Card image cap

Cal Cunningham's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key

Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Cal Cunningham has failed to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2020 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2020.

  • "Cal believes that a woman’s choice is a woman’s right. That’s why he will always defend Roe v. Wade against partisan attacks and knows there is no place for a politician in a conversation between a woman and her doctor." (www.calfornc.com)
  • "Growing income and wealth inequality in our country is being fueled by the recent tax law that overwhelmingly benefits the largest corporations and the ultra-wealthy while leaving middle-class and poor families further behind and leaving us with a pile of debt for future generations." (votesmart.org)
  • "In the Senate, Cal will fight to strengthen and extend coverage under the Affordable Care Act, expand Medicaid in North Carolina" (www.calfornc.com)
  • "Cal will oppose any effort in Washington to cut Medicare benefits" (www.calfornc.com)
  • Endorsed by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. (votesmart.org)
  • "Cal has pledged not to accept any corporate PAC money, and he supports overturning the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United decision that has allowed unlimited dark money to pour into our elections." (www.calfornc.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Cal also believes we need to make investments in our nation’s infrastructure" (www.calfornc.com)
  • "Growing income and wealth inequality in our country is being fueled by the recent tax law that overwhelmingly benefits the largest corporations and the ultra-wealthy while leaving middle-class and poor families further behind and leaving us with a pile of debt for future generations." (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "North Carolina needs to lead the way by investing in a clean energy economy that will create good-paying jobs and reduce carbon pollution." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Cal will work to keep our kids safe and to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, criminals, and terrorists by supporting efforts to expand background checks, ban the sale of high-capacity magazines, pass red flag laws, and fund gun violence research on an issue that has become a public health crisis." (www.calfornc.com)
  • "he will stand up against the politicians and special interests that want to repeal the Affordable Care Act" (www.calfornc.com)
  • "In the Senate, Cal will fight to strengthen and extend coverage under the Affordable Care Act, expand Medicaid in North Carolina" (www.calfornc.com)
  • "The Senate must take action now, and pass measures to expand access to COVID-19 testing, paid emergency leave, and food assistance for all those who need it." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Cal believes we must pass comprehensive immigration reform that fixes our broken system and modernizes it for the economy of today, grows North Carolina’s economy, protects DREAMers, and provides a fair pathway to citizenship." (www.calfornc.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Defend NC’s farmers against reckless tariffs" (twitter.com)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legally available.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X d) Abortions should be legal when pregnancy results from incest, rape or the life of the woman is endangered.
e) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and notification requirements as decided by each state government.
f) Support prohibition of the dilation and extraction procedure, also known as "partial-birth" abortion.
X g) Support "buffer zones" at abortion clinics by requiring demonstrators to remain a certain distance from doorways and driveways.
h) Support prohibition of public funding for abortions and organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
i) Other

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.State Budget Deficit: Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address budget deficits in North Carolina.

Slightly Increase Funding a) Education (Higher)
Slightly Increase Funding b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Funding Status c) Environment
Maintain Funding Status d) Health care
Slightly Increase Funding e) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase Funding f) Smart Start (child care, nutrition and preschool education programs)
Maintain Funding Status g) Transportation and Highway infrastructure
Maintain Funding Status h) Welfare
i) Other
X a) Cut spending in government programs.
b) Establish a state investment board to manage state revenue.
c) Implement a sales tax on services.
d) Institute a state-wide lottery.
e) Streamline and downsize state government functions as recommended by the Government Performance Audit Committee study.
f) Increase cigarette tax.
g) Reduce corporate tax incentives.
X h) Other
Maintain a strong "rainy day" fund

State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.

