Thomas James Monks

Thomas James Monks is the Democratic candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives, District 73, on the November 3, 2026 general‑election ballot. The state House is the lower chamber of the General Assembly, tasked with drafting and voting on state statutes, approving the budget, and representing the interests of constituents in their district. Monks will seek to replace incumbent Republican Jonathan Almond if elected ¹.

Monks is 32 years old and grew up in Florida before moving to North Carolina in 2007. He graduated from Sun Valley High School in Concord and earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication (with a focus on public relations) from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2015 ¹¹²⁰. He currently lives in Concord, where he has resided for a decade, and works as a Marketing Coordinator for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s School of Professional Studies ¹¹¹⁸.

Professionally, Monks has a blend of political and corporate experience. He began his career as a field organizer on a statewide political campaign in 2016, where he helped boost voter turnout in a challenging district. He later served as Director of Marketing for a small professional‑skincare company, building the brand’s marketing function from the ground up and launching an education series that increased sales by roughly 30% ¹¹. Most recently, he was Director of Marketing and Partnerships at Anna Lotan PRO USA, overseeing national campaigns and partnership development before moving into his current university role ²⁰.

Monks’ campaign platform emphasizes “people‑first” governance. He prioritizes affordable housing, robust funding for high‑quality public education, disaster preparedness, and secure voting systems. Additional issues he highlights include term limits, a $15 minimum wage, expanded health‑care access, senior‑care support, and tax policies that protect working families. He frames his approach around community‑based solutions, transparency, and accountability, arguing that government should listen before it legislates and work collaboratively across partisan lines ¹⁸¹⁹.

Endorsements for Monks include Bull City Anna, a progressive viewpoint group, and the Progressive Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party, reflecting his alignment with the state’s progressive wing ¹. Although he has no prior elected office, Monks argues that his lack of insider experience allows him to bring fresh perspectives and avoid special‑interest influence ¹¹¹⁹.

If elected, Monks says he will focus on building bridges between state and local governments, advocating for policies that keep housing, health care, and groceries affordable, and ensuring that public schools receive the resources needed to support teachers and students. He pledges to maintain a balanced budget while investing in essential public services and to empower local jurisdictions on issues like zoning and planning ¹⁹.

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