Eric earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from Madonna University. He is married to his wife, Carmina, and has 3 daughters and 1 grandchild. 

Eric is currently an independent technology consultant. He previously worked in various roles at Microsoft and then became the chief technology officer at a startup. Eric is also a US Air Force veteran. 

Eric Blankenburg's campaign for US Representative in District 4 is his first run for public office. 

Candidate website

Believes American corporations should bring back manufacturing and technology jobs to the U.S. to secure the future.

Supports collaborating with the private sector to create training programs for underprivileged individuals, including remedial education, personal finance, vocational training, and entrepreneurship education.

Supports creating microfinance programs to provide loans and investment capital to poor and marginalized entrepreneurs, believing they can help local businesses in depressed areas.

Supports creating microfinance programs to provide loans and investment capital to poor and marginalized entrepreneurs, believing they can help local businesses in underdeveloped areas.

Believes in expanding President Trump’s Opportunity Zones program to ensure low-income individuals benefit from economic development in blighted areas.

Believes in expanding President Trump’s Opportunity Zones program to ensure low-income individuals benefit from economic development in underdeveloped areas.

Supports rebuilding deteriorating roads and bridges through public-private partnerships, where businesses fund the projects in exchange for long-term operational contracts.

Believes in creating a workforce with skills needed for a modern, technology-driven economy.

Intends to eliminate the H1B temporary worker program.

- Believes American corporations should bring back manufacturing and technology jobs to the U.S. to secure the future.
- Supports collaborating with the private sector to create training programs for underprivileged individuals, including remedial education, personal finance, vocational training, and entrepreneurship education.
- Supports creating microfinance programs to provide loans and investment capital to poor and marginalized entrepreneurs, believing they can help local businesses in underdeveloped areas.
- Believes in expanding President Trump’s Opportunity Zones program to ensure low-income individuals benefit from economic development in underdeveloped areas.
- Supports rebuilding deteriorating roads and bridges through public-private partnerships, where businesses fund the projects in exchange for long-term operational contracts.
- Intends to eliminate the H1B temporary worker program.

Economy

Believes America’s electric grid is unprepared for cyberthreats and extreme weather. Supports transforming the grid into a modern, resilient system with smart technologies to meet future electricity demand.

 Supports transforming the country's electricity grid into a modern, resilient system with smart technologies to meet future electricity demand.

Believes the Biden Administration's energy policies, including shutting down pipelines and increasing regulations, harm the energy sector. Opposes plans to close natural gas plants and transition to electric vehicles by 2030.

Opposes plans to close natural gas plants and transition to electric vehicles by 2030.

Believes in a sustainable future with green energy but opposes the Biden administration's policies, calling them "unworkable, costly, and economically destructive." Supports a market-led approach to ensure technological feasibility and economic viability.

 Supports a market-led approach for eco-friendly policies to ensure technological feasibility and economic viability.

Believes climate change is occurring but questions if human activity is the primary cause and doubts apocalyptic predictions. Suggests examining the realistic impact of dramatically decreasing fossil fuel use.

Believes climate change is occurring but questions if human activity is the primary cause and doubts apocalyptic predictions, and suggests examining the realistic impact of dramatically decreasing fossil fuel use.

-  Supports transforming the country's electricity grid into a modern, resilient system with smart technologies to meet future electricity demand.
- Opposes plans to close natural gas plants and transition to electric vehicles by 2030.
-  Supports a market-led approach for eco-friendly policies to ensure technological feasibility and economic viability.
- Believes climate change is occurring but questions if human activity is the primary cause and doubts apocalyptic predictions, and suggests examining the realistic impact of dramatically decreasing fossil fuel use.

Energy & the Environment

Supports replacing Medicaid and Obamacare with a single program offering income-based subsidies for health insurance in the competitive market.

Believes the federal government must clarify its position on cannabis, as conflicting policies have placed patients and business owners in a precarious situation.

