Politics gets real when it touches the streets you drive, the schools your kids sit in, and the bills that show up every month. That’s why we sat down with NC Senate District 17 Republican candidate Shirley Johnson for a wide-ranging, specific conversation focused on Southern Wake County communities like Holly Springs and Apex, plus the fast-changing edge of Raleigh. We start with why she’s running and the experiences she says prepare her to lead on day one, then move straight into public safety and the justice system. She explains why she sees enforcement and accountability as a key leverage point, and how her work around human trafficking shapes her view of victim services and stronger penalties for offenders. From there, we get practical about growth: roads, infrastructure planning, whether the state is keeping pace, and when partnering with the federal government can help close the gap without dumping costs onto local taxpayers. Next, we tackle issues that are driving intense local debate: data centers, energy demand, rising utility rates, noise, and the bigger question of who should have authority when a project impacts a town’s quality of life. We also talk housing affordability and property taxes, including seniors feeling squeezed and working families struggling to buy into a market shaped by corporate investors. Finally, we spend time on public education, school choice, the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship, and what “fixing public schools” looks like in concrete terms, including admin overhead, classroom conditions, teacher support, and student proficiency. You’ll also hear key reminders for the 2026 election, including early voting dates, registration rules, and why checking your sample ballot matters. If this helps you get clearer on your vote, subscribe, share the episode with a neighbor, and leave a review so more voters can find these candidate conversations. Shirley Johnson: Campaign Finance Report Facebook/Instagram/TikTok ShirleyJohnson4SD17@gmail.com 984-284-0068 Voter Information (Register, Am I Registered?, Election Information) Voter Info (Designated Polling Places, Sample Ballots, Registration Status, Voting Jurisdiction, Verify Address and Party Affiliation) Election Information (Absentee by Mail Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting) Closest Early Voting Locations - October 15-31 WE Hunt Recreation Center-Holly Springs Hilltop Needmore Town Park Clubhouse-Fuquay Varina Beech Bluff County Park Wake Tech-Southern Campus ELECTION DAY Tuesday, November 3 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM Support the show As always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated. Now, let's dive in!
