Greg Cranford

Party:

Democrat

Incumbent:

Age:

Approximately 66

Previous experience in elected office:

None; several unsuccessful runs for N.C. House of Representatives since 2018

Occupation:

Retired public school educator

Description:

Cranford says on his Facebook page that he is not actively campaigning but that “there are many blue dots in the big sea of red in NC Senate District 45.” On the Catawba County Democratic Party page, his slogan is “Giving Liberal Democrats a CHOICE.” He previously ran three times against Mitchell Setzer, the representative for N.C. House 89. He emphasizes listening to people affected by policy decisions and helping people access health care, housing, employment and education. He has discussed caregiving and family experiences as influences on his public policy views. In previous campaigns, he has expressed support for Medicaid, supporting public schools and LGBTQ+ rights.

Other personal:

Cranford moved to Newton in 2018 to take care of his father. He served in the U.S. Army for six years and has worked as a teacher and substitute teacher. He has a bachelor’s from UNC Chapel Hill and a master’s from the University of South Carolina.

Candidate Social Media

Questionnaire from The Chamber of Catawba County

Please tell us a little about yourself and what prompted you to run for office.

Although I am not actively campaigning, I am running to give voters a liberal, progressive Democratic choice for NC Senate 45. There are many blue dots in the big red sea of NC Senate District 45.

What experiences, skills, or perspectives have best prepared you to serve in this role?

I have had a life-long interest in politics and government.

I am a retired high school social studies teacher.

If elected, what would be your top two priorities?

Three Priorities -

1. Stop the flow of voucher money to private school parents. Public education is important.

2. Fully fund Medicaid expansion. Everyone deserves good health care.

3. Be an advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Human rights are important.

Elected officials often face difficult decisions involving competing priorities, limited resources, and differing perspectives. How would you approach those decisions and work with people who may see an issue differently than you do?

I will be an advocate of taxing the wealthy and corporations in order to provide for people's needs.

North Carolina needs reliable funding to build and maintain roads and other infrastructure as the state grows. What infrastructure investments should the state prioritize, and how should North Carolina fund its long-term transportation needs as fuel-tax revenues become less dependable?

Taxing the wealthy and corporations should provide funding for infrastructure needs.

Employers continue to face challenges finding and retaining skilled workers. How should the state support K–12 schools, community colleges, career and technical education, and other workforce programs to better prepare North Carolinians for available careers?

Stop the flow of voucher money to private school parents.

As North Carolina grows and energy demand increases, what policies should the state pursue to ensure businesses and residents have access to reliable and affordable energy?

More environmentally friendly ideas should be studied.

Housing availability and affordability can affect workforce recruitment and economic growth. What role should the state play in expanding housing options, and how should state policy balance financing, regulation, infrastructure needs, and local decision-making?

State government should increase efforts to provide a greater supply of more affordable housing.

North Carolina recently established a statewide floor for child care subsidy reimbursement rates. What additional steps, if any, should the state take to improve the availability and affordability of high-quality child care and address its impact on families, providers, employers, and workforce participation?

Stopping the flow of voucher money to private school parents will provide more money for quality childcare.