Name: Mary Insprucker

Age: 

Party affiliation: Republican

Campaign website: https://maryforcarolina.com/

Occupation & employer: None

Years lived in the area: 20 years

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

I have a servant’s heart. I have always given back belonging to countless non-profits including serving on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, and volunteering for Special Olympics, and Habitat for Humanity, just to name a few. Serving in the House is a make-sense trajectory for me.

Consulting for the Town of Cary has honed my government experience. Acting as the Regional Director of one of the largest non-profits in the Chicagoland area required all skills associated with this role- budgeting, listening, meeting deadlines, making tough and wise decisions, working across the aisle skill sets and more.

As far as my accomplishments- in all business endeavors I have been a dedicated, responsible, go-over-and-above employee. However, what I truly consider my greatest accomplishment is faith, family, fellowship.

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 General Assembly has already taken swift action to address the number one problem, the affordability crisis, by starting with their Tax Reduction and Reform Committees to study how to address sky rocketing property taxes. We now have a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot to limit property tax increases and another to lower the cap on income taxes.

Budget management can always be improved. When I’m elected, I will pursue Zero-Based Budgeting instead of using old baseline numbers. We must have oversight and review of all programs with measurable outcomes. 

A majority of state and local tax dollars is appropriated for public education but counties like Wake still underfund teachers and students. Even though Wake gets billions they can’t seem to keep the heating and cooling units working or fully fund the classrooms. I would advocate for accountability measures for state funds given to school districts to ensure teachers and students come first. I would also advocate for ethical oversight for school boards as they are currently self-governing. I would work with the state auditor to investigate why the state is only getting 16% of the “Education” Lottery. 

3. Federal cuts to Medicaid are expected to cost the state $50 billion over the next decade, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. How would you address Medicaid funding to maintain coverage for the millions of North Carolinians enrolled?

The reduction of funding reflects the reduction of need because of the streamlined provisions about recipient eligibility.  Now able-bodied people of working-age will be required to work, attend school, train or volunteer to get benefits; this allows children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities to be prioritized. 

We have also seen millions in Medicaid fraud so the new provisions require more frequent eligibility checks. With a fair and responsible policy those who need Medicaid the most will still be able to access their benefits.

4. The General Assembly has voted to put a constitutional amendment on ballots that, if passed, would put a cap on property tax increases. Do you support the amendment? Why or why not?

I attended every General Assembly committee meeting on Tax Reduction and Reform because I wanted to be versed on options for my constituents. I am an of, by, for the people candidate, and because this will be the people’s choice, I enthusiastically support this Amendment. I live in Cary where the Town has lavishly spent tax dollars personally pampering themselves while raising taxes. This Amendment, which does not require cuts to local services, empowers the people to put guardrails around runaway property tax hikes. It will also be a step for seniors and veterans to protect losing their life’s investments-their homes-to property tax increases. 

Additionally, I do not support using fear as a motivator, so for those who want to play the fear card, let it be known that I fully support the funding of police, fire, EMS, schools, etc. That is not what this is about. Tax levy limits are about government accountability, fiscal responsibility and addressing the horror in our hearts when our evaluations rise 50%, but our paychecks, Social Security, and retirements do not.

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

I am known as the Affordability Candidate because addressing rising costs are near and dear to my heart. Even as a child, I realized how my parents grappled with high costs.

As I go door-to-door and speak with folks, for most it is about food on the table and gas in the tank.  I support proposed legislation to repeal taxes on groceries, diapers, medicine, vitamins and other essentials. We must also consider utility prices which is why I also support the Ratepayer Protection Act to protect property owners from using eminent domain to seize land while preventing data center costs from being passed to consumers. North Carolinians are struggling because of government overreach; let people keep more of what they earn to provide for their families while feeding the economy.

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?

As an American Red Cross Board of Director, I am constantly involved in these unfortunate crises. As part of their disaster team, I assist in the shelters by putting up cots, passing out blankets, serving food, and most importantly, offering comfort to those who have lost everything.

We should always be looking to take care of others, and step-up when duty calls. This type of duty calls for vast cooperation with federal funding, assuring our state budget is qualified in disaster assistance, and working with private/public/and philanthropic entities. Proper engineering, watersheds, etc. also play a role. More housing options will also help including revisiting zoning, regulations, and offering more housing stock, as well as, middle market opportunities. I support a results-oriented approach to conservation, protection and restoration of our natural environment.

