Wake County North Carolina, District 6 Shinica Thomas, Chair

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Ballotpedia, Shinica Thomas

Shinica earned her bachelor's degree in political science from Fayetteville State University and her master's degree in public administration from Regent University. She serves on the financial services committee for the Young Men's Christian Association of the Triangle and on the parks and recreation advisory board for the Town of Wake Forest. She and her husband, Raymond, have 2 sons.

Shinica previously worked as a director at Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines, an executive director at IMI Association Executives, a human resources specialist, and as a project manager.

Shinica Thomas currently serves as County Commissioner in Wake County. She was first elected in 2020 and is serving her first term. She is currently the chairperson of the Board of Commissioners and the vice chairperson of the growth, sustainability and economic strength committee.

Candidate website

Supports leveraging partnerships with non-profits, government agencies, and community stakeholders to enhance public services in Wake County.

Plans to work with non-profits, government agencies, and community stakeholders to enhance public services.

Believes in building a thriving community that leads in education and technology.

Wants to "build a thriving community that is at the forefront of education and technology."

- Plans to work with non-profits, government agencies, and community stakeholders to enhance public services.
- Wants to "build a thriving community that is at the forefront of education and technology."

Public Services

Plans to create a business-friendly environment by streamlining regulations, cutting red tape, and offering incentives to support entrepreneurship and investment.

Plans to streamline regulations and create incentives for entrepreneurship and investment that increase job creation and attract industries. 

Supports partnering with local educational institutions to create apprenticeship programs, workforce reskilling, and vocational training centers to align with emerging industries and boost economic prosperity.

Wants to partner with local educational institutions to create apprenticeship programs, skills learning, and vocational training centers.

Supports fostering diverse businesses and entrepreneurs, investing in workforce development, and developing smart infrastructure solutions.

Supports the Wake Forward small business loan program and believes Wake County should lead in helping small businesses recover quickly and safely.

Supports the Wake Forward small business loan program and believes Wake County should help small businesses.

Believes in evaluating the risks and benefits of AI related to workforce productivity, displacement, and skills.

Believes in evaluating the risks and benefits of artifical intelligence relating to the workforce.

Believes in "creating an environment for sustainable and inclusive economic strength." Supports policies that address labor issues, trade, taxes, small business, and regulation.

Believes in "fostering a business-friendly environment" through balanced regulation, fair taxes, and support for small businesses.

Believes in "Investing in Workforce Development" to strengthen the economy. Supports policies addressing labor issues, trade, taxes, small business, and regulation.

- Plans to streamline regulations and create incentives for entrepreneurship and investment that increase job creation and attract industries. 
- Wants to partner with local educational institutions to create apprenticeship programs, skills learning, and vocational training centers.
- Supports the Wake Forward small business loan program and believes Wake County should help small businesses.
- Believes in evaluating the risks and benefits of artifical intelligence relating to the workforce.

Economy

Believes in expanding access to high-quality preschool programs and advocating for comprehensive early childhood education.

Advocates for expanding access to high-quality preschool programs and  early childhood education.

Believes education is essential for ending generational poverty and promoting upward mobility. Supports access to quality education and safe learning environments for all students.

Said, "Education is a critical component to ending generational poverty and ensuring upward mobility. All students deserve access to quality education and a safe learning environment."

Believes in prioritizing education and technology to prepare future generations for success. Supports creating a vibrant and inclusive community that fosters lifelong learning.

Supports early childhood education programs like Wake ThreeSchool to give young children a head start in learning.

- Advocates for expanding access to high-quality preschool programs and  early childhood education.
- Said, "Education is a critical component to ending generational poverty and ensuring upward mobility. All students deserve access to quality education and a safe learning environment."

Education

As of June 14, 2024, Shinica Thomas’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Supports expanding access to emergency shelter, food assistance, job training, and affordable housing through partnerships with non-profits, government agencies, and community stakeholders.

Plans to work with non-profits, government agencies, and community stakeholders to expand access to emergency shelter and affordable housing.

Supports the preservation of affordable housing through community partnerships and funding for new units.

Want to get funding for new affordable housing units.

Believes in "ensuring the availability of affordable housing."

- Plans to work with non-profits, government agencies, and community stakeholders to expand access to emergency shelter and affordable housing.
- Want to get funding for new affordable housing units.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports developing smart infrastructure solutions, investing in transportation systems, and promoting sustainable development to improve residents' quality of life and ensure economic success.

Plans to invest in roads, transportation, and sustainable development.

Supports planning and executing multi-modal transportation between local communities and the Greater Triangle Region.

Supports the multi-modal transportation between local communities and the Greater Triangle Region.

Supports expanding high-speed internet access to underserved areas through public-private partnerships to enhance education and economic opportunities.

Wants to expand high-speed internet access. 

- Plans to invest in roads, transportation, and sustainable development.
- Supports the multi-modal transportation between local communities and the Greater Triangle Region.
- Wants to expand high-speed internet access. 

