LinkedIn

Brad was born in Manhattan and raised in Westchester County, NY. He earned a bachelor's degree in European history from Brown University. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and 3 children. 

Brad founded Intelledgement, LLC, a knowledge management consulting practice based in Raleigh. He has also served as treasurer of the Wake County Libertarian Party from 2013 to 2018 and was the executive director of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina from 2014 to 2015.

Brad Hessel ran for the state senator in 2016 for District 15 and in 2018 for District 18, but did not win either race.

Candidate website

Believes reducing state occupational licensing requirements will open economic opportunities for millions in North Carolina.

Believes corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs are essential for North Carolina's economic growth. Supports tax policies and business regulations that foster job creation and global economic leadership.

Believes corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs are essential for North Carolina's economic growth and supports tax policies and business regulations that promote job creation and global economic leadership.

Believes in making communities "greener, fairer, and less expensive" by addressing exclusionary zoning practices that limit opportunities for working families.

Believes in making communities "greener, fairer, and less expensive."

Believes some local leaders in North Carolina misuse power to benefit wealthier homeowners, driving up costs and harming workforce housing. Supports fixing development patterns to prevent workforce displacement.

Said, "Unfortunately, some local leaders abuse their power and act selfishly in the interest of a few wealthier homeowners."

Supports allowing duplexes and triplexes in low-density areas to create "missing middle" housing and counter exclusionary zoning.

Believes North Carolinians are "sick of outrageous inflation" and the diminishing value of their paychecks.

Believes North Carolina residents are "sick of outrageous inflation and the disappearing power of their paychecks."

- Believes reducing state occupational licensing requirements will open economic opportunities for millions in North Carolina.
- Believes corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs are essential for North Carolina's economic growth and supports tax policies and business regulations that promote job creation and global economic leadership.
- Believes in making communities "greener, fairer, and less expensive."
- Said, "Unfortunately, some local leaders abuse their power and act selfishly in the interest of a few wealthier homeowners."
- Supports allowing duplexes and triplexes in low-density areas to create "missing middle" housing and counter exclusionary zoning.
- Believes North Carolina residents are "sick of outrageous inflation and the disappearing power of their paychecks."

Economy

Believes in allowing growth that shortens commutes, reduces urban sprawl, and protects the environment.

Supports using transportation funds for sustainable projects in populated areas to benefit workers and the environment. Believes development should align with transportation spending to maximize impact.

Supports using transportation funds for sustainable projects in populated areas to benefit workers and the environment.

- Believes in allowing growth that shortens commutes, reduces urban sprawl, and protects the environment.
- Supports using transportation funds for sustainable projects in populated areas to benefit workers and the environment.

Energy & the Environment

Believes healthcare policy should prioritize patients in decision-making to ensure high-quality, accessible, and affordable care. Criticizes state laws that hinder healthcare providers from offering innovative services.

Believes healthcare policy should prioritize patients in decision-making to ensure high-quality, accessible, and affordable care.

Opposes "anticompetitive and protectionist Certificate of Need laws" that hinder healthcare growth and affordability, particularly in rural and disadvantaged urban areas.

Opposes "anticompetitive and protectionist Certificate of Need laws" that restrict healthcare growth and affordability, particularly in rural and disadvantaged urban areas.

Opposes laws and regulations that mandate or prohibit any type of healthcare, medication, vaccination, or medical treatment.

Believes in transitioning Medicaid to a state-funded health savings account for more flexible healthcare options.

Supports decriminalizing medical cannabis, citing its effectiveness in alleviating pain, nausea, and symptoms of debilitating medical conditions.

Believes in addressing "state licensing roadblocks" to improve healthcare delivery options like direct primary care, telemedicine, and charitable care by out-of-state licensed doctors.

- Believes healthcare policy should prioritize patients in decision-making to ensure high-quality, accessible, and affordable care.
- Opposes "anticompetitive and protectionist Certificate of Need laws" that restrict healthcare growth and affordability, particularly in rural and disadvantaged urban areas.
- Opposes laws and regulations that mandate or prohibit any type of healthcare, medication, vaccination, or medical treatment.
- Believes in transitioning Medicaid to a state-funded health savings account for more flexible healthcare options.
- Supports decriminalizing medical cannabis, citing its effectiveness in alleviating pain, nausea, and symptoms of debilitating medical conditions.
- Believes in addressing "state licensing roadblocks" to improve healthcare delivery options like direct primary care, telemedicine, and charitable care by out-of-state licensed doctors.

Healthcare

Believes redistricting should be managed by an independent, non-partisan body to prevent gerrymandering. Said, "taxpayer dollars have been squandered every year since [2010] on court battles and constantly redrawing the boundaries of disputed districts."

