Tucker Neal

The Election Hub Questionnaire

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

21 years old. I received a B.A. in Sociology and a B.S. in Psychology from UNC Charlotte. I am a home-care CNA, research assistant, and Psychology for All intern. I have lived in University City on North Tryon St. for 4 years. I grew up in rural Rockingham County.

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

I want voters to not only hear about my goals and values, but to see them executed through my actions and involvements. In this statement, I will share my backstory, my motivation for running in this election, and my skills and perspectives I could bring to the table as your representative.

As I enter this race, some have questioned my ability to succeed due to my age and lack of political experience. While I may face challenges as a young and first-time candidate, I want to assure constituents that I have the competency, confidence, and knowledgeability to win this race and succeed in the General Assembly. While my competitors bring legislative experience and community organizing work to the table, I want to share my background with voters to showcase the fresh perspectives I can bring to this race.

I grew up in the rural towns of Rockingham County, North Carolina. Raised on a farm, I learned the values of hard-work at a young age. My primitive years were spent outdoors and working with my hands, before I began volunteer and food service work at 16. In the “bubble” I was raised in, the world could seem so simple, traditional, and uniform. After moving to University City in district 99 during 2022, I had to quickly adjust to the fast-paced, ever-changing, and growing urban lifestyle. This adjustment was hard, but through those challenges, I have been allowed to understand the complexity and vast differences of the way our society functions. Communities in different parts of our state live completely different and conflicting lifestyles. Through my short, but diverse life experience, I have learned that all of these communities have different functions and strengths. As an elected official at the state level, it would be my duty to bring all of these perspectives to the table.

Since my move to this district, I have been molded and impacted by the people of Charlotte. I have discovered my passions and been introduced to people that inspire me daily. I moved to University City to begin studying at UNC Charlotte. I recently obtained my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the university. My studies have given me insight into social structures and institutions that are relevant to work as a representative. During my time attending UNC Charlotte, I fell in love with this community and the unique organizations that are a part of it. Additionally, the connections I have made at the university have allowed me to submerge myself into the community. I have become a part of local missions and organizations that have left a lasting impact on me. Not only have they allowed me to see the beautiful character and vibrancy of district 99, but given me skills and knowledge to properly reflect it and represent the great people of this district in Raleigh.

During the entire course of my education, I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in home care and hospital settings. My experiences in patient care have shown me how vital it is that we provide healthcare to vulnerable populations and given me a first-hand perspective of the hardships faced by healthcare employees across the state. I have also served as a senator in the Student Government Association, written news articles for the local NinerTimes, and worked in the Psychology Student Coalition and as a Teaching Assistant. My most impactful experience at the university was working in undergraduate research. As part of a research team, we worked on an initiative to provide training to correction officers to better assist aging inmates and prisoners facing dementia. Because of this research, I have insight into the broken incarceration system and the lack of funding and staffing in correctional facilities across the state. Now is the time to create a safer correctional system that nurtures inmates’ mental health and actually strives towards rehabilitating and helping people. Upon graduating, I have worked with community organizations to learn the economic and social realities of district 99 to better assess the needs of constituents. Currently, I am working with Psychology For All, a local nonprofit, which provides mental health services to low-income residents.

My involvement has allowed me to learn so much about this district, its strengths, and above all, its needs. Working in different positions has allowed me to see the diverse issues that face different sectors of the community. My studies, research, and community participation have given me a perspective on the political world that my opponents do not have. My work with empirical research has taught me to question the validity of data and claims presented by others, something all politicians and representatives should be doing. I have learned critical thinking skills that will help me to consider various perspectives on issues facing us today. I have gained empirical research and statistical skills that would allow me to eliminate personal biases as a representative and make decisions based on what will best assist constituents.

In addition to sharing my life experiences and skills, I want to prove to residents that my team and I have the confidence and ability to win in the primary election in March and ultimately the general November 2026 election. Since August, we have been working to create a campaign that will inspire constituents and give them hope during such a dark political time. With the GOP currently holding massive power in our state and federal governments, we have all seen the unfortunate consequences of massive disinformation. Hate has once again divided the people and made it hard to see the good in each other. We need to elect Democrats that will stand up to the establishment and join the revolution for progressive change.

My inspiration for filing to run in this election was born out of the discomfort North Carolinians are feeling with our current leadership. For too long, government officials have been bought out by corporations to make decisions that benefit the wealthy. Too often, politicians gain their position and become consumed by the pursuit of wealth and power. It is my promise to act with transparency and empathy to serve the people of district 99. Being trusted to represent the voices of over 79,000 district 99 residents is something that should be earned. Over the course of this campaign, it is my hope that voters will not only see, but feel, my dedication and passion for the people on the campaign trail.

I am the right candidate for this role because I offer a progressive platform that promises to fight corporations and restructure the system to combat economic inequality. These values, along with progressive social and environmental values, are what the people of district 99 want. We are tired of bureaucracy, establishment democrats, and decades-old solutions to current problems. These are the values I have seen expressed in my district, and they are the ones I plan to uphold if elected.

The main five issues in which my campaign focuses were chosen based on the needs of residents in district 99. Those are housing affordability and rent control, increasing teacher pay and public education funding, a public safety approach based on mental health support and crime prevention, immigrant rights and protection, and de-gerrymandering to increase voter representation. Other campaign values include Environmental conservation and sustainability, increased public transportation funding, sidewalks, and bike paths. Additionally, increased taxes on wealthy corporations, reproductive healthcare, affordable healthcare, Medicare and Medicaid expansion. Lastly, livable wages to increase economic mobility, LGBTQ Rights, anti-establishment politics, and aggressive combat against the GOP's agenda.

We want this campaign to be a light that shows constituents a new generation of leadership is coming. With leaders that grew up in the modern world, we can create new solutions to modern problems. My job is to prove to voters that I will be a leader that will stay true to the values of this community. I will spend each day of this campaign doing just that. If elected, I will walk into the state capitol with the voices of district 99 residents on my shoulders, a responsibility that is an honor to have. I enter this race not for my own gains, but to constantly work towards a better life for the people of North Carolina, the state I have loved for all my life.

Thank you for supporting our mission. I wish you all the best and hope to see you on the campaign trail!

Tell us 1-2 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.

Although I do not have much professional experience due to my age, aside from 3 years of CNA experience in home-care, professional social justice internships, and research experience, I believe my community involvements and personal background have prepared me to represent the common people of district 99. As part of a research team under Dr. Megan Smith, I studied the broken incarceration system and its affect on aging inmates and correctional officer culture. I presented my research at two public symposiums. With the local non-profit Psychology for All, I have worked to advocate for mental healthcare access and affordability. I have helped to provide low-income Charlotte residents with free/reduced mental health services. Experiences like these have taught me to be culturally aware, empirical and free of bias, and informed on disparities in my community. Skills like these are (or at least should be) obtained by all members of the General Assembly and other public servants.

What endorsements from any notable North Carolina organizations or people have you received?

N/A

How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office?

4 years.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know.

Although attempting to work in policy and law to represent the great people of North Carolina in government, this has not always been my focus. I started my education planning to work in Psychology or Sociology. After learning the realities of these fields, I learned that important research (that could help improve millions of lives) is often ignored by policymakers. I believe I am a sociological thinker instead of a political thinker, something people want and need in their representatives. Thinking critically, empirically, and sociologically can help politicians see disparities in society and make equitable decisions. I am often asked why I didn't study political science, but I believe my education prepared me for this role better than a degree in politics ever could have.