Darren is from Wilkes County. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from St. Johns University and a master's degree in legal studies from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. 

Darren works as director of operations and a director of quality assurance at Life Alliance, LLC. He previously worked at Golden Needles, a local textile factory.

Darren Staley’s campaign for state senator in District 36 is his first run for public office.

Candidate website

Believes taxes are the simplest method of allocating resources for the public good, funding essential services like schools, roads, and first responders.

Believes taxes represent the "simplest method of allocating resources for the public good...", not a "necessary evil."

Believes in supporting small businesses and ensuring workers receive "a good wage." Plans to incentivize businesses to pay more than just a living wage.

Wants to incentivize businesses to provide "good" wages. 

- Believes taxes represent the "simplest method of allocating resources for the public good...", not a "necessary evil."
- Wants to incentivize businesses to provide "good" wages. 

Economy

Believes in investing in clean energy solutions and future jobs. Said, "I will fight for you," and will not leave current workers behind.

Wants to invest in clean energy solutions and future jobs. 

- Wants to invest in clean energy solutions and future jobs. 

Energy & the Environment

Believes in ensuring access to affordable health care based on personal experience with disability and work in behavioral health.

Supports affordable and accessible health care statewide.

Supports increasing awareness and funding for behavioral health, including Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services, Mental Health Services, and Substance Use Disorder Services.

Promises to advocate to raise awareness and funding for behavioral health services, including for disability, mental health, and substance abuse disorders. 

- Supports affordable and accessible health care statewide.
- Promises to advocate to raise awareness and funding for behavioral health services, including for disability, mental health, and substance abuse disorders. 

Healthcare

Believes the Republican Party is "destroying the guardrails of democracy" by gerrymandering and restricting voting rights. Supports protecting voting rights and maintaining checks and balances.

Believes "voter fraud" is rare and often used to suppress voting. Supports making voting easier for everyone, regardless of party.

Encourages voting and supports voting accessibility. 

- Supports protecting voting rights.
- Encourages voting and supports voting accessibility. 

Voting & Elections

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

Public Safety

Believes in exciting kids about learning and making college appealing beyond job prospects or parental approval. Opposes "banning books and removing uncomfortable topics from the curriculum."

Opposes "banning books and removing uncomfortable topics from the curriculum.”

Believes teachers should be paid what they deserve and treated with the same respect as pediatricians. Opposes teachers having to pay out of pocket or fundraise for classroom materials.

Opposes teachers needing to use their own money or fundraising to pay for classroom materials.

Believes in advocating for teachers and public education. Supports making college affordable for all.

Believes both sciences and arts are essential for a well-rounded education. Supports education for all children and adults who missed opportunities.

Supports prioritizing all academic subjects. 

Supports empowering teachers and providing adequate salaries.

- Opposes "banning books and removing uncomfortable topics from the curriculum.”
- Opposes teachers needing to use their own money or fundraising to pay for classroom materials.
- Supports affordable college.  
- Supports prioritizing all academic subjects. 
- Supports empowering teachers and providing adequate salaries.

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Twitter

Facebook

Youtube

LinkedIn

Darren Staley

Eddie is originally from Wilkes County and graduated East Wilkes High School. He earned his associate's degree in business from Wilkes Community College. Eddie and his wife, Shelia, have 2 children. They attend Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, where Eddie serves as deacon.

Eddie is the owner of Nu-Line Printing, Inc. and Settle Cattle Company.

Ballotpedia, Eddie Settle

Eddie Settle currently serves as State Senator for North Carolina State Senate District 36. He was elected in 2023 and is serving his first term. He previously served 3 terms as Wilkes County Commissioner from 2012 to 2022.

Opposes tax increases and supports cutting unnecessary spending to help businesses create jobs. As a County Commissioner, voted to lower taxes in 2016.

Opposes tax increases and supports cutting unnecessary spending to help businesses create jobs. 

Opposes tax increases and expanding government, advocating instead for cutting unnecessary spending and supporting businesses to create jobs.

Opposes tax increases and supports cutting unnecessary spending.

Believes high taxes stifle business, kill jobs, and harm the economy. As a County Commissioner, has served Wilkes County since 2012.

Believes in lowering taxes and reducing national debt. As a County Commissioner, voted to lower taxes in 2016.

Believes agriculture is crucial to North Carolina's economy. As Chairman of the Agriculture Steering Committee of the NCACC, advocated for better cattle markets in Washington, D.C.

Believes in helping businesses create jobs.

- Opposes tax increases and supports cutting unnecessary spending to help businesses create jobs. 

Supports improving cattle markets and trade agreements to benefit agriculture. As Chairman of the Agriculture Steering Committee, advocated in Washington, D.C. for better cattle markets and participated in the Japan Trade Agreement discussions at the White House.

Believes agriculture is crucial to North Carolina's economy and plans to "always do what is right for agriculture and for the environment."

- Believes agriculture is crucial to North Carolina's economy and plans to "always do what is right for agriculture and for the environment."

North Carolina Family Voter, Settle, Eddie Meet the Candidate

Believes the family unit is crucial to society and opposes abortion. As Chairman of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners, passed a resolution designating the county a haven for the unborn.

Opposes the legalization of medical marijuana.

- Opposes abortion access.
- Opposes the legalization of medical marijuana.

North Carolina Tribune, Get to know Sen.-elect Eddie Settle

Supports term limits for North Carolina state legislators.

Said, "I believe voter identification is a necessary process in order for all citizens to regain confidence in the election process."

- Supports term limits for North Carolina state legislators.
- Said, "I believe voter identification is a necessary process in order for all citizens to regain confidence in the election process."

Believes in actively fighting for Second Amendment rights as a member of the NRA.

Supports fighting for Second Amendment rights at the state level.

Plans to "continue fighting for second amendment rights at the state level" and is a member of the National Rifle Association.

- Plans to "continue fighting for second amendment rights at the state level" and is a member of the National Rifle Association.

Opposes the teaching of Critical Race Theory in NC schools.

Opposes the teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in North Carolina schools and believes it is "pure poison."

Supports quality education initiatives for children, college, and K-12 school policies.

- Opposes the teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in North Carolina schools and believes it is "pure poison."
- Believes quality education is important.
- Supports school choice vouchers.

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

Eddie Settle

- 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.