Candidate Forums

Big focus on education in NC Senate District 9 candidate forum

Sara Wood — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Several issues were discussed during last night’s North Carolina Senate District 9 forum at the WHQR Gallery, but education continued to surface as one of the central debates. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports incumbent Republican Thom Goolsby and Democratic opponent Deb Butler argued the merits and failures of the state’s education system.

NC Senate District 9 candidates toe party line over voter ID

Sara Wood — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

During last night’s North Carolina Senate District 9 Forum at the WHQR Gallery, panelist Jon Evans of WECT asked candidates if they would resurrect the voter ID bill vetoed last year by Governor Bev Perdue. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports incumbent Republican Thom Goolsby and Democratic candidate Deb Butler passionately disagreed while toeing the party lines.

NC Senate District 9 candidates on politics as usual

Rachel Lewis Hilburn — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

At the North Carolina Senate District 9 Candidates’ Forum at WHQR last night, Republican Senator Thom Goolsby and his Democratic opponent Deb Butler accused one another of hypocrisy, lying, mud-slinging, and complaining. So when panelist Cacky Catlett asked how they would talk to families who aren’t interested in politics as usual, the answer, as WHQR’s Rachel Lewis Hilburn reports, quickly turned into -- well, politics as usual.

It started with an acknowledgment from the candidates:

NC Senate District 9 candidates debate regulatory reform

Rachel Lewis Hilburn — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Although subtle differences exist in some races this election season, that is not the case with Senate District 9. In a Candidates’ Forum in the WHQR Gallery last night, WHQR’s Rachel Lewis Hilburn reports that Republican Senator Thom Goolsby and Democratic Candidate Deb Butler went to the mat over regulatory reform.

NC House District 18 candidates won't commit to not raise taxes

Sara Wood — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

The two candidates running for the House District 18 seat agreed on some issues last night at WHQR’s candidate forum. Refusing to sign a pledge against raising taxes was one part of the common ground. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports Republican challenger Louis Harmati and Democratic incumbent Susi Hamilton both agree to keep their names off this list.

Unlike some of his fellow Republican party members, Harmati says he won’t sign his name on that kind of promise.

NC House District 18 candidates offer vague solutions to traffic issues

Sara Wood — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Traffic woes in the Cape Fear Region were one of the topics at last night’s House District 18 Forum in the WHQR Gallery. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports Democratic incumbent Susi Hamilton and Republican challenger Louis Harmati were asked how they would solve the plight of motorists traveling between New Hanover and Brunswick Counties.

Film Incentives another source of agreement between NC House District 18 candidates

Rachel Lewis Hilburn — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Representative Susi Hamilton, a Democrat, is facing Republican challenger Louis Harmati in the race to represent House District 18. At a Candidate Forum in the WHQR Gallery last night, WHQR’s Rachel Lewis Hilburn reports that it was difficult to find points on which Hamilton and Harmati disagreed.

Cacky Catlett of WWAY asked the two politicians for their views on film incentives – in light of the recent decision of one big production to go to Cleveland.

NC District 18 candidates near agreement on fracking

Rachel Lewis Hilburn — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Republican Louis Harmati is challenging Democratic Representative Susi Hamilton for the seat in House District 18. The two candidates came together last night in the WHQR Gallery. As WHQR’s Rachel Lewis Hilburn reports, the predictably divisive issue of fracking turned out to be yet another area of near-agreement between candidates.

Senate District 9 Candidate Forums at 7 PM - listen & watch online!

John Mortara — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:46:58 +0000

Tonight at 7 PM, Senator Thom Goolsby squares off with challenger Deb Butler in the race for Senate District 9. They'll take questions from panelists, the studio audience, and even via Twitter. Listeners at home can tune-in to 91.3fm, stream online, or watch the video below!

Most NHCo. candidates don't support baseball stadium

Sara Wood — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Several major issues facing New Hanover County were posed to the six candidates running for county commissioner last night. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports candidates spoke their minds about the upcoming baseball stadium referendum facing all city residents, but only half of the county.