NC will have a new state treasurer next year. See which candidates want your vote.

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

Later this year, North Carolinians will pick a new state treasurer. With current Treasurer Dale Folwell stepping down to run for governor, several Republican and Democratic candidates have come forward to take his place.

North Carolina’s state treasurer is responsible for overseeing the State Health Plan and the state’s pension fund. The treasurer is also tasked with maintaining the state’s credit rating, currently the top-level AAA.

Folwell, a Republican, was first elected to the position in 2016 and won reelection in 2020. During his tenure, Folwell has frequently criticized hospitals for inflating prices, not being transparent about costs and not providing adequate care to poor patients.

Now, a new treasurer will have to work with hospitals while overseeing the State Health Plan, which provides coverage to more than 750,000 current and former government employees.

The new treasurer will also have to manage investments in the state’s pension fund, worth over $122 billion. This fund provides retirement benefits to nearly a million public employees.

Five candidates have emerged to fill the role, all of whom would bring different experience, perspective and plans to the office. Voters will narrow the field down to one Democrat and one Republican on March 5.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES

The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer asked candidates running in contested races in the primary election to fill out a candidate questionnaire. That includes the Republican and Democratic primaries for state treasurer, and four out of five candidates participated. Find responses from the candidates below or by visiting newsobserver.com/voter-guide.

Democrats:
Gabe Esparza
Wesley Harris

Republicans:
Brad Briner
A.J. Daoud
Rachel Johnson