The following is part of WIZS’s ongoing election coverage. The Mar. 5 primary is the lead-in to the November elections and WIZS strives to provide its listeners and readers with comprehensive coverage of local and state races.
Rivera Douthit is one of 10 Republican candidates who wants to be North Carolina’s next lieutenant governor.
Douthit was a guest on WIZS “TownTalk” Wednesday and talked via telephone about the election and what makes her the best candidate for the job.
She describes herself as a conservative Christian and, as such, a candidate who is passionate about issues like abortion, gun ownership and prayer in schools.
But she talked about veterans’ affairs, sex trafficking and the economy and said as lieutenant governor, she would work hard to make North Carolina a model for other states to emulate.
“I’m passionate, as a mom, about the children,” Douthit said. “I’d love to see the Bible and prayer back in schools,” she added. “That’s something I’d love to see happen.”
She said she would work to put safeguards in place to protect schoolchildren’s safety, but also wants children “learning accurate history.” She also said she wants to make sure there’s no pornography in school libraries.
She said she stands strong against abortion, adding that she would work to continue some of the forward momentum that the state has seen recently on that issue.
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Douthit grew up in Mooresville and lives there today, where she and her husband own a plumbing business. Her experience as a small business owner puts her in a good position to support small business needs.
“The economy is on everyone’s radar,” she said, calling herself “a capitalism type of woman.”
Before becoming a small business owner, Douthit said she was a critical care nurse. She stayed at home to raise children and then was called into the ministry. She said she looks at everything through a biblical lens.
“God called me to run” for office, Douthit stated. “I try to be obedient to what he asks me to do.” As she discerned running for office, Douthit said what she does not want to be is a politician; rather, she wants to “be someone who can influence people on his behalf.”
“Everything I do comes thru that lens of being intimately acquainted with the Lord.”
As lieutenant governor, Douthit said her role will be that of a bridge builder – one who presents her thoughts and ideas to both parties “and see if I can get us to meet somewhere in the middle.”
To learn more, visit rivera4nc.com.