Primary season is here, and District 37 voters are weighing real tradeoffs: how do we make life more affordable, strengthen public schools, and restore trust in state government? We brought all three Democratic candidates—Ralph Clements, Wynn Decker, and Marcus Gadson—into one room for a substantive, fast-moving forum that gets specific on budgets, vouchers, healthcare, and the path to a flipped seat in Southern Wake County. These candidates are vying for the chance to run against incumbent Erin Pare come November to be elected into the NC House of Representatives.

We start with clarity on voting: who gets which ballot, how to confirm your districts with the NCSBE Voter Search, and why printing a sample ballot can calm “test anxiety” at the polls. Then, the forum begins, and we turn to policy. On education, candidates confront the voucher surge, teacher pay, capital needs like HVAC and tech, and how to keep special education services strong. You’ll hear competing strategies to restore voucher income caps, require private schools taking public funds to publish test scores, and freeze or tighten voucher growth until public schools are fully funded.

Affordability threads through everything: proposals to reinstate the earned income tax credit, cut taxes on essentials like OTC meds and prepared foods, and boost housing supply with duplexes, triplexes, and ADUs. Property tax fairness and better infrastructure funding round out a pragmatic approach to costs families feel every day. The healthcare segment spotlights Medicaid reimbursement rates, mental health capacity, hospital price transparency, and protecting reproductive freedom—with calls to secure choice through state constitutional safeguards.

Undergirding it all is the health of democracy: breaking budget gridlock, protecting the governor’s veto, and reforming redistricting so general elections—not just primaries—shape policy. If you want clear contrasts, concrete ideas, and an honest look at how to actually pass laws in Raleigh, this forum delivers.

Subscribe to NC Deep Dive Podcast, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review so more voters can find it. Your voice shapes the outcome—what’s the one change you want your next representative to prioritize?

Support the show

As always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Now, let's dive in!

We sit down with Commissioner and mayoral candidate William (Bill) Harris to discuss a bold vision for Fuquay Varina—one that prioritizes balanced growth, higher wages through clean industry, and meaningful quality-of-life investments that strengthen community, not just add rooftops. Harris brings a results-driven track record, unpacks key votes, and calls on residents to help shape the town’s next chapter.

• Defining The Mayor’s Role As Ambassador, Brand Protector, And Visionary
• Fifty–Fifty Growth Strategy To Balance Residential And Commercial Development
• Tax Base Expansion To Ease The Burden On Residents
• Housing Diversity, Workforce Wages, And Streamlined Permitting
• Quality Of Life Investments Including Parks, Greenways, And An Aquatic Center
• Infrastructure First: Mobility, Chokepoints, And Long-Term Planning
• Evidence-Based Stance On Social Districts And Public Health
• Preserving Farmland And Improving Local Food Access
• Proactive Engagement Via Let’s Talk Fuquay Varina And Public Forums
• Small Business Support And The Chamber’s Evolving Role
• Arts District Proposal To Foster Connection And Inclusion
• Objectivity In Leadership And A Commitment To Avoiding Conflicts Of Interest
• Endorsed By The Wake County Democratic Party

Bill Harris is one of two candidates vying to be the next Mayor of Fuquay Varina. With early voting starting October 16 and Election Day on November 4, now’s the time to prepare. Make a plan, bring your valid ID, and be part of shaping the future of Fuquay Varina—for the next two years and beyond.

BillHarrisForMayor.com

BHarris30917@yahoo.com

Facebook

Campaign Finance Report

Campaign Finance Reports for All Candidate Committees

Voter Information (Register, Am I Registered?, Election Information)
Voter Info (Designated Polling Places, Sample Ballots, Registration Status, Voting Jurisdiction, Verify Address and Party Affiliation)
Election Information (Absentee by Mail Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting)

Early Voting Locations
October 16-November 1

Wake County Board of Elections Office-1200 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh 27610

October 25-November 1

John M. Brown Community Center-53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502

Avery Street Recreation Center-125 Avery Street, Garner, NC 27529

Herbert C. Young Community Center-101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513

ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, November 4 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Support the show

As always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Now, let's dive in!

