constituent outreach roles. Through this work, I developed a deep understanding of the legislative process—from drafting and advancing legislation to working collaboratively with constituents, advocacy organizations, and stakeholders in a bipartisan manner to achieve meaningful results. In addition, my professional background in human and social services has shaped my approach to public service. I have worked closely with children and families experiencing trauma, giving me firsthand insight into how policy decisions directly affect people’s daily lives. This experience guides my commitment to legislate with compassion, respect for community values, and a strong focus on protecting families and children.

My greatest career accomplishment was establishing the first Child Advocacy Center (CAC) satellite office in Central Illinois. Families were often required to travel long distances for forensic interviews, which in one case caused a child such severe distress that he attempted to exit a moving vehicle. Recognizing the need to reduce additional trauma while maintaining professional standards, I led the effort to create a satellite office in a neighboring county. I secured startup funding by writing a grant and ensured fiscal responsibility by leveraging existing staff to operate the site. The satellite office significantly reduced trauma for children, eased financial burdens on families, improved service delivery across multiple counties, and continues to serve families today.

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 next General Assembly faces three clear priorities that directly affect the daily lives of North Carolinians: public safety, education, and the economy. Addressing these issues responsibly is essential to restoring confidence in government and strengthening our communities.

Public Safety:
Safe communities are the foundation of a strong state. When lawlessness increases and emergency response slows, families suffer. The General Assembly must take decisive action to support law enforcement, provide officers with the tools and training they need, and ensure our courts function efficiently and without delay. Preventing crime, holding offenders accountable, and supporting victims of violence are core responsibilities of government. Public safety is not optional—it is essential to preserving order, trust, and the security of our neighborhoods.

Education:
Education shapes the future of our state, yet too many students are falling behind. Classrooms face staffing shortages, declining performance, and growing safety concerns that worry parents. Not every child has access to a quality education, and families are responding by seeking alternatives when public schools fail to meet their needs.

School choice plays an important role in restoring accountability and encouraging improvement. Scholarship-based options give parents greater control, promote competition, and incentivize schools to raise academic standards, especially in foundational subjects like reading and math. Education policy should prioritize student achievement and parental involvement, not ideology, and ensure teachers are supported in maintaining orderly, effective classrooms.

The Economy:
A strong economy supports safer communities and better schools. Rising costs, workforce readiness, and job availability all affect whether families can afford housing, food, and childcare. State leaders must focus on policies that reduce the cost of living, support small businesses, attract investment, and prepare workers for skilled, high-paying jobs. Economic growth should be broad-based and sustainable, benefiting both urban and rural communities.

By prioritizing public safety, educational accountability, and economic stability, the General Assembly can fulfill its responsibility to protect families, strengthen opportunities, and ensure North Carolina remains a place where people can live, work, and thrive.

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?

Medicaid plays a critical role as a healthcare safety net for low-income individuals and families across North Carolina, and maintaining access to care for our most vulnerable residents must remain a priority. At the same time, the rapid growth of the program and the state’s federal funding “trigger law” create legitimate long-term sustainability concerns that cannot be ignored.

North Carolina’s Medicaid enrollment has grown to more than three million residents, reflecting both real need and rising costs that demand responsible oversight to ensure the program remains financially viable and focused on those it was designed to serve.

To maintain coverage while protecting taxpayers, I support a three-tier approach. First, the state must strengthen program integrity by aggressively identifying and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse so public dollars are spent efficiently and appropriately. Second, we should expand and modernize work-support initiatives, including the Work First program, to help able-bodied recipients gain the skills and employment opportunities needed to transition into jobs that provide private or employer-sponsored health insurance.

Third, the state must increase accountability for hospital and insurance companies participating in Medicaid managed care. This includes reviewing profit margins, administrative costs, and reimbursement structures to ensure insurers are not extracting excessive profits at the expense of taxpayers or patient care. Medicaid dollars should prioritize access, quality, and outcomes—not inflated corporate margins.