Believes in providing insurance for catastrophic care while incidental healthcare expenses should be paid out-of-pocket using Medisave.

Believes in requiring healthcare providers to publish procedure costs online.

Believes in transforming the Health Savings Account system to enable lifelong, tax-free savings for healthcare costs.

Believes parents should make informed health decisions for their children but opposes denying proven vaccines for serious diseases like polio.

Believes in restoring trust in public health services by removing politicized leadership and separating them from big pharmaceutical companies.

Supports removing cannabis from federal controlled substances schedules and allowing states to set their own cannabis policies without federal interference.

Supports states deciding their own abortion policies.

- Supports replacing Medicaid and Obamacare with a single program offering income-based subsidies for health insurance in the competitive market.
- Believes the federal government must clarify its position on cannabis, as conflicting policies have placed patients and business owners in a precarious situation.
- Believes in providing insurance for catastrophic care while incidental healthcare expenses should be paid out-of-pocket using Medisave.
- Believes in requiring healthcare providers to publish procedure costs online.
- Believes in transforming the Health Savings Account system to enable lifelong, tax-free savings for healthcare costs.
- Believes parents should make informed health decisions for their children but opposes denying proven vaccines for serious diseases like polio.
- Believes in restoring trust in public health services by removing politicized leadership and separating them from big pharmaceutical companies.
- Supports removing cannabis from federal controlled substances schedules and allowing states to set their own cannabis policies without federal interference.
- Supports states deciding their own abortion policies.

Healthcare

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

Voting & Elections

Believes Americans have a constitutional right to own and carry firearms. Said, "the reference to the militia didn’t mean the government army. It refers to the entire population."

Believes America must address the lack of skills and resources among underprivileged citizens to reduce social dysfunctions like crime and drug addiction.

Believes in reviewing and eliminating intelligence agencies, departments, and programs that don’t comply with the Constitution and other laws.

- Supports the Second Amendment. 
- Believes America must address the lack of skills and resources among underprivileged citizens to reduce social dysfunctions like crime and drug addiction.
- Believes in reviewing and eliminating intelligence agencies, departments, and programs that don’t comply with the Constitution and other laws.

Public Safety

Believes the federal student loan program is flawed and should be replaced with one that reimburses students for passing classes in STEM, healthcare, or skilled trades.

Believes the federal student loan program should be replaced with one that reimburses students for passing classes in STEM, healthcare, or skilled trades.

Supports breaking up public-school monopolies through school choice legislation.

Believes the Department of Education has worsened American student performance since its creation in the 1970s. Supports eliminating the Department of Education, arguing federal mandates have not improved public schools.

 Supports eliminating the Department of Education.

Believes the number of foreign students in STEM programs should be capped to reduce tuition costs and increase opportunities for American students.

- Believes the federal student loan program should be replaced with one that reimburses students for passing classes in STEM, healthcare, or skilled trades.
- Supports breaking up public-school monopolies through school choice legislation.
-  Supports eliminating the Department of Education.
- Believes the number of foreign students in STEM programs should be capped to reduce tuition costs and increase opportunities for American students.

Education

Believes Americans misunderstand the Middle East and that U.S. interventions have been disastrous. Supports ending U.S. interference in Middle Eastern affairs and believes Israel, being wealthy and technologically advanced, does not need U.S. intervention.

 Supports ending U.S. interference in Middle Eastern affairs and believes Israel does not need U.S. intervention.

Opposes NATO, claiming it should be disbanded as it no longer serves its original purpose and burdens American taxpayers. Believes NATO has become an aggressor in Europe, expanding to Russia's border.

Opposes NATO, claiming it should be disbanded and it burdens American taxpayers. 

Believes China poses an economic threat through initiatives like the Belt and Road and the BRICS alliance. Supports decoupling the U.S. economy from China to protect American interests.

Believes China poses an economic threat through initiatives like the Belt and Road and the BRICS alliance, and supports decoupling the U.S. economy from China to protect American interests.

