Steve Rutherford
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent:
No
Age:
Approximately 68
Previous experience in elected office:
None
Occupation:
Filmmaker, founder of Rutherford Media Group, LLC; U.S. Navy veteran
Description:
Rutherford's website lists his top issues as expanding affordable healthcare, strengthening public schools, supporting veterans/seniors and maintaining Medicare/Medicaid. He also wants "fair taxes" for nurses, teachers, veterans and small business owners who he says are "carrying the load" while "the wealthy and well-connected get special breaks."
Other personal:
Rutherford is from Gaston County and graduated from South Point High School. He is married and a father and grandfather. He served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and was also president of the local NAACP chapter in Charleston, S.C. He says he focuses on documentary filmmaking these days and has received a number of awards. He has a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and studied executive leadership at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He says he also pursued graduate work at HEC Paris.
Questionnaire from The Gaston Business Association
What will be your priority issues in the upcoming session and how do you propose to address them?
Public Education, Poverty and Homelessness
Voters will see three amendments on the ballot this November: 1) photo ID for all voting methods, 2) an income tax cap, and 3) a directive to limit property tax levy increases. What are your stances on each, and why?
Against all three
If the income tax cap amendment passes, how would you ensure future revenue shortfalls are mitigated?
The cap would restrict future state revenue needed for public education, infrastructure, and emergency services, while disproportionately benefiting high-income earners and corporations
Critics say putting tax policy into the constitution removes flexibility from future legislators and local governments. What is your response to that opinion?
People deserve responsible taxes and careful spending. But writing strict tax limits into the Constitution can tie the hands of future legislators and local communities when circumstances change—whether that’s a recession, a natural disaster, or growing needs in our schools, roads, and public safety. If we’re going to impose limits, we also need to be clear about how essential services will be funded. Tax relief matters, but so does leaving communities the tools to meet their responsibilities.