Combes, Richard (Rick)

Meet the Candidate

Party Legend

  • DDemocrat
  • GGreen
  • LLibertarian
  • RRepublican
  • UUnaffiliated

Running For:
NC Senate
District:
8
Political Affiliation:
D
Candidate Website:
https://www.rickcombesncsenate8.org/

Survey

Response Legend

  • YYes
  • NNo
  • UUndecided
  • WView Candidate Comments
  • −No response given by candidate
  • *Comment provided, see Candidate page

Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Should North Carolina parents who choose to educate their children in a non-public school be eligible to receive a state-funded scholarship grant to assist with the cost of tuition and fees? N* North Carolina should not use public funds for voucher programs because diverting money to private schools weakens the state’s ability to provide a sound basic education for all students. Public schools serve the vast majority of children, including those with the greatest needs, and shifting resources away from them makes it harder to maintain qualified teachers, essential services, and safe facilities. Private schools receiving vouchers are not required to accept all students or meet the same accountability standards, meaning taxpayer dollars leave the public system without guarantees of equity or transparency. Strengthening public schools—not fragmenting their funding—is the most effective way to ensure every child in North Carolina has access to a high?quality education.
2. Should the N.C. General Assembly authorize non-tribal commercial gambling casinos in North Carolina? N* North Carolina should not authorize non?tribal commercial casinos because expanding gambling in this way would create more social and economic harm than benefit. Commercial casinos often bring increased rates of addiction, financial instability, and crime, placing new burdens on local communities and public services. While proponents argue casinos generate revenue, that income comes largely from residents who can least afford to lose it, effectively functioning as a regressive form of taxation. North Carolina can strengthen its economy through sustainable investments—such as education, infrastructure, and workforce development—without relying on an industry that profits from gambling losses. For these reasons, I do not support authorizing non?tribal commercial casinos in the state.
3. Should abortion be prohibited in North Carolina once a fetal heartbeat is detected? N* Abortion is an extremely difficult and personal decision for any woman, and the complexities involved make it impossible to write a one?size?fits?all law banning it. In some pregnancies, a woman’s life is genuinely at risk, and no legislation can accurately or compassionately measure that danger. As a male and a father of three, I witnessed all of my children’s births, and even though each ended with a healthy baby and my wife recovered well, I would never claim her life wasn’t in jeopardy during those moments. For a healthy teenager facing an unwanted pregnancy, a prohibition does not provide support or safety. What they need is access to good, safe, and trusted counseling—not a law that removes their ability to make an informed decision about their own future.
4. Should North Carolina voters be required to show a photo ID in order to vote in North Carolina? Y* Validation of a voter’s identity is a reasonable part of the voting process, but the state must ensure that every registered voter has easy, reliable access to the required identification. Any ID policy should expand access—not restrict it—and should never be implemented so close to an election that voters are left confused or unable to comply. No changes to ID requirements should occur within one year of an election to protect voters from last?minute barriers and maintain confidence in the process.
5. Should the N.C. General Assembly legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes? Y* North Carolina should legalize marijuana for medical purposes because patients facing serious illnesses deserve access to treatments that can reduce pain, improve quality of life, and offer relief when other medications fail. Many states have already implemented medical marijuana programs with strong safeguards, demonstrating that it can be responsibly regulated and used under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Legalizing medical marijuana would allow patients to work with their doctors to determine whether it is an appropriate option, rather than forcing them to seek alternatives outside the state or rely on less effective or more harmful medications. For these reasons, I support allowing the medical use of marijuana in North Carolina.
6. Should state nondiscrimination laws include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as protected classifications? Y* North Carolina’s nondiscrimination laws should include sexual orientation and gender identity because every person deserves equal protection under the law. Discrimination in employment, housing, and public services harms individuals and communities, and no one should lose opportunities or face mistreatment simply because of who they are or how they identify. Clear statewide protections help ensure fairness, provide consistency across jurisdictions, and reinforce the principle that all residents are entitled to dignity and equal treatment. Including these classifications strengthens civil rights in North Carolina and supports a safer, more inclusive environment for everyone.
