Meet the Candidate: Stephen Valentine for Durham County Board of Commissioners

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Stephen is originally from Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science and government from Morehouse College, his master's degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania, and his law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Valentine lives in Durham with his wife, Valarie, and their 3 children. 

Stephen currently works as a director and supervising attorney of North Carolina Central University School of Law's Veteran's Law Clinic. He previously worked as an assistant professor at North Carolina Central University School of Law, and a presidential management fellow and foreign affairs officer at the U.S. Department of State. Valentine served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 2015, during which he was a combat soldier, a social work service chief, and a judge advocate general (military lawyer).

Stephen J. Valentine previously ran to be the U.S. Representative for North Carolina  District 4, but lost.

As of June 14, 2024, Stephen J. Valentine did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Economy

Supports universal preschool and promises to secure permanent funding to improve early childhood education programs.

Plans to incorporate the Durham Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams (H.E.A.R.T) into local schools to reduce stress on community social services.

- Supports universal preschool and promises to secure permanent funding to improve early childhood education programs.
- Plans to incorporate the Durham Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams (H.E.A.R.T) into local schools to reduce stress on community social services.

Education

Said, "I can say unequivocally that everyone in society should not have a firearm, particularly of the automatic variety.”

Promises to advance measures that would reduce gun violence.

- Said, "I can say unequivocally that everyone in society should not have a firearm, particularly of the automatic variety.”
- Promises to advance measures that would reduce gun violence.

Public Safety

Believes the development committee is underserving "communities of color."

Opposed the Simplified Code for Affordable Housing, which would have loosened local building and zoning regulations.

- Believes the development committee is underserving "communities of color."
- Opposed the Simplified Code for Affordable Housing, which would have loosened local building and zoning regulations.

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Stephen J. Valentine

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.