Maintain Funding Status a) Alcohol taxes
Maintain Funding Status b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Funding Status c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Funding Status d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Funding Status e) Gasoline taxes
Greatly Decrease Funding f) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Maintain Funding Status g) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Greatly Decrease Funding h) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Funding Status i) Property taxes
Maintain Funding Status j) Sales and use taxes
Maintain Funding Status k) Vehicle taxes
l) Other
Yes m) Should Internet sales be taxed?
No n) Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
Yes o) Would you support returning any operating surplus to North Carolina taxpayers?
Yes p) Would you support placing any operating surplus into a "rainy day" fund?
q) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
X c) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X e) Support the use of the death penalty in North Carolina.
f) Support a moratorium on the death penalty.
X g) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
X h) Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
X i) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
j) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
X k) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
X l) Support .08 blood-alcohol-content limit defining drunk driving.
X m) Prosecute as adults, youths accused of a felony.
X n) Increase penalties for crimes committed on school grounds.
o) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes.
X p) Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
X q) Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
r) Exclude reckless driving from the felony-murder rule requiring that any felony resulting in a death be prosecuted as a first-degree murder.
X s) Other
Stiffen penalties on those convicted oF violent crime involving use of a gun

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

X a) Increase state funds for professional development of public school teachers and administrators.
X b) Encourage private or corporate investment in public school programs.
c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
X d) Support charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.
X e) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X f) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
g) Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
h) Support posting the Ten Commandments in public schools.
X i) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
X j) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
k) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
X l) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
m) Grant local school boards the power to levy taxes.
X n) Other
ABC's; character education; communities in schools

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.Affirmative Action: Which of the following state agencies should take race and sex into account when making employment decisions?

X a) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
c) Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
X d) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X e) Provide funds to revitalize and encourage new investment in urban centers.
f) Other
a) College and university admissions
b) Public employment
c) State contracting
d) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
X b) Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
X c) Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
X d) Require states to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses on privately owned land.
X e) Support funding for recycling programs in North Carolina.
X f) Request added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
X g) Suspend participation in un-funded, federally-mandated environmental protection legislation.
X h) Restructure the electric utility industry to allow consumers to choose their power companies.
i) Support licensing of recreational saltwater fishing within North Carolina waters.
j) Impose stricter environmental controls on agricultural business.
k) Support phasing out hog lagoons.
X l) Increase funding for open space preservation.
X m) Increase funding for mass transit.
X n) Other
Undecided o) Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
Increase farmland preservation efforts

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

Yes a) Do you support the current limit on terms for North Carolina Governors?
No b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for North Carolina State Senators and Representatives?
No a) Individual
No b) PAC
Yes c) Corporate
No d) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
No e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
Undecided f) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
Yes g) Do you support voting on-line?
Yes h) Do you support on-line voter registration?
i) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
X b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
g) Require background checks of gun buyers at gun shows.
h) Require a license for gun possession.
X i) Other
Enforce prohibitions on possession of firearms on state, county, local government, including school property.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

X a) Provide tax incentives to small businesses that provide health care to their employees.
b) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
c) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
d) Use state funds to continue some Medicaid coverage for legal immigrants.
e) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X f) Support a patient's right to sue his or her HMO.
g) Support a patient's right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
h) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
X i) Other
Fully extend Childrens Health Insurance Program to all eligible children.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.

X a) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
X b) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X c) Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
X d) Increase state funding for Head Start in order to serve additional children and/or increase services from a half to a full day.
X e) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X f) Support state funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans, and job training and placement.
g) Other
h) Should physician assisted suicide be legally available in North Carolina?
i) Should North Carolina include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination laws?
j) Should North Carolina recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
k) Should North Carolina restrict marriage to a relationship only between a man and a woman?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

X a) Maintain current time limits on welfare benefits.
X b) Maintain the requirement that able-bodied recipients work in order to receive benefits.
X c) Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
X d) Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
X e) Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
X f) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
X g) Allow welfare recipients to remain eligible for benefits while saving money for education, starting a business, or buying a home.
h) Limit benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
i) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
j) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
k) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
l) Other
1. Support public education through ABC's, involving communities in our schools as mentors and tutors, overcoming the teacher shortage with creative recruitment and reducing class sizes, beginning with an aggressive effort grades K-3. 2. Support small town and rural North Carolina with family farmland preservation, fairer allocation of road money, prescription drug cost relief to seniors (from tobacco settlement fund), extension of small business loan and internet access, and support for the community colleges.

Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

arrow_upward