We sat down with Holly Springs mayoral candidate Mike Kondratick to talk traffic, development, affordability, and how a more responsive town hall could better serve residents. He outlines ideas like a transportation lockbox, daily outreach to the community, and a "worth the cost" standard for evaluating future projects.

• Redefining The Mayor’s Role As Active Chair And Resident Advocate
• Why Traffic And Development Must Be Evaluated Together
• Transportation Lockbox Funding To Reduce Developer Dependence
• Microtransit, Carpools, And Greenways As An All-Of-The-Above Strategy
• Small Business Cost Relief Via Grants, Co-Ops, And Paid Internships
• Budget Concerns Around Debt Service And Sequencing Big Projects
• Water Quality Transparency And PFAS Filtration Investments
• Flexibility On Yard Waste Policy To Serve Seniors And Disabled Residents
• Support For A Non-Discrimination Ordinance Aligned With Town Vision
• Biotech Growth and Supply-Chain Recruitment
• Boards And Commissions That Reflect The Town’s Diversity
• Third Spaces And Face-To-Face Engagement Over Quarterly Chats
• Endorsed By Wake County Democratic Party

Kondratick is one of two candidates in the race for Holly Springs Mayor. Early voting begins October 16, and a valid photo ID is required. Election Day is November 4—be sure your voice is heard, and your vote is counted. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of Holly Springs.

MikeForHS.com

MikeforHS2025@gmail.com

Facebook/Instagram

Campaign Finance Report

Campaign Finance Reports for All Candidate Committees

Voter Information (Register, Am I Registered?, Election Information)
Voter Info (Designated Polling Places, Sample Ballots, Registration Status, Voting Jurisdiction, Verify Address and Party Affiliation)
Election Information (Absentee by Mail Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting)

Early Voting Locations
October 16-November 1

Wake County Board of Elections Office-1200 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh 27610

October 25-November 1

John M. Brown Community Center-53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502

Avery Street Recreation Center-125 Avery Street, Garner, NC 27529

Herbert C. Young Community Center-101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513

ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, November 4 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Support the show

As always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Now, let's dive in!

We sit down with Kris Vorren, a data-driven candidate for the Fuquay-Varina Board of Commissioners, to dive into equitable growth, housing affordability, traffic solutions, and heat-resilient public spaces. He offers practical strategies for blending density, supporting small businesses, and fostering community through local events and shaded gathering spots. Key topics from our conversation include:

• Role of a commissioner as both vision-setter and evaluator
• Equitable growth as the guiding principle
• Top priorities: attainable housing, traffic relief, heat-safe parks and a vibrant downtown
• Rethinking affordability beyond the 30% income benchmark
• Supporting missing-middle housing, ADUs, and modest mid-rise development
• Forward-thinking infrastructure planning for wastewater and transportation
• Drawing transit lessons from Chapel Hill and aligning on intersection timelines
• Boosting small businesses with mixed-use spaces and frequent community events
• Promoting inclusion by meeting residents where they are
• Advocating for a clear, actionable non-discrimination policy
• Endorsed by Wake County Democratic Party

Vorren is one of four candidates vying for a spot on the Fuquay Varina Board of Commissioners, where voters can select up to two. Early voting starts on October 16th, and a valid ID is required to cast your vote. Your decision on November 4th will play a pivotal role in shaping Fuquay Varina’s future for years to come. Be sure to make a plan to vote!

KrisVorren.com

Info@KrisVorren.com

Facebook

Campaign Finance Report

Campaign Finance Reports for All Candidate Committees

Voter Information (Register, Am I Registered?, Election Information)
Voter Info (Designated Polling Places, Sample Ballots, Registration Status, Voting Jurisdiction, Verify Address and Party Affiliation)
Election Information (Absentee by Mail Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting)

Early Voting Locations
October 16-November 1

Wake County Board of Elections Office-1200 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh 27610

October 25-November 1

John M. Brown Community Center-53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502

Avery Street Recreation Center-125 Avery Street, Garner, NC 27529

Herbert C. Young Community Center-101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513

ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, November 4 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Support the show

As always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Now, let's dive in!

