LeVon Barnes (D)

LeVon Barnes

• Biography

  Coach LeVon Barnes is a 24-year public school educator, father, coach, and motivational speaker dedicated to empowering students, families, and communities. Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Barnes attended Campbell University, earning a B.S. in Physical Education, and later earned a M.Ed. from Prairie View A&M University.

  Throughout his career, Barnes has served as a teacher and college basketball coach, bringing the lessons of leadership, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance from the hardwood into the classroom.

  Barnes is the founder of Young Male Achievers, a youth empowerment and mentoring organization focused on supporting young Black and brown males through service, education, leadership, and mentorship.

  His commitment to civic leadership includes being a Fellow of the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership and serving in leadership roles on civic boards, including the Leadership Triangle Alumni Board. He was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

  Barnes serves on the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Democratic Party as Chair of the 9th Congressional District, representing a district stretching from Randolph County to Cumberland County.

  Learn more about Coach LeVon Barnes and his campaign at LeVonForNC.com.

• What motivated you to run for the General Assembly? What would you want Alamance County residents to be able to point to at the end of your next term?

  I'm a girl dad, husband, and public educator, who believes in the power of community. When someone is elected, that person represents all whether you voted for them or not. I will always meet community where they are at, it's not MY seat its OUR seat. As a public school teacher we are on the front lines everyday seeing the ill effects of government before we can even seek resources. I have seen year after year the defunding of our schools, seen families continue to drown because wages are below any form of living comfortable, when people have to work 3-4 jobs and still are drowning, when I have seen corporations make billions off the backs of working class people but yet cost of living in this state has skyrocketed, it made me feel our prioriites are off. When you combine that and the fact my opponent has never been seen, heard from or put himself in a position to be accountable for his votes made me want to jump in this race and fight for the people of District 64 and our state.

• What are the three issues facing Alamance County that most require action from the General Assembly?

  I’m a girl dad, husband, and 24-year public school educator who believes deeply in the power of community. When someone is elected, they represent everyone, whether you voted for them or not. That’s why I believe it’s not MY seat; it’s OUR seat. I will always meet people where they are and listen to the communities I’m elected to serve.

  As a public school educator, I’m on the front lines every day, seeing the impact of government decisions before families ever have the opportunity to access the resources they need. I’ve watched our public schools be shortchanged year after year. I’ve seen families work two, three, even four jobs and still struggle to keep up as wages fall behind the rising cost of living.

  I’ve watched corporations generate billions while working families are asked to carry more of the burden. That tells me our priorities are out of balance.

  I’m running for NC House District 64 because I believe our community deserves accountability, transparency, and a voice that will show up, listen, and fight for working families. I’m ready to take that fight from the classroom to Raleigh.

• The Alamance-Burlington School System ranks near the bottom of North Carolina districts in total per-pupil funding, and county commissioners raised property taxes this year while still funding the school system below its request. What is the state’s responsibility here, and what specifically would you support in Raleigh?

  The state has a fundamental responsibility to ensure every child in North Carolina has access to a sound, basic public education. That responsibility cannot be shifted onto local property taxpayers or determined by a child’s ZIP code.

  Alamance County has been ranked 51st out of 115 school districts in county funding levels, and ABSS continues to request more resources than the county wants to provide. When local governments are forced to raise property taxes while still falling short of what our schools need, it is a clear sign that the state must do more.

  In Raleigh, I would fight for stronger state investment in public education, including fully funding classroom teachers, exceptional children services, instructional materials, transportation, and essential support staff. I would also strengthen the state’s funding formulas for low-wealth counties and make sure funding reflects the actual needs of students not simply where they live.

  Our children should not receive fewer opportunities because their local tax base is smaller.

  As a 24-year public school educator, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when schools are asked to do more with less. I believe North Carolina must meet its constitutional responsibility and make public education a priority not an afterthought.

• Alamance County officials have described a structural budget gap and limited local revenue options, including a local-option sales tax that voters have repeatedly rejected and a state property tax exemption that has reduced revenue from new apartment construction. What changes to state revenue and funding rules for counties would you support?

  Alamance County is growing, and growth brings real costs, more students in our schools, greater demands on roads, public safety, water, infrastructure, and county services. We should not have a system where Alamance absorbs those costs while state policy limits the revenue needed to address them.

  In Raleigh, I would support a “Fair Share” approach modeled after Massachusetts: an additional 4% tax on only the portion of a taxpayer’s taxable income above $1 million, with the threshold adjusted annually for inflation. Someone earning $900,000 would pay no surtax. Someone earning $1.2 million would pay the additional 4% only on the $200,000 above the threshold. I would dedicate that revenue to public education and transportation, including roads, bridges, and public transit.

