Get to know N.C. Senate Republican Candidate Kevin Crutchfield

The former state representative and small business owner says affordability and accountability should guide state policy.

Kevin Crutchfield. Photo courtesy of Kevin Crutchfield.

Kevin Crutchfield is one of two Republicans running in the primary for N.C. Senate District 34. Here are his answers to questions from The Cabarrus Compass.

1. Please tell us about your background and your connection to the district you are seeking to represent. How long have you lived in the district?

I have lived in Cabarrus County for almost 45 years. We moved here in 1981, to work for IBM, and I have never looked back. My wife, Cheryl, and I raised our three sons here, and today our family includes three daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren - all who call Cabarrus County home.

I spent 15 years at IBM before building businesses in Cabarrus County, including Casco Signs, founded in 1998, which has grown, employing over 50 employees in the community, serving clients across North Carolina. I have also invested locally through other small business ventures and community service because this district is where my family works, worships, serves, and plans to stay.

2. What accomplishments or efforts during your time in office are you most proud of?

I ran because the people of District 34 deserve a voice and a choice. The current senator was appointed by a small group of vindictive Republicans, not elected by the more than 220,000 constituents in this district. Representation should come from voters, not behind closed doors.

During my time in the North Carolina House, I delivered results. I helped pass balanced budgets, supported responsible tax relief, invested in workforce development, and backed legislation that strengthened public safety and protected families. I am running for the Senate to bring back tangible results for the people of Cabarrus County and North Carolina.

3. What personal, professional, or civic experiences do you believe best prepare you to serve as a state legislator?

I bring decades of private sector, civic, and legislative experience to public service. I spent nearly 20 years at IBM in engineering, procurement, and software roles, gaining experience with complex systems, budgeting, and accountability.

My wife, Cheryl, and I founded and led multiple small businesses in Cabarrus County, including Casco Signs, which employs about 50 full-time workers. As a business owner, I manage payroll, compliance, supply chains, and growth, giving me a practical understanding of how state policy affects jobs and local economies.

I have been active in the Cabarrus County community, serving on workforce, education, tourism, and industry boards, coaching youth athletics, and donating services to local nonprofits focused on housing, health care, hunger relief, and community support.

In the General Assembly, I served as State Representative for District 83 and was elected Freshman Majority Leader. I helped pass balanced budgets, served as a budget conferee, founded and co-chaired the House Small Business Caucus, and worked on economic development and manufacturing policy. I have been recognized by business, public safety, and community organizations for effective, results focused leadership.

4. What distinguishes you from your opponent(s), and why do you believe you are the most qualified candidate for this seat?

I bring decades of private sector leadership, deep community roots, and a proven legislative record. I have built businesses in this district, created jobs, met payroll, and navigated regulations, giving me firsthand insight into how policy affects working families and employers.

In the General Assembly, I did not just serve, I led. As Freshman Majority Leader, I helped pass balanced budgets, championed historic Anti-Human Trafficking legislation, and co-chaired the House Small Business and Economic Development Manufacturing Caucus. I focused on policies that grow jobs, strengthen manufacturing and public safety, and recognize the real cost of living facing North Carolina families by prioritizing fiscal discipline and responsible tax relief so residents can keep more of what they earn.

I am rooted in this district. My family lives, works, and attends school here. I believe representation is earned through results, not titles or appointments. I am the most qualified candidate because I know what it means, to go to work hard every day to provide for my family. I have proven I will bring back results from Raleigh, and I am committed to delivering for the people of this district.

5. In your view, what are the most significant issues currently impacting residents of your district, and why?

Affordability is the number-one issue in Cabarrus County. We’re growing fast, but families are getting squeezed. Every decision should pass the kitchen-table test: lower taxes, less red tape, and policies that grow paychecks. And as we grow, we must keep up with roads, schools, and infrastructure — so families aren’t paying more for a government that’s falling behind.

