Julie Mayfield

Julie Mayfield was born in Atlanta, Georgia,[1] and lives in Asheville, North Carolina.[2] She earned a bachelor's degree from Davidson College in 1989 and a law degree from Emory Law School in 1996. Mayfield's career experience includes working as vice president and general counsel of Georgia Conservancy, an attorney, and the co-director of MountainTrue.[1][2][3][4]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased February 5, 2020

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a practical progressive. I have a deeply rooted sense of justice and fairness, and an overriding desire to accomplish real change that improves lives and makes our community stronger. I have been a public interest environmental attorney and policy advocate for 25 years, and I served on Asheville City Council for five years prior to being elected to the Senate.

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?

We need a Green New Deal for NC. I played a leading role in the Senate in the 2021 adoption of H951, a bi-partisan bill that will lead North Carolina to a clean energy future. We are one of only a few states with a legislatively mandated goal to reach 70% carbon reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. But we can do even more to address climate change by making our region more resilient to its effects, investing in better transportation options and EV infrastructure, and better protecting low-income residents who can least afford the transition to clean energy. There is also much to be done to restore protections for air and water to keep our communities healthy and safe.I am fighting for a new, holistic approach to health and equity—two issues that are tightly linked. Access to quality housing, sufficient food, reliable transportation, safe places to live and play, educational opportunities, healthcare, economic stability—all of these are necessary for both a healthy and an equitable community.We need a General Assembly that helps of gets out of the way. Raleigh holds local governments hostage when it comes to enacting Local Living Wage laws, generating new revenue, granting equal rights to the LGBTQ+ members of our community, releasing body cam video, enacting green building standards, and implementing a plastic bag ban. I have introduced multiple bills to unchain local governments from these restraints, and I will continue to do so. The General Assembly has been an obstacle to local progress for far too long.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Protecting the rights of vulnerable people - woman, minorities, LGBTQ individuals. Pushing back against the corporatization of medicine. Providing a meaningful second chance to justice-involved individuals. Expanding housing. Enacting meaningful gun control.

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

Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Carter, Obama to name a few. They were leaders of conviction and integrity and willingness to fight for big, important things in the face of immense challenge.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

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

Integrity, honesty, civility, willingness to work across the aisle,

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Integrity, honesty, civility, willingness to work across the aisle, willingness to work hard for big, important things.

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

To serve, help, be responsive to, and be present for all of your constituents, to communicate to constituents about the work, to support party priorities, to achieve progress on your policy priorities.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That the lives of and opportunities for ordinary people, working people, and vulnerable people are easier, that they can thrive and not be irretrievably knocked down by life’s challenges and setbacks.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the Watergate hearings, though I did not understand what was happening because I only six years old.

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

In high school, I worked as a hostess at my neighborhood Italian restaurant for a summer.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Crossing to Safety because it’s about a strong woman and strong, lifelong friendships.

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

I am fortunate not to have struggled financially, educationally, or professionally. That gives me the opportunity and responsibility to fight for people who are not as fortunate.

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

One of respect for the role and authority of the other, cooperative and collaborative for the benefit of the state where possible, respectful where there are policy differences.

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

Overcoming the personally harmful, fiscally irresponsible, and environmentally damaging policies adopted in 2023.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Without a doubt.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. You can’t get anything done without the help and support of other legislators, regardless of party. Bills often move easier if they are bipartisan, so working across the political aisle is important. Politics is about policy but it is also about relationships.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

The late Senator Paul Wellstone. His motivation was to improve people’s lives, and he was widely respected by all sides.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not at this time.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Many of my bills come from personal stories of people needlessly harmed by existing state policy or the lack thereof. Those stories are my motivation.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

No

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Progressive women’s, labor, LGBTQ, educational and environmental organizations.

What committees interest you?

Transportation, Environment, Healthcare, Elections

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Critical to have both.

Julie Mayfield did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Julie Mayfield did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.