  I would also support reviewing state property-tax exemptions that reduce local revenue from new apartment construction. If Alamance is welcoming new housing and residents, the county needs resources to support that growth. State policy should not leave local taxpayers carrying the costs of growth without a corresponding revenue base.

  Growth should strengthen Alamance not create a larger financial burden for the people already living here.

• Alamance County is growing quickly. Which type of infrastructure — roads, water and sewer capacity, or school construction — needs state money the most in the next session. Where should that money come from?

  Unfortunately, they are all interconnected. With Alamance County growth and the fact we have no zoning means that our roads will need to widened, based on storms our infrastructure has been hit hard based on water consumption and sewage capacity

• Alamance County spent much of the past year under drought conditions, and state regulators have documented water quality problems in the Haw River. What state action would you support on water supply and water quality?

  They are all interconnected. When Alamance County grows, we need roads to move people, water and sewer capacity to support new homes and businesses, and schools to educate the families moving into our communities. We cannot plan for one without planning for the others.

  Of the three, I would prioritize school construction for immediate state investment because ABSS already faces significant capital needs, and continued growth will only increase the demand for classrooms and modern, safe facilities. The state should be a stronger partner, particularly when local property taxpayers cannot reasonably shoulder the cost of major construction projects alone.

  At the same time, I would support state investment in water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure when those projects are necessary to accommodate responsible growth. Development should come with a plan for the infrastructure needed to support it, not leave existing taxpayers to pick up the bill afterward.

  As for funding, again I support a “Fair Share” approach an additional 4% tax on only the portion of taxable income above $1 million, adjusted for inflation, with the revenue dedicated to education and transportation.

  Alamance is growing. Our infrastructure investment needs to grow with it, without placing the entire burden on local taxpayers.

• What would you do at the state level to address the cost of living for Alamance County residents — including housing, child care, education and health care?

  As a husband and father of a 4-year-old daughter, and with both my wife and me working as educators, we understand that the cost-of-living crisis is not just a talking point. We feel it directly in our own household. I want to be a voice for working families who are working hard but still struggling to keep up.

  First, I would make sure corporations like Duke Energy are paying their fair share. Working families should not continue carrying more of the burden while large corporations benefit from policies that can drive up everyday costs.

  Second, I would support raising North Carolina’s minimum wage to $20 an hour so people working full-time have a better opportunity to afford housing, child care, food, transportation, and health care.

  We also need to strengthen health care by fully funding Medicaid and protecting access for our most vulnerable residents, while supporting rural hospitals and providers.

  I would support expanding affordable housing and quality child care and continuing to invest in public education. Families should not have to choose between paying the rent, caring for their children, and getting the health care they need.

  In Raleigh, I will be a voice for policies that make life easier! Not harder for working families.

• How would you work with legislators from the other party, and how would you decide when to break with your own caucus? Please give an example of a position where you would be willing to break with your own caucus.

  As a teacher, I work with everyone, regardless of political affiliation, gender, background, or beliefs. I believe educators make strong public servants because every day we are asked to listen, find common ground, solve problems, and put people first.

  I will work with anyone who is willing to work. I won’t walk into Raleigh believing the other side is my enemy. I’ll listen, build relationships, and look for areas where we can find common ground for the people of Alamance County.

  At the same time, working across the aisle does not mean abandoning my principles. I will break with my own caucus whenever I believe a position is wrong for the people I represent.

  For example, if my own caucus supported legislation that I believed would underfund public schools, reduce access to Medicaid, or place an unfair financial burden on working families in Alamance County, I would vote against it.

  My responsibility is not to a party, it is to the people I represent. I will work with Democrats, Republicans, and anyone else who wants to make life easier for working families. I believe we can disagree without being disagreeable and still get things done.

• If elected (or re-elected) to the General Assembly how would you ensure that Alamance County residents and local government officials have input into legislation?

  If elected, you will not have to wonder where I am or how I am making decisions. You will see me in the community, listening and working with you.

  I will host monthly town halls throughout House District 64, creating regular opportunities for residents, local government officials, educators, business owners, and community leaders to share concerns and ideas. I will also provide a public explanation of my votes through a regular social media and newsletter package so constituents understand not only how I voted, but why.

  I believe transparency requires more than just being available, it requires accountability. I will not surround myself only with people who agree with me. I want to hear different perspectives, especially when people disagree.

  I will also work to bring state departments and appropriate Raleigh officials directly to Alamance County to answer your questions and address concerns. If a state agency is making decisions that affect our families, schools, businesses, or local government, you deserve an opportunity to be heard.

  My commitment is simple: I will be accessible, transparent, and present. You will not be able to say you couldn't find me or that you didn't have an opportunity to be heard.