We sit down with Commissioner Bryan Haynes to discuss how Fuquay-Varina can grow while preserving its unique character. Our conversation covers infrastructure-first planning, public safety, diverse housing options, and boosting small business vitality. Bryan reflects on key accomplishments, lessons learned, and a regional strategy for managing water, roads, and revenue. Here are some of the critical topics we covered:

• How at-large representation impacts every decision
• Leveraging state, federal, and regional partnerships to unlock funding
• Managing water supply challenges, treatment costs, and 24/7 operations
• Alleviating traffic through sidewalks, greenways, and optimized timing
• Achieving an ISO Class 1 fire rating, expanding SROs, and enhancing crisis training
• Diversifying the tax base with shovel-ready business parks
• Balancing housing diversity, mixed-use design, and affordability initiatives
• Expanding youth council opportunities, creating smoke-free parks, and promoting inclusive events
• Supporting small businesses across Fuquay-Varina’s two downtowns
• Proactive budgeting, strong bond ratings, and maintaining tax stability
• Expanding food access through grower’s markets and community gardens
• Communicating effectively about annexation, zoning notices, and changes
• Endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party

Haynes is one of four candidates vying for a spot on the Fuquay Varina Board of Commissioners, where voters can select up to two. Early voting starts on October 16th, and a valid ID is required to cast your vote. Your decision on November 4th will play a pivotal role in shaping Fuquay Varina’s future for years to come. Be sure to make a plan to vote!

ChooseHaynes4FV.com

ChooseHaynes4FV@gmail.com

Facebook/Instagram

Campaign Finance Report

Campaign Finance Reports for All Candidate Committees

Voter Information (Register, Am I Registered?, Election Information)
Voter Info (Designated Polling Places, Sample Ballots, Registration Status, Voting Jurisdiction, Verify Address and Party Affiliation)
Election Information (Absentee by Mail Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting)

Early Voting Locations
October 16-November 1

Wake County Board of Elections Office-1200 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh 27610

October 25-November 1

John M. Brown Community Center-53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502

Avery Street Recreation Center-125 Avery Street, Garner, NC 27529

Herbert C. Young Community Center-101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513

ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, November 4 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Support the show

As always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Now, let's dive in!

Sarah Larson shares her vision for Holly Springs Town Council, focusing on bridging people, policy, and progress through better communication and creating "third gathering places" where community connections flourish.

• Long-time community volunteer serving on various boards including Parks and Rec Advisory Committee and the Downtown Village Plan Committee
• Emphasizes the need for better communication between town government and residents, potentially through direct engagement with HOAs
• Supports small businesses through dedicated town liaison position and streamlined processes
• Advocates for smart growth that maintains town character while addressing infrastructure and housing affordability
• Prioritizes connectivity through greenways, alternative transportation, and creating community gathering spaces
• Views infrastructure, development, public safety, and parks as interconnected priorities requiring balanced attention
• Supports proactive infrastructure investment rather than relying solely on developers
• Grassroots campaign focused on representing all residents regardless of political affiliation
• Endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party

Larson is one of six candidates running for Holly Springs Town Council, where voters may choose up to three. Early voting begins October 16th, and you'll need a valid ID to vote. Your vote on November 4th will help to shape Holly Springs for generations to come. Make sure you have a plan!

LarsonForGovernment.com

Sarah@LarsonForGovernment.com

Facebook/Instagram/TikTok

Campaign Finance Report

Campaign Finance Reports for All Candidate Committees

Voter Information (Register, Am I Registered?, Election Information)
Voter Info (Designated Polling Places, Sample Ballots, Registration Status, Voting Jurisdiction, Verify Address and Party Affiliation)
Election Information (Absentee by Mail Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting)

Early Voting Locations
October 16-November 1

Wake County Board of Elections Office-1200 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh 27610

October 25-November 1

John M. Brown Community Center-53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502

Avery Street Recreation Center-125 Avery Street, Garner, NC 27529

Herbert C. Young Community Center-101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513

ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, November 4 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Support the show

As always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Now, let's dive in!

