Anthony J. Penland

Republican | North Carolina

Anthony J. Penland websites FacebookXInstagramLinkedIn

Candidate Profile

State Rep., Dist. 115 North Carolina General | November 3, 2026

Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

Asheville Buncombe Technical College, Asheville, Associate in Applied Science, 2003-2006

Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Science, 2013-2015

WORK & MILITARY

Swannanoa Fire Department, Fire Chief, 1990-

AFFILIATIONS

North Carolina State Firefighters' Associaiton, Past-President, 2013-2020

Western NC Association of Firefighters, Secretary, 2009-

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Buncombe County Commissioner, 2020-2020

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Buncombe County Commissioner, 2020-

Buncombe County Commissioner, 2022-

NC General Assembly House District 115, 2026-

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (1)

North Carolina Values Coalition

OTHER (1)

North Carolina Police Benevolent Association

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)

NC Police Benevolent Association

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Mark Crawford (2020)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)


OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including funds for “family planning,” contraception, or abortion counseling).

Strongly Agree

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

For Medical reasons only.

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Strongly Agree

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Strongly Agree

Existing Federal laws that prohibit the interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs should be enforced.

Strongly Agree


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I support increasing salaries for our workforce. I cannot support a government mandate requiring it. I believe we should work with businesses, provide incentives, and eliminate the regulations that do not allow for growth.

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

Audits, Accountability, Eliminate Redundancy in government programs, and Eliminate Some of the Bureaucracy


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

The state should not prohibit its citizens from any form of worship or prayer. I believe it is not saying that the right to pray or worship should be prohibited in state-owned public buildings. A person's right to prayer should not be limited just to the church, as long as everyone has the same opportunity.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

Good-quality health care should be available to all our citizens. Medicare and Medicaid should be available to those who meet the qualifications for those programs. Affordable insurance should be available to those who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. Eliminate any fraud in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, then enhance the benefits for those qualified for the programs.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Strongly Disagree

Quality health care should not be labelled as a burden of treatment. Insurance companies and the government should not be in the consulting business as to who needs medical care. All should have access to health care, either by paying for private insurance or meeting the qualifications for Medicaid or Medicare. Abusing either or defrauding either should be dealt with.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes. The Bible is clear about Israel. Israel is to be protected and has the right to protect itself.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Agree

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Strongly Agree


VALUES

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Strongly Agree

Attempts to transition a child to the opposite sex are harmful to that child and should be prohibited.

Strongly Agree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Strongly Agree

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I believe in God's Holy Word, the Bible. I am a Christian who believes that one day I will stand and be judged. I live my life so that there will be no doubt.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Disagree

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Natural gas fired power plants. Alternative energy sources are fine, but are they as reliable as the current set up of our power plants. I do not believe that they are. As we continue to grow as a state, we need to make sure that we can handle it.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Very Conservative

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

To arrest and convict those members of society who break the law. Support the victims by holding those responsible accountable.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Continue to support the restrictions where those convicted of felonies, domestic violence, and those who are addicted to drugs are not permitted to carry a gun. Gun ownership should not be restricted to those who are law abiding citizens.

If you are not already receiving our updates, stay current with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.

I agree to receive text messages at the mobile number provided.