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Janel Knight Trulear
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N.C. small business owners speak out on economic risks of weakening democracy ahead of  SCOTUS hearing on Moore v Harper

Eighty-nine percent of small business owners say a well-functioning democracy is very important to a strong small business economy, and 78% are very concerned with the current state of our democracy   

Dec. 1, 2022—North Carolina small business owners are voicing their concerns about the state of democracy, which they say is a pillar of a strong economy, ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court hearing of Moore v. Harper on Wednesday. 

The case deciding whether the North Carolina Legislature has the power to draw its district maps unconstrained by its own state constitution or the North Carolina Supreme Court has the potential to fundamentally reshape the system of representative government and checks and balances created by our founders. Allowing the majority political party in the state legislature to create highly gerrymandered districts and regulate federal elections free of any checks by other state-level actors would remove the accountability of elected officials to their constituents, including small business owners.

“Moore v Harper could make power-hungry politicians accountable only to their big money campaign donors,” said Jim Duffett, Director of Small Business for America’s Future North Carolina. “In practice, this means lawmakers in districts drawn to guarantee their re-election would pay no penalty for failing to address small business needs. Main Street’s large corporate competitors with deep pockets would command all the attention from politicians to the detriment of small business. We must ensure American democracy means all have equal voices.”

In a recent survey of the Small Business for America’s Future network, 89% of small business owners said a well-functioning democracy is very important to a strong small business economy, and 78% are very concerned with the current state of our democracy. 

Here’s what North Carolina small business leaders are saying about the threat Moore v Harper presents to our democracy and economy.

“Political stability allows economies, communities, and businesses like mine to thrive. The system of checks and balances in our government has provided the bedrock of political stability that makes it possible for businesses like mine to grow and prosper all across North Carolina and America. But in Moore, lawmakers are trying to secure absolute power for state legislatures to run federal elections, erasing checks and balances from the courts. This power grab is an attempt to manipulate our election system, and it is a threat to our democracy and our economy.”

Kenneth Fields
IT-HenHouse, Charlotte, N.C.

“The foundation of a strong economy is a strong democracy. My business relies on the stability of our democratic system to plan for the future. But Moore threatens to undermine that stability by eliminating checks and balances in our democracy. The consequences of Moore would be significant for our economy, and for small businesses like mine here in North Carolina and across the country.”

David Meeker
Trophy Brewing, Raleigh, N.C.

“I run a small business here in North Carolina, and my employees want to live in a state where elections are free and fair, and where they can make their voices heard. If the arguments made in Moore become law, our free and fair elections will be at risk, and I worry that my workforce may look to relocate to a place where their votes and voices are heard and respected.”

Sam Ratto
Videri Chocolate Factory, Raleigh, N.C. 

“Business owners like me are coming together to put people over politics. Right now, Moore threatens to give politicians unprecedented unilateral power over our shared future. We have to stand up and make our voices heard to protect our democracy and our economy.” 



CJ Scarlet
CJ Scarlet, LLC, Clayton, N.C.

To request an interview with a small business owner or SBAF North Carolina Director Jim Duffett, contact Janel Knight Trulear at (617) 875-6581 or janel@emccommunications.com. 

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About Small Business for America’s Future
Small Business for America’s Future is a national coalition of small business owners and leaders working to provide small businesses a voice at every level of government. We’re committed to ensuring policymakers prioritize the nation’s 30 million small businesses to create an economy that works for them, their workers and their communities. Visit www.smallbusinessforamericasfuture.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. #SmallBizAF.