Johnson, Shirley

Meet the Candidate

Party Legend

  • DDemocrat
  • GGreen
  • LLibertarian
  • RRepublican
  • UUnaffiliated

Running For:
NC Senate
District:
17
Political Affiliation:
R
Candidate Website:
https://www.shirleyjohnson4nc.com/

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? Y* North Carolina parents who choose to educate their children in a non-public school should be eligible for a state-funded scholarship to help cover tuition and fees. Every child deserves access to a quality education that meets their individual needs. When a public school is not the right fit, parents should have the freedom to choose the educational environment that best serves their child. School choice empowers families, promotes accountability, and ensures that a child's future is not limited by their ZIP code or assigned school.
2. Should the N.C. General Assembly authorize non-tribal commercial gambling casinos in North Carolina? N* The North Carolina General Assembly should not authorize non-tribal commercial gambling casinos in North Carolina. The social and economic costs of expanded gambling have been well documented. Communities with commercial casinos often experience increases in gambling addiction, financial hardship, family instability, and other related social challenges. While gambling may generate revenue, I do not believe those revenues outweigh the long-term impact on individuals, families, and communities. North Carolina should prioritize policies that strengthen families and promote lasting economic opportunity rather than expanding commercial gambling.
3. Should abortion be prohibited in North Carolina once a fetal heartbeat is detected? Y* Abortion should be prohibited in North Carolina once a fetal heartbeat is detected. I believe the right to life is our most fundamental freedom. Once a fetal heartbeat is present, it is evidence of a developing human life that deserves legal protection. North Carolina should uphold policies that protect both mother and child while ensuring compassionate care and appropriate exceptions when the life of the mother is at serious risk.
4. Should North Carolina voters be required to show a photo ID in order to vote in North Carolina? Y* Every North Carolina voter should be required to present a valid photo ID when voting in North Carolina elections. Protecting election integrity is not discrimination; it is common sense. Requiring proof of citizenship for federal elections and maintaining accurate voter rolls are safeguards intended to help ensure that only eligible U.S. citizens vote and that every legitimate vote is counted.
5. Should the N.C. General Assembly legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes? N* The North Carolina General Assembly should not legalize marijuana for medical purposes. All drugs carry risks and potential side effects, and legalizing marijuana for medical use could create a pathway toward broader legalization and increased availability. At a time when many communities are already struggling with substance abuse and addiction, North Carolina should proceed with caution and prioritize treatments that have undergone rigorous clinical testing and federal approval.
6. Should state nondiscrimination laws include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as protected classifications? N* North Carolina's nondiscrimination laws should not be expanded to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as protected classifications. Public policy should be grounded in objective standards and should not require the government to adopt contested views regarding sex and gender. Individuals experiencing gender dysphoria deserve compassion, dignity, and access to qualified mental health professionals who can help them address the underlying challenges they face. Public policy should prioritize evidence-based care rather than requiring affirmation of gender dysphoria as the basis for legal protections.
7. Should biological male students who identify as female be allowed to participate on female sports teams? N* Biological male students who identify as female should not be allowed to participate on female sports teams. This is a major safety concern—physically, emotionally, and psychologically—for female athletes. This measure also strips girls and women of opportunities to win championships for which they have practiced and sacrificed. It would remove protections that are in place to help ensure they are not injured, harmed, or assaulted.
8. Should organizations that provide abortions be allowed to receive state funds? N* Organizations that provide abortions should not receive state funding. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to subsidize or promote elective abortion procedures. Public funds should instead be directed toward programs that support women, children, families, prenatal care, adoption services, and other life-affirming healthcare initiatives.
9. Should North Carolina law allow a medical professional to assist another person in ending their life? N* North Carolina law should not permit a medical professional to assist another person in ending their life. The sanctity and dignity of every human life should be protected at every stage—from conception to natural death. Our laws should uphold the responsibility to preserve life and provide compassionate care rather than intentionally hasten death.
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* A healthcare practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following a failed abortion attempt should be required by law to provide the same degree of skill, care, and diligence to preserve that child's life and health as would be provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. Every child born alive deserves equal protection under the law and the appropriate standard of medical care, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.
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* North Carolina public schools should allow students to voluntarily participate in released-time religious instruction during school hours, provided it occurs off campus, has parental consent, and comes at no cost to the public school system. Faith-based instruction can play a meaningful role in reinforcing moral values, strengthening character, and encouraging students to make positive life choices. When participation is voluntary and parent-directed, released-time programs respect both religious freedom and parental rights while supporting the development of responsible, flourishing young people.
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? N* Absolutely not. North Carolina law (G.S. § 90-21.5) should not continue to allow minors to consent to treatment for venereal disease or other reportable communicable diseases, pregnancy-related care (excluding abortion), substance abuse, or emotional disturbance without parental knowledge and consent. Parents are the primary decision-makers for their children and should have the right and responsibility to be involved in significant medical decisions affecting their child's health and well-being, except in narrowly defined emergencies where immediate care is necessary to protect the child's life.
13. Should churches and other qualified religious organizations continue to receive tax-exempt status? Y* Churches and other qualified religious organizations should continue to receive tax-exempt status. These organizations provide invaluable services that strengthen communities through charitable outreach, food assistance, disaster relief, counseling, youth programs, and other ministries. Tax-exempt status helps them devote more resources to serving those in need and advancing the public good.
14. Should a person’s religious beliefs influence the decisions they make while serving in public office? Y* I wholeheartedly believe that an individual's religious beliefs should inform the decisions they make while serving in public office. A person's faith, moral convictions, and values shape their character and guide their judgment. While elected officials have a duty to uphold the Constitution and serve all constituents fairly, they should never be expected to set aside the principles that define who they are and influence their commitment to integrity, justice, and public service.
15. Should the number of terms a state legislator may serve in the North Carolina General Assembly be limited? Y* Term limits are essential to good government, and the number of terms a state legislator may serve in the North Carolina General Assembly should be limited. Term limits encourage fresh ideas, greater accountability, and citizen leadership while reducing the likelihood that elected officials become entrenched in the political establishment. Public office is a position of service, not a lifelong career, and regular opportunities for new leadership help ensure government remains responsive to the people it serves.