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? 

When I go door-to-door and speak with people, 8 times out of 10 they are unaware of what district they live in because of all the redistricting. The frequency of redistricting is also an issue because voters just learn their boundaries, and then it changes. This confusion leads to lack of trust and transparency for many. Both Parties may use redistricting to their advantage. Therefore, if there is an independent redistricting process that would result in fair and impartial jurisdictions, that may be an option.

8. North Carolina ranks near the bottom nationally in teacher pay. How would you address teacher compensation, and what will you do to ensure a budget passes that adequately funds education?

As a former religious educator and WCPSS substitute teacher, I am all about paying teachers a fair wage. The recently passed budget by the General Assembly allowed for a pay raise, the largest increase since 2006. However, I would like to see more money in educators’ pockets, including a stipend for school supplies.

Education is part of the American Dream because if you get a good education, you can get that job, that house and start that family. However, to get a good education we need qualified teachers and to do that, we need to pay them well.

In addition to pay, we need to do more for both students and teachers when it comes to safety. Assaults on school personnel were up 45% from last year. In 2024/2025, 9,000 teachers left and it does not always have to do with pay, considering teachers are often in a position of teaching or threat.

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, believe access should be expanded, or would you support further restrictions?

There is no abortion ban and the law allows abortions up to 24 weeks in certain circumstances. In fact, North Carolina continues to be an abortion destination of the Southeast because surrounding states have much more stringent laws.

The new law provides important support to pregnant women in crisis who choose to keep their babies. Housing, childcare and maternity care are just some of the benefits for pregnant women through SB 20. I do support the restrictions on chemical abortion drugs by mail without an appointment for the health of the mother, and to prevent human traffickers and other abusers from obtaining the drugs to force serial abortions on their victims. 

10. Federal legislation will ban most hemp-derived THC products, like Delta-8, by December 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 would you address the upcoming federal ban, if at all?

In NC we may see movement on medical marijuana one day, however, there needs to be more studies about societal costs of allowing legal marijuana use before deciding on regulations regarding use, possession and sales. 

11. Iryna’s Law 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 these criminal justice reforms?

It is simply unimaginable to digest the heinous crime committed upon Iryna Zarutska. As a woman, a mother, a citizen, this is unacceptable. Safe, strong communities are a basic human right.

It should be noted that stricter rules are for those accused of violent crimes. I was encouraged to see that Iryna’s Law also included a $9.5 million pilot program to address mental illness in the criminal justice system. As our population grows, so will our crime, and therefore, criminal justice reforms will be in a constant state of flux, to what degree is yet to be explored. Think about it: A few years back, we would have never thought we would have to be looking at elevating penalties for soliciting a minor via computer and electronic devises. 

I am against the death penalty because there’s too much room for error, and in fact the Innocence Commission has exonerated many wrongfully accused prisoners. The solution is to increase jail space to ensure dangerous criminals are not set free simply because of space. Public safety is the government’s number one job and priority.

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

Community concern is my North Star; we must listen to the people. Intelligent investigation/research is required, as evidenced by many cities enacting moratoriums on development. One thing is for sure; I support the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would protect property owners from the use of eminent domain to seize land while preventing data center costs from being passed to consumers.

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.

I wasn’t sure about Opportunity Scholarships at first, but now I am a big believer. I am a strong supporter of public education, but after speaking with a mother I feel strongly there is a place for both to exist.

This mother told me about how her nine-year-old daughter—VERY important to note this was a nine-year-old girl, was cutting herself because of the toxic academic environment she was in. An Opportunity Scholarship that allowed her daughter to attend a different school possibly saved her life, because the family would not have been able to pay for an alternative without it. Besides student environment factors every child is a unique learner and we should not deny students from going to the school which best helps them thrive.

Two-thirds of students using Opportunity Scholarships are lower-income and the entire program is income tier-based. I trust parents to know what is best for their child. As elected officials we have no right to tell parents what is best for their children, nor force them into an underperforming school.

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

I am not running to be somebody—I am running to serve everybody. I am an of, by, for the people candidate. Hate and extremism in politics today halts growth. I do not have time for it! We need to listen to the needs of everyday people and Fix The Problems! I am a principled, pragmatic centrist who pledges to unite, not divide, be accountable, work across the aisle, and vote YOUR priorities.