Name as it appears on the ballot: Semone Pemberton
Party affiliation: Republican
Previous elected offices held: N/A
Age as of Election Day: Not provided
Immediate family members: Not provided
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Realtor at Coldwell Banker
Website and campaign social media: fayforward.com, M. Semone Pemberton for NC Senate – District 19
1. With high levels of toxic chemicals in Cumberland County’s drinking water, describe the assistance you plan to send to water utilities, and to people who use drinking water wells, to cover the costs of mitigating PFAS contamination.
I am deeply committed to addressing the PFAS contamination in Cumberland County’s drinking water. As your senator, I will vote for increased state funding to assist water utilities in upgrading filtration systems and infrastructure, ensuring clean and safe drinking water for all residents. I will also work with city and county government to hold the responsible organizations accountable for the contamination.
2. North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarships are injecting hundreds of millions of tax dollars into the private school economy. Economists say that when the government puts money into an economy, prices rise. What price controls or other regulations do you intend to enact to prevent private schools from raising tuition prices at the expense of the North Carolina taxpayers?
As do many parents of Cumberland County, I believe in the power of school choice and the benefits that Opportunity Scholarships bring to families seeking the best education for their children. However, it’s essential to ensure that these funds are used responsibly and do not lead to unnecessary tuition hikes. I will advocate for measures that promote transparency and accountability, such as requiring private schools that accept Opportunity Scholarships to maintain reasonable tuition rates. Additionally, I support voting for budgets that fund these remedies, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are maximized for educational outcomes rather than driving up costs.
3. North Carolina law bans abortion in most cases after the 12th week of pregnancy. What change (if any) do you want to make to this, and why? And if no change, why no change?
Cumberland County hosts various opinions on the topic of abortion. Last year, North Carolina implemented a law allowing abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, with exceptions for incest, rape and to protect the mother’s life. I support the law as it is written.
4. Based on increased spending to support education and infrastructure, and tax cuts enacted by the legislature, the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division projects that the state budget will start having shortfalls in the 2026-27 fiscal year, and these will exceed $2 billion by the 2028-29 fiscal year. The North Carolina Constitution requires the budget to be balanced. What should be done to prevent the shortfall?
To prevent the projected budget shortfall, we need to take a hard look at our spending priorities and make sure we’re getting the most out of every dollar. That might mean tightening up in some areas while still protecting key investments in education and infrastructure. At the same time, we should focus on policies that drive economic growth, bringing in more revenue without raising taxes, whenever possible. As your senator, I will vote for budgets that keep us on a sustainable path, ensuring we stay balanced and protect the long-term financial health of our state and our community.