RALEIGH — Freshman state Sen. Ben Clark wants a second term in the General Assembly, and he says he’s the best qualified of the four Democrats running in the primary for the chance to serve the residents of Hoke and Cumberland counties.

“I believe I have the most experience, I have a very strong work ethic, and I’m completely in touch with the needs and desires of the members of the community,” said Clark, who was raised in Cumberland County, and has lived in Hoke County for the past decade.

Three Democrats want to replace Clark, but none of his challengers would talk with Carolina Journal to explain why.

Candidate Billy King, a Cumberland County Commissioner and insurance agent who lost to Clark in a 2012 primary runoff, did not respond to two requests for an interview. Neither did Sylvia Adamczyk, a long-time Cumberland County educator, and current director of programs and outreach for the Autism Society of Cumberland County.

Candidate Eronomy Mohammed Smith, an activist who has run for office multiple times, initially agreed to a phone interview. At the appointed time, however, Smith declined to proceed unless the interview was conducted in person, and with John Locke Foundation President John Hood in attendance.

Carolina Journal, which is published by the Locke Foundation, does not agree to conditions for candidate interviews. Hood does not report for the publication.

Clark downplayed his primary rematch with King, saying this May’s election won’t be like last time. In 2012, Clark came in second to King in a six-person primary, but engineered a landslide win in the runoff.

The Fayetteville Observer described the turn of events as a victory that “stunned observers who assumed King would win in Cumberland and therefore win the whole race.”

When asked what distinguishes him from his three current opponents, Clark declined to say.

“I don’t believe it is my position to try to determine what distinguishes me from them, nor do I have the time to figure out what distinguishes me from them,” he said.

Since no Republican is running for the District 21 seat, the winner of the Democratic primary will be sworn into office in January, barring the unlikely event of a successful write-in or unaffiliated candidate in the Nov. 4 general election.

If Clark prevails, he’ll have a head start on addressing an issue he characterizes as of key importance. The Air Force veteran said the General Assembly made a mistake last year by not expanding Medicaid. He wants to “right that wrong,” as early as the short legislative session that convenes May 14.

Clark signs on to the view that federal Medicaid dollars that would initially flow to North Carolina to help pay for Medicaid expansion would also stimulate the economy.

“So in addition to providing more jobs,” he said, “ you’ll have increased revenues flowing to our economy, and that can only be considered a good thing.”

Clark, an information technology manager, said his appointment to the North Carolina Economic Development Board is a sign of his commitment to helping the state.
He also serves on numerous legislative committees, including The North Carolina Educator Effectiveness and Compensation Task Force. That puts Clark, who describes himself as a civil legislator who respects differences of opinion, in the middle of several contentious debates.

In March the Cumberland County school board passed a resolution calling on the legislature to repeal the law that ended teacher tenure, or career status. Clark said he hadn’t read the board’s resolution but doesn’t believe tenure should have been ended the way it was.

“If career status needs to be modified, then we need to do it correctly, and we need to make sure that the rights of those who are currently under the current system, prior to the law change, that they continue to receive due process and that they are treated fairly,” he said.

Clark also said lawmakers should proceed with caution about basing teacher pay on student performance because teachers can’t control all factors that contribute to it. He cites home life, and medical, physical, and psychological issues as examples.

Adamczyk is closely connected to education as well. Her Facebook page says she spent 18 years as a teacher, administrator, and academically gifted consultant. Her page shows two photos and the following message: “Attending the CCS school board meeting tonight. Educators need OUR support!”

Her page also shows multiple postings and links to stories that indicate she opposes the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program for low-income families, and believes teachers are not paid enough.

King also has an education background. According to his Cumberland County biography, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social studies from Elizabeth City State University, has been a teacher, and held a position with the North Carolina Association of Educators.

The Fayetteville Observer reported in February that he filed for the rematch with Clark just an hour before the deadline. He told the newspaper he doesn’t like “what I see happening in Raleigh and I want to be part of turning it around.”

Smith makes reference to his 2014 campaign on a website dedicated to his 2012 run for the seat, in which he finished sixth. The website states:

This from Minister Eronomy Mohammed Smith NC Senate Candidate District 21 thanking all who voted and showed love and showing Eronomy Smith Mohammed (a Fayetteville State Alumni Member and Human Rights Activist for 30 years). So much love to me for my successful works to develop Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, and Reaford [sic] and North Carolina jobs to also help our great President Barack Obama reelection this year 2012, and restart my NC Senate District 21 Eronomy Mohammed Smith 2014 election. Thanks again.

The North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation has rated the District 21 seat as “Strong Democrat,” one of 16 Senate seats with that ranking. Democrats outnumber Republicans in registered voters 59.5 percent to 15.8 percent. President Obama received 61.8 percent of the district’s vote in 2012, and Democrat Walter Dalton received 58.5 percent of the gubernatorial vote.

King had $5,014 cash on hand, and Clark had $2,038, according to NCFEF. Numbers were not available for Smith and Adamczyk.

Donna Martinez is a contributor to Carolina Journal.