Having served on the Kannapolis Board of Education for many years, I understand the extreme importance of electing representatives who will advocate for public education. For that reason and for her stance on other issues, I will vote for Gail Young (Democrat) for N.C. House District 83. Her opponent, in my opinion, has not been supportive of our teachers and students. Please visit Gail’s website at www.gailyoungnc.com for her position on the many issues that affect us all.

I am a registered Republican, but I have never voted a straight party ticket. I vote for the person who will fight for the issues I believe are important and who will work with those across the aisle to accomplish what is best for the citizens of NC. I believe that Gail Young will do this. In District 82, Linda Johnson (Republican) has long been a strong advocate for teachers and students, and I encourage those in her district to re-elect her.

We, the voters, need to stop listening to political parties’ rhetoric, the “we’re good, they’re bad” mentality, and elect people of integrity and conviction, regardless of political affiliation, who are willing to do what is best for all the people of our state.

— Danita Rickard

Kannapolis