Rodney Pierce

Rodney D. Pierce was born in Landover, Maryland. He earned an associate degree from Halifax Community College in 2010 and a bachelor's degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College in 2012. His career experience includes working as an educator. He has been associated with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the State Employees Association of North Carolina, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Governor's Teacher Advisory Committee.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was raised by my maternal grandmother, who was the Chair of the Deaconess Board and Youth Department Supervisor of the Baptist church we belonged to, while growing up in rural, northeastern North Carolina. I am a self-described "Leandro kid" as I was a sophomore in high school in Halifax County Schools when the decades old Leandro v. State lawsuit, litigation revolving around the constitutional right to a free public education in our state, was filed in 1994.

Despite obtaining a full academic scholarship to N.C. A&T State University in Greensboro in 1996, I ended up dropping out in 1998. After taking a year off of school, I enrolled in Halifax Community College in Weldon, but still not fully focused on my academic pursuits, I withdrew from HCC the following year.

Over a decade later, I re-enrolled in HCC and earned my Associate in Arts in Paralegal Technology before graduating summa cum laude with his B.A. in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Wesleyan University in 2012.

My background experience includes working in municipal government, hospitality, media, and public education, where I am currently employed as a middle school Social Studies teacher.

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 also would fully fund our public schools and follow the recommendations outlined in the Leandro Remedial Plan developed by WestEd to ensure our children receive the sound, basic education they are guaranteed by our state constitution.

I’d work to increase per pupil funding and teachers’ pay to at least the national average, reinstate master’s degree pay and make sure teachers who earn national certifications and take on additional duties receive additional pay. Every classroom would have a certified teacher and every school would have certified administrators.

I’d work to fully fund Pre-K for all eligible children and all K-12 enhancements for art, drama, dance, music, physical education, world languages, etc.For the majority of North Carolinians, upward economic mobility seems to be a pipe dream. Nobody should work 40 hours a week at any job and not be able to afford basic necessities like safe and stable housing, food, clothing, etc., so I support workers receiving a fair, living wage and good benefits along with state tax credits they'd benefit from as opposed to the cuts currently enjoyed by the wealthiest and corporations in our state.Housing costs in North Carolina have skyrocketed and it is becoming ever more difficult to be able to afford a down payment let alone a house. I believe that housing is a human right. I don't want anyone in our state to be homeless, particularly children, people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, etc. I want to enact affordable housing policy to make it easier to own quality homes.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about public education because every citizen in our state is guaranteed the right to a free, public education by our state constitution and I believe public institutions, and particularly our public schools, are the bedrock of our society as its duty is to produce critical thinking citizens; economic mobility is another area because I believe anyone who is willing to work deserves a fair and living wage and good benefits to adequately take care of themselves and their families in terms of being able to afford quality housing and healthcare.

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

I look up to my maternal uncle James Pierce, who is a former chair of the Halifax County Schools Board of Education and Halifax County Commissioners. He has also sat on several local boards. My uncle has always had the respect of his colleagues and maintains a cool and calm demeanor despite what issues or challenges the respective groups he belonged to were facing at the time.

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

N/A

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

The most important characteristics or principles for an elected official include integrity, the ability to communicate effectively, and sound judgment.

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

A willingness to serve, learn, advocate and work on behalf of my constituents; integrity, courage, and adaptability.

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

The core responsibilities for someone elected to this office are to advocate and lobby on behalf of one's constituents, and to work in a partisan and bipartisan manner to pass sound, effective legislation to benefit that same group.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I was an advocate and effective legislator for my constituents.

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

The first historical event that happened in my lifetime that I remember was the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. I was around 8 years old at the time.

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

My first job was as a Maintenance Assistant at a local elementary school through CADA (Choanoke Area Development Association) Summer Employment Program. I held the job for the duration of the summer prior to my sophomore year in high school, which was about two months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I read it as a freshman in high school and it changed my life in terms of highlighting the need for open-mindedness, respect for one's self as well as others, and the critical need to continuously learn.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Black Panther (Marvel Comics)

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

N/A

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

N/A

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

The ideal relationship between a governor and state legislature is to work cohesively, even across party lines, to pass sound, effective and beneficial policy for citizens. This should also be a relationship where one branch (executive - governor) and the other (legislative - state legislature) checks and balances the power of the other, and vice versa, as is stated in the U.S. Constitution.

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

Our greatest challenges over the next decade is undoing the defunding of our public institutions, namely our public schools, through the gradual elimination of corporate taxes; equitable redistricting of our state and federal legislative districts so that voters choose their candidates or legislators and not legislators get to choose their voters; ensuring that citizens earn fair, living wages and good benefits from their jobs or careers; and can purchase affordable, quality homes for themselves and their families.

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

I believe it can be beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics as it can provide an understanding of how the policymakers and policy implementers work together.

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

I believe it's beneficial to build relationships with other legislators, but particularly with legislators who are effective at their job. Having a relationship with another legislator can help you learn how to do the job effectively, as well as poorly, and leaves potential for the opportunities to co-sponsor legislation.

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

Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (minus the scandals)

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

I am considering, perhaps, to run for a different office in the future.

Tell us your favorite joke.

N/A

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

The legislature should oversee AND grant the use of emergency powers.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

The first bill I'd introduce if elected would likely be something relative to funding a public education, recreation or beautification initiative in one of the counties in my district.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Sierra Club, Young Democrats of North Carolina, Communication Workers of America, Carolina Forward, Progressive Caucus of NC Democratic Party, NC State AFL-CIO, Network for Public Education

What committees interest you?

Rules, Operations and Calendar of the House

Appropriations

Education, K-12

Education Appropriations

Finance

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The government should be financially transparent about its affairs as it manages public funds and accountable in that people should be removed from their positions or voted out of office if there malfeasance or if they don't have sound fiscal management.