Mike Ross (North Carolina)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Mike Ross

Libertarian Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

University of Phoenix, 2009

Personal

Birthplace

Florida

Religion

Christian

Profession

Financial Advisor

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

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Mike Ross (Libertarian Party) ran for election for Governor of North Carolina. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Ross completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Mike Ross was born in Florida. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix in 2009. His career experience includes working as a certified financial planner. He also began his own business in 2018.

Elections

2024

See also: North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2024

General election

General election for Governor of North Carolina

Josh Stein defeated Mark K. Robinson, Mike Ross, Vinny Smith, and Wayne Turner in the general election for Governor of North Carolina on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Josh Stein (D)	54.9	3,069,496
		Mark K. Robinson (R)	40.1	2,241,309
		Mike Ross (L)	3.2	176,392
		Vinny Smith (Constitution Party)	1.0	54,738
		Wayne Turner (G)	0.9	49,612

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,591,547
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Gordon Ward (Independent)
• Donte McCorey Sr. (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of North Carolina

Josh Stein defeated Michael R. Morgan, Chrelle Booker, Marcus Williams, and Gary Foxx in the Democratic primary for Governor of North Carolina on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Josh Stein	69.6	479,026
		Michael R. Morgan	14.3	98,627
		Chrelle Booker	6.7	46,045
		Marcus Williams	5.7	39,257
		Gary Foxx	3.7	25,283

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 688,238
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of North Carolina

Mark K. Robinson defeated Dale Folwell and Bill Graham in the Republican primary for Governor of North Carolina on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark K. Robinson	64.8	666,504
		Dale Folwell	19.2	196,955
		Bill Graham	16.0	164,572

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,028,031
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Andy Wells (R)
• Jesse Thomas (R)
• Mark Walker (R)

Green primary election

The Green primary election was canceled. Wayne Turner advanced from the Green primary for Governor of North Carolina.

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for Governor of North Carolina

Mike Ross defeated Shannon Bray in the Libertarian primary for Governor of North Carolina on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Ross	59.4	2,910
		Shannon Bray	40.6	1,985

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,895
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

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Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ross in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Mike Ross completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ross' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Mike Ross and I’m running for Governor of North Carolina. I’ve lived in Charlotte for more than two decades with my wife of 18 years and our son. I obtained degrees in business and finance before being a certified financial planner. After getting my start in tech, I began working in the corporate sector in the early 2000’s until leaving to start “My Money” in 2018 to help provide quality financial advice to people of all economic backgrounds. While running for Governor, I’ve put my business on hold so I can focus on sharing my message with the voters of North Carolina.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• 1. We want to “Fire the Uniparty”- The “lesser of two evils” argument is leaving us with poor leadership and the inability to control what’s best for us, financially and through our life’s pursuits.
• 2. We are pushing for a transparent and accountable government. One that works for the people instead of simply taking from us without solving problems efficiently and effectively.
• 3. Consideration of a truly free market for education: Our systems are failing us, but worse, they are failing our children. Parents must determine the best route for their child/children and teachers must be allowed to teach without impossible bureaucratic barriers to their success.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

A free-market education system

Protecting both the police AND the public
Prosperity for North Carolinians
Governmental transparency

Restoring integrity and leadership to government

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Dr. Ron Paul: Former presidential candidate and four term US representative from Texas. He told the truth despite being in political office, whether it be popular or unpopular. Ron Paul warned us consistently that the continued growth of government and it’s crushing associated debt would lead to the inflation we are dealing with today. He stood against the war of drugs, mass surveillance, and our aggressive involvement in foreign wars.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt. I share copies of this at my events.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

As I've previously mentioned, honesty is incredibly important.
Elected officials should also trust the people to make their own choices. They should allow the individuals of North Carolina to have the most control of their money, time, and resources because this will lead to greater successes for all. Our citizens and the communities they live in should determine what’s best for them, not out of touch leaders, who put barriers in the way.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

The ability to critically think things through and make informed decisions. I hope my integrity shows when I speak about the issues that concern me, and I promise to remain principled when sharing my message throughout this state.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To inspire and encourage the citizens of North Carolina to recognize their potential as parents, community leaders, workers, and citizens.

To be decisive and accountable.

To understand our state’s challenges, adjust accordingly, and to promote the uniqueness and unlimited potential of North Carolina.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would love to show North Carolinians that our political options are as diverse as our people, and that just two political parties would be inefficient for effectively solving our everyday problems and anxieties. I would love to leave the legacy that there are other options than the uniparty. Voting for the lesser of two evils has led us to where we are.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

When the Challenger blew up in 1986. I was three and a half, and can recall my mom crying.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was Novel to NT upgrades before Y2K.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

- The ability to pardon for unjust laws.

