As voters in North Carolina House District 27 prepare for another important election, one question keeps echoing across our community: Why won’t Michael Wray debate Rodney Pierce?

Mr. Wray served in the General Assembly for 18 years before losing his seat to Rodney Pierce in the last election. Now he’s asking voters to send him back to Raleigh. That’s his right, but with that request comes a responsibility to face the public and answer questions openly. If he wants to reclaim a job he already lost, the least he can do is stand beside the man who defeated him and explain why voters should trust him again.

Rodney Pierce has already proven he can win the confidence of District 27. He has agreed to debate. He has shown up for constituents. He has demonstrated that he’s not afraid of public scrutiny. Meanwhile, Michael Wray refuses to take the stage. Why?

What does Michael Wray have to hide?  What is he afraid of?  

If he truly believes he is the “get it done” candidate, why can’t he get a simple debate done?

Debates are not political theater, they are a basic expectation in a functioning democracy. They give voters the chance to compare candidates directly, hear their priorities, and judge their readiness to lead. 

When a candidate refuses to debate, it sends a message, intentional or not, that they would rather avoid accountability than engage with the people they hope to represent.

District 27 deserves transparency. We deserve answers. And we deserve candidates who are willing to stand before us: not hide behind slogans and well-manicured campaigns.

If Michael Wray wants his old seat back, he should start by showing up and facing his constituents.

Ephraim Brodsky

Roanoke Rapids