Voters' Guide: Here are the candidates in the race for North Carolina governor

Roy Cooper, Democrat

Age: 63

Family: Wife, Kristin; three daughters

Elected office held: N.C. governor, one term; N.C. attorney general, three terms; state senator, four terms; state representative, two terms

Gov. Roy Cooper has taken a cautious approach to reopening business and public gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Do you think his policies have been appropriate? Why or why not? What would you have done differently? Should businesses such as bars be allowed to reopen immediately?

During this pandemic, I will continue to make the tough decisions based on science and data while putting the health and safety of North Carolinians first. We are slowing the spread of the virus while helping the unemployed, our schools and teachers, and our small businesses. We have taken a dimmer switch approach to all decisions. These decisions aren’t easy, but by making them, we’ve been able to work to get the virus under control. I am committed to getting us through this pandemic, as well as rebuilding North Carolina even stronger than before.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic forced people to work from home and made remote learning the new normal, lawmakers knew there were areas in our state that struggle with access to the internet. The coronavirus has brought this into focus as parents, teachers and students in some communities try to connect for classes. What can North Carolina do to make sure people across the state have access to the internet?   

The pandemic is shining a bright light on existing challenges like high-speed internet access, including broadband access. This is crucial for teachers, students and families in rural areas. My budget proposed establishing a $50 million emergency grant program to fund connectivity projects to communities lacking in service, funding the “Building a New Digital Economy in North Carolina” (BAND-NC program) and establishing a broadband subscription pilot program to provide financial assistance to residents who cannot afford broadband. I also proposed as part of my school construction bond package $250 million for rural broadband. In August, my administration awarded more than $12 million in grants to expand high-speed internet in 11 rural counties in North Carolina.

Do you support Medicaid expansion in North Carolina for workers whose employers don't provide them with health insurance and who can't get Affordable Care Act subsidies? Why? If you don't support Medicaid expansion, what is your plan to ensure those workers can get health care coverage?

Yes. Though legislative Republicans and my opponent have stood in the way, I have fought hard for Medicaid expansion, which would provide coverage for over half a million North Carolinians, including families, veterans, and those who have lost coverage due to job loss during the pandemic. Expanding Medicaid using federal dollars and no additional state dollars would help save rural hospitals, decrease the cost of health care for businesses and boost the economy. Thirty-nine states have expanded Medicaid, including Indiana when Vice President Pence was governor. 

Dan Forest, Republican

Age: 53

Family: Wife, Alice; four children

Elected office held: N.C. lieutenant governor, two terms

Contact: andrew@danforest.com

Gov. Roy Cooper has taken a cautious approach to reopening business and public gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Do you think his policies have been appropriate? Why or why not? What would you have done differently? Should businesses such as bars be allowed to reopen immediately?

With more than 1 million North Carolinians out of a job, we need to quickly get our state back to work and repair the damage to our economy. This is more important than just subsistence: So many of society’s ills can be cured by a good job. 

We can do two things at once: protect lives and livelihoods with the same intensity. We can trust the good people of North Carolina to do the right thing, without the heavy hand of government dictating how we live our lives. 

As governor, I will not pick winners and losers in the economy with poll-driven restrictions. Instead, I will implement policies that are proven to keep people safe, within the state and U.S. constitutions, while freeing the rest of the state to get back to their lives. We will fix the state’s broken unemployment system. And we will replace the current climate of fear and panic with hope and opportunity.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic forced people to work from home and made remote learning the new normal, lawmakers knew there were areas in our state that struggle with access to the internet. The coronavirus has brought this into focus as parents, teachers and students in some communities try to connect for classes. What can North Carolina do to make sure people across the state have access to the internet?   

As lieutenant governor, I championed the effort for North Carolina to be the first state in the nation to have every classroom connected to high-speed broadband. That was a $100 million annual investment that will pay off by closing the education gap and allowing students access to the best and brightest teachers regardless of ZIP code. When I’m elected governor, we will make North Carolina the first state to ensure all children have access to high-speed internet at home as well, connecting all of rural North Carolina to broadband.

Do you support Medicaid expansion in North Carolina for workers whose employers don't provide them with health insurance and who can't get Affordable Care Act subsidies? Why? If you don't support Medicaid expansion, what is your plan to ensure those workers can get health care coverage?

I am for high-quality, affordable health care for all North Carolinians. Medicaid expansion does not fit the bill.

The Affordable Care Act promised hardworking families more access, better care and no tax increases to pay for it. These were broken promises. Now these same promises are being made by Gov. Cooper regarding Medicaid expansion. Our people are smarter than this political rhetoric.

When I'm governor, I'll focus on providing better access for patients by encouraging doctors to practice in our rural communities. I'll work with the General Assembly and the state treasurer to ensure more price transparency so citizens know how much prescription drugs and vital health services cost. And I'll fight to get those left in the coverage gap created by the ACA on private insurance. 

But right now, the quickest way to get people health insurance is to help them find a job. As governor, I will reopen the economy and get people back to work.

Al Pisano, Constitution Party

Age: 57

Contact: alpisanoforncgovernor.com; pisano4ncgovernor@gmail.com

Steven DiFiore, Libertarian Party

Age: 36

Contact: stevenfornorthcarolina.com

Pisano and DiFiore did not respond to messages about the Observer's survey.