Bobbie Shields, candidate for NC Senate District 40

Kyle Ingram
·3 min read

Name: Bobbie Shields

Political party: Republican

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 69

Campaign website: votebobbieshields.com

Occupation: Businessman

Education: BS-Engineering; Masters Degree-Engineering; MBA

Have you run for elected office before? NC Senate (2018 and 2020)

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Community supporter, past county manager, past county assessor, Governor appointee to Licensing Board, various community and professional organizations. Have been involved with community and economic development for more than 40 years.

What are the three issues that you see as most important to your district and what will you do to address them?

Economic development, infrastructure and education. I will use my business, engineering and collaborating skills to affect change and help improve North Carolina government.

At a time when costs are rising, state government has a surplus. How should it be used?

It is good to have a surplus (savings). When the surplus is determined to be adequate, then additional “surplus revenue” should be directed toward education, economic development and infrastructure. After that, if the surplus continues to accrue, then consideration should be given to reducing taxes.

Will you vote for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina?

Yes.

What has the legislature gotten right, and what has it gotten wrong, about public education in North Carolina?

The legislature has rightly expanded educational options, such as charter schools. The legislature should give more attention to adequate resources for public school facilities and teachers across the state.

Should North Carolina change its abortion laws? How?

There should be a ban on abortion, with some exceptions.

Please add anything else voters should know about your position on the legality or availability of abortion in North Carolina.

I really don’t subscribe to any of the listed options. Abortion should be a choice of the affected person or persons. Government should not legislate this matter (Roe v. Wade should not have occurred to begin with). But, if citizens insist that government intervene, then government should discourage and not fund elective abortions. I do not know when a fetus should be protected, i.e., 20 weeks, 15 weeks, etc.

*Editors Note: Candidates were provided with the following multiple choice options to this question. A response was required to complete the questionnaire.

  • There should be a ban on abortion, with no exceptions.

  • There should be a ban on abortion, with some exceptions.

  • Abortion should be banned starting at some point during the first trimester.

  • Abortion should be banned starting at the end of the first trimester (12 weeks).

  • The current state law banning abortion after 20 weeks should remain.

  • There should be fewer restrictions on abortion after 20 weeks.

  • There should be no restrictions on abortion.

  • Undecided

Should medical marijuana be legalized in North Carolina?

Yes.

What, if anything, should the legislature to do shape curriculum dealing with topics of race, sexuality and gender?

Regarding sexuality and gender — nothing. Regarding race — support the teaching of American history and civics.

Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?

Yes.