In this blog post, we examine the policies and positions of Cheri Beasley, Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina. Also in this series, we profile Ted Budd, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.
Guest Blog | September 29, 2022 | Climate Change, Elections, Energy Policy, North CarolinaThis blog post was written by Brady Watson, former Civic Engagement Coordinator for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
This post is part of a series examining where 2022 candidates running for public offices in the Southeast stand on key energy and climate issues. Note: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Links to reports, candidate websites, and outside sources are provided as citizen education tools.
In this blog post, we examine the policies and positions of Cheri Beasley, Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina. Also in this series, we profile Ted Budd, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Election Day is November 8, 2022.
Cheri Beasley is a public defender and jurist who served as the chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 2019 to 2020; she was appointed an associate justice in 2012, then won election as associate justice in 2014. Beasley had previously served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and as a district court judge in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Beasley earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics at Douglass College of Rutgers University–New Brunswick in 1988 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1991. She also earned her Master of Laws from Duke University School of Law in 2018. She and her husband have two sons.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Beasley’s website indicates that she supports expanding the North Carolina renewable energy industry, and ensuring there is job training for clean energy jobs. It also states that she will support efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030, and that more can be done to update building codes to increase energy efficiency.
Climate Change
Beasley’s website states: “Cheri believes that tackling the climate crisis is imperative to our health, economy, and security, and the consequences of inaction are already hurting the people of our state.”
Electric Transportation
In an August 2021 Facebook post, Beasley celebrated the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, which included investments in electric vehicles.
Energy Equity and Energy Burden
Beasley’s website states: “We must take action to address systemic disproportionate impacts of climate change and pollution on vulnerable communities in North Carolina.” It also says, “She believes all North Carolinians have the right to live in safe and healthy communities with clean air, clean water, and improved waste infrastructure — especially in communities of color, low-income and indigenous communities.”
High-Risk Energy: Coal, Nuclear, Oil, Gas
No candidate information available.
Voter Information
The voter registration deadline for the U.S. Senate election in North Carolina is October 14, and early voting begins on October 20. Election Day for the 2022 midterms will be held on November 8, 2022. Find voting information in North Carolina.
Read the Where the Candidates Stand on Climate and Clean Energy Blog Series
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