Thomas J. Monks

Questionnaire from The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus

Note: The following responses are verbatim from the candidate and have not been edited.

Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).

I’m 32 years old and bring both professional experience and real world perspective to this race. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2015, where I developed the skills that now guide how I connect with people, share information clearly, and advocate effectively. I currently work as a Marketing Coordinator for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, supporting a public institution that serves thousands of North Carolinians and plays a critical role in education, workforce development, and community growth. I live in Concord, North Carolina, where I’m proud to be part of a diverse, growing community and to raise my voice for policies that reflect the needs of working families, students, and neighbors across our district.

Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share any experience in an elected role that would be relevant to voters.

I’m running for this role because too many people feel disconnected from their government, and I believe leadership should start by listening and working with the community, not talking at it. I don’t have experience as an elected official, and I see that as a strength. I’m not shaped by insider politics or special interests, but by real conversations with people I agree with and those I don’t, finding common ground and practical solutions. Voters should choose me because I bring accessible, people-first leadership focused on consensus, transparency, and results.

Tell us about 2-3 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.

One of my earliest professional accomplishments was serving as a field organizer on a statewide political campaign in 2016, my first job out of college. I was responsible for organizing and turning out voters in a challenging area with limited resources. By staying disciplined, building strong volunteer relationships, and focusing on consistent voter contact, the region I managed exceeded expected turnout goals and helped produce a record number of voters participating in the election. This experience shaped my leadership style: lead from the front, earn trust through hard work, and never ask others to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.

Another accomplishment I’m proud of came while serving as Director of Marketing for a small professional skincare company. I was the first person ever hired into a dedicated marketing role, which meant building systems from the ground up. After identifying a gap in advanced education for professionals, I worked collaboratively with internal teams and customers to design and launch a comprehensive education series. The program strengthened relationships, increased brand loyalty, and boosted sales by an average of 30%. This role reinforced my belief in collaborative leadership. Listening first, using data to guide decisions, and creating solutions that deliver real, measurable results.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish in the first six months if elected?

One of my top priorities in the first six months would be tackling affordability and the rising cost of living that is squeezing families across our community. I would begin by listening directly to residents through regular town halls and neighborhood meetings to better understand the real financial pressures they’re facing, whether it’s housing, childcare, healthcare, taxes, or utilities, and use that input to guide policy priorities.

At the same time, I would work collaboratively with colleagues in Raleigh, local governments, and community partners to advance practical, common-sense solutions that make life more affordable, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the decision-making process. My goal in those first six months is to deliver measurable progress on affordability, not just in the short term but for the long term.

Cabarrus County’s economy depends on a strong and available workforce, yet employers continue to face challenges related to child care access, education pipelines, and labor shortages. How would you use your role in the General Assembly to support workforce participation and long term economic competitiveness in our region?

Cabarrus County’s economic future depends on making it possible for people who want to work to actually participate in the workforce; and on preparing the next generation for the jobs that are already here and the ones coming next. In the General Assembly, I would focus on practical, people-first solutions that strengthen our workforce pipeline from early childhood through adulthood.

First, I would prioritize expanding access to affordable, high quality child care. Child care is workforce infrastructure. When parents can’t find or afford care, employers lose reliable workers. I would support increased state investment in child care subsidies, stabilize the child care workforce itself through better pay and training, and push for incentives that help employers partner with local providers to expand capacity.

Second, I would work to strengthen education-to-career pipelines that reflect Cabarrus County’s economy. That means expanding support for Career and Technical Education, apprenticeships, and dual-enrollment programs that connect Cabarrus County Schools and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with local employers in manufacturing, health care, logistics, education, and the trades. We should be making it easier for students to earn credentials while still in school and transition directly into good-paying jobs.

Third, I would advocate for workforce development programs that support working adults; especially those reentering the workforce, changing careers, or facing barriers like transportation or housing instability. Targeted job training, wraparound supports, and partnerships with local nonprofits can help employers fill positions while giving residents real economic mobility.

Finally, I would approach economic competitiveness with a long-term lens. That means investing in public education, broadband access, and infrastructure that allows businesses to grow while ensuring workers can live, raise families, and stay in Cabarrus County. A strong economy isn’t just about attracting employers. It’s about building a system that works for workers, families, and businesses together.

