Gardenia was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Shaw University, and a Master of Science degree in Taxation from Southeastern University.

Gardenia is a veteran of the United States Air Force, and worked as an auditor for the Department of Defense Contract Audit Agency. Additionally, she has experience as an Adjunct Professor of Taxation at Strayer University. Gardenia has managed several political campaigns, and is the CEO of The Henley Foundation.

Gardenia was previously the U.S. Diplomat Inspector General Officer for over 22 years for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Candidate website

Said, "We should insure that all decisions and fiscal management of taxpayer resources are ethical and available to the public with the highest level of transparency under the law."

Said, "As stewards of our taxpayer’s valuable resources, we must be responsible when it comes to budget priorities. Because we are managing taxpayer resources, we must examine expenditures as if the funds were coming out of our personal budgets."

- Said, "We should insure that all decisions and fiscal management of taxpayer resources are ethical and available to the public with the highest level of transparency under the law."
- Said, "As stewards of our taxpayer’s valuable resources, we must be responsible when it comes to budget priorities. Because we are managing taxpayer resources, we must examine expenditures as if the funds were coming out of our personal budgets."

Economy

As of January 31, 2024, Gardenia Henley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Emphasizes the importance of transparency when it comes to fiscal management of taxpayer resources and other decisions involving citizens.

- Emphasizes the importance of transparency when it comes to fiscal management of taxpayer resources and other decisions involving citizens.

Voting & Elections

Said, "Insuring the safety of our citizens is critical and the allocation of resources to protect the lives and property of members of our community should be our highest priority."

Said, "Ensuring the safety of our citizens is critical and the allocation of resources to protect the lives and property of members of our community should be our highest priority."

The candidate's website says, "We should insure that resources are properly allocated for addressing community development and reinvestment, drug and crime prevention, chronic homelessness, as well as law enforcement."

Wants to properly allocate resources for "addressing community development and reinvestment, drug and crime prevention, chronic homelessness, as well as law enforcement."

- Said, "Ensuring the safety of our citizens is critical and the allocation of resources to protect the lives and property of members of our community should be our highest priority."
- Wants to properly allocate resources for "addressing community development and reinvestment, drug and crime prevention, chronic homelessness, as well as law enforcement."

Public Safety

Said, "Safety & Behavioral Resources – We must provide adequate resources for insuring the safety and mental well-being of our staff and students. (Resource Officers, School Nurses, Social Workers, Counselors, Psychologists)"

Plans to provide safety & behavioral resources for the safety and mental health of staff (such as resource officers, school nurses, social workers, counselors, and teachers) as well as students.

The candidate's website says, "Funding for students, teachers and support staff. In order to recruit and retain staff members, we must insure that our educators and students are equipped with the proper resources to teach, care for, and learn effectively."

Wants to improve "funding for students, teachers and support staff. In order to recruit and retain staff members, we must insure that our educators and students are equipped with the proper resources to teach, care for, and learn effectively."

Said, "Funding (Teacher & Support Staff) – I will work to include additional funding for both teachers and support staff... our teachers and support incentives in the form of higher salaries and bonuses have been awarded to address these problems."

Advocates for additional funding for teachers and educational support staff, including but not limited to higher salaries and bonuses.

- Plans to provide safety & behavioral resources for the safety and mental health of staff (such as resource officers, school nurses, social workers, counselors, and teachers) as well as students.
- Wants to improve "funding for students, teachers and support staff. In order to recruit and retain staff members, we must insure that our educators and students are equipped with the proper resources to teach, care for, and learn effectively."
- Advocates for additional funding for teachers and educational support staff, including but not limited to higher salaries and bonuses.

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Gardenia Henley

Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in religion from Bishop College, his Masters of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University, and his Doctor of Ministry degree in congregational development from Drew University. He is married to LaGail Crews. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, a 33rd degree mason, and is involved in various civic and fraternal organizations. The family attends Shiloh Baptist Church in Winston Salem, where Paul is a pastor. 

Paul has been a delegate to the 2008, 2012 & 2016 Democratic Conventions. He was also an adjunct professor at Shaw University Divinity School. Paul is a leader and member of the General Baptist Convention of North Carolina and National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.

Paul has been a senator since 2015. He is on the Appropriations/Base Budget, Appropriations on Health and Human Services, and Commerce and Insurance committees, to name a few. He previously served as Chairman of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.

Supports economic growth in Forsyth County and North Carolina by introducing bills for tax credits and legislation to promote business and job creation.

Supports workforce development in North Carolina, highlighting job creation during Governor Cooper's tenure and advocating for job training alignment with industry needs, alongside innovative financial support for community college students to complete degrees and secure employment.

Supports workforce development in North Carolina, advocating for job training alignment with industry needs, alongside financial support for community college students to complete degrees and secure employment.

The candidate's website says, "Paul Lowe, Jr. will work with both those in his party and those across the aisle in order to assure that the people of the 32nd District and North Carolina have better access to good paying jobs..."

Promises to "work with both those in his party and those across the aisle in order to assure that the people of the 32nd District and North Carolina have better access to good paying jobs."

Believes that expansion of Medicaid will bring "$4 billion into our economy, creating tens of thousands of new jobs in North Carolina."

- Supports economic growth in Forsyth County and North Carolina by introducing bills for tax credits and legislation to promote business and job creation.
- Supports workforce development in North Carolina, advocating for job training alignment with industry needs, alongside financial support for community college students to complete degrees and secure employment.
- Promises to "work with both those in his party and those across the aisle in order to assure that the people of the 32nd District and North Carolina have better access to good paying jobs."
- Believes that expansion of Medicaid will bring "$4 billion into our economy, creating tens of thousands of new jobs in North Carolina."

As of January 31, 2024, Paul Lowe’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "No North Carolinian should have to choose between groceries for their family and seeking medical care... Senator Lowe has worked so hard with his colleagues to urge Senate Republicans to expand Medicaid, something that will provide more than half a million North Carolinians with desperately needed healthcare... Healthier people means a healthier North Carolina and a healthier North Carolina means a state that can and will be a national leader in healthcare."

Says, "healthier people means a healthier North Carolina and a healthier North Carolina means a state that can and will be a national leader in healthcare" when asked about increasing access to healthcare and making sure that rural hospitals stay open.

As a state senator, has supported the expansion of Medicaid.

- Says, "healthier people means a healthier North Carolina and a healthier North Carolina means a state that can and will be a national leader in healthcare" when asked about increasing access to healthcare and making sure that rural hospitals stay open.
- As a state senator, has supported the expansion of Medicaid.

Believes quality education and well-paid teachers are key to good jobs, supports statewide access to modern schools, and advocates for school bonds to fund construction and repairs without reducing teacher salaries.

- Believes quality education and well-paid teachers are key to good jobs, supports statewide access to modern schools, and advocates for school bonds to fund construction and repairs without reducing teacher salaries.

Paul Lowe

- 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.

North Carolina State Senator, District 32, Democratic Primary

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