Editorial Board
Dr. Tim Reeder is running to continue representing North Carolina’s House District 9, covering Pitt County from the east side of Greenville to Washington. Reeder has spent two terms in the eastern North Carolina seat, voting in lockstep with the Republican majority.
In the latest legislative session, Reeder voted with Republicans 99% of the time on a range of measures including Senate Bill 266. While utility bills have jumped nearly 30%, Reeder voted in favor of Senate Bill 266, which would allow Duke Energy to raise electricity rates even higher.
The measure also rolls back clean energy progress and shifts over $87 million in annual payments from the state’s commercial and industrial customers to residential customers.
An independent analysis found that the bill would cost North Carolina ratepayers up to $23 billion through 2050 due to higher fuel costs, according to Governor Josh Stein’s office.
Gov. Stein vetoed the harmful bill, saying “This bill not only makes everyone’s utility bills more expensive, but it also shifts the cost of electricity from large industrial users onto the backs of regular people — families will pay more so that industry pays less.”
Reeder also voted with the Republican majority to suppress North Carolina voters by redrawing Congressional District 1.
In the past few years, state Republicans have redrawn voting maps that would help the party pick up and protect seats. Last year’s redistricting plan sought to redraw the maps in Republicans’ favor once again, but this time it came at the request of President Donald Trump.
While the state budget and millions in Hurricane Helene recovery aid were stalled, Reeder and his Republican colleagues prioritized fulfilling Trump’s request.
“Instead of passing a state budget, paying workers who provide critical services to no our families what they deserve, or protecting Medicaid and food assistance for seniors and kids, our General Assembly is playing political games to pay for presidential endorsements of its failed leadership,” North Carolina State AFL-CIO President Braxton Winston said in a statement. “Their choices threaten to suppress the voices of voters in this state and the ability of workers to secure our freedom to thrive.”
On top of suppressing voters, Reeder voted against measures that would support crucial public school programs like universal free lunch.
Amendment 26, proposed for the 2026 state budget, would have established a universal free lunch system for North Carolina schoolchildren; however, Reed and state Republicans voted against it.
Reeder also voted against a proposed amendment for the state budget that would have established a dedicated grant program to fix HVAC systems in North Carolina public schools.
While Reeder’s campaign states he has “helped improve the lives of families across North Carolina”, his vote in favor of making it easier for corporations to pollute our water, individuals to carry a concealed handgun on property shared by a school, and for Duke Energy to raise utility bills paints a different story.
In this year’s elections, Pitt County residents have the opportunity to write their own story. In the race for HD 9, Reeder faces off against Claire Kempner, a community advocate and mom of three, who is looking to put people first.
Kempner is running to tackle the rising cost of living and fight for common-sense policies focused on expanding affordable health care, investing in public schools, and safer neighborhoods.
