Jesse Thomas - Ballotpedia

More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

From Ballotpedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Jesse Thomas (Republican Party) ran for election for North Carolina Secretary of State. He lost in the Republican primary on March 5, 2024.

Thomas also ran for election for Governor of North Carolina. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on March 5, 2024.

Thomas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jesse Thomas was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois. His career experience includes working in healthcare as a CEO.^[1]

Elections

2024

Secretary of State

See also: North Carolina Secretary of State election, 2024

General election

General election for North Carolina Secretary of State

Incumbent Elaine Marshall defeated Chad Brown in the general election for North Carolina Secretary of State on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elaine Marshall (D)	51.0	2,837,994
		Chad Brown (R)	49.0	2,722,794

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,560,788
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Elaine Marshall advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Secretary of State.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Carolina Secretary of State

Chad Brown defeated Christine Villaverde and Jesse Thomas in the Republican primary for North Carolina Secretary of State on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chad Brown	43.3	373,166
		Christine Villaverde	30.0	258,569
		Jesse Thomas	26.8	230,829

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 862,564
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Darren Eustance (R)

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Thomas in this election.

Governor

See also: North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2024

General election

General election for Governor of North Carolina

Josh Stein defeated Mark K. Robinson, Mike Ross, Vinny Smith, and Wayne Turner in the general election for Governor of North Carolina on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Josh Stein (D)	54.9	3,069,496
		Mark K. Robinson (R)	40.1	2,241,309
		Mike Ross (L)	3.2	176,392
		Vinny Smith (Constitution Party)	1.0	54,738
		Wayne Turner (G)	0.9	49,612

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,591,547
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Gordon Ward (Independent)
Donte McCorey Sr. (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of North Carolina

Josh Stein defeated Michael R. Morgan, Chrelle Booker, Marcus Williams, and Gary Foxx in the Democratic primary for Governor of North Carolina on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Josh Stein	69.6	479,026
		Michael R. Morgan	14.3	98,627
		Chrelle Booker	6.7	46,045
		Marcus Williams	5.7	39,257
		Gary Foxx	3.7	25,283

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 688,238
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of North Carolina

Mark K. Robinson defeated Dale Folwell and Bill Graham in the Republican primary for Governor of North Carolina on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark K. Robinson	64.8	666,504
		Dale Folwell	19.2	196,955
		Bill Graham	16.0	164,572

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,028,031
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Green primary election

The Green primary election was canceled. Wayne Turner advanced from the Green primary for Governor of North Carolina.

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for Governor of North Carolina

Mike Ross defeated Shannon Bray in the Libertarian primary for Governor of North Carolina on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Ross	59.4	2,910
		Shannon Bray	40.6	1,985

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,895
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jesse Thomas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Thomas' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm an American success story. From the cotton fields to the corner office as a health plan CEO in multiple markets. Through God’s grace, hard work, thirst for education and sheer determination, this son of sharecroppers rose above the societal expectations of my Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta upbringing. My desire to lift and serve others has been my motivation throughout my career in the private sector. I recently retired as CEO of Healthy Blue, the Medicaid Segment of Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC. Under my executive leadership, Healthy Blue secured the statewide contract to serve over 500,000 members across all 100 North Carolina counties with over $2 billion in annual revenue. As the former CEO of numerous other healthcare related corporations, I have proven myself an effective leader in the business and healthcare sectors. I've put my expertise to the public’s use, having served on: the UNC Pembroke Board of Trustees; NC CHILD Board of Directors; and the North Carolina American Indian Health Board. Also, previously serving as the Health Policy Advisor to former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, I provided results. Now, I'm ready to do the same for the folks of North Carolina. I'm a no nonsense Republican focused on tangible results for everyday citizens. I believe efficient governance, practical solutions and common sense decision making are the core of conservatism and by embracing these tenants, Republican ideas will improve the lives of all citizens.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

# F O C U S O N K I T C H E N T A B L E I S S U E S
T H A T E F F E C T A L L N O R T H C A R O L I N I A N S
# P R O V I D E T A N G I B L E R E S U L T S A N D R E A L E C O N O M I C R E L I E F F O R C I T I Z E N S
# P R I O R I T I Z E B U I L D I N G N O R T H C A R O L I N A ’ S E C O N O M Y O F T H E F U T U R E

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. ELIMINATE THE STATE INCOME TAX:

+ STARTING WITH FIRST RESPONDERS, ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY, SENIORS CITIZENS, TEACHERS, AND EVENTUALLY INCLUDING ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS; WE WILL EASE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN
CAUSED BY JOE BIDEN’S FAILED ECONOMY WHILE LURING NEW JOBS TO OUR STATE.

