CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Although the job doesn't come with much power and control, the lieutenant governor serves a specific purpose as second in command to the Governor. One important job of the lieutenant governor is to serve as the president of the state Senate and a member of the State Board of Education, as well as the Capital Planning Commission, the State Board of Community Colleges, the State Board of Economic Development, and the chair of the Energy Policy Council. They also serve as acting governor if the governor leaves the state, resigns, dies, or is otherwise removed from office. It is the only official in North Carolina tasked with responsibilities in both the executive and legislative branches of the state government. Despite this, the officer is not able to cast a vote in the Senate, except to break a tie. Who are the candidates? Hal Weatherman (R) Hal Weatherman, Republican candidate for North Carolina Lieutenant Governor, speaks at a rally Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Roxboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) Hal Weatherman is a husband, father of three, and a native North Carolinian. Weatherman is a former chief of staff to former NC Lt. Governor Dan Forest and former U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 9th congressional district Sue Myrick. He is the founder and president of the Electoral Education Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to advancing election integrity efforts. This is Weatherman's first run for public office. Weatherman earned an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and a master's degree from Wheaton College. In the March NC GOP primary, Weatherman won with the majority vote for Lt. Governor nominee against Jim O'Neill. Rachel Hunt (D) North Carolina Sen. Rachel Hunt Democratic nominee Rachel Hunt is currently a member of the North Carolina State Senate. She was elected in November 2022 to represent the 42nd district, based in Mecklenburg County. Prior to this, she served two terms in the North Carolina House. She worked as an attorney for Families in Transition from 1994 to 2006 and operated a domestic violence shelter, according to her interview with The News & Observer. Hunt is a mother of two and the daughter of former four-term NC Governor Jim Hunt. She has a degree in English and political science from UNC-Chapel Hill, a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and a certificate in college counseling and education from the University of California at Los Angeles. In 2023, when she announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor she stated that she is running to bring “honor and integrity back to the office” since current Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson ascended to the post in 2021. Hunt beat out democratic nominees Ben Clark and Mark H. Robinson in the primary election. Key Issues Abortion Rights & Healthcare Weatherman supports a "heartbeat" bill, prohibiting abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Additionally, he wants to simplify the adoption process and incentives for those who adopt. He supports emergency pregnancy clinics for women in crisis. On top of supporting Medicaid expansion, Hunt supports protecting reproductive rights as well as access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare. As someone who advocated for women, children, and families while working as an attorney, Hunt wants to eliminate disparities in maternal care and make healthcare affordable. Economy Weatherman says one of his primary goals as lieutenant governor would be to remove the stigma of working in trades. He is an advocate for the North Carolina apprenticeship program and wants to give tax incentives to participating companies. Weatherman sees the value and importance of the rural parts of the state. He plans to redirect state contracts to local businesses, particularly in 75 rural counties. Additionally, he supports investing in infrastructure like ports and cold storage to transition North Carolina's agriculture from a local to a global market. As a small business owner, Hunt plans to prioritize small business growth and job creation while increasing the minimum wage. Hunt also wants to stand with rural North Carolina by encouraging economic opportunities and access to quality education. Public Safety Weatherman is in favor of having armed school resource officers in each and every North Carolina elementary, middle, and high school, saying "There is no excuse for this not currently being the case." He is also an avid supporter of the Second Amendment. In Hunt's plan for keeping our communities safe, she plans to support 'common-sense red flag laws' that curb gun violence and keep guns out of the hands of children. Red flag law is a gun law that permits a state court to order the temporary seizure of firearms from a person deemed a danger to themselves or others. She adds that she supports law enforcement efforts, and fostering collaboration "for a secure, nurturing environment for all families". Education Both candidates are in support of public education, but Weatherman emphasizes that he is in support of 'school choice', saying that education funding should follow the child to any education choice that parents decide. As a State Senator, Hunt voted against defunding public schools and sending taxpayer dollars to private schools.