Pamela Zanni
Republican | North Carolina
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Pamela Zanni
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary - Federal, Statewide, State, Judicial, School Board
Race
State Rep., District 81
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
UNC-G, Greensboro, MS, 2006-2008
Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, BA, 1990-1993
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
North Carolina House of Representatives District 81, 2026-2026
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate is one of the several candidates in the Republican Primary who has an affiliation with NC Educators on the Ballot, a leftist organization encouraging teachers to switch parties to Republican in primaries, particularly in right-leaning districts. Candidate changed affiliation to Republican in order to run in the Republican primary.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Neutral
I believe that healthcare has no place in government.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Rape; age of the mother; incest; risk to the mother; viability of the fetus; substance abuse; fetuses with severe life-threatening conditions.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Neutral
Every situation is different, and healthcare is between a patient and the provider.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Neutral
Every situation is different.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Disagree
Healthcare has no place in government.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It means to keep your beliefs out of my classroom. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and no belief system is superior to others.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
I see both sides of this. If you know that a business is going to respond negatively toward a customer's moral or religious beliefs, why would you want to give them your business anyhow.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
We know this.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
I have struggled to understand this relationship. I understand the connection to the Jewish Community after WW2. I understand the strategic military connection to having Israel as our ally. What I can't understand is why the US is ok with allowing Israel to wipe out people living in Gaza. I do not understand how that helps the US or humanity globally.
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.
How is it that almost every other modernized country in the world uses tax dollars to provide healthcare to their citizens, but we have been programmed to think that is a bad thing. Taxes are paid to provide necessary benefits to the citizens.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
That is unfair. My mother suffered from cancer...she was never a burden. It is insane to suggest that people who are sick and need medical care are "burdens." If you are fortunate enough to have never faced a life altering medical condition or cared for someone who did - count yourself lucky.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
It should be raised. Of course, it would be necessary to hear from small businesses more so than larger corporations to find a compromise on a wage that would be helping the worker, but not hindering the employer.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
Agreed. However, the tax burden should not be shouldered on the middle class. Taxes should be paid by all - eliminating loopholes.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1. Signage that is unnecessary. 2. Building projects that do not benefit the public. 3. Using government equipment for personal use.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Neutral
I understand that there are people here illegally and undocumented. I also know that there are many people who are trying to do things the right way. Our immigration courts are backlogged. Churches have also been places that are considered "sanctuary" places for people who are seeking safety. If people are pursuing obtaining all legal documentation to be in this country - and can prove it - then I think allowing sanctuary cities to allow safety for those people during that process is fine.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Disagree
We need the Dept. of Education to continue funding to marginalized students. Pushing back to states creates a situation where education is NOT equal. Not every state has deep pockets like California or New York. That would put kids in poorer states (Mississippi, West Virginia and others) at a very real disadvantage. There also would be no consistency in curriculum for kids who may move to new states. It would fracture us further.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
Why would they be funding us anyhow? We are one of the richest countries in the world. The fact that we do NOT have the greatest education system in the world should tell you all you need to know. We CAN be at the top - but we have to be funded properly. Look at the educational spending of other countries - it is outrageous that the United States holds the education of its future in such low regard.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
It is SUPPOSED to be rehabilitation. I think we can ALL agree that rehabilitation doesn't not seem to be the outcome. Yes, there are plenty of people who learn from their mistakes and find a way to turn things around - but many do not. We need to find ways to increase education, addiction treatment, mental health counseling and actual rehabilitation of perpetrators and not just prepping them to come back into the system.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
I don't even think I need to explain a stance on this, absolutely. Parents should also be more vigilant about what their children are viewing on any device and also who they are communicating with online.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Agree
Why are people so fixated on Islam? The vast majority of Muslim people are kind and gracious people. Are there extremists - clearly. But the idea that we ever entertained Sharia Law into our government is ludicrous. My ancestors formed the legal framework of this country as a democracy.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
No one needs military grade weapons. I have no problem with basic personal protection, but high-powered rifles do not belong is civilian life.
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?
Moderate
We have been manipulated to choose sides. 20 years ago - it wasn't like this. Most people find themselves other places than extreme views. We have to shut out the noise and find our common footing again. The old adage of United, We Stand; Divided, We Fall has never rang more true.
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 - I find people who are felons should be disqualified from the political arena.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Disagree
This should be a combined effort. As a parent, I feel that I know my child best, but that does not make me qualified to make decisions regarding their healthcare. I entrust doctors and teachers to use their expertise to educate and keep my child healthy. As a teacher for 31 years, I know what works best for kids in classrooms. Parents, teachers and healthcare providers should work together for the good of their children.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Agree
Who is attempting to do this? Parents? The kids themselves?
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Disagree
Personal relationships have no place in government. Separation of church and state covers this.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Neutral
I would have to have more information on what this would mean. Casinos? Slot-car racing? Horse races?
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that people's spiritual beliefs are no one's business. Treating others as you would like to be treated and following the Constitution are my mantras.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
If the government is going to provide a photo ID for free, then ok. But if people are required to go and pay for an ID - that is not ok. Currently people can't even get an appointment at the DMV or are forced to stand in lines for hours to get renewals. This feels like a way to marginalize some people. I agree that IDs can eliminate people who may try and abuse their right to vote, but abuse of our voting laws happens in other ways too.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
Again, this depends on what exactly we are looking at.
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.
Neutral
As a teacher of 31 years, this was never an issue. Are there a few cases here and there? Yes, but the entire subject has been blown wildly out of proportion in an effort to scare people.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Agree
This is pure science and backed by facts. I stand with scientists.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Good question. It is going to be an investment, but fossil fuels are finite and wreaking havoc with the environment. Solar is great, but the numbers of batteries to implement this makes me cringe. Wind is also great optimal, but batteries again.