6. If elected, how do you believe you can most effectively advocate for your district’s needs in Raleigh?

I believe the most effective advocacy starts with being accessible and responsive to the people I represent. I make it a priority to listen to constituents, local officials, small businesses, and community organizations, and to help them navigate state government when issues arise.

In Raleigh, I follow through by turning those concerns into action, whether that means resolving agency issues, securing budget priorities, or advancing legislation that addresses local needs. My legislative experience and relationships allow me to move issues forward and deliver results. Advocacy is not just about casting votes. It is about showing up, responding, and making sure this district’s voice is heard every day.

7. What should be the top legislative priorities for North Carolina over the next two years, and where does your district fit into those priorities?

North Carolina’s top priorities over the next two years should be lowering the cost of living, maintaining fiscal discipline, strengthening public safety, and supporting job growth. Families are feeling the pressure of higher housing, energy, and grocery costs, and the state must continue passing responsible budgets that keep taxes low while funding core services.

8. How do you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to invest in public services such as education, infrastructure, and public safety?

I believe fiscal responsibility must be balanced, transparent, and accountable. As a small business owner, I know that if I ran my business the way some state leaders approach budgeting, it would fail. Spending without discipline and long-term planning is not sustainable.

In the General Assembly, I attended every budget meeting, making and passing balanced budgets that prioritizes education, infrastructure, and public safety while keeping taxes in check. I evaluate every spending decision the same way I do in business by asking whether it is necessary, effective, and sustainable. State government should be held to the same standards as the families and businesses that fund it.

9. What role should state government play versus local government, and are there areas where you believe local communities need more control?

State government should set clear standards, protect taxpayers, and ensure fairness across North Carolina, while supporting the local government’s ability to have flexibility to address the unique needs of their communities. Decisions are often best made closest to the people affected, and Raleigh should avoid one-size-fits-all mandates.

The state’s role should be to support local governments with resources and accountability, not to micromanage. A strong partnership between state and local government leads to better outcomes, lower costs, and solutions that reflect the priorities of the people who live and work in each community.

10. Cabarrus County continues to experience rapid growth. What steps should the state take to help fast-growing communities manage growth while maintaining quality of life?

Rapid growth brings opportunity, but it also puts pressure on infrastructure, schools, and public safety. The state’s role should be to help fast-growing communities like Cabarrus County keep pace without sacrificing quality of life or raising taxes. I have advocated for funding NC Pre-K based on projected growth, not just past enrollment. For a rapidly growing community like ours, we must implement proactive policies to meet our citizens’ needs when they occur.

Growth should be guided by smart planning and disciplined budgeting, not unfunded mandates or higher taxes on families. When the state works with local leaders and focuses on practical, results-driven solutions, communities can grow in a way that strengthens quality of life while keeping residents safe and costs under control.

11. How do you plan to engage with constituents and remain accessible to residents throughout your term, not just during election season?

I believe accessibility and showing up for the community are core responsibilities of public service. Long before I was elected, I served on various local boards and in community leadership roles, and I continued that work after leaving office. That commitment will never change.

It is critical to continually be engaging with constituents, listening to concerns, and addressing issues large and small. I also keep residents informed through social media, press releases, and direct communication so they understand what is happening in Raleigh. No one should be ignored by their elected representative, regardless of the issue or the constituent’s party affiliation.

12. At the end of your first term, what outcomes would you point to as evidence that you have been an effective representative for the district?

My record speaks for itself and has not been duplicated since my last term in office. I put people over politics and delivered real results for the district. I helped pass a balanced budget that increased wages, lowered taxes, and secured more than $185 million in direct funding for local priorities.

I am proud to have helped pass one of the most comprehensive pro-life laws in North Carolina’s history because I believe every life has value. I also passed public safety legislation that gave district attorneys stronger tools to convict criminals and championed landmark anti-human trafficking legislation that made North Carolina the second state in the nation to make solicitation a felony instead of a misdemeanor.