Powell, Rod

Meet the Candidate

Party Legend

  • DDemocrat
  • GGreen
  • LLibertarian
  • RRepublican
  • UUnaffiliated

Running For:
NC Senate
District:
44
Political Affiliation:
D
Candidate Website:
https://movingncforwardwithrodpowell.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? N* Parents should have the freedom to choose the educational setting that is best for their children. However, public education dollars should be invested first in strengthening North Carolina’s public schools, which serve every child. Families who choose private schools have that right, but taxpayer-funded vouchers reduce the resources available for the public schools that educate the vast majority of our children.
2. Should the N.C. General Assembly authorize non-tribal commercial gambling casinos in North Carolina? N* I believe North Carolina’s economic future should be built on good jobs, education, small businesses, manufacturing, and responsible economic development rather than expanding commercial gambling. While adults should make their own choices, I do not believe authorizing non-tribal commercial casinos should be a priority for our state.
3. Should abortion be prohibited in North Carolina once a fetal heartbeat is detected? N* No. I believe these are deeply personal medical decisions that should be made by a woman, her family, her physician, and her faith, not by politicians. While I respect that many North Carolinians hold sincere and deeply held beliefs about abortion, I do not support a law prohibiting abortion solely upon detection of a fetal heartbeat.
4. Should North Carolina voters be required to show a photo ID in order to vote in North Carolina? Y* Yes. I support requiring a photo ID to vote, provided every eligible voter can easily obtain one at no cost and reasonable accommodations are available for those who face barriers. Election security and voter access should go hand in hand.
5. Should the N.C. General Assembly legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes? Y* Yes. I support legalizing medical marijuana under strict regulation for patients with qualifying medical conditions when recommended by a licensed physician. North Carolinians suffering from cancer, epilepsy, chronic pain, PTSD, and other serious illnesses should have access to treatments that may improve their quality of life.
6. Should state nondiscrimination laws include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as protected classifications? Y* Yes. Every North Carolinian deserves equal protection under the law and should not face discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations because of sexual orientation or gender identity. I also respect constitutional protections, including religious liberty.
7. Should biological male students who identify as female be allowed to participate on female sports teams? N* No. I believe girls’ sports should remain for biological females to ensure fairness and safety in athletic competition. At the same time, I believe every student deserves dignity and respect. This issue affects a very small number of students in North Carolina, and I hope we can address it thoughtfully without turning young people into political targets.
8. Should organizations that provide abortions be allowed to receive state funds? Y* Yes. State funds should be used for lawful health care services that benefit North Carolinians. Public funding should follow the purpose for which it is appropriated, whether that is cancer screenings, preventive care, family planning, or other medical services.
9. Should North Carolina law allow a medical professional to assist another person in ending their life? Y* Yes. I believe mentally competent adults with a terminal illness should have the right to make deeply personal end-of-life decisions in consultation with their family and physician. Any law should include strict safeguards to ensure informed consent and prevent abuse.
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* Yes. Any child born alive should receive the same appropriate medical care as any other child born at the same gestational age. These cases are extraordinarily rare, but when they do occur, every newborn deserves the same standard of medical care.
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* Yes. If participation is completely voluntary, takes place off campus, requires parental consent, and does not interfere with a student’s education or impose costs on the public school, parents should have the freedom to choose this option for their children.
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* Yes. There are situations in which a minor may not seek needed medical treatment if parental consent is required. North Carolina should continue to allow confidential treatment in limited circumstances involving communicable diseases, substance abuse, pregnancy, and mental health, while encouraging family involvement whenever it is safe and appropriate.
13. Should churches and other qualified religious organizations continue to receive tax-exempt status? Y* Yes. Churches and other qualified religious organizations should continue to receive tax-exempt status under the same legal standards that apply to other nonprofit organizations. All tax-exempt organizations should comply with the laws governing that status.
14. Should a person’s religious beliefs influence the decisions they make while serving in public office? N* No. Everyone brings personal values and beliefs into public service, whether they are religious or not. As a public official, my duty would be to uphold the Constitution, follow the law, consider the evidence, and represent all of my constituents, regardless of their faith or lack of faith.
15. Should the number of terms a state legislator may serve in the North Carolina General Assembly be limited? Y* Yes. I believe reasonable term limits can encourage new leadership, increase accountability, and give more North Carolinians the opportunity to serve. Experience is valuable, but public office should not become a lifetime career.