Charlie Wallin

Charlie Wallin graduated from Madison High School and attended Appalachian State University.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Madison County here in the mountains of Western NC. I am the son of a family of educators and farmers who go back generations in these mountains. I moved to Boone at the age of 18 and have lived here for 34 years. I came here for an education and found a place that I wanted to live and to become my own person. This county has shaped the person that I am.

For the last 26 years at Appalachian State I have been the the Director of Retail Dining. I have been an active leader on the campus holding many committee leadership positions. In my role I have been able to bridge the gap between many departments and work to achieve proven results that help everyone.

I am a husband and father to a beautiful wife and daughter who have worked to make this community better through their work and dedication as well. We have been active in local non profit organizations and have been contributors to the arts, not only personally, but with our daughter who has been active in local theater and dancing. My daughter is a student in the local school system, which we wholeheartedly support with our time and resources.

We are members of Grace Lutheran Church where we have had active roles. I have served on the Church Council, including two terms as council President. I serve as an usher and Assisting Minister. Church has served an important role in my life since the day I was born. My wife and I wanted our daughter to have a church family to nurture and help her grow.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am a successful leader with a proven history of getting things done for this community and want to continue to service by representing you in House District #93. I’m running because our counties deserve someone who already understands the challenges we face, who knows this community from the inside, and who is ready to fight for the people who live and work here. We need someone who can step in on day one with local experience, strong relationships, and a clear plan. I’m ready to bring that experience to Raleigh and represent House District 93, serving the people of Ashe, Alleghany, and Watauga County.Education. We have neglected our teachers and class rooms for far to many years. We

continually rank at the bottom in the country. We need to immediately restore full

funding to education and pay our teachers what they deserve. We need to stop the

opportunity scholarship program so that our public school funding is kept in the public

schools not in schools that are not held accountable. We not only need to restore

teacher pay but pay for higher degrees and certifications. We should want our teachers

to be rewarded for making themselves better professionals. Free Education is the core

of our constitution and legislatures take an oath to uphold that constitution.Funding for relief from Hurricane Helene. We experienced the most devastating

hurricane in NC history. The bill totals $60 billion. To date we have received roughly

$12 billion of that. That is roughly 20%. Most disasters receive 40-50% of the cost by

now. We continually have to fight the state and federal government for every dime. As

a member of the Governors WNC Task Force for Hurricane Recovery and a member of

the Watauga Long Term Recovery Group we have been on the front lines scrapping for

every dollar we can get from public and private sector. We have to realize this rebuild is

going to take years and we can't just keep kicking the can down the road. We need real

dollars to rebuild.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education

Hurricane Helen Recovery and Funding for the Continued Rebuilding of WNC

State Employees

Health Care funding and access

Housing

Economy

Public Safety

Equal funding for all Counties in the District

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

John F Kennedy. He was such a man of the people who engaged constituents and listened. He addressed people as if they were equals. He never wanted barriers between him and his audience. His life was cut way to short.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, Open Minded, Willing to listen, Communicator, Adaptability, Willing to compromise for the greater good.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Representing all Constituents, Willing to compromise for the greater good, Voting for your Districts needs

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I was fair and did what was right for the people. I was never beholden to a political party. You could always count on me if needed,

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Working in Tobacco from the time I was born till I was 20 when we sold the allotment.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I am to proud to ask for help.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

It should be a partnership and operate as a checks and balances just as the establishers of our government intended.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Education

Health Care

Environment

Housing

Economy

Revenue

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The Oil Crisis, Bicentennial and Carter getting elected