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Don Davis' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (NC) - District 1

Key

Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • "Don knows that now more than ever, women’s rights are under attack. Congress must take action to codify Roe v. Wade and protect women’s constitutional rights across the country. He knows that a woman’s health decisions should be between her and her doctor. Don knows that the decision of how and when to start a family is deeply personal. That is why Don is fighting to lower rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in eastern North Carolina. Our region has the highest rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the state. Maternal mortality and morbidity is especially harmful to African American women who have a preterm birth rate that is 48 percent higher than the rate among all other women in North Carolina." (votedondavis.com)
  • "Now more than ever we must protect fundamental freedoms like abortion and ensure all families have option to decide when and how to start a family. In Congress, I will fight tooth-and-nail to protect abortion rights and women’s healthcare" (x.com)
  • "88 years ago, #SocialSecurity became law, providing a safety net for millions of Americans. Today, 175,760 residents in #NC01 rely on Social Security benefits, including seniors, widows, and children. That's why I will continue working to protect and expand Social Security benefits so that everyone in eastern North Carolina can thrive with dignity. #SocSec88" (x.com)
  • "It’s time to #ScrapTheCap to strengthen Social Security benefits for recipients in #NC01." (x.com)
  • "I’m fighting hard to secure investments to help provide for people with disabilities. Yesterday, I met with @NFB_voice to discuss Social Security, medical device accessibility, and website accessibility and learn how I can best support them in the U.S. House." (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by FreedomWorks (None)
  • Rated 0% by FreedomWorks (None)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Engaging meeting with General Langley, discussing strategies to keep America safe and secure. Grateful for his expertise and commitment to our nation's defense. Working together, we can ensure a strong and resilient future for all Americans. #UnitedWeStand" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8774: "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025" (votesmart.org)
  • "Don understands that investing in rural infrastructure allows eastern North Carolina to thrive for generations to come. That’s why Don secured over $1 billion to expand broadband internet in North Carolina and will continue to fight for reliable access to high-speed broadband internet that provides critical economic and educational opportunities. In our rapidly changing and increasingly online economy, the internet is an essential service to small businesses, educators, and everyday citizens alike, and it must become and remain equally accessible to all users. Don also knows that agriculture and our farmers are the foundation of our economy. We must work with the USDA to ensure our farmers have the resources they need to run 21st-century businesses." (votedondavis.com)
  • "We must take action to bring back good-paying manufacturing jobs, support our small businesses, and strengthen North Carolina’s agriculture—especially as farmers face increasingly unpredictable weather patterns due to global climate change. Don is fighting for important investments that will allow eastern North Carolina to thrive by ensuring access to high-speed broadband, which drives investment in small businesses and industry; creating good-paying jobs and opportunities for our children who live in rural communities, and expanding 21st-century infrastructure to rural North Carolina in order to connect businesses with the global market." (votedondavis.com)
  • "Exciting things are happening in NC-01! @ryanhomes1948 had a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Elizabeth City, providing better housing options for working families." (x.com)
  • "Fighting for housing assistance for our elderly is vital, so I invited Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to ENC to see our needs for himself." (x.com)
  • "The bipartisan Quality of Life Panel examined solutions for the alarming revelations in the GAO's recent military housing report. Every day, servicemembers put their lives on the line for us. Ensuring they have safe, quality housing is the least we can do" (x.com)
  • "As of January 1, seniors on Medicare can't be charged over $35 a month for insulin. As a voice for #NC01 in D.C., I'll fight to expand the Inflation Reduction Act to finally cap the cost of insulin for ALL eastern North Carolinians." (x.com)
  • "Incredible news, ENC! The Inflation Reduction Act is proving its worth in just a year. Insulin costs? Slashed to $35/month for seniors. Health coverage? Affordable for 15 million Americans, saving them $800/year. The fight in D.C. to ensure ENC gets the investments we need and deserve is real. We’re all in for you." (x.com)
  • "Here's a glimpse of three bills we’ve cosponsored that will directly benefit our community: H.R. 2728, the Young Farmer Success Act, would make certain farmers or ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program." (x.com)
  • Voted against HB 1092: "Requires Photo Identification to Vote" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8281: "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of SB 214: "Exempts Upcoming 2019 Election from Photo ID Requirements" (votesmart.org)
  • "One year later, the #CHIPSandScienceAct is: Investing nearly $2 million in advancing climate and energy technologies in NC. Creating good-paying jobs. Propelling NC to the forefront of innovation and economic prosperity" (x.com)
  • Rated 79% by North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (None)
  • Rated 79% by North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (None)
  • Voted against HR 1: "Lower Energy Costs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 21: "Strategic Production Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6285: "Alaska's Right to Produce Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Gun Owners of America (None)
  • Voted in favor of HB 49: "Repeals Concealed Carry Firearms Safety Training Requirement in Some Cases" (votesmart.org)
  • "Don understands no one should have to choose between putting food on the table and getting the care, medication, or life-saving treatments they need. Eastern North Carolina is experiencing a healthcare crisis because families in eastern North Carolina don’t have access to quality affordable primary care, dental care, and mental health care. Communities in eastern North Carolina experience higher rates of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and maternal mortality and morbidity than anywhere else in the state. Families have to drive for hours in order to seek treatment. Don knows it’s essential to care for our aging communities that have greater healthcare needs and less mobility. No one should lose or be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, and no one fighting a serious illness should face the fear of lifetime coverage caps. Don is working to ensure that every person has accessible, quality healthcare." (votedondavis.com)
  • "On behalf of nearly 100,000 eastern North Carolinians in the Medicaid coverage gap, Congress should provide an alternative for residents in states failing to expand Medicaid. It’s past time to honor the will of the people by expanding access to vital healthcare services." (x.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "As of January 1, seniors on Medicare can't be charged over $35 a month for insulin. As a voice for #NC01 in D.C., I'll fight to expand the Inflation Reduction Act to finally cap the cost of insulin for ALL eastern North Carolinians." (x.com)
  • "Incredible news, ENC! The Inflation Reduction Act is proving its worth in just a year. Insulin costs? Slashed to $35/month for seniors. Health coverage? Affordable for 15 million Americans, saving them $800/year. The fight in D.C. to ensure ENC gets the investments we need and deserve is real. We’re all in for you." (x.com)
  • Rated 14% NumbersUSA (None)
  • "Congress must pass a supplemental defense funding package to safeguard the American people by addressing our most pressing national security challenges, including securing our border." (x.com)
  • "Securing our southern border is crucial for the security of eastern North Carolina and the entire nation. Congress must collaborate across party lines to accomplish this. America deserves nothing less!" (x.com)
  • "Unlawful migrant crossings are overwhelming border patrol officers and border communities. We need an urgent bipartisan solution, and I urge Congress to secure the border. Let’s pass H.R. 7372, the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act." (x.com)
  • "We need to face our most pressing national security threats head on. Securing our southern border and defending democracy remain top priorities in a dangerous world. Congress must act now." (x.com)
  • Rated 14% NumbersUSA (None)
  • "One year after Russia invaded Ukraine, I remain committed to ensuring Ukraine wins its fight for democracy." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6126: "Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "One year after Russia invaded Ukraine, I remain committed to ensuring Ukraine wins its fight for democracy." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7521: "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" (votesmart.org)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legal.
X c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
X f) Abortions should be subject to a mandatory waiting period.
X g) Require clinics to give parental notification before performing abortions on minors.
h) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category, you can use a number more than once.State Taxes: Indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category, you can use a number more than once.

