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The Nov. 3, 2026, election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 21 features candidates Bryson Johnson and Ya Liu, the incumbent. The News & Observer asked all candidates in this race to complete a questionnaire to inform voters about their opinions on big issues facing voters.
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Political party: Republican
Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 44
Campaign website: www.brysonfornc.com
Current occupation: Cybersecurity engineer and business owner
Professional experience: Bryson Johnson is a business owner, cybersecurity professional, author, and community leader with more than 20 years of experience in business, technology, and leadership. He has extensive experience in cybersecurity, governance, risk, compliance, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and government environments. For over 20 years, he and his wife have also operated Johnson’s Martial Arts, mentoring thousands of children and adults in leadership and self-defense.
Education: Masters Cybersecurity, Bachelors Computer Science, Certified Ethical Hacker, CISSP
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Bryson has supported charities for over 20 years in District 21, including Habitat for Humanity, Sewa International, Special Olympics, Diaper Bank NC and more.
What do you see as the most important issue that you would have control over if you win, and what is your position on it?: I am running for more than legislation. One of the most important things I can directly control is how I lead and represent the people of District 21. I am running against political rhetoric, blame-shifting, dug-in partisanship, and hypocrisy. I look forward to bringing forth real and refreshing leadership to an electorate that has become jaded, uninterested and plain fed-up with dirty politics as usual.
Name one area where you disagree with your own party, and why.: Yes. I believe North Carolina should pass a state budget every single year. We cannot ask local governments and families to live within their means while failing to put our own priorities and spending on paper. I also support reasonable cost-of-living raises for public employees, including our teachers. Fiscal responsibility and supporting the people who serve our communities should not be partisan issues.
If a constitutional amendment passes, the 2027 General Assembly will decide how to limit local property tax increases. What is your position?: I support the amendment because we cannot maintain our current property-tax trajectory. Over the last decade, our property taxes have doubled. Something has to change. We must rein in waste, fraud, and abuse, control unnecessary spending, and require government to live within its means — just as North Carolina families and businesses are expected to do every day.
Should the General Assembly help fund a Major League Baseball stadium in NC, and if so, where?: I would consider funding for a baseball stadium in Raleigh, but any investment must demonstrate a clear benefit to taxpayers. A major sports venue could bring significant spending into our region, benefiting local restaurants, hotels, attractions, retail businesses, and workers. I would evaluate the economic impact, funding structure, and taxpayer protections before committing public dollars.
How should the state regulate hemp and marijuana?: I do not support legalizing recreational marijuana in North Carolina. We should learn from the experiences of states that have already legalized it before making a decision that is difficult to reverse. I support reasonable regulation of legal hemp products, particularly to keep intoxicating products out of the hands of minors.
Should there be a state law about data centers, and what should it be?: Yes. I support data center development, but with strong safeguards. Data centers must be self-sufficient in meeting their power demands so residents do not bear the burden. State law should establish acceptable decibel levels at nearby homes. Facilities must also have an abundant, sustainable water source that does not negatively impact residents. We can welcome technology and jobs while protecting our communities.
Do you think the economy is getting better or worse in your district, and how?: District 21 is faring well compared with many areas of the state and country. However, after two terms, our current representative has not done enough to attract new business and secure our fair share of state tax revenue. One of my priorities is to change that. I will work to bring responsible business investment, good-paying jobs, and more of our tax dollars back to District 21 to support our growing communities.
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Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: No
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 46
Campaign website: www.yaliu4nc.com
Current occupation: Small business owner and attorney
Professional experience: I worked as a research assistant in medical sociology and aging during graduate studies and was a faculty member at Duke Law School. I am a proud small business owner and have served thousands of North Carolinians in the triangle and across the state.
Education: Ph.D. and J.D.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: I served on the Cary Town Council for three years and have been a longtime community organizer for civic engagement.
What do you see as the most important issue that you would have control over if you win, and what is your position on it?: Strong education, a strong economy, and access to quality healthcare are my top priorities. One policy issue I have been working on is homeowners association reform and protecting homeowners’ rights. Not only in my district but districts all over the state have we seen an overreach of property rights on homeowners by some HOAs. I will continue working on practical solutions that protect homeowners while recognizing that many HOAs can play an important role in maintaining communities.
Name one area where you disagree with your own party, and why.: The Democratic Party is a big-tent party that respects different viewpoints. We don’t always vote the same way. Many of us are both pro-worker and pro-business. We want to strike a balance between paying workers a fair wage and making sure businesses can thrive in a business-friendly environment that encourages growth and innovation.
If a constitutional amendment passes, the 2027 General Assembly will decide how to limit local property tax increases. What is your position?: I fully support and respect the will of the voters. However, many municipalities from rural and metropolitan areas rely heavily on property tax. It is, in most cases, their largest form of revenue. If they lose a large portion of that revenue, we could potentially see the loss in the quality of public services for first responders, waste management, and basic infrastructure.
Should the General Assembly help fund a Major League Baseball stadium in NC, and if so, where?: A baseball team should be possible for the city of Raleigh, but it certainly shouldn’t be fully funded by state dollars. We have a responsibility to make sure Major League Baseball isn’t a bad deal for North Carolina and that the state can see a responsible return on investment if we decide to invest money into the sports industry. A professional sports team costs billions to create, and we don’t need taxpayers footing a majority of that bill.
How should the state regulate hemp and marijuana?: I’ve always supported the medical use and regulation of medicinal marijuana in North Carolina. Hemp is a large industry, one where we rank high in the country. This needs to be a point of emphasis in our economy and investment.
Should there be a state law about data centers, and what should it be?: Yes. Supporting data centers is important for us as a nation to maintain its competitive edge. However, we need to recognize the importance of putting a lot of control and restrictions on data centers about energy and water usage and making sure the communities around them are not adversely impacted.
Do you think the economy is getting better or worse in your district, and how?: There are a lot of great things coming to the Western Wake area to support the idea that investment and job opportunities are increasing. With the introduction of the Apex Children’s Hospital, we are expecting over 8,000 new jobs. However, we are witnessing the rapidly rising costs in gas, groceries, healthcare, and housing. Hardworking families are struggling with inflation. I am committed to finding practical and long-term solutions to address the affordability issues.
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Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: No.