By Gary J. Salamido, President & CEO, NC Chamber

When we launched How They Voted more than a decade ago, our goal was clear: show North Carolina employers which legislators stand with the pro-growth, jobs-focused agenda they helped create.

The NC Chamber’s charge is to influence policy so businesses can grow, innovate, hire, and reinvest in their communities. But employers also need clarity on a fundamental question: Are their elected officials voting in alignment with the policies that drive competitiveness and economic opportunity?

How They Voted gives them that answer. It is the business community’s scorecard—built by job creators, grounded in real votes, and focused solely on the policies that move North Carolina forward.

A Tool Built for Job Creators — Not Politics

How They Voted evaluates lawmakers based strictly on their support for the NC Chamber’s Legislative Agenda, shaped annually by employers across every industry and region of the state.

It measures whether legislators supported:

• Workforce and talent development pipelines
• A competitive tax and regulatory climate
• Strong, reliable infrastructure
• A fair, predictable legal environment
• Efficient, transparent rulemaking
• Policies that allow businesses to expand, compete, and create jobs

Every scored bill is tied directly to what employers identify as critical to long-term competitiveness.

Why Business Engagement in Politics Isn’t Optional

Public policy shapes everything about the operating environment for North Carolina companies:

• The cost and complexity of hiring
• Tax predictability
• Infrastructure reliability
• The speed of project approvals
• Legal and regulatory certainty
• The strength of our workforce pipelines

These decisions determine whether employers can keep investing in their people and communities.

This is why we urge business leaders to stay engaged. When employers speak up, policymakers understand what it truly takes to compete—and North Carolina wins.

How They Voted ensures that engagement is informed, strategic, and grounded in facts.

What Sets How They Voted Apart

There are a lot of scorecards out there, but this one is different.

• It evaluates only what matters to job creators. No ideology. No political games. No personal opinions. If a vote affects competitiveness and the full House and Senate have an opportunity to vote on it, we score it. If it doesn’t, we don’t.
• It is objective and transparent. Votes are measured exactly as they occurred. No bonus points. No personality factors. Action is the metric.
• It reflects the full ecosystem that drives growth. Child care capacity, energy reliability, transportation funding, tax policy, barriers to housing, regulatory certainty—How They Voted captures the real-world issues employers face.
• It is built by and for North Carolina business. The business community sets the agenda. How They Voted shows who supported it.

Accountability Builds Competitiveness

North Carolina’s economic success has been decades in the making. It happened because employers engaged, policymakers listened, and sound policy followed. But staying competitive requires vigilance.

How They Voted provides the accountability needed to keep North Carolina moving forward. It empowers job creators and strengthens the public-private partnership at the heart of our state’s success.

Looking Ahead — And a Call to Action

As we continue to advocate for policies that strengthen our workforce, modernize our infrastructure, and expand economic opportunity, How They Voted will remain a cornerstone of our work.

But advocacy alone isn’t enough.

The NC Chamber actively engages in efforts to support candidates who support pro-business policies.If you want to learn how to get involved, or how your business can support Jobs Champions at the ballot box, email Jake Cashion.

North Carolina’s economy is strong because its business community is strong. Stay engaged. Stay informed. And stay involved.

Together, we will keep North Carolina competitive as the best place to live, work, and do business.