RALEIGH – Two Republicans — Vince Coakley, a radio show host, and Leon Threatt, a pastor of a Charlotte church — are vying for their party’s nomination for the 12th Congressional District.

The winner of the May 6 GOP primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary or a July 15 runoff, if necessary, in the November general election. Former 12th District Democratic Rep. Mel Watt resigned his seat earlier this year to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

The 12th District stretches from Guilford County to Mecklenburg County, and includes portions of Forsyth, Davidson, Rowan, and Cabarrus counties.

The N.C. Free Enterprise Foundation rates it as a strong Democratic district.

Coakley has been in broadcasting for more than 30 years, formerly with WSOC-TV in Charlotte, before becoming a radio show host.

Threatt is senior pastor at Christian Faith Assembly. Before becoming a pastor, he was a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer. Before that, he was on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Coakley said the top focus of his campaign is the economy. “I’m very much concerned about getting America and Americans working again,” Coakley said. “We need to get more Americans working, which means we need to get the federal government off the back of small business people and allow them to do what they do best.”

Threatt lists some social concerns as his top issues. “I think first and foremost that American needs to hold true to its traditional values of faith and family,” Threatt said. “As a committed Republican, I’m strongly committed to the sanctity of human life.” Jobs are also important, he said.

“The answer for the 12th District is not more government, “Threatt said. “We need jobs, we don’t need more government.” He said that the 12th District previously had a lot of textile plants and factories, but trade policies hurt the manufacturing industry. “We’ve got to re-examine our policies where we allow and permit our jobs, such as the textile industry, to go across the borders,” Threatt said.

Both candidates believe that Obamacare is troublesome for both the economy and the health care system.

“I believe what needs to happen there is a market-based solution that meets the health care needs of people without upending our health care system,” Coakley said. “This is one of the regulatory problems that has slowed our economy.”

Allowing companies to offer health care insurance across state lines to create competition is one of the solutions Coakley supports. “It’s sad that we have actually come to a point where we think a government takeover is the answer to health care,” Threatt said. “We need to repeal [Obamacare] immediately. It needs to be defunded by Congress.” Threatt said that while the cost of health care is a problem, it doesn’t merit a government takeover.

Threatt thinks the information revealed by National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden was revealing. “I’m more concerned with the federal and state governments getting my personal information than businesses getting my personal information,” Threatt said. “I have mixed feelings about Mr. Snowden personally. I’m glad this information came out.”

“I think his revelations about what the federal government has been doing are disturbing,” Coakley said. “I do not believe that blanket warrants should be allowed to collect data on more than one person. It’s really an unconstitutional breach of privacy.” Coakley said he was concerned that the nation is developing into “a surveillance state.”

Both candidates believe budget deficits and the national debt are a problem.

“One of the most important things you need to do to bring down the debt is you need more taxpayers,” Coakley said. “There’s no way around the fact that we need to cut spending.”

Threatt said the debt is creating problems for future generations. He said he was talking to a 26-year-old man earlier. “He and his children will pay for our spending,” Threatt said.

And both candidates believe that President Obama has overextended his authority with his use of executive orders.

“Our Constitution was set up to prevent the very thing that has taken place,” Threatt said.

“One word: overreach,” Coakley said. “This is not a monarchy. And it’s not supposed to be a dictatorship.”

Barry Smith (@Barry_Smith) is an associate editor of Carolina Journal.