Dan Forest in State of North Carolina secondary Archives
On Abortion:
I believe in the sanctity of human life
On his website, Forest outlined his belief statements:- I believe strong families and faith are the fundamental foundations of America
- I believe in the sanctity of human life
-
I believe in securing our borders against illegal immigration
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2020 North Carolina Governor race
Sep 9, 2019
On Abortion:
Urged vote for Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Today, the North Carolina Senate will vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S359), which protects babies after they have survived an abortion attempt. I urge members of the Senate to pass this legislation, for the
House of Representatives to follow suit, and for Governor Cooper to immediately sign it. No matter the circumstance, the life of a newborn child needs to be protected.
Source: Lt. Gov. press release on North Carolina voting record S359
Apr 15, 2019
On Abortion:
Claims Planned Parenthood was created to destroy black race
On Planned Parenthood: "There is no doubt that when Planned Parenthood was created, it was created to destroy the entire black race," he said in a video of the speech shared on Facebook. "That was the purpose of Planned Parenthood. That's the truth."
"How the black community can't come together and see that and understand the fight against that, I don't know," he said. How the white community can't come together and see that and fight against it, I don't know either."
Source: News & Observer on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Jan 22, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Supreme Court gay marriage ruling a "power grab"
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, has ruled that all states must recognize same-sex marriages. Following are some reactions from people across North Carolina: Lt. Gov. Dan Forest:"The power grab by a majority of the Supreme Court is a
full-on assault on the founding principles of democratic process, federalism, separation of powers, the voice of the people and judicial restraint. Under these decisions, the rights and responsibilities of the states and the people are gone, and the
precedent is set that non-elected judges can play super-legislator on whatever issue they want, however they want and whenever they want. When our elected officials step over the line, we the people can vote them out of office. When unelected
judges step over the line, we are without recourse. No longer does it matter what the citizen-elected legislature says. It matters not what the citizen-elected executives say. All that matters is what a majority of nine people in a courtroom says."
Source: WRAL-TV on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Oct 9, 2019
On Civil Rights:
Opponents of voter ID law racist and stand for fraud
Forest suggested in an interview that those opposed to a recently blocked state voter ID law, including the state's NAACP chapter, were racist. "To suggest that people that are minorities don't know how to get an ID and don't know how to use one--
I think that's far more racist than saying that this type of bill is racist," Forest said. Forest claimed that the only reason anyone would oppose the voter ID law would be because they "stand for fraud."
Source: American Independent on 2020 North Carolina governor race
Jan 13, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Opposed repeal of transgender "bathroom bill"
Q: Support HB2, bill requiring transgender people to use bathroom corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate?Dan Forest: Yes. Opposed repeal of bill:
Called pressure from NCAA "a new form of corporate extortion from an unaccountable, out-of-state, non-elected, tax-exempt organization."
Roy Cooper: No. Opposed, called it a "dark cloud." Signed compromise repeal.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Health Care:
Against Medicaid expansion under Affordable Care Act
I am for high-quality, affordable health care for all North Carolinians. Medicaid expansion does not fit the bill. The Affordable Care Act promised hardworking families more access, better care, and no tax increases to pay for it.
These were broken promises. Now these same promises are being made by Governor Cooper regarding Medicaid expansion. Our people are smarter than this political rhetoric.
Source: News & Observer on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Feb 18, 2020
On Corporations:
Small businesses create jobs; repeal excessive regulations
On his website, Forest outlined his belief statements:- I believe in small government, low taxes and free enterprise
- I believe in ending corporate welfare and recruitment incentives and replacing it with lower taxes for all North Carolina
businesses
- I believe small businesses create jobs, not the government, and we need to repeal excessive regulations on our job creators
- I believe that policies should be enacted that encourage personal responsibility, not government dependence
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2020 North Carolina Governor race
Sep 9, 2019
On Crime:
Restore law and order, violent criminals roam free
The government's first priority should be the safety and security of the people. We must restore law and order if we are to protect our civilized society.