Slightly Increase a) Education (Higher)
Greatly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Slightly Increase c) Emergency preparedness
Slightly Increase d) Environment
Slightly Increase e) Health care
Slightly Increase f) Law enforcement
Maintain Status g) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Slightly Decrease h) Welfare
i) Other or expanded categories
Greatly Increase a) Alcohol taxes
Greatly Increase b) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Decrease c) Corporate taxes
Slightly Decrease d) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Decrease e) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Maintain Status f) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Maintain Status g) Sales taxes
Maintain Status h) Vehicle taxes
i) Other or expanded categories
Yes 1) Should state sales taxes be extended to Internet sales?
No 2) Should accounts such as a "rainy day" fund be used to balance the state budget?
Undecided 3) Should fee increases be used to balance the state budget?
Undecided 4) Do you support the construction of toll roads?
5) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

Yes a) Do you support the current limit of terms for North Carolina governors?
Undecided b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for North Carolina state senators and representatives?
Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) PAC
Yes 3) Corporate
Yes 4) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state-level political campaigns?
Undecided f) Should North Carolina participate in the federal REAL ID program?
g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding crime.

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Support the death penalty in North Carolina.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X d) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
e) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
f) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
X g) Support state and local law enforcement officials enforcing federal immigration laws.
X h) Support hate crime legislation.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

X a) Support state funding of universal pre-K programs.
b) Support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind).
X c) Support state education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students.
d) Support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams.
e) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public school.
f) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
X g) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
X h) Support using a merit pay system for teachers.
X i) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
j) Support allowing illegal immigrant high school graduates of North Carolina to pay in-state tuition at public universities.
k) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.

X a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers and teach skills needed in today’s job market.
X b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
X c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X f) Include sexual orientation in North Carolina's anti-discrimination laws.
X g) Include gender identity in North Carolina's anti-discrimination laws.
h) Increase the state minimum wage.
i) Support laws that prevent employers from dismissing employees at will.
X j) Support financial punishments for those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants.
X k) Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
X l) Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
m) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
X b) Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil, etc).
X c) Support providing financial incentives to farms that produce biofuel crops.
d) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
X e) Support funding for improvements to North Carolina's power generating and transmission facilities.
X f) Support funding for open space preservation.
X g) Limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases linked to global warming.
h) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.

Yes a) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
Yes b) Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
Yes c) Should a license be required for gun possession?
Yes d) Do you support current levels of enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Yes e) Do you support current state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
f) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health.

a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
b) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
c) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
d) Allow patients to sue their HMOs.
X e) Require hospitals and labs to release reports on infections that are a risk to public health, while not compromising patient confidentiality.
f) Legalize physician assisted suicide in North Carolina.
g) Support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
h) Other or expanded principles

['Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.', 'Legislative Priorities']

Yes a) Should North Carolina recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
No b) Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?
Yes c) Should North Carolina provide state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples?
Yes d) Do you support a moment of silence in public schools?
Yes e) Do you support voluntary prayer in public schools?
Yes f) Do you support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods?
Yes g) Do you support abstinence-only sexual education programs?
Yes h) Should the state government consider race and gender in state government contracting and hiring decisions?
Undecided i) Do you support affirmative action in public college admissions?
Yes j) Should North Carolina continue affirmative action programs?
Yes k) Do you support state funding of stem cell research?
Undecided l) Do you support state funding of embryonic stem cell research?
Yes m) Do you support allowing pharmacists who conscientiously object to emergency contraception to refuse to dispense it?
n) Other or expanded principles
Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

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