-  Supports ending U.S. interference in Middle Eastern affairs and believes Israel does not need U.S. intervention.
- Opposes NATO, claiming it should be disbanded and it burdens American taxpayers. 
- Believes China poses an economic threat through initiatives like the Belt and Road and the BRICS alliance, and supports decoupling the U.S. economy from China to protect American interests.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Eric Blankenburg

Guy attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Guy is a board-certified master arborist who has worked as a curator and lecturer at North Carolina State University, an instructor at Duke University, and a staff arborist at the University of North Carolina.

Ballotpedia

Guy Meilleur ran for the state representative in 2018, 2020, and 2022, but did not win any race.

Opposes "one-size-fits-all" policies and believes they force people into lobbying for special treatment. Supports eliminating rules that reward some at the expense of others.

Opposes "one-size-fits-all" policies and lobbying for special treatment.

Believes the ABC system restricts sales, stifles industry growth, and limits job creation, ultimately reducing potential revenue.

Believes the state's Alcohol and Beverage Choice (ABC) system limits sales, industry growth, and job creation.

Believes government should serve public interests, allowing businesses like NC craft brewers to grow without "crony capitalist interference." Supports empowering healthcare providers to offer more options and giving people the freedom to choose what works best for them.

Supports the growth of businesses without "crony capitalist interference."

Believes free market liquor sales would increase government revenue through surcharges, licensing fees, and sales taxes.

Believes some local leaders in North Carolina misuse power to benefit wealthier homeowners, using exclusionary zoning that drives up costs and harms the workforce. Supports fixing development patterns to prevent workforce displacement.

Opposes exclusionary zoning practices that drives up costs and "act selfishly in the interest of a few wealthier homeowners."

Believes strict regulations and single-family zoning harm economic growth and environmental sustainability by promoting urban sprawl and reducing neighborhood diversity.

- Opposes "one-size-fits-all" policies and lobbying for special treatment.
- Believes the state's Alcohol and Beverage Choice (ABC) system limits sales, industry growth, and job creation.
- Supports the growth of businesses without "crony capitalist interference."
- Believes free market liquor sales would increase government revenue through surcharges, licensing fees, and sales taxes.
- Opposes exclusionary zoning practices that drives up costs and "act selfishly in the interest of a few wealthier homeowners."
- Believes strict regulations and single-family zoning harm economic growth and environmental sustainability by promoting urban sprawl and reducing neighborhood diversity.

Candidate Questionnaire: Guy Meilleur, NC House 30

Believes state policy should support reforestation and oppose deforestation.

Supports addressing water and air pollution through increased state regulation.

- Believes state policy should support reforestation and oppose deforestation.
- Supports addressing water and air pollution through increased state regulation.

Opposes governmental involvement in body autonomy.

- Opposes governmental involvement in body autonomy.

Believes in avoiding "irrational, unreasonable tribalism" and focusing on local issues to connect with younger, unaffiliated voters.

- Believes in avoiding "irrational, unreasonable tribalism" and focusing on local issues to connect with younger, unaffiliated voters.

Supports gun control practices such as more strict age limits and background checks.

Supports legalization of cannabis and overturning prosecutions and convictions for marijuana possession.

- Supports gun control practices such as more strict age limits and background checks.
- Supports legalization of cannabis and overturning prosecutions and convictions for marijuana possession.

Supports expanding and fully funding the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship program to increase private school access for all families, including those with financial constraints.

Supports expanding and fully funding the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship program to increase private school access for all families.

Supports expanding North Carolina’s state-funded Education Savings Account program to provide better education options for all students, especially those with special learning needs and financial hardships.

Supports expanding open enrollment within and between public-school districts, allowing families to choose the best school without needing permission from their home district.

Supports expanding open enrollment within and between public-school districts.

Believes teachers and principals should control their classes and schools. Supports parents retaining access to their tax dollars for their children's education.