When a handful of sheriffs allow violent criminals to roam free in our state, purely for political reasons, the entire state suffers.
Source: News & Observer on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Feb 18, 2020
On Education:
Support school choice and competition in education
On his website, Forest outlined his belief statements:- I believe in school choice and competition in education
- I believe public education decisions are best made at the local level
-
I believe community colleges should play a key role in job training and economic development
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2020 North Carolina Governor race
Sep 9, 2019
On Education:
A leader in the school choice movement
Dan has become a leader in the school choice movement as a way to help children succeed regardless of their ZIP code. Dan also spearheaded an initiative to connect every classroom in North Carolina with high-speed internet and championed
a bill to preserve free speech rights on public college campuses--the first bill of its kind in the United States.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Governor campaign website DanForest.com
Dec 3, 2019
On Education:
Expand voucher program for every family
Expand the Opportunity Scholarship program to every N.C. family. This highly successful program allows low-income families to access private schools through a voucher worth as much as $4,200. We will protect the Opportunity Scholarship program for
our low-income families. Further, we will expand the eligibility criteria to allow every family in North Carolina the chance to choose a school that works for them.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Governor campaign website DanForest.com
Dec 3, 2019
On Education:
Every public school needs strong principal & armed guard
Rather than defer to teachers' unions and high-paid administrators, the Forest administration will always put students first. This starts with our "Four in the Door" program, making sure every public school has these four positions.-
A principal with full authority to hire and fire
- An armed security guard
- A computer science teacher
- A trade professional
Source: 2020 North Carolina Governor campaign website DanForest.com
Dec 3, 2019
On Education:
Provide students with options: Opportunity Scholarships
I believe it's critical to provide students with options for a sound education - especially Opportunity Scholarships for families with no other options. When I am Governor, we will offer parents choices in education and the ability to find the setting
that works best for their child. We will also move toward a competency-based system that makes sure our children are learning rather than being shuttled through an outdated and ineffective system.
Source: News & Observer on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Feb 18, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Climate change is the religion of the left
Q: Consider human-caused climate change a serious threat?Dan Forest: No. Climate change is "the religion of the left." Lower state gas tax, expand gas and oil extraction onshore and offshore. State "should strive to be energy independent."
Roy Cooper: Yes. Climate change "makes storms larger and more powerful and intensifies heavy rainfalls and droughts." Wants tax credits for electric cars and to reduce emissions from electric power generation to 70% of 2005 levels by 2030.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Environment:
Protect environment, no to "apocalyptic alarmism"
I strongly believe in good stewardship of the environment - protecting clean air, clean water and conserving land for future generations. The problem is that the term "climate change" has become a catch-all for both environmental stewardship and
apocalyptic alarmism. If we want to address these issues, then we must stop tossing everything into one basket and begin tackling one solvable problem at a time. It's time to stop using the environment as a political football and start solving problems.
Source: News & Observer on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Feb 18, 2020
On Gun Control:
Deeply skeptical of laws that undermine 2nd Amendment rights
Q: What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?A: The Second Amendment protects the people's right to own and carry a firearm, and I am deeply skeptical of laws that undermine this Constitutional right.
I don't believe we need new gun laws to protect public safety, but instead enforce existing laws against violent criminals and prevent the mentally ill from buying and accessing firearms.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 North Carolina Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
On Health Care:
Opt out of the national healthcare plan
On his website, Forest outlined his belief statements:- I believe in medical malpractice reform
- I believe North Carolina should opt out of the national healthcare plan being forced on us from Washington
-
I believe in ending corporate welfare and recruitment incentives and replacing it with lower taxes for all North Carolina businesses
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2020 North Carolina Governor race
Sep 9, 2019
On Health Care:
Criticized governor's closure of restaurants for coronavirus
Forest's office released a statement titled "Lt. Governor Forest Questions Validity of Restaurant Ban" in which he said Cooper's order would doom the state's economic vitality. "His mandate will devastate
our economy, shutter many small businesses and leave many people unemployed, especially in the rural areas of our state where food supply is already critical," Forest said in the release.