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Shinica Thomas

Shinica earned her bachelor's degree from Fayetteville State University and Regent University. She and her husband, Raymond, have 2 sons.

Shinica previously worked as a human resources professional and 
for the North Carolina Community College System in the Information Technology and Workforce Development department. 

Shinica Thomas currently serves as County Commissioner in Wake County. She was first elected in 

020 and has served as Chair. She has been involved in state and national policy work groups, focusing on issues such as artificial intelligence technology and broadband access. 

Believes AI will transform the economy by influencing loans, banking, job searches, and hiring processes. Plans to discuss AI's benefits and barriers for counties.

Supports providing resources for students and educators, strengthening ties with Wake Tech, and believes "education and workforce development are inextricably tied together."

Plans to strengthen the School Board's relate

Supports expanding career and technical education by aligning workforce programs with local job market demands through industry partnerships.

Believes in creating valuable educational opportunities for children and young leaders. As Director of Advocacy and Educational Partnerships for Girl Scouts, supported over 26,000 young leaders in North Carolina.

Supports facilitating education and engagement opportunities for county officials, NACo networks, and partners.

Believes technology, with proper safeguards, can enhance public safety.

The candidate's website says, "#Wake, Today was yet another big day in #WakeCounty as local officials and staff had the honor of cutting the ribbon, officially opening its brand-new Emergency Operations Center. This high-tech space will be key in being ready at a moments notice and coordinating emergency operations to keep our residents updated and safe!"

Believes the committee can help prevent biases and fraud, which has already impacted many seniors. Said Wake County’s senior population will outnumber those under 18 by 2029.

The candidate's website says, "Gintzig said that in the past, health systems treated mental health differently and, in some cases, didn’t address it at all. But the pandemic exacerbated existing problems, he said, resulting in a rise in drug overdoses, depression and anxiety. People went to emergency rooms for help, creating a problem that health systems have struggled to address."

Believes the county should ensure residents, especially veterans, have housing and combat food insecurity. Plans to support veterans by putting them on a path to success.

Said, "As evictions and foreclosures rise, the county needs to step up and ensure that those who made Wake County what it is, can stay here and benefit from all it has to offer. We need to make sure our citizens are housed and work to combat food insecurity. 

The candidate's website says, "The Raleigh-based system’s plan is to build two facilities in Garner at a campus near White Oak Road and Timber Drive East, an area that has seen explosive growth in the past few years."

Supports public services for youth, serving on the Town of Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, the Kerr Family YMCA Advisory Board, and the Heather Heyer Foundation Board.

Believes public services should support vulnerable residents during difficult times. Plans to prioritize assistance during public health crises.

The candidate's website says, "The health campus is part of a larger mixed-use development being planned by the Town of Garner focused on wellness and innovation."

The candidate's website says, "As a Wake County Commissioner, I’m focused on ensuring a prosperous future for all - creating affordable and safe communities with strong public schools, reliable transportation, great jobs, and thriving local businesses."

Believes in creating personal and professional opportunities, supporting veterans and their families, and fostering a welcoming community in Wake County.

Believes in "creating lasting change" and addressing complex challenges in public services, including libraries, parks, recreation, and community building.

The candidate's website says, "The gift of a suncatcher became a symbol of hope as local and federal officials gathered with hospital executives at Garner Town Hall in southern Wake County to announce the awarding of $12 million in funding to help build a new mental health facility."

Believes in integrating public services within the community to promote a "whole-person concept." Plans to be "bold and innovative" in developing these services.

- Wants to "build a thriving community that is at the forefront of education and technology."
- Plans to work with non-profits, government agencies, and community stakeholders to enhance public services.

- Plans to streamline regulations and create incentives for entrepreneurship and investment that increase job creation and attract industries. 
- Wants to partner with local educational institutions to create apprenticeship programs, skills learning, and vocational training centers.
- Supports the Wake Forward small business loan program and believes Wake County should help small businesses.

Shinica Thomas is the daughter of Trinidadian immigrants and grew up traveling the world as an Army brat due to her father's service in the US Army. She is a first-generation college graduate with degrees from Fayetteville State University and Regent University. Shinica, her husband Raymond, and their sons, Eli & Khalid, have made Wake County their home for over two decades. There is no information provided about the church she attends.

Shinica Thomas joined the board in 2020 and has previously worked for the North Carolina Community College System in the Information Technology and Workforce Development department. She has experience as a Human Resources professional, writing policy and conducting grievance and mediation sessions. Additionally, she has been involved in state and national policy work groups focusing on artificial intelligence technology and broadband access.

Shinica Thomas joined the Wake County Commission in 2020 and has served as Chair. She has been involved in state and national policy work groups, focusing on issues such as artificial intelligence technology and broadband access. Details on any past election campaigns or specific committees she may serve on are not provided.

- 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.