This year, SEANC members decided not to endorse any candidate running in a race with an incumbent legislator.

EMPAC, SEANC’s political action committee, normally backs candidates in dozens of legislative races each election. This year it is backing two.

Members made that call because the General Assembly has not stood up for the people who keep North Carolina running. Raises have not kept pace with the cost of living. Health and retirement benefits have eroded. Vacancies have left the employees who remain covering more work with fewer hands.

In two open-seat races for the N.C. House, members found promising candidates:

• Charles Taylor, House District 51 (Lee County and part of Moore County). Taylor has represented Ward 2 on the Sanford City Council since 2007.
• Ian Baltutis, House District 63 (part of Alamance County). Baltutis served as mayor of Burlington from 2015 to 2021 and now serves on the Burlington City Council.

Every seat in the N.C. House and N.C. Senate is on the ballot this fall. That includes every legislator who votes on your pay, your health plan and your retirement.

SEANC’s new voting page has everything in one place. You can find your polling place and early voting sites, check your registration, and see the rules on photo ID.