2. TERM LIMIT THE SECRETARY OF STATE:

+ THE INCUMBENT HAS BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE 1997. NORTH CAROLINA HAS HAD ONLY 3 ELECTED SECRETARIES OF STATE SINCE 1936.
+ I WILL PUSH THE LEGISLATURE TO TERM LIMIT THE OFFICE.

3. MODERNIZE THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE:

+ SECRETARY OF STATE BECOME CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER LIKE OVER 90% OF STATES.

+ CONSTANTLY PUSH THE ENVELOPE TO MAKE OUR STATE AS ATTRACTIVE FOR INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS EXPANSION AND RELOCATION AS POSSIBLE.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The office has become unremarkable and functioning on auto-pilot after 28-years of democratic incumbency. It has devolved into mostly being the Chief Notary Officer of the State and is performing well below its power and authority to be an aggressive Chief Economy and Business Services Officer of the State. Also, the Governor and Lt. Governor as officers in the Council of State have term limits. Since the Secretary of State is another officer on the Council who can succeed the Governor, it should have the same constraints. As such, it ought to be subject to term limits to ensure regular and timely executive turnover to inject freshness, new ideas, disruptive innovation, and new thought leadership as a potential successor to the Governor during extenuating circumstances. I will champion being subject to term limits; and more accountable to work with a fierce urgency of now to stimulate the economy, grow businesses and help tame inflation through more fair and responsible tax policy. My priorities would be the kitchen table issues of the volatile economy and jobs. Also, I will be an energetic Chief Emissary Officer (CEO) travelling throughout the State promoting business expansion and across the Country for new business relocation to NC. I will modernize the office and the overwhelming website. I will implement a business one stop system beginning with business registrations including trademarks, then integrating notary, then UCC, etc.; add a “chat bot” to the website and also reduce unnecessary red tape.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Over 30 years of experience in business and public service document my passion and achievements around improving the health and quality of life for the vulnerable and underserved. Over my career, I've built exceptional strengths in P&L, business development and expansion, communications, team building and professional development, strategic planning, problem solving, public policy and advocacy. I have an impressive track record of helping organizations in both the public and private sectors demonstrate maximum value to their stakeholders and the community through profitable and cost-effective management. Through numerous leadership and management challenges, I have achieved results that were often far beyond expected goals.

Recently retired as CEO of the Medicaid Segment at Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC where I was the lead executive of a strong RFP (Request For Proposal) response. This resulted in a statewide contract award achieving over 500,000 members and citizens across all 100 counties in NC and over $2.0 Billion in annual revenue. I was the day-to-day P&L leader and CEO - Healthy Blue, the healthcare plan. Also, I have a long and storied career with over 30 years of executive leadership; holding numerous other CEO and leadership positions across the country. And, I was a regulator through my service as the Chief Administrator, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ Office of Healthcare Purchasing (OHP).

Apart from my executive career, I have been involved in a great number of public and community service positions. Some of my most notable roles included candidate for the US Congress and alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention from Colorado. Later, I was the Health Policy Advisor for Michigan Republican Governor / Candidate Rick Snyder. I just completed my service on the: Board of Trustees, UNC-Pembroke; NC Child Board; NC American Indian Health Board; and as the Chairman, North Carolina Forward Party movement.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Since the Secretary of State has a duty to oversee the economy and the business services function of the State, I will aggressively advocate to the General Assembly to pass tax reduction policies to stimulate and turbocharge the economy. In that regard, I will advocate for tax relief urgently for all citizens to achieve zero percent state income tax by 2030. As part of this vision and plan I will champion zero percent state income tax for first responders (fire and police), senior citizens, teachers and active duty military to become effective in the 2028 biennial budget. Equally crucial to a booming economy is a reduction in red tape and overburdensome regulations. As such, I will fight for more "Sandbox" initiatives for other major segments of our economy including for example, agriculture, insurance and education; like we've already done for the banking and financial sector.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Thomas’s campaign website stated the following:

“

ON THE ISSUES
I am a No Nonsense Republican, citizen public servant, business executive and retired health plan CEO. So, I’m not a career politician or beholden to a tribal litmus test. Instead, I’m guided by two simple principles: 1) does it pass the straight face test, and 2) does it put the interest of “we the people” ahead of the interests of pure politics and eliminate the status quo? I’m so sick and tired of the political gridlock and Republicans losing key statewide races in the Council of Government offices.