- Holding to principles and GA accountability

- The power of appointment. It’s incredible important to choose people that are not in debt to lobbyists.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

I'd put forward a budget that is efficient with every single dollar of taxpayer money that doesn't include "pork" or special interests. It is necessary to consider and speak out about potential waste and accountability for strengthened fiscal responsibility.

What do you love most about your state?

It’s always the people.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Growth: Managing its impact on housing, roads, environment, schools and child care.
Inflation: The federal government makes it challenging for NC to thrive when the power of our dollar is continuously under assault.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The Classical Liberal Caucus, Spike Cohen, Joe Garcia, Dr. Mary Ruwart, Feena Bonoan for US Senate

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

This is one of the most important issues to me. Every bill that the legislature passes my way will become available for public comment on a timeline of one day for EACH page of the bill. If not, it will be vetoed outright. No bills that violate any fundamental right will be accepted. Our state should be governed by the consent of the public. It is time for the uniparty to SEEK that consent.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Ross’s campaign website stated the following:

“	TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE Every bill the legislature passes must be available for public comment one day for each page of the bill (standard font size and page length required) or the Governor will veto the bill outright. If a bill attempts to violate the fundamental rights of North Carolinians, the Governor will veto the bill. We are supposed to be governed by consent of the public, and it is time for the Uniparty to actually seek it! FREE MARKET EDUCATION If we must have tax revenue fund education then we also must eliminate any state interest or influence on what teachers are forced to teach, and leave that to parents to decide. Every child deserves a quality education that serves as preparation for adulthood. The state will wind down the current monopoly on education, and replace it with a 100% equitable distribution of all education money among the students. Lottery money will no longer be an offset of the budget but will be distributed on a per-student basis to all schools, home schools, micro-schools, or any new free market solutions that meet competency requirements by grade. Schools may choose their own curriculum and parents may choose whatever solution works best for their children. Letting the free market determine the best way to effectively use education to ensure every child is prepared for adulthood. The competencies will only be for additional money. 1-8 grade: reading, math, history, ecology (gardening and composting). 9-12: math, reading, science, basic home and auto, finance (bank accounts, loans, risk, credit cards, etc.). PROTECT THE POLICE, PROTECT THE PUBLIC Protect the Police – Minimum entry-level police salary of 50k, 20% immediate across-the-board salary increase, Four weeks starting / minimum paid vacation, Full psychological support, Mentorship programs, Stop asking cops to risk their lives over victimless crimes Reward good officers who selflessly serve and protect Protect the Public – End qualified immunity and stop forcing the public to pay for bad police work, Police records travel between jobs, Minimum 1-year training + 6 months probationary period, End no knock warrants, End civil asset forfeiture, End military weapon purchases, Civilian review boards, Body camera transparency, Required annual independent mental health evaluation, PEACE THROUGH PROSPERITY End the countless layers of taxation that hinder the economic prosperity of North Carolinians. We will immediately stop interfering in the free market with revenue generating schemes that unfairly favor some over others. We understand that a prosperous North Carolina is the best way to encourage a peaceful and tolerant society. THE ENVIRONMENT We recognize the importance of being good stewards of our beautiful planet and preserving it for generations to come. We see no need for arbitrary, draconian regulatory limits that do nothing to improve the air or water but create prohibitive barriers of entry for potentially innovative new clean technologies. In particular, since the federal government has asserted itself in this arena aggressively, we see no need to do anything with things like emissions limits. Instead, we will protect NC beaches, wetlands, mountains and farmland from nefarious corporate and international parties who have no incentive to protect our state. We will also create an economic environment where innovative free market solutions that help the environment can thrive. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES We have no interest in telling people how to live, and we want to protect our police by not asking them to risk their lives over victimless crimes. We would not oppose local ordinances that stipulate monetary fines for smell or public intoxication, should a locality choose. We do not recognize the government’s right to tell you what you can and cannot ingest into your own body. HEALTHCARE This is another area where government interference stifles the free market’s ability to meet society’s needs. The government must be removed from the doctor-patient relationship. We will end unnecessary regulations and endless bureaucracy that drives up healthcare costs and results in subpar outcomes. Ending certificate of need, ending prescription import restrictions, and requiring medical billing transparency are essential to freeing the market to better serve North Carolinians.	”
—Mike Ross’s campaign website (2024)

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Mike Ross campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Governor of North Carolina	Lost general	$9,076	$9,245
Grand total			$9,076	$9,245
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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