2026 Primary-NC House 37: Democratic Forum Highlights

Primary season is here, and District 37 voters are weighing real tradeoffs: how do we make life more affordable, strengthen public schools, and restore trust in state government? We brought all three Democratic candidates—Ralph Clements, Wynn Decker, and Marcus Gadson—into one room for a substantive, fast-moving forum that gets specific on budgets, vouchers, healthcare, and the path to a flipped seat in Southern Wake County. These candidates are vying for the chance to run against incumbent Erin Pare come November to be elected into the NC House of Representatives.  We start with clarity on voting: who gets which ballot, how to confirm your districts with the NCSBE Voter Search, and why printing a sample ballot can calm “test anxiety” at the polls. Then, the forum begins, and we turn to policy. On education, candidates confront the voucher surge, teacher pay, capital needs like HVAC and tech, and how to keep special education services strong. You’ll hear competing strategies to restore voucher income caps, require private schools taking public funds to publish test scores, and freeze or tighten voucher growth until public schools are fully funded.Affordability threads through everything: proposals to reinstate the earned income tax credit, cut taxes on essentials like OTC meds and prepared foods, and boost housing supply with duplexes, triplexes, and ADUs. Property tax fairness and better infrastructure funding round out a pragmatic approach to costs families feel every day. The healthcare segment spotlights Medicaid reimbursement rates, mental health capacity, hospital price transparency, and protecting reproductive freedom—with calls to secure choice through state constitutional safeguards.Undergirding it all is the health of democracy: breaking budget gridlock, protecting the governor’s veto, and reforming redistricting so general elections—not just primaries—shape policy. If you want clear contrasts, concrete ideas, and an honest look at how to actually pass laws in Raleigh, this forum delivers.Subscribe to NC Deep Dive Podcast, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review so more voters can find it. Your voice shapes the outcome—what’s the one change you want your next representative to prioritize?Support the showAs always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email [email protected].  Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.Now, let's dive in!