First - As the future Secretary of State in North Carolina,
I am committed to introducing legislation aimed at implementing term limits for this role. It is both remarkable and concerning that the current Secretary of State has occupied this position for an astonishing 28 years, and her predecessor, elected before her, held the same office for an incredible 53 years. This over extended period of entitlement to the office pleads for a fresh perspective, innovative ideas and a renewed sense of purpose within the office.

Second - Drawing upon my experience as a former Medicaid health plan CEO
in North Carolina, I am wholeheartedly committed to fostering a sense of "fierce urgency of now." I will actively spearhead collaborative efforts within the Council of Government and engage with other essential stakeholders to ensure the comprehensive and timely implementation of our Medicaid expansion. This expansion was approved by resounding Republican supermajorities in both the General Assembly and State Senate in 2023, subsequently becoming law. However, it is crucial that we continue to work diligently to unleash its full potential and generate the maximum economic benefits for the people of North Carolina.

Third - I am deeply committed to fostering economic growth,
and I will vigorously advocate for and facilitate public-private partnerships across all sectors of our economy. To achieve this, I will embark on statewide and national travels aimed at promoting market expansion and attracting new businesses to North Carolina. Furthermore, I will take the lead in assembling a delegation that includes our Senators and other dedicated elected officials, all sharing the common goal of making North Carolina the premier destination for business in the United States. My unwavering dedication to economic expansion is resolute.

Fourth - Since the Secretary of State has a duty to oversee the economy,
I will aggressively advocate to the General Assembly to pass tax reduction policies to stimulate and turbocharge the economy. In that regard, I will advocate for tax relief urgently for all citizens to achieve zero percent state income tax by 2028. As part of this vision and plan I will champion zero percent state income tax for senior citizens, teachers and active duty military to become effective in the very next biennial budget. Equally crucial to a booming economy is a reduction in red tape and overburdensome regulations. As such, I will fight for more "Sandbox" initiatives for other major segments of our economy including for example, agriculture, insurance and education; like we've already done for the banking and financial sector.

Fifth - Absolutely essential to a robust and burgeoning economy
is my vision for North Carolina to be First In Healthy: a) Healthy Economy for Business and Consumers, b) Healthy Education System for Workforce Readiness, and c) Healthy Population for Thriving Families and Sustainable Workforce. In combination, First In Healthy will modernize our business processes and communicate to the State, Country and the World that North Carolina is enthusiastically open and ready for business.^[2]

”

—Jesse Thomas's campaign website (2024)^[3]

See also

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

North Carolina Secretary of State

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 13, 2024
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ Jesse Thomas, Secretary of State, “Issues,” accessed February 19, 2024

v • e 2024 state executive official elections

Governor	Delaware • Indiana • Missouri • Montana • New Hampshire • North Carolina • North Dakota • Utah • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Lieutenant Governor	Delaware • Indiana • Missouri • Montana • North Carolina • North Dakota • Utah • Vermont • Washington

Attorney General	Indiana • Missouri • Montana • North Carolina • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Utah • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Secretary of State	Missouri • Montana • North Carolina • Oregon • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Treasurer	Arkansas • Missouri • North Carolina • North Dakota • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Utah • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Auditor	Montana • North Carolina • North Dakota • Pennsylvania • Utah • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Commissioners	Alabama (public service) • Arizona (corporation) • Delaware (insurance) • Georgia (public service) • Hawaii (Hawaiian affairs) • Louisiana (public service) • Massachusetts (governor's council) • Montana (public service) • Nebraska (public service) • New Hampshire (executive council) • North Carolina (agriculture) • North Carolina (labor) • North Carolina (insurance) • North Dakota (insurance) • North Dakota (public service) • Oklahoma (corporation) • South Dakota (public utilities) • Texas (railroad) • Washington (insurance) • Washington (public lands) • West Virginia (agriculture)

Education officials	Alabama (board of education) • Colorado (board of education) • Colorado (board of regents) • Kansas (board of education) • Michigan (board of education) • Michigan (board of regents) • Michigan (board of trustees) • Michigan (board of governors) • Montana (superintendent) • Nebraska (board of education) • Nebraska (board of regents) • Nevada (board of education) • Nevada (board of regents) • New Mexico (board of education) • North Carolina (superintendent) • North Dakota (superintendent) • Ohio (board of education) • Texas (board of education) • Utah (board of education) • Washington (superintendent)

	v • e State of North Carolina Raleigh (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2025 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? \| U.S. President \| U.S. Congress \| Federal courts \| State executives \| State legislature \| State and local courts \| Counties \| Cities \| School districts \| Public policy

Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Jesse_Thomas&oldid=10219883"