This balanced approach preserves Medicaid as a dependable safety net for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families while promoting workforce participation, fiscal responsibility, and fairness for North Carolina taxpayers.

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 support the General Assembly’s efforts to address North Carolina’s housing shortage by placing reasonable limits on overly restrictive local zoning policies. Housing affordability is a growing concern for families, seniors, and young professionals across the state, and excessive regulation at the local level has contributed to rising costs, limited supply, and reduced homeownership opportunities.

While local input remains important, the state has a legitimate role in ensuring that zoning policies do not unnecessarily block housing growth, stifle private investment, or prevent working families from living near jobs, schools, and essential services. A balanced, statewide framework can reduce bureaucratic barriers, encourage responsible development, and allow the free market to respond to demand—without sacrificing safety or basic community standards.

This legislation promotes property rights, economic growth, and housing availability while still allowing municipalities to enforce core health, safety, and infrastructure requirements. By curbing excessive local restrictions and encouraging a broader range of housing options, the General Assembly is taking a prudent, conservative approach that supports families, strengthens communities, and helps keep North Carolina an affordable place to live and work.

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

Addressing the rising costs of housing, childcare, and everyday necessities requires a practical, family-centered approach that prioritizes affordability, local ownership, and economic stability for North Carolina families.

Housing affordability begins with protecting homeownership and reducing the financial burden on families. Efforts to eliminate or significantly reduce property taxes on primary residences would help homeowners—especially seniors and middle-income families—remain in their homes. At the same time, large institutional investors should not be allowed to dominate housing markets and drive up rents. Housing policies should discourage monopolistic practices and encourage the use of existing properties for affordable housing rather than pricing families out of their communities. Targeted tax incentives for property owners who maintain affordable rental rates can expand housing access without heavy-handed government intervention.

For childcare and essential household costs, the focus should be on lowering expenses by reducing unnecessary regulations that increase prices and limit options. Supporting parental choice, flexible work arrangements, and community-based and faith-based childcare providers allows families to select solutions that best meet their needs while keeping costs manageable.

By reducing taxes, promoting fair housing practices, supporting family choice, and encouraging local solutions, North Carolina can ease the financial pressure on families and help ensure that housing, childcare, and basic necessities remain within reach for those who live and work here.

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?

Climate resilience and disaster relief are critical issues for North Carolina, particularly in light of recent events such as Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Chantal, and ongoing coastal erosion along the Outer Banks. These disasters highlight the need for stronger preparation, smarter infrastructure, and responsible use of limited emergency resources.

My approach focuses on resilience, not rhetoric. We must invest in research-driven solutions that improve how communities withstand natural disasters. This includes supporting scientific research and innovation in materials, construction methods, and structural design that can better protect homes, roads, and critical infrastructure in flood- and storm-prone areas. Advances in engineering, physics, and building science can help reduce long-term damage, lower recovery costs, and protect lives.

At the same time, disaster relief efforts must prioritize efficiency and accountability. FEMA resources are finite, and North Carolina must work proactively to strengthen state and local preparedness, reduce repeated losses in high-risk areas, and ensure affordable housing is built or retrofitted with resilience in mind.

Addressing these challenges requires careful study, collaboration with experts, and a commitment to practical solutions that protect families, preserve communities, and respect taxpayers. 

I am committed to approaching climate resilience with seriousness, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on long-term stability for North Carolina.

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? 

Redistricting is not a new phenomenon, nor is it unique to North Carolina. It is a constitutionally established process that has long been used to reflect population changes, comply with federal law, and ensure that representation remains balanced and responsive to the people. The fact that North Carolina has adopted multiple maps since 2016 reflects court involvement, legal challenges, and shifting standards—not an abandonment of the process itself.

I view the most recent redistricting as a lawful exercise of the legislature’s responsibility to draw districts that meet constitutional requirements and reflect the state’s changing population. When done transparently and within legal bounds, redistricting is a legitimate tool for maintaining representative government and ensuring voters have a meaningful voice.