Believes redistricting should be managed by an independent, non-partisan body to prevent "gerrymandering."

Believes plurality voting is "fundamentally undemocratic" in races with three or more candidates. Criticizes runoffs for doubling election costs and resulting in poor voter turnout.

Believes plurality voting is "fundamentally undemocratic" in races with three or more candidates.

Believes runoff elections are problematic due to low turnout and increased costs. Said, "you can have the winner getting fewer votes in the runoff than the loser got in the original election!"

Opposes runoff elections due to low turnout and increased costs.

Supports the implementation of instant runoff voting, noting its current use in 50 US jurisdictions, including 2 states, 3 counties, and 45 cities.

- Believes redistricting should be managed by an independent, non-partisan body to prevent "gerrymandering."
- Believes plurality voting is "fundamentally undemocratic" in races with three or more candidates.
- Opposes runoff elections due to low turnout and increased costs.
- Supports the implementation of instant runoff voting, noting its current use in 50 US jurisdictions, including 2 states, 3 counties, and 45 cities.

Voting & Elections

Believes the criminal justice system is "out of balance and broken." Supports comprehensive reform, including rethinking laws, police, courts, and prisons to restore equal justice.

Supports comprehensive reform to the criminal justice system, including rethinking laws, police, courts, and prisons.

Opposes qualified immunity and supports holding all public officials fully accountable and liable for illegal actions, even when performed during their official duties.

Opposes qualified immunity and supports holding "all public officials fully accountable and liable for illegal actions even when acting in pursuance of their official duties."

Believes in shifting the criminal justice system's focus from punishment to restitution. Supports victims' rights to private settlements or pardons for criminals.

Supports victims' rights to private settlements or pardons for criminals.

Opposes warrantless searches, police militarization, and civil asset forfeiture.

Believes in investigating all incidents involving police officers where harm occurs and subjecting officers to the same consequences as non-officers.

Believes arresting and charging journalists for covering political stories creates a "terrifying chilling effect." Said, "What is happening to Stephen is several magnitudes greater" than previous retaliatory actions by law enforcement.

Opposes arresting and charging journalists for covering political stories.

- Supports comprehensive reform to the criminal justice system, including rethinking laws, police, courts, and prisons.
- Opposes qualified immunity and supports holding "all public officials fully accountable and liable for illegal actions even when acting in pursuance of their official duties."
- Supports victims' rights to private settlements or pardons for criminals.
- Opposes warrantless searches, police militarization, and civil asset forfeiture.
- Believes in investigating all incidents involving police officers where harm occurs and subjecting officers to the same consequences as non-officers.
- Opposes arresting and charging journalists for covering political stories.

Public Safety

Believes conventional school policies hinder personalized learning and deeper academic challenges. Opposes political and bureaucratic control in education, advocating for student and family involvement to better serve diverse needs and prepare for a dynamic economy.

Opposes political and bureaucratic control in education, advocating for student and family involvement.

Supports expanding and fully funding the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship program to increase private school access for all families, including those with limited financial means.

Supports expanding North Carolina’s state-funded Education Savings Account program to provide better education options for all students, especially those with special learning needs and financial hardships.

Supports expanding open enrollment within and between public-school districts, allowing families to choose the best school without needing permission from their home district.

Supports expanding open enrollment within and between public-school districts, allowing families to choose schools without needing permission from their home district.

Believes in refocusing education funding by having tax dollars follow the student. Said, "Parents should not pay taxes for public schools while sending their children to alternative schools."

Said, "Parents should not pay taxes for public schools while sending their children to alternative schools."

Believes in a "better approach" to education that emphasizes freedom to access options for student success, reward engaged teachers, and enhance quality while controlling costs.

Believes state education policy is crucial for North Carolina’s 1.8 million K-12 students and their future college and career readiness. Supports funding and diverse educational options, including public, charter, private schools, and tech learning centers.

Supports funding diverse educational options, including public, charter, private schools, and tech learning centers.

- Opposes political and bureaucratic control in education, advocating for student and family involvement.
- Supports expanding and fully funding the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship program to increase private school access for all families, including those with limited financial means.
- Supports expanding North Carolina’s state-funded Education Savings Account program to provide better education options for all students, especially those with special learning needs and financial hardships.
- Supports expanding open enrollment within and between public-school districts, allowing families to choose schools without needing permission from their home district.
- Said, "Parents should not pay taxes for public schools while sending their children to alternative schools."
- Believes in a "better approach" to education that emphasizes freedom to access options for student success, reward engaged teachers, and enhance quality while controlling costs.
- Supports funding diverse educational options, including public, charter, private schools, and tech learning centers.

