Moe Davis, the Democratic candidate running for N.C.’s 11th district Congressional seat said if elected, he would work to represent everyone in the district.
“I’m going to fight for what’s right,” Davis said. “I’m going to represent folks here, not anyone else.”
A retired Air Force Colonel and former Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay, one of the strengths his campaign touts is that Davis has stood up for what he believes is right regardless of politics. During George W. Bush’s presidency, Davis stood up against torture and during Barack Obama’s presidency he fought restrictions on free speech. Davis received awards for both efforts including the Justice Charles E. Whittaker Award.
Having grown up in Shelby, N.C., Davis lives with his family in Buncombe County, retiring to WNC after a 25-year career in the military.
Healthcare
Particularly in 2020, healthcare is an issue on the minds of many and Davis considers it among his priorities. Davis supports a public option, such as a buy-in to Medicare that would enable all Americans access to healthcare services.
“I think COVID-19 has really put a spotlight on an issue that was already present before. We have far too may people in this district without access to healthcare,” Davis said. “We need to decouple employment and healthcare coverage, so when you lose your job you don’t lose your ability to go to the doctor.”
He supports a public option but with room for people to buy private insurance if they choose to.
Americans should have access like residents of other developed countries. People shouldn’t have to go bankrupt if they get a cancer diagnosis.
“We spend over 11,000 per person on healthcare in this country, and over 30 million are without healthcare,” Davis said.
Broadband
Many in western North Carolina know too well the need for high speed internet. Davis said he supports efforts to expand broadband internet to rural areas. In particular, he said he supports a bill from Rep. Jim Clyburn (S.C.) that would appropriate $80 billion for broadband similar to the rural electrification plan that brought electricity to many rural areas.
“I think broadband is an issue we ought to all support. Democratic, Republican and unaffiliated alike are impacted by the lack of broadband internet here in our district,” he said.
This region is far behind, he points out, with some areas of the district having less than 50% connectivity.
“Again, COVID-19 has highlighted that it’s an important issue. Fourteen of 17 counties in the district was above the national average in poverty before COVID-19, and our ability to attract industry is hampered by the lack of broadband. So, it’s holding us back economically,” Davis said.
He added it’s also important for access to telemedicine.
Clean energy
When it comes to the environment and clean energy, Davis said he supports the Green New Deal and investment in green energy.
“This is an area, too, where I think we ought to be able to find common ground,” Davis said, adding that it offers a way to create jobs in the district and diversify the region’s economy. He hopes if elected he can serve on the National Resources Committee.
He also supports continuing to fund federal tax credits to encourage people to invest in solar energy in their homes, an investment he made for his home recently in Buncombe County.
Gun ownership and safety
Davis grew up in Cleveland County and began hunting with his Dad at 7 years old and even worked some years as a bail bondsman before his service in the military. Davis is a multi-gun owner himself.
“I know critics on the other side want to paint this doom and gloom picture that Democrats will come and take your gun away,” Davis said. “What I support is I think everyone has a constitutional right to a pistol rifle and shotgun. I think if you want the right to own a military-grade weapon, you have that right but there is a heightened responsibility.”
Davis supports mandatory background checks and red flag laws and additional requirements to own military-style assault weapons, and said there could be a similar program to the conceal carry program in North Carolina.
Equality
This year has seen a lot of social unrest across the United States including protests and demonstrations in Western North Carolina. Among the top concerns heard from the Black Lives Matter movement is equality and an end to police brutality.
On addressing those concerns, Davis said he’s attended rallies both for the Black Lives Matter movement and Back the Blue events. “If you represent the district you represent the entire district,” he said in response to criticisms from either side.
Davis believes his life experience allows him to be a better listener and better understand the black community. He attended NC Central Law for three years and was on the faculty at Howard University Law School, both Historically Black Colleges.
“I know my opponent believes all Democrats are racist; it’s nonsense,” Davis said. “If you think racism has ended you’re living in a bubble, and it’s not just an issue of race, it’s gender, it’s religious persuasion. I think everyone has the right to be treated fairly. You ought to have the ability to compete fairly and achieve what your capabilities and efforts can achieve. To me that doesn’t seem like an extreme position.”
On concerns about police brutality, Davis relies on his background in law enforcement to understand the issue. He graduated in the first class of students in the criminal justice program at Appalachian State University. Davis was also a law enforcement training instructor at North Carolina Justice Academy and was involved with law enforcement in his military career.
He’s not in favor of calls to defund the police but he does agree in examining law enforcement in this country.
“Whoever came up with the label defund the police should have their butt kicked— that’s a horrible label,” Davis said. “I think a more accurate description is reimagining law enforcing. I think every agency and institution ought to be constantly reasoning and asking what are they doing today and what should they be doing tomorrow?”
Similar to teaching, he said, law enforcement officers have been saddled with a lot duties that could be better addressed elsewhere. “There are things we’ve placed on law enforcement that may be a better fit somewhere else. Dealing with mental health issues and drug addiction that shouldn’t be in the criminal justice arena that should be in the health arena.”
This also raised another concern of Davis’, which he thinks is harmful, the effort to privatize government functions, such as prisons, schools and even the Veteran’s Affairs and VA hospitals.
“I’m opposed to the effort to privatize areas that are traditionally government functions,” Davis said.
Unlike his Republican opponent
On the question of what sets him apart from his Republican opponent, Madison Cawthorne, Davis stressed on what they share.
“I think the one thing we have in common is we both love WNC but we have vastly different views on how we move forward,” Davis said. “He’s campaigning on all the things that divide us race, guns; and what I want to focus on is the issues that impact folks on a daily basis and impact their kids’ future: healthcare, broadband, education poverty, the environment. I think those are the things people are concerned about and truly impact their daily lives. For folks who believe in facts, the fact is western North Carolina is behind in all those areas. I want to focus on helping us get into the 21st century.”
Davis again said his focus is to represent everyone in the district if elected to office.
“My obligation representing the district is to represent the entire district and to help everyone Democratic, Republican, unaffiliated and alike. You can look at my record and see I’ve got the education training and experience to do the job.”
To learn more about the campaign, visit moedavisforcongress.com.