I believe the legislature should retain primary authority over redistricting. Legislators are directly accountable to voters, while so-called independent commissions are often unelected, less transparent, and ultimately insulated from public accountability. Removing this responsibility from elected representatives does not eliminate politics—it simply shifts decision-making to bodies with less direct oversight.

That said, the process should remain open, data-driven, and subject to judicial review to prevent abuse. Retaining legislative authority while ensuring transparency and accountability is the best way to preserve representative government and maintain public trust in our electoral system.

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?

Paying teachers fairly must be a top priority, and the General Assembly’s failure to pass a responsible budget for 2025–2027 is unacceptable. North Carolina’s ranking near the bottom nationally in teacher pay makes it harder to recruit and retain qualified educators and undermines confidence in our public education system. 

Teachers should not be collateral damage in political stalemates. However, addressing teacher pay does not require raising taxes. It requires discipline, accountability, and better use of existing resources. A practical path forward is a step-based budget that increases teacher salaries by identifying and eliminating wasteful or duplicative spending. Regular audits and oversight can uncover programs that no longer serve a clear purpose, allowing funds to be redirected where they matter most—into classrooms and teacher paychecks.

Funding should prioritize educators over bureaucracy and nonessential projects. Resources currently tied up in administrative growth or underperforming initiatives should be reassessed so they can support teacher compensation across both urban and rural districts. Pay increases should be targeted, not uniform, recognizing experience, proven performance, and expertise in high-need subject areas.

Passing a budget requires early cooperation, clear priorities, and a commitment to keeping teachers out of political bargaining. Teacher pay must be treated as non-negotiable. North Carolina’s educators deserve stability, respect, and a legislature willing to do its job responsibly and on time.

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?

North Carolina’s 12-week abortion limit is an important step toward protecting life, but it does not go far enough. Regardless of ongoing debates about terminology or philosophical arguments about when life begins, the reality is that by 12 weeks, a baby in the womb is a developing human being deserving of protection.

At the end of the first trimester, a baby’s organs are forming and continuing to grow. Fingers and toes are present and moving, facial features are developing, and the child is beginning to move within the womb—often at the same time many mothers begin to visibly show pregnancy. The humanity of the child at this stage cannot be ignored.

The abortion procedure at this point in development raises serious moral and ethical concerns. Children in the womb are the most vulnerable members of our society, and the government has a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves. For that reason, I believe stronger restrictions should be in place to prevent the cruelty inherent in ending a life at this stage of development.

At the same time, I recognize that there are rare and serious extenuating circumstances where difficult decisions must be made. Any policy must be approached with compassion for women facing crises, while still affirming the value of every human life. Our laws should reflect both moral responsibility and care—protecting babies while ensuring women and families have access to support, counseling, and real alternatives.

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?

The growing drug crisis among young people is a serious public health and safety concern, and the expansion of high-THC products has contributed to increased addiction, mental health issues, and harm to youth. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and inconsistent policies have created confusion and easy access to dangerous THC products. For these reasons, I support a clear federal ban on THC to protect children and restore consistency in drug policy.

At the same time, I recognize the real impact this would have on North Carolina farmers and small businesses that entered the hemp industry in good faith. These farmers followed the rules as they existed and should not be unfairly penalized for shifting regulations.

Any federal ban must include a responsible transition plan—providing farmers with assistance to move into alternative crops, access grants or low-interest loans, and expand non-psychoactive hemp uses such as fiber, textiles, and industrial products. We can protect public health while also supporting North Carolina’s agricultural community through thoughtful, compassionate policy.

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 believe that the death penalty should be reserved for the most violent and heinous crimes, particularly those committed against children and other vulnerable victims, and only if the accused is not mentally insane. Since the death penalty is irreversible, it must be applied with the highest possible evidentiary standard. 