Joe Cuccurullo, running for Holly Springs Town Council, shares his journey from New York to North Carolina and his vision for balancing growth while preserving the community charm that attracted him to the area.

• Moved from New York City during the pandemic and opened Resource Room Learning Center in Holly Springs
• Joined the Planning Board to understand development decisions after seeing projects like Main Street Vista approved
• Advocates for "balanced development" to manage the high demand of people moving to Wake County
• Prioritizes public safety, managing density, and expanding services like teen entertainment options
• Supports the current town budget's focus on public safety while maintaining low municipal taxes
• Wants to create a liaison position to help small businesses navigate the complex development process
• Values community events like Springsfest and supports using Ting Park for more entertainment
• Believes Holly Springs should remain a multi-generational town with expanded services for seniors
• Emphasizes managing density as key to addressing infrastructure challenges
• Endorsed by Wake County Republican Party & Holly Springs Committee for Responsible Growth

Cuccurullo is one of six candidates running for Holly Springs Town Council, where voters may choose up to three. Early voting begins October 16th, and you'll need a valid ID to vote. Your vote on November 4th will help to shape Holly Springs for generations to come. Make sure you have a plan!

JoeForHollySprings.com

info@joeforhollysprings.com

Facebook/Instagram/YouTube

Campaign Finance Report

Campaign Finance Reports for All Candidate Committees

Voter Information (Register, Am I Registered?, Election Information)
Voter Info (Designated Polling Places, Sample Ballots, Registration Status, Voting Jurisdiction, Verify Address and Party Affiliation)
Election Information (Absentee by Mail Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting)

Early Voting Locations
October 16-November 1

Wake County Board of Elections Office-1200 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh 27610

October 25-November 1

John M. Brown Community Center-53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502

Avery Street Recreation Center-125 Avery Street, Garner, NC 27529

Herbert C. Young Community Center-101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513

ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, November 4 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Support the show

As always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Now, let's dive in!

Annie Drees, running for re-election to Holly Springs Town Council, brings her engineering background and problem-solving mindset to local government. She believes in preserving Holly Springs' community spirit while managing growth, improving transportation options, and creating more affordable housing opportunities.

• Serving on council for two years with experience on the Legislative Action Committee, Tree Advisory Committee, and Nonprofit Grant Committee
• Top priorities include creating affordable housing incentives, expanding transit options, and establishing an environmental advisory board
• Supports better development planning with thoughtful buffers and tree preservation to maintain town character
• Advocates for revising the town budget to focus on immediate traffic needs rather than postponable projects
• Pushed for Wake County Non-Discrimination Ordinance update but was outvoted by majority of council
• Created a matrix system for board appointments to ensure diverse perspectives from different parts of town
• Believes in creating more opportunities for council members to directly engage with residents
• Consistently reads preparation materials, visits sites, and meets with people to make informed decisions

• Endorsed by Wake County Democratic Party & Democratic Municipal Officials

Drees is one of six candidates running for Holly Springs Town Council, where voters may choose up to three. Early voting begins October 16th, and you'll need a valid ID to vote. Your vote on November 4th will help to shape Holly Springs for generations to come. Make sure you have a plan!

AnnieDrees4HollySprings.com

Annie4HollySprings@gmail.com

Facebook/Instagram

Campaign Finance Report

Campaign Finance Reports for All Candidate Committees

Voter Information (Register, Am I Registered?, Election Information)
Voter Info (Designated Polling Places, Sample Ballots, Registration Status, Voting Jurisdiction, Verify Address and Party Affiliation)
Election Information (Absentee by Mail Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting)

Early Voting Locations
October 16-November 1

Wake County Board of Elections Office-1200 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh 27610

October 25-November 1

John M. Brown Community Center-53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502

Avery Street Recreation Center-125 Avery Street, Garner, NC 27529

Herbert C. Young Community Center-101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513

ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, November 4 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Support the show

As always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Now, let's dive in!