Source: WWAY News TV-3 on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Mar 18, 2020
On Health Care:
Coverage is just a piece of plastic--drive down costs
Q: How would you promote healthcare coverage that is affordable and accessible?A: Coverage is just a piece of plastic. I'm much more concerned with making sure people have access to healthcare. The power of the free market--through price transparency
and competition--can drive down costs. Technology like telemedicine can expand access to doctors. And loosening regulatory burdens, including allowing families to buy health insurance across state lines, can increase options and save money.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 North Carolina Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
On Homeland Security:
$2500 bonus to business hiring, training veterans
We can help private sector employers recruit and train veterans through apprenticeships in high-demand fields in North Carolina such as healthcare, information technology, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.
The Helping Heroes Bonus program will provide $2,500 to businesses who are hiring and training apprentices upon their exit from active military service.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Governor campaign website DanForest.com
Dec 3, 2019
On Immigration:
Secure our borders against illegal immigration
On his website, Forest outlined his belief statements:- I believe in securing our borders against illegal immigration
-
I believe in ending corporate welfare and recruitment incentives and replacing it with lower taxes for all North Carolina businesses
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2020 North Carolina Governor race
Sep 9, 2019
On Immigration:
No nation has ever survived diversity and multiculturalism
Dan Forest faced pushback on social media after liberal news outlet Think Progress posted a story about him warning Cornerstone Church in Salisbury that "diversity and multiculturalism" could be harmful to America. The church posted a video of the June
23 service on its Facebook page."God doesn't want us to divide our state," Forest said. "He doesn't want us to divide our nation. He wants us to bring people together and live in the world like the Acts 2 church did. And yet no other nation, my
friends, has ever survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today, because of a lack of assimilation, because of this division, and because of this identity politics."
"No other nation has ever survived this. But no other nation
has ever been founded on the principles of Jesus Christ, that begin the redemption and reconciliation through the atoning blood of our savior," he continued. Those comments came during a speech that otherwise focused on the need for unity and "healing."
Source: News & Observer on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Jul 18, 2019
On Immigration:
Require students to pass US citizenship exam
Requiring students to pass the U.S. citizenship exam before graduating. Students should not be able to graduate from our high schools without knowing key information about our nation and its government,
like who serves as Commander in Chief of the armed forces or what branch of government makes the laws.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Governor campaign website DanForest.com
Dec 3, 2019
On Immigration:
Claims thousands of children attacked by foreign criminals
On immigration: "Please, as you're writing your stories think carefully about what words you use," Forest said. "Many of you are going to be struggling, trying to not use words like 'illegal' and 'alien' and words like 'criminal' and 'rapist'
and 'murder' and 'child sex offender.'"He then offered an unsourced claim that there were "tens of thousands of children in our state that have been victims of these [undocumented] violent criminals already" who will "grow up with that on their mind."
Source: American Independent on 2020 North Carolina governor race
Dec 3, 2019
On Jobs:
Train guidance counselors to help students enter trades
Train guidance counselors in opportunities in apprenticeships and community colleges. Under the Forest administration, schools will have more counselors who specialize in helping students explore the opportunities in the skilled trades
and high-demand fields. They'll also help interact with local businesses, who constantly tell me that they can't find workers prepared for the jobs of today.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Governor campaign website DanForest.com
Dec 3, 2019
On Jobs:
Assistance for veterans joining state law enforcement
Many veterans in our state have already transitioned to successful careers in law enforcement. Troops2Troopers will put State Highway Patrol and other state law enforcement recruiters directly alongside military staff to work with outgoing
service-members on a plan for their new career. We'll pay for them to go through Basic Law Enforcement Training, and then recruits who complete training and pledge five years of service will receive a signing bonus of $10,000.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Governor campaign website DanForest.com
Dec 3, 2019
On Jobs:
State should look to the future in attracting companies
It is time for North Carolina to cast a vision for the future and determine what markets and industries we need to attract to provide well paying jobs for our citizens. As the world economy transitions, we must make sure that our education
system is prepared, but also that our state is prepared and that we are willing to do the hard work to attract the right types of companies.
