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JW received his bachelor's degree in political science from Gardner-Webb University. He is married to Haley. He has been the Polkville, NC Democratic Party Precinct Chair since 2023.

JW currently works as an order-filler and problems clerk at Walmart Distribution Center 6070, and has previously worked with various voting organizations

Ballotpedia, Justin Matthews

Justin "JW" Matthews' campaign for state representative is his first run for public office.

Candidate website

Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas.

- Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas.

Economy

As of June 14, 2024, Justin (JW) Matthews’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Opposes government overreach in reproductive healthcare decisions and the expansion of legislative power.

Believes in expanding access to affordable healthcare for North Carolinians.

Believes every person should make their own health decisions for themselves and their family.

- Opposes government overreach in reproductive healthcare decisions and the expansion of legislative power.
- Believes in expanding access to affordable healthcare for North Carolinians.
- Believes every person should make their own health decisions for themselves and their family.

Healthcare

Opposes partisan gerrymandering "in any form, regardless of the party." Believes everyone deserves representation by officials who will listen to them.

Opposes partisan gerrymandering "in any form, regardless of the party." 

Believes the current Republican supermajority was not gained through democratic means. Said, "Representative Tricia Cotham misrepresented her values in order to win election."

Believes the current Republican supermajority was not gained through democratic means, saying "Representative Tricia Cotham misrepresented her values in order to win election."

Opposes "ridiculous ideas like Independent State Legislators" and is tired of the current state of voting and election administration in North Carolina.

Opposes "ridiculous ideas like Independent State Legislators" and is "tired" of the current state of voting and election administration in North Carolina.

Believes Speaker Tim Moore has restricted access to true representation. Questions who will guide Representative Hastings' votes after Speaker Moore leaves the State House.

Believes Speaker Tim Moore has restricted access to true representation. 

- Opposes partisan gerrymandering "in any form, regardless of the party." 
- Believes the current Republican supermajority was not gained through democratic means, saying "Representative Tricia Cotham misrepresented her values in order to win election."
- Opposes "ridiculous ideas like Independent State Legislators" and is "tired" of the current state of voting and election administration in North Carolina.
- Believes Speaker Tim Moore has restricted access to true representation. 

Voting & Elections

Plans to "crack down on fentanyl" to reduce drug overdoses, which account for 77% of cases.

Believes in pursuing equity in sentencing, arguing that "a low-level marijuana offender should [not] receive a harsher sentence than a violent criminal."

Believes in continuing the fight against fentanyl, emphasizing its impact on both victims and their families.

Believes in reforming prisons to rehabilitate offenders rather than just punishing them. Supports ensuring violent offenders are held accountable for their crimes.

Believes in reforming prisons to rehabilitate offenders rather than just punishing them. 

- Plans to "crack down on fentanyl" to reduce drug overdoses, which account for 77% of cases.
- Believes in pursuing equity in sentencing, arguing that "a low-level marijuana offender should [not] receive a harsher sentence than a violent criminal."
- Believes in continuing the fight against fentanyl, emphasizing its impact on both victims and their families.
- Believes in reforming prisons to rehabilitate offenders rather than just punishing them. 

Public Safety

Supports providing free school lunches for children.

Believes in prioritizing student and teacher safety, continuing free meal programs for kids, and expanding teacher benefits to address the educator shortage.

Believes teachers are "underappreciated and ignored" despite their significant contributions.

- Supports providing free school lunches for children.
- Believes in prioritizing student and teacher safety, continuing free meal programs for kids, and expanding teacher benefits to address the educator shortage.
- Believes teachers are "underappreciated and ignored" despite their significant contributions.

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Justin (JW) Matthews

Kelly grew up in rural North Carolina. He has a bachelors degree in communications, marketing, and management from Appalachian State University and received a graduate teaching certificate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Kelly is married with one daughter.

Kelly is a the owner of his own realty business. He served in the United States Marine Corps and Reserves. 

Ballotpedia, Kelly Hastings

Kelly Hastings is currently serving as State Representative for State House District 110. He was first elected in 2010 and is serving his 7th term. 

Supports regulatory reform to reduce red tape and enhance economic security, including for farmers.

Supports regulatory reform to reduce red tape and enhance economic security.

Supports cutting taxes for both public and private sectors. As a State Representative, voted to reduce taxes by billions in North Carolina since 2011.

Supports cutting taxes for both public and private sectors. 

Supports balanced budgets, eliminating waste and fraud, and maintaining a AAA bond rating. As a State Representative, voted for numerous balanced budgets and bills to maintain fiscal responsibility.

Supports balanced budgets and eliminating waste and fraud.

Supports capital and infrastructure improvements and expanding broadband access, especially in rural areas. As a committee member, helps appropriate funds and learn transportation laws.

Supports capital and infrastructure improvements and expanding broadband access.

- Supports regulatory reform to reduce red tape and enhance economic security.
- Supports cutting taxes for both public and private sectors. 
- Supports balanced budgets and eliminating waste and fraud.
- Supports capital and infrastructure improvements and expanding broadband access.

As of June 14, 2024, Kelly Hastings’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Opposes COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
- Opposes partial-birth abortion.

Supports voter IDs and measures to prevent election fraud. As a legislator, voted for voter IDs and election integrity measures.

Supports voter IDs and measures to prevent election fraud.

- Supports voter IDs and measures to prevent election fraud.

Supports law enforcement and public safety, opposing efforts to defund the police. As a legislator, sponsored laws to protect emergency personnel and vulnerable citizens.

Supports law enforcement and public safety, opposing efforts to defund the police.

Supports Second Amendment rights, including the Castle Doctrine, Stand Your Ground laws, eliminating the pistol purchase permit, and “constitutional carry.”

Opposes gun control. Sponsored the Castle Doctrine (allowing individuals to use deadly force to defend their homes) and Stand Your Ground laws allowing individuals to use deadly force in self defense.). 

- Supports law enforcement and public safety, opposing efforts to defund the police.
- Opposes gun control. Sponsored the Castle Doctrine (allowing individuals to use deadly force to defend their homes) and Stand Your Ground laws allowing individuals to use deadly force in self defense.). 

Supports empowering parents with school choice, enhancing teacher compensation, and increasing penalties for inappropriate relationships between school personnel and students.

Supports school choice, enhancing teacher compensation, and increasing penalties for inappropriate relationships between school personnel and students.

As a House Representative, voted to raise pay for teachers and state employees and cut taxes for everyone in the public and private sectors.

Supports increased pay for teachers and state employees.

- Supports school choice, enhancing teacher compensation, and increasing penalties for inappropriate relationships between school personnel and students.
- Supports increased pay for teachers and state employees.

Supports "peace through strength" by maintaining a strong military and National Guard. As a legislator, sponsored strategic legislation and prioritized key capital projects to improve the National Guard.

Supports maintaining a strong military and National Guard.

Believes U.S. sovereignty and border security are crucial. As a House Representative, voted against allowing “sanctuary” cities.

Believes U.S. sovereignty and border security are crucial. Opposes allowing “sanctuary” cities (municipalities that limit or deny cooperation with the national government in enforcing immigration law). 

- Supports maintaining a strong military and National Guard.
- Believes U.S. sovereignty and border security are crucial. Opposes allowing “sanctuary” cities (municipalities that limit or deny cooperation with the national government in enforcing immigration law). 

Twitter

Kelly Hastings

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 129 members of the North Carolina House of Representatives. The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.

Your representative and state lawmaker in North Carolina House of Representatives

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