Ben earned his MBA at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Ben and his wife, Dion, have two children. 

Ben served in the US Air Force for 20 years, finishing as a Lieutenant Colonel. After, he taught high school science in Maryland and North Carolina before returning to Ft. Bragg to work for a military contractor. At Ft. Bragg, Ben trained soldiers on the use of some of military systems.

Ben was a State Senator from 2012 to 2022.

Said he "will fight for paid family leave, support for caregivers, Pre-K for working families, and increased pay for teachers and childcare workers."

Said he "will work to fund training and licensure programs to help rebuild our middle class", adding "No one should have to take on tens of thousands of dollars in student debt just to earn a degree or certificate that opens the door to a good job."

Promises to "foster a prosperous and thriving NC economy, build strong communities and deliver a better future for our children."

- Wants to support farmers.
- Said he "will fight for paid family leave, support for caregivers, Pre-K for working families, and increased pay for teachers and childcare workers."
- Said he "will work to fund training and licensure programs to help rebuild our middle class", adding "No one should have to take on tens of thousands of dollars in student debt just to earn a degree or certificate that opens the door to a good job."
- Promises to "foster a prosperous and thriving NC economy, build strong communities and deliver a better future for our children."

Economy

Said he "will fight for our environment, for clean drinking water, for lakes and oceans free from discarded trash, and for clean energy."

- Said he "will fight for our environment, for clean drinking water, for lakes and oceans free from discarded trash, and for clean energy."

Energy & the Environment

Said he "will fight to lower the cost and increase the access of healthcare for working families and seniors".

Wants to keep more rural hospitals open, saying "they provide quality healthcare – and good-paying jobs – in our rural communities."

- Supports a woman's right to choose.
- Said he "will fight to lower the cost and increase the access of healthcare for working families and seniors".
- Wants to keep more rural hospitals open, saying "they provide quality healthcare – and good-paying jobs – in our rural communities."

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

As of June 2, 2025, Ben Clark’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Said he "will fight to preserve local control of our schools.  Parents, teachers, and administrators in each community are the experts on what their schools need to be successful."

- Promises to "fully fund" public schools.
- Said he "will fight to preserve local control of our schools.  Parents, teachers, and administrators in each community are the experts on what their schools need to be successful."

Education

Said he "will fight to secure adequate funding for active duty service members and veterans and fully fund the VA."

- Said he "will fight to secure adequate funding for active duty service members and veterans and fully fund the VA."

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Twitter

Facebook

Ben Clark

Mark H. Robinson grew up on a farm in lower Sampson County, specifically in Harrells and Ivanhoe, North Carolina, as one of ten children in his family. He attended Garland Head Start, Bland Elementary, Clear Run Junior High, Union High School, UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University.

Mark H. Robinson has nearly 40 years of business amd military experience that includes service in the US Navy and working at Sikorsky Aircraft. He has held positions at the Special Operations Command in Tampa, FL, the Pentagon, and on the staffs of General Petraeus and General Austin. His military career includes two tours of duty in Iraq. 

As of February 12, 2024, Mark H. Robinson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to plan for self-driving trucks, saying "the state needs to work with manufacturers and put in place requirements to know the technology involved and manage the introduction. Starting now will allow the state to manage the jobs lost as a result of self-driving trucks displacing family wage earners."

Wants to create "super convention center" east of I-95, saying "The venue will provide motorsports, very large outdoor events, and convention services. It will bring economic development and economic hope to the northeast section of North Carolina."

- Wants to plan for self-driving trucks, saying "the state needs to work with manufacturers and put in place requirements to know the technology involved and manage the introduction. Starting now will allow the state to manage the jobs lost as a result of self-driving trucks displacing family wage earners."
- Wants to create "super convention center" east of I-95, saying "The venue will provide motorsports, very large outdoor events, and convention services. It will bring economic development and economic hope to the northeast section of North Carolina."

As of June 2, 2025, Mark H. Robinson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Says we should "let women decide" about abortion.

Said "The healthcare cost hinders some people from getting healthcare treatment."

- Supports legalizing medical marijuana.
- Says we should "let women decide" about abortion.
- Said "The healthcare cost hinders some people from getting healthcare treatment."

Said "Democrats and Republicans can work together in Raleigh"

- Said "Democrats and Republicans can work together in Raleigh"

Said "I am a gun owner. Democrats are gun owner. Independents are gun owners. Republicans are gun owners. Gun ownership is a personal freedom and the state should protect that right. Military designed weapons should be limited to the military."

- Said "I am a gun owner. Democrats are gun owner. Independents are gun owners. Republicans are gun owners. Gun ownership is a personal freedom and the state should protect that right. Military designed weapons should be limited to the military."

Candidate website

Said, "• Starting in 2007, I created three scholarships to primarily help first generation Sampson County high school students attend college. I unselfishly donated tens of thousands of dollars to the cause."

