Policy Positions
Positions as of July 1, 2026, extracted from source websites.
Climate(1)
Supports strengthening protections for the National Park Service and National Forests through legislation.
"'I would support and author legislation to strengthen protection of the National Park Service and National Forests. We need to ensure that our children and our children's children can enjoy the wonders of Western North Carolina.'"
Criminal Justice(1)
Supports tribal sovereignty over cannabis legalization decisions, opposing federal threats to withhold funding from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians over their cannabis vote.
"He offered a similar answer on cannabis policy, defending the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians after enrolled members in the sovereign enclave voted overwhelmingly to legalize medical and recreational cannabis. Edwards threatened to withhold federal highway funding from the tribe over the issue. That same 'personal freedom-first' philosophy applies to the LGBTQ community."
Economy(2)
Supports a modest tax increase on the top 0.1% of earners to fund programs like the National Park Service and Social Security.
"'This goes part-and-parcel with tax breaks to billionaires. Even a very modest tax on the top 0.1% would probably more than fund the National Park Service,' he said... 'No one says, I don't want to get Social Security. Maybe Chuck Edwards doesn't need it, but most people do. Maybe we tax billionaires another 0.1% and fix this.'"
Supports using increased taxes on the wealthiest to fund government programs rather than cutting Social Security and Medicare.
"'Maybe we tax billionaires another 0.1% and fix this. I'm a scientist, not a politician, but these are solvable problems.'"
Guns(2)
Opposes civilian access to assault-style rifles, questioning why any civilian would need an AR-15.
"'I don't own an assault-style rifle. I don't know why a civilian would need an AR-15. That's a weapon designed to kill other people, and that thought frightens me.'"
Supports the Second Amendment as a lawful gun owner.
"On guns, Maddox said he's a lawful owner who supports the Second Amendment but not unrestricted access to assault-style rifles. 'I own guns,' he said. 'Mostly rifles.'"
Healthcare(2)
Supports protecting Medicare funding and opposes cuts to Medicare programs.
"He said supporting rural clinics should be a congressional priority, especially as Edwards voted for cuts to Medicare. 'My major concern would be to support these places and make sure that for every X number of people there's a health center within a 15- or 20-minute drive,' he said. 'You do that through legislation and not cutting programs like Medicare.'"
Supports fully funding FEMA and Medicare to ensure rural health center access for communities.
"'You do that through legislation and not cutting programs like Medicare and fully funding FEMA, so people can rebuild after storms.'"
Social Issues(2)
Supports LGBTQ+ rights and opposes government interference in individuals' sexual orientation or identity.
"'I don't think government should have any say about whether you're gay or straight or what have you,' Maddox said. 'It's not a good use of the government's time or energy. You be you, I'll be me, and we'll all get along.'"
Supports reproductive rights as a matter of personal freedom, opposing government interference in personal bodily decisions.
"Reproductive rights, Maddox said, come down to a personal choice and personal freedom. The federal or state government 'shouldn't be telling people what to do with their bodies,' he said. Decisions should be made in consultation with a spiritual guide and/or a physician."