{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Joseph Perrotta","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Joseph Paul Perrotta is the Republican candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives in District 60 in the 2026 general election.  The North Carolina House is a 120\u2011member lower chamber that meets in Raleigh, enacts state statutes, adopts the budget, and provides oversight of state agencies.  Members serve two\u2011year terms, must be at least 21 years old, and are expected to represent the interests of their district\u2019s residents through legislation, committee work, and constituent services [1].\n\nPerrotta was born in Bristol, Connecticut, and earned an associate degree from Guilford Technical Community College in 2010.  After completing his studies he worked as a caregiver, a role that involved providing personal assistance and support to individuals in need [1].\n\nHis political experience includes two recent campaigns for the same House seat.  In the 2024 election, Perrotta challenged incumbent Democrat Cecil Brockman and received 36.8% of the vote, losing the race [1].  Undeterred, he entered the 2026 contest, where the Republican primary scheduled for March 3, 2026, was cancelled, allowing him to advance automatically to the general election ballot opposite incumbent Democrat Amanda Cook [1].  The 2026 race will determine who represents District 60, which encompasses parts of Wake County, in the state legislature.\n\nPerrotta\u2019s campaign platform has not been detailed in the sources provided, but his background as a caregiver suggests an emphasis on health\u2011care and senior services.  His education at a community college aligns with a focus on affordable higher\u2011education opportunities.  As a repeat candidate, he brings prior campaign experience and familiarity with the district\u2019s electorate.\n\nIf elected, Perrotta would be responsible for drafting and voting on legislation affecting North Carolina\u2019s education system, economy, public safety, and infrastructure, as well as serving on legislative committees that shape policy in specific areas.  He would also be expected to maintain an office in the district to address constituent concerns and facilitate communication between residents and the state government [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Joseph Perrotta - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Joseph_Perrotta)\n- [13] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [17] [Joseph Perrotta (@Perrotta4NC) / X](https://x.com/perrotta4nc?lang=en)","firstname":"Joseph","lastname":"Perrotta","middlename":"Paul","suffix":null,"token":"e269605e7b2c4e8c"},"token":"lcLKMv7tVS"},{"candidatename":"Amanda Cook","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Amanda Parsons Cook is the incumbent Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District\u202f60 and is seeking re\u2011election in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election\u202f[1][6]. She was appointed to the seat on November\u202f18,\u202f2025 by Governor Josh Stein after the resignation of Cecil Brockman, and she officially began her term that same day\u202f[1][6]. Cook\u2019s current legislative term runs until January\u202f1,\u202f2027\u202f[1].\n\nBorn on November\u202f2,\u202f1982, Cook earned a Bachelor of Arts in dance education with a minor in communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2008 and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction and Teacher Leadership from Gardner\u2011Webb University in July\u202f2021\u202f[8][14].\n\nCook spent more than a decade as a classroom teacher. From 2008 to 2017 she taught dance for Winston\u2011Salem/Forsyth County Schools, then moved to Guilford County Schools where she taught at Southwest Guilford High School from 2017 to 2021, eventually serving as department chair and coach of several extracurricular teams\u202f[14][8]. In 2020 she founded The Teacher\u2019s Edge, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides professional development and leadership resources for public\u2011school educators\u202f[14][8].\n\nHer first foray into elected office was a 2022 campaign for the Guilford County School Board (District\u202f2), where she was defeated by Republican Chrissy Pratt\u202f[1][8]. In November\u202f2023 she won an at\u2011large seat on the High Point City Council, placing second with 26.3\u202f% of the vote\u202f[8][14]. While on council she served on the Community Development, Transparency\u2011Engagement\u2011Communication, and several advisory boards, and she championed initiatives such as expanding childcare options, solar integration for residents, and increased arts funding\u202f[14][19].\n\nSince joining the General Assembly, Cook has said education will be a top priority, advocating for a comprehensive state budget and teacher salary increases\u202f[19]. She has also pledged to address healthcare funding, including support for Medicaid budget shortfalls\u202f[19]. Her legislative office lists her occupation as Founder of The Teacher\u2019s Edge\u202f[6].\n\nIn the 2026 election cycle, Cook advanced from the Democratic primary with 42.5\u202f% of the vote, defeating three intra\u2011party challengers\u202f[1]. She will face Republican Joseph Perrotta in the November general election\u202f[1]. Endorsements for her 2026 campaign include State Rep. Tracy Clark, the Carolina Federation PAC, the Center for Freethought Equality, and Work\u202fFor\u202fDemocracy\u202f[1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Amanda Cook (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amanda_Cook_(North_Carolina))\n- [6] [Representative Amanda P. Cook - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/1002)\n- [8] [Amanda Cook (politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Cook_(politician))\n- [9] [Vote Amanda Cook - NC House 60](https://voteamandacook.com/)\n- [13] [Amanda Cook - Run For Something](https://directory.runforsomething.net/candidate/2842/cook-amanda/)\n- [14] [Vote Amanda Cook - High Point, City Council](https://voteamandacook.com/about-amanda-cook-1)\n- [16] [Contact Amanda - Vote Amanda Cook](https://voteamandacook.com/contact-us)\n- [18] [Vote Amanda Cook for NC House](https://www.facebook.com/VoteAmandaCook/posts/im-amanda-cook-and-im-thrilled-to-announce-my-run-for-nc-house-district-60-its-t/638730728775446/)\n- [19] [High Point city councilwoman to replace Brockman in NC House \u2022 NC Newsline](https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/high-point-city-councilwoman-to-replace-brockman-in-nc-house/)\n- [20] [Cook to challenge Brockman | News | hpenews.com](https://www.hpenews.com/news/cook-to-challenge-brockman/article_3d8cdbb0-2fd0-522a-85dd-a795d27d3f28.html)","firstname":"Amanda","lastname":"Cook","middlename":"Parsons","suffix":null,"token":"6672faca40de4d28"},"token":"TJH0P5g2Lr"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house","office":"state_house","officedescription":"The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the state legislature, with 99 members elected from single-member districts to two-year terms. Representatives pass state laws, originate revenue bills, approve the state budget, and \u2014 with the Senate \u2014 confirm gubernatorial appointments and propose constitutional amendments.","officequalities":"- **Integrity** \u2014 Acts in the interest of constituents and the public good rather than for personal gain, and remains independent of undue influence from donors, lobbyists, and party leadership.\n- **Understanding of the constituency** \u2014 Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents \u2014 safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.\n- **Persuasion** \u2014 Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.\n- **Legislative craft** \u2014 Reads, drafts, and amends statute with care. Understands how specific bill language translates to outcomes, and knows the body of law being modified.\n- **Coalition-building** \u2014 Finds common ground across partisan and factional lines, brokers compromises that hold, and forms working majorities even when consensus is hard to reach.","officeterm":2,"officetitle":"State Representative","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 060"}