Said, "Teachers and principals need to regain control over their classes and their schools.

Believes state education policy impacts North Carolina’s 1.8 million K-12 students and the $9.8 billion education budget. Supports ensuring students are college and career ready through access to diverse schooling options.

Supports access to diverse schooling options.

Believes education is crucial for personal and community development, social engagement, and economic growth. Supports policies that help students realize their potential.

Believes education is crucial for personal and community development, social engagement, and economic growth.

Believes responsible and empowered parents make better school choices for their children. Supports policies that enhance parental involvement in K-12 education.

Supports policies that enhance parental involvement in K-12 education.

Believes "political solutions cannot adequately prepare students for tomorrow’s world." Opposes relying solely on political measures for education reform.

Said, "Political solutions cannot adequately prepare students for tomorrow’s world."

- Supports expanding and fully funding the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship program to increase private school access for all families.
- Supports expanding North Carolina’s state-funded Education Savings Account program to provide better education options for all students, especially those with special learning needs and financial hardships.
- Supports expanding open enrollment within and between public-school districts.
- Said, "Teachers and principals need to regain control over their classes and their schools.
- Supports access to diverse schooling options.
- Believes education is crucial for personal and community development, social engagement, and economic growth.
- Supports policies that enhance parental involvement in K-12 education.
- Said, "Political solutions cannot adequately prepare students for tomorrow’s world."

Believes foreign aid should be limited and assets focused on preserving citizens' rights.

Believes foreign aid should be limited and that this will make the U.S. safer.

Believes in balancing national security, economic freedom, and human compassion in immigration policy. Plans to advance reasonable immigration legislation, like the Lankford bill, despite differing from the Libertarian platform's stance on free entry.

Supports an immigration bill like Senator Langford's bill, balancing "national security, economic freedom, and the constitutional mandate for human compassion". Differs from the Libertarian Party platform's stance on free entry.

- Believes foreign aid should be limited and that this will make the U.S. safer.
- Supports an immigration bill like Senator Langford's bill, balancing "national security, economic freedom, and the constitutional mandate for human compassion". Differs from the Libertarian Party platform's stance on free entry.

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Guy Meilleur

Ballotpedia - Valerie P. Foushee

Valerie is originally from Orange County. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science and African-American studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Foushee and her husband, Stan, live in Carrboro and have two sons and one grandchild.

Valerie Foushee US House Site - Bio

Valerie previously worked as an administrator for the Chapel Hill police department, a member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board, and the chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

Valerie P. Foushee currently serves as the US House Representative for North Carolina District 4. She was first elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. She previously served as the State Senator for North Carolina District 23 from 2014 to 2022 and as a State Representative for North Carolina District 50 from 2012 to 2014.

Supports raising the minimum wage, expanding worker protections, and making the Child Tax Credit permanent.

Supports SB 447, advocating for a living wage for North Carolina workers.

Supports North Carolina Senate Bill 447 (SB447), which would increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Supports unions, collective bargaining, and the ability of workers to go on strike.

Supports the Building Our Opportunities to Survive and Thrive (BOOST) Act, which seeks to address poverty and provide relief for low- and moderate-income households by establishing a refundable tax credit to increase the take-home pay of American workers.

- Supports raising the minimum wage, expanding worker protections, and making the Child Tax Credit permanent.
- Supports North Carolina Senate Bill 447 (SB447), which would increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour.
- Supports unions, collective bargaining, and the ability of workers to go on strike.
- Supports the Building Our Opportunities to Survive and Thrive (BOOST) Act, which seeks to address poverty and provide relief for low- and moderate-income households by establishing a refundable tax credit to increase the take-home pay of American workers.

Supports increased environmental regulations, funding for the EPA, and investments in green transit. Plans to prioritize sustainable energy alternatives and pass the Green New Deal.