Source: News & Observer on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Feb 18, 2020
On Jobs:
2012: minimum wage laws unfair intrusion into labor market
Q: Raise federal hourly minimum wage above current $7.25?Dan Forest: No recent position found. In 2012 called minimum wage laws "an unfair intrusion into the labor market" that "hurt the employment opportunities for unskilled labor."
Roy Cooper: Yes. Will "work with the General Assembly to see how high we can get it. $15 is an admirable goal."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Country has kicked God out schools, courts, nation
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest spoke at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's 2014 Road to Majority conference. Forest said, "America is at a great crossroads where it must decide for or against God. The heart of the matter is we have forgotten God.
We have kicked him out of our house, out of our schoolhouse, out of our courthouse, and out of our statehouse, and now, out of our nation. We call it everything but what it is, we call it everything but sin, the turning away from God."
Source: RightWingWatch.org on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Oct 9, 2019
On Principles & Values:
Nation founded on the principles of Jesus Christ
"No other nation, my friends, has ever survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today, because of a lack of assimilation, because of this division, and because of this identity politics,"
Forest claimed. "But no other nation has ever been founded on the principles of Jesus Christ, that begin the redemption and reconciliation through the atoning blood of our savior," he added.
Source: ThinkProgress.org on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Jun 28, 2019
On Principles & Values:
Freedom of religion--not freedom from religion
Q: Do you promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles?A: Yes.
Q: What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
A: The term "separation of church and state" isn't found anywhere
in the Constitution and was never intended to be a Constitutional argument. The phrase comes from a personal letter from Thomas Jefferson, later taken out of context in the 20th century when a Supreme Court justice used that letter to infer that there
should be such separation. Our Founding Fathers never believed that. Our Constitution enshrines freedom of religion--of all faiths. It does not require freedom from religion.
Q: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values?
A: God loves us,
created each of us in his image, and has a plan for us. But due to sin, we have become separated from God. Out of love, God sent His Son to earth to die for our sins. The blood he shed atones for the sins of all those who accept him as their Lord.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 North Carolina Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
On Tax Reform:
Lower taxes, smaller government, & personal responsibility
Forest, a self-described conservative Republican, focused his campaign on decreasing the state's unemployment and advocated his job creation plan that involved recruiting companies to relocate to North Carolina by creating a business climate
of what he described as "low taxes, good roads and safe communities." He ran on what he called a "three-legged stool platform."- smaller government
- lower taxes
- personal responsibility
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2020 North Carolina Governor race
Sep 9, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Eliminate state tax on out-of-state military pay
Forest, a self-described conservative Republican, focused his campaign on decreasing the state's unemployment and advocated his job creation plan that involved recruiting companies to relocate to North Carolina by creating a business climate
of what he described as "low taxes, good roads and safe communities." He ran on what he called a "three-legged stool platform."- smaller government
- lower taxes
- personal responsibility
For veterans making their home in North Carolina, we will waive their first year of property taxes. This benefit equals, on average, $1,200 or more.
This will encourage new veterans to quickly put down roots in our state as our heroes are planning their next steps in life. Eliminate state income tax on veterans' retirement benefits.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Governor campaign website DanForest.com
Dec 3, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Best business incentive is tax relief
Since most businesses are small businesses that never get to see a government incentive, the best incentive is tax relief for all companies that pay taxes, small and large.
Tax relief allows them to make decisions that can lead to growth in the economy in a fair and equitable way and helps all communities, not just the big cities where most corporate incentive money lands.
Source: News & Observer on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Feb 18, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023