Chuck McGrady elected to fifth term in state House

Nov. 07--Republican N.C. Rep. Chuck McGrady safely secured a fifth term in the state legislature Tuesday, beating out Democratic opponent Gayle Kemp.

McGrady received 20,507 votes (60 percent) to Kemp's 13,616 (40 percent) in the N.C. House District 117 race, according to unofficial voting totals.

"... It is an honor to represent most of Henderson County in the state House," McGrady said Tuesday night.

Environmental issues, education funding and regulatory reform for the state's brewery industry will continue to be key issues for his platform, McGrady said.

In a recent candidate questionnaire, McGrady said many local projects will continue to have his attention. He listed the WNC Medical School, upgrading the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, improvements to DuPont State Recreational Forest (which, along with Headwaters State Forest, he helped to make a reality), continued Hemlock restoration efforts, increasing inpatient behavior health beds at Mission, Asheville Regional Airport, Hendersonville's Downtown Revitalization Grant, Pisgah Legal Services, Muddy Sneakers and the Hickory Nut Gorge Trail.

McGrady also said he was in favor of expanding health care options in North Carolina.

He plans to work to co-sponsor legislation next year to improve access to quality health care by providing an option for lower-income residents of North Carolina in a new health insurance product called "Carolina Cares."

The plan establishes a program for residents of the state who are not currently eligible for Medicaid and have been left out of the Affordable Care Act, according to McGrady.

The insurance product is "designed for North Carolinians aged 19 to 64 whose income does not exceed 133 percent of the federal poverty level and who are not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare," McGrady said in the questionnaire.

In the 2017-18 legislative session, McGrady served on numerous committees, many as chairman or vice-chairman.

Standing or select committee chair positions include the Alcoholic Beverage Control, Appropriations, and Environmental Review Commission and Committee to Study Rates and Transfers/Public Enterprises for non-standing committees.

His involvement also spans across Environment, Ethics, Disaster Relief, North Carolina River Quality and Transportation.

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