7. Should biological male students who identify as female be allowed to participate on female sports teams? Y* I believe decisions about who can participate on specific sports teams should be made by the organizations that govern those sports, not by state or federal governments. Athletic associations are better equipped to set policies that balance fairness, safety, and inclusion because they understand the nuances of each sport and can adapt their rules as needed. Keeping these decisions at the organizational level allows for thoughtful, sport?specific solutions rather than broad mandates that may not fit every situation.
8. Should organizations that provide abortions be allowed to receive state funds? Y* I support providing state funds to organizations that offer abortion services because access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare is essential for public health and personal autonomy. State funding helps ensure that individuals—especially those with limited financial resources—can receive safe, medically sound care when they need it. These organizations often provide a wide range of services beyond abortion, including cancer screenings, contraception, prenatal care, and general reproductive health support. Ensuring they have adequate funding strengthens healthcare access across the state and helps people make informed decisions based on their own circumstances, not their financial means.
9. Should North Carolina law allow a medical professional to assist another person in ending their life? * I believe North Carolina should allow medical professionals to assist a person in ending their life under carefully regulated circumstances. For individuals facing terminal illnesses, unbearable suffering, or a loss of meaningful quality of life, having the option of medical aid in dying provides a compassionate, dignified choice. This decision should be made by the patient in consultation with their healthcare team, with strict safeguards to ensure consent, clarity, and ethical practice. Allowing this option respects personal autonomy and acknowledges that, in some cases, relieving suffering may be the most humane form of care.
10. Should a health care practitioner, who is present at the time a child is born alive after a failed abortion attempt, be required by state law to exercise the same degree of skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of that child as would be expected for any other child born alive at the same gestational age? Y* In this extremely rare circumstance, a fetus is outside the womb and is suffering. If the suffering can be ended and the life saved, health care professionals should do what they can to achieve this.
11. Should North Carolina public schools be required to allow students to voluntarily participate in “released time” religious instruction during school hours—provided that it takes place off-campus, with parental consent, and at no cost to the public school unit? Y* This approach respects families’ freedom to choose religious education while keeping a clear boundary between public schools and religious institutions. Allowing released?time programs gives parents and students flexibility without disrupting the school’s academic mission or using taxpayer funds. With proper safeguards, this policy supports both religious liberty and the integrity of public education.
12. Should N.C. law (G.S. §90-21.5) continue to allow minors to consent to the treatment of venereal disease or other reportable communicable diseases, pregnancy (not including abortion), abuse of controlled substances or alcohol, and emotional disturbance, without parental consent? Y* North Carolina law should continue to allow minors to consent to treatment for communicable diseases, pregnancy (excluding abortion), substance abuse, and emotional disturbances without requiring parental approval. These situations often involve urgent health needs, safety concerns, or circumstances where a minor may be unwilling or unable to involve a parent. Allowing minors to seek care on their own ensures they can receive timely treatment, reduces the spread of disease, and provides a critical pathway to support for those facing addiction or mental health crises. Maintaining this law protects vulnerable young people and promotes public health by removing barriers that could prevent them from accessing essential medical services.
13. Should churches and other qualified religious organizations continue to receive tax-exempt status? N* There is too much abuse built into the tax code, and it’s made worse when any activity can be labeled “religious” whether or not it reflects the actual teachings or mission of a church. Tax?exempt status should not be a shield for behavior that has little to do with genuine faith or service. Churches should encourage generosity because it is a moral calling, not because it comes with a financial incentive. When charitable giving is driven by tax benefits rather than sincere conviction, it undermines the very purpose of religious and community service.
14. Should a person’s religious beliefs influence the decisions they make while serving in public office? Y* Any belief will affect the decisions people make.
15. Should the number of terms a state legislator may serve in the North Carolina General Assembly be limited? Y* The longer a North Carolina General Assembly legislator remains in office, the less likely he is to truly represent his constituents and the more likely he is to become aligned with party machinery instead of the people who elected him. Extended tenure can create incentives to prioritize party agendas, political alliances, and institutional power over the everyday concerns of voters. Limiting terms helps ensure that legislators stay accountable, stay connected to their communities, and remain focused on serving the public rather than becoming absorbed into long?standing political structures.