Supports increased environmental regulations, funding for the EPA, and investments in environmentally sustainable public transit systems through the passage of the Green New Deal legislation.

- Supports increased environmental regulations, funding for the EPA, and investments in environmentally sustainable public transit systems through the passage of the Green New Deal legislation.

Believes access to affordable, quality health care is a right for all Americans. As a State Senator, sponsored legislation to close the Medicaid coverage gap and supports a Medicare for All system.

Said, "access to affordable, quality health care is a right;" supports efforts to reduce the gaps in Medicaid coverage and implement a Medicare for All system.

Believes the U.S. was unprepared for COVID-19 and plans to ensure federal agencies are better equipped for future pandemics by increasing research investments and strengthening safety regulations.

Plans to ensure federal agencies are better equipped for future pandemics by increasing research investments and strengthening safety regulations.

Supports removing barriers to abortion access through legislation like SB 167.

Supports North Carolina Senate Bill 167 (SB167), which would remove many of the existing barriers to accessing an abortion in North Carolina.

Supports increasing access to health care and defending a woman’s right to choose.

Supports closing the Medicaid coverage gap.

- Said, "access to affordable, quality health care is a right;" supports efforts to reduce the gaps in Medicaid coverage and implement a Medicare for All system.
- Plans to ensure federal agencies are better equipped for future pandemics by increasing research investments and strengthening safety regulations.
- Supports North Carolina Senate Bill 167 (SB167), which would remove many of the existing barriers to accessing an abortion in North Carolina.

Supports expanding and protecting voting rights by advocating for the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Plans to make Election Day a public holiday and automatically register eligible voters.

Supports expanding and protecting voting rights by advocating for the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act; plans to make Election Day a public holiday and automatically register eligible voters.

- Supports expanding and protecting voting rights by advocating for the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act; plans to make Election Day a public holiday and automatically register eligible voters.

Supports comprehensive criminal justice reform, including decriminalizing marijuana for those over 21, ending cash bail, and strengthening anti-discrimination laws to combat systemic racism.

Believes in emphasizing the importance of law enforcement for community safety while holding bad actors accountable. Plans to push for the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in Congress.

Plans to push for the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which makes it easier for the federal government to successfully prosecute police misconduct cases, ends racial and religious profiling and eliminates qualified immunity for law enforcement.

Supports reforming the criminal justice system and addressing systemic racism.

Supports reforming the criminal justice system and tackling systemic racism.

Supports ending privatized prisons and reducing funding for ICE detention facilities and enforcement.

Supports ending privatized prisons and reducing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities.

- Supports comprehensive criminal justice reform, including decriminalizing marijuana for those over 21, ending cash bail, and strengthening anti-discrimination laws to combat systemic racism.
- Plans to push for the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which makes it easier for the federal government to successfully prosecute police misconduct cases, ends racial and religious profiling and eliminates qualified immunity for law enforcement.
- Supports ending privatized prisons and reducing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities.

Supports canceling existing student debt, expanding income-based loan programs, and advocating for debt-free education at public universities and colleges.

Believes in increased investments in early education to ensure all children thrive. Plans to join Congress to guarantee free, quality universal pre-K for every child.

Supports increased investments in early education to ensure all children have access to free universal pre-K.

Believes in championing the success of all children, especially black and brown kids, in K-12 schools. As a School Board member, advocated for policies supporting educational equity.

- Supports canceling existing student debt, expanding income-based loan programs, and advocating for debt-free education at public universities and colleges.
- Supports increased investments in early education to ensure all children have access to free universal pre-K.

As of June 14, 2024, Valerie P. Foushee’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Valerie P. Foushee

- Your US Representative represents the interests of your district in the US House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. North Carolina currently has 14 US Representatives.
- US Representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become federal law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain areas of policy, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the Speaker of the House or Majority/Minority Leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms and there are no term limits. US Representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.
-  Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen for seven years, and an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected. 

North Carolina US Representative, District 4

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