As Cabarrus County grows, continued investment in transportation, water and wastewater systems, and technology infrastructure is critical. What priorities would guide your approach to state infrastructure funding, and how should the state partner with local governments to support growth?

As Cabarrus County continues to grow, our infrastructure decisions must be guided by one core principle: growth should improve quality of life, not strain it. In the General Assembly, my approach to state infrastructure funding would focus on smart planning, fairness, and long-term sustainability. Infrastructure funding should be data-driven, responsive to local plans, and aligned with economic development and housing needs.

First, I would prioritize infrastructure investments that support people where growth is already happening and where it’s clearly coming next. That means directing state dollars toward transportation improvements that reduce congestion and improve safety, especially along key commuter corridors, while also supporting transit and connectivity options that give people real choices in how they get to work.

Second, water and wastewater systems must be treated as essential growth infrastructure. I would support state funding and low-interest financing to help local governments modernize aging systems and expand capacity responsibly. Smaller municipalities in particular need predictable, accessible state support so growth doesn’t force rate hikes that working families can’t afford.

Third, technology infrastructure must also be viewed as basic infrastructure, just like roads and water. Reliable, high-speed internet is essential for education, health care, small businesses, and remote work.

In terms of partnership, the state should act as a collaborator, not a top-down decision maker. Local governments know their communities best. The state’s role should be to provide funding, technical assistance, and flexibility so counties and municipalities can execute projects that meet local needs while advancing regional goals. Clear communication, predictable funding streams, and respect for local planning efforts are key to supporting sustainable growth in Cabarrus County and across North Carolina.

State policies often have direct impacts on local governments and school systems. How would you approach legislation that places new responsibilities on local entities, particularly when those responsibilities are not accompanied by recurring funding?

State policies should help local governments and school systems succeed. It should not place them in a position where they are forced to do more with less. In the General Assembly, I would be firmly opposed to unfunded mandates. If the state believes a policy is important enough to require local implementation, then it is important enough to fully fund.

My approach would start with a simple question for any proposed legislation: how will this be paid for, not just in year one, but on an ongoing basis? One-time grants or temporary funding do not solve long-term responsibilities. When new responsibilities are placed on counties, municipalities, or school systems, there must be recurring, reliable funding built into the state budget so local leaders are not forced to cut other services or raise local taxes to comply.

I would also prioritize listening to local governments and school districts early in the legislative process. Those closest to the work understand the real costs, staffing needs, and operational impacts of new policies. Their input should shape legislation before it reaches the floor, not after problems emerge.

Ultimately, delivering unfunded mandates undermines trust and weakens our public institutions. If we want to accomplish meaningful goals, whether in education, public safety, or infrastructure, we have to be honest about the cost and willing to pay for it. Responsible governance means aligning expectations with resources so local communities can implement state policy effectively and sustainably.

State regulations shape the business environment for employers large and small. How would you evaluate whether regulations are achieving their intended purpose without creating unnecessary costs or barriers for businesses?

I would evaluate regulations by taking a people-first, data-driven approach. This means listening to business owners of all sizes to understand how rules affect their day-to-day operations while also reviewing measurable outcomes, like compliance rates, economic growth, and community impact, to see if the regulations are achieving their intended goals. I believe in balancing accountability with flexibility: regulations should protect workers and consumers, but not create unnecessary hurdles that stifle innovation or growth. By combining stakeholder input, performance metrics, and regular review, we can ensure regulations serve their purpose efficiently.

Over the next several years, what state-level policy decisions do you believe will most influence Cabarrus County’s ability to grow, attract investment, and maintain a high quality of life?

Over the next several years, I believe Cabarrus County’s growth and quality of life will be most influenced by state-level investment in infrastructure and education. Strong roads, transit, and digital connectivity make it easier for businesses to invest and for residents to thrive, while well-funded schools and workforce development programs ensure our community has the talent and opportunities to succeed. By prioritizing these areas, we can attract new investment, support local businesses, and create a high quality of life for everyone in Cabarrus County.