State Superintendent Mark Johnson is running for lieutenant governor in 2020.The lieutenant governor presides over Senate debate and is a member of the State Board of Education. 

 

Johnson said “change is needed in Raleigh as more of the same is not working.” He becomes at least the 13th announced candidate who is hoping to replace Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who is unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Forest is running for governor.

 

“North Carolina deserves a leader who will fight to make all government more accountable, more efficient, and more transparent,” Johnson said in his campaign announcement. “That’s why today I am declaring my candidacy for Lt. Governor of North Carolina. 

“I’ve seen first-hand how bad state government can be. I’ve already been in the trenches fighting the deep state in state bureaucracy.”

 

The candidates who’ve begun campaigns for lieutenant governor include:

▪ State Rep. Yvonne Holley, a Raleigh Democrat in her fourth term.

▪ State Sen. Terry Van Duyn, an Asheville Democrat who has been a member of the legislature since 2014.

▪ Hoke County Commissioner Allen Thomas, a Democrat.

▪ Bill Toole, a Charlotte lawyer and a former chairman of the Gaston County Democratic Party.

▪ State Rep. Chaz Beasley, a Charlotte Democrat serving his second term.

▪ Buddy Bengel, a New Bern Republican. Bengel is a businessman and owner of the Morehead City Marlins baseball team.

▪ Former U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers, a Dunn Republican. Ellmers served three terms in Congress before losing a GOP primary in 2016.

▪ Deborah Cochran, a former Mount Airy mayor and a Republican who is currently a high school business teacher.

▪ Former state Rep. Scott Stone, a Mecklenburg County Republican.

▪ Mark Robinson, a Republican from Greensboro.

▪ Greg Gebhardt, a Holly Springs Republican and North Carolina National Guard soldier.

▪ State Sen. Andy Wells, a Hickory Republican,

 

The governor and lieutenant governor don’t run as a ticket in North Carolina.