Republican primary, state House District 80, Davidson County (open seat)

  • Roger Younts — Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science from Wake Forest University in 2005. Occupation: project manager for the political consulting firm Red Dome Group. Career highlights: Member, N.C. House, 2013 session. Member, Appropriation, Banking, Insurance; Public Utilities and Energy; Commerce and Job Development, and Education committees. Younts also served as the Davidson County Republican Party treasurer, worked as an aide for U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th District, and worked on the campaigns for 8th District U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson and Lt. Gov. Dan Forest.
  • Steve Jarvis — Education: Graduate, UNC School of Government’s Advance Leadership Corps program. He also has a General Contractors license in North and South Carolina for commercial building. Occupation: President of Jarvis Construction of NC LLC and Davidson County Commissioner. Career highlights: Jarvis has served on 911 Advisory Board, Capital Facilities Committee, Communication System Committee, Davidson County Board of Social Services, Davidson County Economic Development Commission, Davidson County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, and a few others. Jarvis; campaign website can be found here.

Former state Rep. Roger Younts, R-Davidson, who was appointed to the General Assembly in July 2013, is running for his old seat. Current Rep. Sam Watford is not seeking re-election to run for the open Senate seat in District 29. Davidson County Commissioner Steve Jarvis is challenging Younts in the Republican primary.

The NC FreeEnterprise Foundation ranks House District 80 as strong Republican.

“Having served in the N.C. House from 2013-2015 and on Speaker [Tim] Moore’s staff following my tenure in office, I feel like I’m well qualified to hit the ground running from day one and be an effective representative for my district,” Younts said in an email.

Younts said his experience in office and his relationships with other legislators makes him an effective representative of his district.

In an email, Jarvis also said his work experience qualifies him for the position.

“During my tenure as commissioner I have worked hard to maintain a sound fiscal responsibility, enhance the quality of life for our community, support public safety, and create an economic environment that is conducive for businesses,” Jarvis said. “I have gained first-hand experience on the impact legislation has on counties and cities.”

If elected, Jarvis said he would represent his community with principled conservative leadership. Jarvis said he’s pro-life, backs Second Amendment rights, and is pro-business. He said he will build on the improvements already made by Republicans in the General Assembly.

Younts wants to focus on the job skill gap leading to unemployment and underemployment of those in his district.

“We need to ensure that we are providing the training and skills needed for the jobs of the 21st century,” Younts said.

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s $57.8 million mitigation fund established by Gov. Roy Cooper has been a source of controversy for months. Younts said he is concerned about the lack of transparency and constitutionality of the deal.

“The power of the purse belongs to the General Assembly and Gov. Cooper had no authority to negotiate this deal and set up this fund without the approval of the General Assembly,” Younts said.

Jarvis said he thinks House Bill 90, which diverted the mitigation fund to the eight counties affected by the pipeline for public education, is a great alternative. Younts said he was fine with H.B. 90 diverting the funds to public education, but also said ensuring the Constitution is followed is the most important factor.

In the general election, Democrat Wendy Sellers will face the winner of the GOP primary.