Local Limelight with Wake County Rep. Mike Schietzelt
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Photo illustration: Axios Visuals; Photo: Courtesy of North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina state Rep. Mike Schietzelt is one of just two Republicans who represent Wake County in the General Assembly.
Why it matters: Schietzelt, a Marine Corps veteran and attorney, is serving his first term in House District 35, which stretches across much of the northern part of the county.
We talked with Schietzelt for our latest Local Limelight conversation. The Q&A has been edited for Smart Brevity.
What made you decide to run for office? After being recruited by Republican House leadership, "I felt like I was a good fit for my district. I'm not an overwhelmingly ideological person," Schietzelt said.
- "I don't feel like there are a lot of people advocating the needs for our suburbs."
🍖 Favorite place to eat in the Triangle? Backyard BBQ Pit and Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q, both in Durham.
🛣️ What do you think the Triangle is missing? A freeway connecting Raleigh to Wake Forest.
- "There is a huge missed opportunity right now" with the state "dragging its feet" on expanding U.S. 1, Schietzelt said.
- "Now we're talking about converting it into a toll road, which would unfortunately cut us off from some of the best opportunities we have in terms of economic growth."
💡 What's your first read in the morning? The Bible, or emails.
📚 Last great book you read? Ralph Ketcham's biography of James Madison and "Confident Pluralism" by John Inazu.
- Currently reading: "The Magna Carta of Humanity" by Os Guinness.
🎧 Go-to podcast? "Do Politics Better" or "Tying It Together" with Tim Boyum.
🎣 Favorite place to go for a long weekend? Banner Elk, or somewhere "I can sit around without Wi-Fi" to do a little hiking and fishing.
🐶 Do you have any pets? Atlas, who turns 14 in a few weeks.
🤓 How did you end up in the Triangle? Duke University's law school, which he attended after years of traveling the country as a professional trumpet player.
✍️ If you could pass any law, what would it be? Ratifying the Convention of States.
- His non-serious answer: Everyone should watch the 1994 film "PCU," a comedy on political correctness.
⛳️ What's something you're looking forward to, unrelated to politics or your work? "Sleeping at some point," Schietzelt said.
- But really: Getting out to play a round of golf.
🥹 How do you unplug at the end of the day? Putting the kids (he has four) to sleep.
- "I like just laying there holding hands, singing them to sleep."