The News and Observor, Candidate for NC treasurer, Republican Rachel Johnson, answers our questions

Business, GOP treasurer candidates differ on investing state money

Said she would work "with lawmakers to find common solutions that bring down the costs of healthcare."

- Said she would work "with lawmakers to find common solutions that bring down the costs of healthcare."

Consumer Protection

Stated she would "continue Treasurer Folwell’s good work of protecting and improving the N.C. retirement system."

- Stated she would "continue Treasurer Folwell’s good work of protecting and improving the N.C. retirement system."

Retirement

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

Financial Management

Rachel Johnson

Supports "Searching out and ending public corruption"

Says he has a "Passion to root out public corruption and protect taxpayer dollars"

- Supports "Searching out and ending public corruption"
- Says he has a "Passion to root out public corruption and protect taxpayer dollars"

As of January 31, 2024, A. J. Daoud’s website did not contain information on this issue.

His website says "Former NC Lottery Commissioner who oversaw a $4 Billion Dollar annual budget. Being a Fiscal Conservative he was responsible for exposing wasteful spending returning millions back towards education"

- His website says "Former NC Lottery Commissioner who oversaw a $4 Billion Dollar annual budget. Being a Fiscal Conservative he was responsible for exposing wasteful spending returning millions back towards education"

Twitter

Facebook

A. J. Daoud

LinkedIn

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

Said "The single most important task for the winner in November will be to remedy the chronic underperformance of the Retirement System... NCRS has averaged a 6.2% annual return over the past 20 years. Similar sized, but better managed, plans in other states (Florida, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin, to name a few) have averaged annual returns of 7.6%."

Said "The central reason for underperforming the target is an irrational love for risk-free fixed income investments.  NCRS owns far more US Treasury bonds and bills than any of its peers."

Wants to change the investment strategy through "asset allocation better matched to pension obligations, reducing the risk of underperformance and increasing return", adding " Improving performance also means maximizing net risk-adjusted returns on each asset class in which NCRS invests."

Opposes the State Treasurer having sole decision-making responsibilities for investments, calling instead to "move to a fiduciary board model where multiple appointed professionals serve alongside elected officials to direct the pension."

- Said "The single most important task for the winner in November will be to remedy the chronic underperformance of the Retirement System... NCRS has averaged a 6.2% annual return over the past 20 years. Similar sized, but better managed, plans in other states (Florida, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin, to name a few) have averaged annual returns of 7.6%."
- Said "The central reason for underperforming the target is an irrational love for risk-free fixed income investments.  NCRS owns far more US Treasury bonds and bills than any of its peers."
- Wants to change the investment strategy through "asset allocation better matched to pension obligations, reducing the risk of underperformance and increasing return", adding " Improving performance also means maximizing net risk-adjusted returns on each asset class in which NCRS invests."
- Opposes the State Treasurer having sole decision-making responsibilities for investments, calling instead to "move to a fiduciary board model where multiple appointed professionals serve alongside elected officials to direct the pension."

Supports an investment strategy that incorporates more higher-risk, long-term investments, without taking on additional short-term risk.

- Supports an investment strategy that incorporates more higher-risk, long-term investments, without taking on additional short-term risk.

Brad Briner

- The Treasurer is the State’s chief financial officer, officer banker, and a member of the Council of State. They are chiefly in charge of making sure the state remains in good financial health.
- The Treasurer manages NC’s pension and healthcare plans. The North Carolina Retirement System is a division of the Department of State Treasurer, which administers the pensions of state and local employees.  
- The Treasurer is the official depository and investor of the State’s funds, meaning they are responsible for managing the state’s investments and borrowing activities.
- The Treasurer provides financial support to local governments. They are in charge of receipt and disbursement of funds while making sure the funds meet all obligations of the state. 
- The Treasurer is elected for a 4-year term. This position has no term limit.

The chief financial officer of the state, tasked with managing the state's investments