Education

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

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Brad Hessel

Brad was born in Manhattan and raised in Westchester County, north of New York City. He earned a bachelor's degree in European history from Brown University. He lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife and three children. 

Brad founded Intelledgement, LLC, a knowledge management consulting practice based in Raleigh, in 1999. He has also served as treasurer of the Wake County Libertarian Party from 2013 to 2018 and was the executive director of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina from 2014 to 2015.

Brad Hessel ran for the North Carolina Senate twice, in 2016 for District 15 and in 2018 for District 18, and lost both times.

Believes government overreach in regulation and taxation benefits established interests and stifles innovation. Opposes bureaucrats defining economic growth, advocating for innovative businesses to drive future products and services.

Believes government overreach in regulation and taxation benefits established interests and stifles innovation.

Believes state taxation and regulation policies significantly influence economic participation. Supports fostering an innovative economic climate to create future jobs and businesses.

Supports the sharing economy and individuals' rights to use their time and property for economic benefit.

Believes in strengthening economic opportunities for North Carolina’s residents, businesses, and entrepreneurs.

Believes access to high-quality, affordable healthcare is essential and that state regulation significantly impacts healthcare quality, access, and affordability. Supports a system that ensures healthcare is within reach for everyone in North Carolina.

Believes in a healthcare approach that allows individuals and families to make personal decisions, strengthens patient-doctor relationships, and incorporates innovation to reduce costs.

Believes North Carolina can achieve better healthcare outcomes by promoting a system based on choice, addressing lifestyle and care needs, and introducing cost-reducing incentives.

Believes state regulation impacts the quality and accessibility of healthcare options, including abortion, medical marijuana, insurance, public health, and COVID-19 measures.

Believes the NCGA won't adopt instant runoff voting due to NCGOP's satisfaction with the status quo. Hopes local adoption will demonstrate its advantages and increase statewide demand.

Believes North Carolina's plurality voting system allows candidates to win elections without majority support. Said, "candidates can 'win' election here even when a majority vote against them."

Believes instant runoff voting incentivizes candidates to build consensus rather than being divisive. Said, it gives an advantage to those who attract second- and third-choice votes over those who only appeal to their base.

Believes Libertarians offer more primary choices than Democrats and Republicans. Said, "So much for democracy being on the ballot" regarding the Democratic Party's single candidate submission.

Believes campaigns based on attacking opponents' motives hinder bipartisan compromise and risk primary challenges from "true believers."

Believes in "real, practical, effective solutions for electoral reform."

Believes in creating a "wise, fair, and compassionate criminal justice system" by moving beyond slogans like “law and order” and “defund the police.”

Believes in "protecting everyone from both crime and police misconduct."

Believes in "real, practical, effective solutions for criminal justice reform." Supports comprehensive changes to the criminal justice system.

Believes the judicial system is being misused for political purposes, undermining press freedom. Supports showing solidarity with those facing unjust charges.

Believes education is crucial for personal and community development, social engagement, and economic growth. Supports policies that help students realize their potential.

Believes education is crucial for personal and community development, social engagement, and economic growth.

The candidate's website says, "It’s time for North Carolinians to choose freedom, which includes school choice for maximum education opportunities, limiting regulations that hinder local businesses, and choosing your own lifestyle."

Believes in "real, practical, effective solutions for education policy." Supports improvements in K-12 school policies, college access, and children's education.

The candidate's website says, "WAR IS A RACKET, by SMEDLEY D. BUTLER, Major General, United States Marines: https://gutenberg.ca/ebooks/butlersd-warisaracket/butlersd-warisaracket-00-h.html"

The candidate's website says, "Did you catch our chair, Ryan Brown, on the Pete Kaliner show today? He didn't get a chance to plug all his anti-war resources, but we've got them here!"

The candidate's website says, "Did you catch our chair, Ryan Brown, on the Pete Kaliner show today? He didn’t get a chance to plug all his anti-war resources, but we’ve got them here!"

Brad Hessel was born in Manhattan and raised in Westchester County, north of NYC. He was schooled in New England and moved with his wife and three kids to Raleigh in 1992. There is no information provided about the church he attends.

Brad Hessel founded Intelledgement, LLC, a knowledge management consulting practice based in Raleigh, in 1999.

Brad Hessel has not held public office but has run for the North Carolina Senate twice, in 2016 for District 15 and in 2018 for District 18, losing both times to incumbent John Alexander. He served as treasurer of the Wake County Libertarian Party from 2013 to 2018 and was the executive director of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina from 2014 to 2015.

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the North Carolina Senate. The North Carolina Senate is the upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- The State Senator is elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.