Weatherman is a North Carolina native and received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and Master’s Degree from Wheaton College. He founded the Electoral Education Foundation, an election integrity non-profit. He also served as Chief of Staff to former North Carolina Lt. Governor Dan Forest and former U.S. Representative Sue Myrick. He is 54, according to a profile in the News & Observer.
The job
The Lieutenant Governor is the second-highest elected official in NC, and presides over the Senate. They also serve on the Council of State, the North Carolina Board of Education, the North Carolina Capital Planning Commission and the North Carolina Board of Community Colleges, as well as Chairman of the eLearning Commission.
Our Q&A with Weatherman
NC Health News reached out to Hal Weatherman’s campaign multiple times without receiving a response. So, we researched him by searching social media, going to events, tracking their public comments, searching their campaign websites and conducting searches of other media outlets.
Do you have a plan to help control health care/ pharmaceutical costs?
In this interview with PBS NC Jul. 30, Weatherman said he’s heard concerns about high health care costs during his time on the campaign trail. He said he heard from people that they want a change and don’t like the direction this country is going in.
Where do you stand on time limits for Medicaid and work requirements for the program?
Weatherman posted a Facebook video Aug. 13, 2023 describing a tweet in which he wrote: “When did gambling, legalized pot and pouting health people on government health care become part of the conservative agenda in North Carolina?” That could be in reference to the Republican-led General Assembly passing Medicaid expansion earlier that year.
He also told the News & Observer he opposed the expansion of Medicaid.
What can North Carolina do to support rural hospitals?
No information found.
PFAS contamination is a state-wide issue; How do you plan to address this issue?
No information found.
Is North Carolina ready for the next pandemic?
Weatherman posted this video June 6 criticizing Gov. Cooper’s designation of “essential” versus “non-essential” workers, saying that if he were elected, no work in this state would be labeled non-essential.
Weatherman also warned in several speeches and this video Dec. 4, 2023 that “a day of reckoning” is coming. One possibility could be “COVID on steroids” that would kill a higher rate of people, he said.
In 2009, Congress required more transparency from hospitals on their charitable work. What role, if anything, can the state do about requirements for nonprofit hospitals to justify their tax exemptions?
No information found.
What would you do if the legislature were to keep current abortion rules in place/What would you do if the legislature were to pass a heartbeat bill?
From his campaign website: I am pro-life and will advocate for a “Heart Beat” bill before the General Assembly ending abortion when the heart of the unborn is first detected. As Lt. Governor, I will work to streamline the cumbersome adoption process and push for tax breaks and financial resources for families who adopt. I will support emergency pregnancy health clinics where love and compassion can be shown to women in a time of crisis.
What can the state do to improve access to child care?
No information found.
What steps would you take to improve access to mental health services and to address the opioid overdose crisis?
From his campaign website: “I favor increased access to mental health services for our returning veterans who are contemplating suicide.”
In this interview with PBS NC Jul. 30, Weatherman also said he’s heard concerns about fentanyl during his time on the campaign trail. He said he heard from people that they want a change and don’t like the direction this country is going in.