Supports raising teacher pay to the national average, saying "Low pay has been a factor in new teachers leaving the profession, which creates teacher shortages, and overwork for those remaining."

Wants to redo how the lottery funds for the lottery.

Said, "I was reared by a village that included ... the school system ... I learned the value of caring is more important than being nice."

- Said, "• Starting in 2007, I created three scholarships to primarily help first generation Sampson County high school students attend college. I unselfishly donated tens of thousands of dollars to the cause."
- Supports raising teacher pay to the national average, saying "Low pay has been a factor in new teachers leaving the profession, which creates teacher shortages, and overwork for those remaining."
- Wants to redo how the lottery funds for the lottery.
- Said, "I was reared by a village that included ... the school system ... I learned the value of caring is more important than being nice."

Instagram

Mark H. Robinson

Ballotpedia, Rachel Hunt

Rachel received her bachelor of history and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has her her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Rachel Hunt is an attorney who spent the early part of her legal career working for women and children. Prior to her political career, she engaged in volunteer work to support the public school system.

Rachel Hunt is currently representing Senate District 42. She was elected in 2022. Rachel previously held two terms in in the North Carolina House. She was elected in 2018. 

Q&A: Rachel Hunt running for NC lieutenant governor

Plans to prioritize small business growth and job creation as Lt. Governor by fostering a supportive environment, advocating for broadband access to drive economic equity, and working to eliminate the digital divide across all areas of the state.

Plans to prioritize small business growth and job creation.

Supports efforts to increase the minimum wage.

- Plans to prioritize small business growth and job creation.
- Supports efforts to increase the minimum wage.

Said, "North Carolina's natural treasures are precious and must be protected... As Lt. Governor, I’ll work across the aisle... to protect our environment and ensure future generations continue to live among the natural beauty in the state we love."

Said, "North Carolina's natural treasures are precious and must be protected."

Said, "... As Lt. Governor, I’ll work across the aisle... to protect our environment and ensure future generations continue to live among the natural beauty in the state we love."

- Said, "North Carolina's natural treasures are precious and must be protected."
- Said, "... As Lt. Governor, I’ll work across the aisle... to protect our environment and ensure future generations continue to live among the natural beauty in the state we love."

Supports Medicaid expansion, affordable healthcare for 600,000+ in NC, aims to enhance access statewide, lower drug costs, and prevent health versus financial dilemmas.

Supports abortion rights; faced Twitter ad restrictions under policies limiting health service promotions, including abortion advocacy, during her lieutenant governor campaign, as reported by the Huffington Post.

Said she will, "stand up for reproductive rights and fight for access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare."

- Supports Medicaid expansion.
- Supports abortion rights.
- Said she will, "stand up for reproductive rights and fight for access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare."

Opposes gerrymandering and voter suppression; supports free, fair, and secure elections; plans to fight legislative barriers to voting as Lt. Governor and ensure accessible voting for all eligible voters.

Plans to make sure  elections remain free, fair, and secure.  

- Plans to make sure  elections remain free, fair, and secure.  

Plans to enhance North Carolina's safety by backing red flag laws to curb gun violence, supporting law enforcement efforts, and fostering collaboration for a secure, nurturing environment for all families.

Plans to support red flag laws that curb gun violence.

Will support law enforcement efforts, and fostering collaboration for a secure, nurturing environment for all families.

- Plans to support red flag laws that curb gun violence.
- Will support law enforcement efforts, and fostering collaboration for a secure, nurturing environment for all families.

Said, "As Lt. Governor, I will be wholeheartedly committed to supporting our veterans who have bravely served our nation... I will work tirelessly to help veterans access affordable housing... Our veterans deserve the best opportunities, and I'm dedicated to making that a reality."

- Said, "As Lt. Governor, I will be wholeheartedly committed to supporting our veterans who have bravely served our nation... I will work tirelessly to help veterans access affordable housing... Our veterans deserve the best opportunities, and I'm dedicated to making that a reality."

Rachel Hunt

- The Lieutenant Governor is the President of the North Carolina Senate, they preside over daily sessions. They can vote as a tiebreaker in the Senate if they are equally divided.
- The Lieutenant Governor serves as Vice-Chair to the North Carolina Capital Planning Commission, which compiles and maintains building records 
- The Lieutenant Governor serves on a number of important boards and commissions, including Domestic Violence Commission, Military Affairs Commission, Energy Policy Council, North Carolina Board of Education, North Carolina Capital Planning Commission, and the Board of Community Colleges.
- When the Governor cannot perform their duties, Lieutenant Governor-elect becomes Governor. Such instances may occur from the Governor's removal, resignation, or death.
- The Lieutenant Governor is elected for a four-year term, and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. 

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor, Democratic Primary

Candidates (3)

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