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Ernestine Bazemore, the Democratic candidate for the District 3 NC Senate Seat, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Bazemore, of Bertie County, will face Republican candidate and Vance County resident Thomas “Tommy” S. Hester, Jr. for the seat that represents Beaufort, Bertie, Martin, Northampton, Vance and Warren County.
Raised with six siblings, Bazemore said she learned the value of a good education and the importance of serving others. She earned a B.S. in Criminology & Criminal Justice and served for 28 years in the Bertie County School System in various roles.
Bazemore was elected to the Bertie County Board of Commissioners in 2014, serving as chair in 2018. According to her campaign website, she was also appointed by NC Governor Roy Cooper as a Trustee for Roanoke Chowan Community College and continues to serve on several state and national boards, including:
• District 2 Director for the State of North Carolina (North Carolina Association of County Officials)
• Bertie County DSS Board
• Trillium Regional Board and the Governing Board
• Bertie County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC)
• North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Board of Trustees
Bazemore provided the following responses to questions asked during the Town Talk segment:
How will you use your voice to represent your district’s concerns?
“I want to hear from the people. I’m running to serve the people, not myself. There will be a place to call to share their [citizens’] concerns. Preferably, COVID will be over so I can visit in person. If not, we’ll do it virtually or by phone conference, so there is still a way to communicate with my constituents.”
What are the issues people are sharing with you while you’re campaigning?
“Broadband is a major concern across all the counties; not all areas are currently being served. Also, the services offered by rural hospitals as well as Medicaid expansion are big concerns.”
Your webpage mentions unlimited promise for businesses and children. How can you help with that?
“Tier One counties need economic stabilization. COVID-19 has left us in a horrible situation. I’ll be seeking monies from federal funds to help stabilize our communities. Also, education should be at the forefront. We have very good teachers, but the salary is low; therefore, people are leaving education to find other jobs.”
What are some examples you’d point to of helping others?
“As a commissioner, I pushed for Bertie County to implement the quarter-cent sales tax increase. Bertie was one of the last NC counties to receive it. My vote was to give the money to education because we are such a poor county, and there is no money for education. It [sales tax increase] has all been devoted to education. If we are expected to compete with Wake County, Mecklenburg County and other larger counties, we have to put money into our school systems.
I’m also proud of the creation of Bertie Beach. It was such an exciting journey to see that come to fruition. Now Bertie is becoming a destination.”
Why is now the right time for you to seek the NC Senate seat?
“When I became a commissioner, I realized my desire to serve the citizens was stronger than I even imagined. Instead of talking about the troubles, I decided to help solve the troubles, so I ran. It’s an exhilarating feeling when you know you have helped make someone’s life a little bit better. Senator Erica Smith-Ingram has decided to run for US Senate, so maybe this is my time to serve a larger base of people.”
For additional information on Bazemore and her campaign, visit www.bazemoresenate.com.
To hear the interview in its entirety, including additional questions and responses from Bazemore, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
(This is not a paid political advertisement. Political candidates are offered equal air time/coverage on WIZS.)