Mike Schietzelt

Mike Schietzelt graduated from Western Alamance High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2011 to 2015. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro in 2008 and a law degree from the Duke University School of Law in 2018. His career experience includes working as an attorney. He has been affiliated with the Federalist Society.[1]

Mike Schietzelt has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Send a message to Mike Schietzelt asking him to fill out the survey.

If you are Mike Schietzelt, click here to fill out [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out the candidate survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete [the profile publisher]'s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's [the profile publisher] profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 32,000 candidates have taken [the profile publisher]'s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Mike Schietzelt to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing campaign@mikeschietzelt.com.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a father of four, a Marine Corps veteran, and an attorney. I'm also the son of a Marine Corps veteran—a single father who raised my brother and me. We grew up with very little. Our clothes were too small, our heat was usually shut off, and we shared a fold-out sofa for a bed. But my dad gave us invaluable gifts through his example: integrity, a work ethic, and a heart for service.

I'm a deep believer in our Constitution. My father took an oath to support and defend the Constitution in 1967 when he enlisted. I took the same oath when I enlisted in 2011. I took a similar oath when I became an attorney several years later. I've practiced constitutional law. I've taught constitutional law. I've written about constitutional law. And I remain deeply grateful for the wisdom, deliberation, and enlightenment of our founding generation.

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?

Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and our communities. We need to unleash our entrepreneurs and our innovators to create and produce.Our schools are in atrocious shape. Violence in the schools is increasing, as are mental health conditions amongst our students. Teachers are leaving the profession. And no one seems to be held accountable for this deterioration. Our kids and our teachers deserve better. We can do better.Our district has grown rapidly over the last several decades. That growth has not been accompanied by corresponding investments in infrastructure from the state. It's time to stop kicking the can down the road.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

First and foremost, I'm passionate about good government: securing property rights and public safety, encouraging innovation, and preventing government waste.

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

A good, short starting point is James Madison's 1792 essay, "Property":

https://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch16s23.html

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

A strong moral compass is paramount. Legislators have to make difficult decisions. You need to know where you can compromise and where you can't.

Humility and a willingness to learn. Legislators won't be experts on every bill that comes before them. They should understand that (1) they don't know everything, and (2) they'll need to put in the work to understand the issues.

Collegiality. Legislating is hard. It's a lot harder when your colleagues don't like you or trust you.

Transparency and accountability. You need to keep your constituents engaged with legislation that affects them. When you're forced to make a difficult decision, you should be prepared to explain your decision to your constituents.

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

I love to learn. I have a strong set of deeply held principles, an ability to process complex sets of facts and apply those deeply held principles, and a willingness to listen and integrate new information. Legislators need to be able to respond to changing sets of facts and data. But they need to have a strong moral compass that helps them make difficult decisions.

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

Responsiveness to the needs of the district, and accountability to the voters.

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

My first real job was washing dishes at a small cafe in Burlington, NC. I don't remember how long I had it. I was 14 years old.

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

It's not simply beneficial. Good relationships are critically important. Legislation requires a majority to pass—sometimes a supermajority. You need relationships with leadership to move legislation through committees and then to the floor. You need to build trust with your colleagues. That doesn't mean you'll agree on everything, but it's certainly much easier to build a majority when fellow legislators find you credible.

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?

I've heard a number of stories that stand out. At one of the earliest doors I knocked in the district, I spoke with a mother of four whose husband had lost his job months earlier and struggled to find new work. She took three part-time jobs to make ends meet. Her husband started driving DoorDash and InstaCart. They were doing everything they could to keep food on the table for their four boys. But inflation was making it difficult for them to keep up. She told me how she and her husband would pass on dinner to make sure their kids had enough to eat, stowing away to eat a peanut butter sandwich in the pantry. Hardworking, selfless people like those parents deserve better. And the policies that were supposed to help them only made things worse by making their groceries unaffordable.

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

Yes to both—they should grant the use of emergency powers, and they should oversee the use of emergency powers to ensure they aren't abused.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

NC Values Coalition and Americans for Prosperity.