A convo with Nc rep. rodney d. pierce
Recently elected to the North Carolina General Assembly, Rodney D. Pierce of the North Carolina House of Representatives is determined to ensure that the residents of District 27 (Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties) have a say in the state's governance. A Roanoke Rapids native, Pierce has an educational background that includes an Associate in Arts from Halifax Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Wesleyan University. He has experience as a middle school social studies teacher and was honored as the North Carolina Council for the Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 2019.
In the 2024 Democratic primary, Pierce succeeded by promoting comprehensive public education funding, voting rights protection, and fair economic development in northeastern North Carolina. Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for educational equity and social justice, serving on the North Carolina Governor's Teacher Advisory Committee and being associated with the North Carolina State Employees Association and the American Federation of Teachers.
As of December 2023, over 670,000 North Carolinians are enrolled in Medicaid, raising concerns about potential cuts proposed by President Trump, particularly for those in rural areas. What is your stance?
“ I strongly support Medicaid expansion and oppose proposed federal cuts to the program. I believe delaying expansion contributed to the closure of key regional facilities such as Martin County General Hospital, and further Medicaid rollbacks could deepen already fragile healthcare access, especially for maternal care and chronic disease management. Any reduction in Medicaid benefits or enrollment would disproportionately impact rural communities like those in House District 27 and eastern North Carolina and worsen health disparities. I urge continued outreach, preservation of coverage levels, and federal-state collaboration to strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure. Medicaid plays a critical role not only in health outcomes but in sustaining rural hospitals, supporting prenatal and preventative care.”
How will you address the diverse needs of your constituents and ensure their voices are heard?
I’m proud to have started the "Bringing the Capital to the Constituents” series to our district—an initiative that connects constituents directly with cabinet-level state leaders. This unique opportunity allows residents to meet and speak in person with key decision-makers, fostering transparency and accountability while giving people a platform to influence state policies affecting their daily lives. By facilitating these direct conversations, I aim to "bridge the gap" between Raleigh and our rural communities, making sure that our voices are not just heard but acted upon.
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Photo by Cornell Watson - Mother Jones Magazine