The death penalty should never be based on hearsay, circumstantial evidence, or the testimony of witnesses who were not present at the scene. Instead, it should be limited to cases supported by conclusive and indisputable evidence, such as:

• Video footage of the crime
• DNA and fingerprint evidence, especially when there is no prior relationship between the 
accused and the victim
• A full and voluntary confession

Only when these standards are met should the death penalty be considered.
I also support the provisions of Iryna’s Law, which require mental health evaluations for certain defendants. Furthermore, I believe that individuals found
to have serious mental health issues should receive prolonged and appropriate treatment, both to protect public safety and to ensure that justice is administered.

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?

North Carolina should continue to welcome private investment and job creation, but it must do so with clear expectations that protect taxpayers, local communities, and essential resources. Data centers from major technology companies bring capital investment and tax revenue, but the benefits must be balanced against real costs to infrastructure, utilities, and quality of life.

Many data center jobs are temporary during construction, while long-term positions often require highly specialized skills. The state should ensure that incentive packages are tied to meaningful, permanent employment opportunities and workforce training for North Carolinians—not just short-term gains.

There are also legitimate concerns about energy and water use. Data centers can consume significantly more electricity than traditional commercial facilities, placing strain on the power grid and potentially driving up utility costs for residents. Increased demand may also deepen reliance on fossil fuels. In addition, the large volumes of water required for cooling can stress local water supplies, particularly in growing communities. Noise and long-term sustainability are valid concerns that should not be dismissed.

A responsible approach requires transparency and accountability. Companies seeking state or local incentives should be required to fully disclose projected energy and water usage, contribute to necessary infrastructure upgrades, and adopt efficiency and conservation measures that limit their impact on surrounding communities. Local governments should retain a meaningful role in reviewing and approving these projects to ensure community concerns are addressed.

Economic growth should not come at the expense of families, farmers, or small businesses paying higher utility bills or losing access to critical resources. By setting clear standards, tying incentives to real public benefit, and demanding transparency, North Carolina can support job creation while protecting communities and responsibly managing our natural resources.

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.

My views on abortion have evolved as a result of listening carefully to those directly affected and serving families in difficult and often traumatic circumstances. Earlier in my career, I held a firm position opposing abortion in all cases. However, through hands-on work with women and youth—including women who had to make emergency health decisions and those impacted by rape, incest, and abuse—I came to better understand the complex and painful realities some families face.

As a result, my position has shifted to recognize limited and serious extenuating circumstances where rigid policies can cause greater harm to the mother. This change was shaped not by politics, but by real conversations with individuals who were living through crisis and needed compassion, care, and support.

While I continue to oppose late-term abortions and the practice of presenting abortion as the sole option for families, I believe policies must reflect both moral responsibility and human compassion. I also strongly support ensuring that comprehensive counseling, mental health care, and family resources are available whenever an abortion occurs. Listening to constituents and those most affected has strengthened my commitment to approach this issue with care, accountability, and a deep respect for life and human dignity.

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

One important issue not addressed in this questionnaire is food safety and transparency. I am deeply concerned about the increasing use of chemical treatments, bioengineered products, and lab-created foods entering the consumer marketplace without sufficient long-term research on their physical and cognitive health impacts. Families deserve confidence that the food they purchase is safe, clearly labeled, and responsibly regulated.

The United States is facing a broader health crisis, and poor food quality is contributing to declining physical health, cognitive clarity, and overall resilience—particularly among children. Excessive chemical exposure in food has real implications for learning, development, and long-term productivity. If left unaddressed, these trends risk weakening our population and placing our nation at a competitive disadvantage globally, especially as many other countries maintain far stricter limits on chemicals and food processing practices.

In North Carolina, the Food and Drug Protection Division within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services should strengthen standards for food handling, inspections, product testing, and licensing. We should prioritize access to real, minimally processed foods—including traditionally raised meats and non-chemically treated fruits and vegetables—while increasing transparency around emerging food technologies. Additionally, the state should explore incentives for farmers who utilize non-GMO and sustainable practices, supporting public health, our children’s well-being, and North Carolina’s agricultural economy.