(The Center Square) – North Carolina treasurer Dale Folwell held a farewell news conference Tuesday after two terms in office, providing few clues as to what if any future political races he may launch.
“My thoughts going forward are to make sure these three are happening to me in order: God, my family and my motorcycles,” Folwell said. “I love fixing things. I love saving money. In 28 years of public service, 20 of those in Raleigh, I’m looking forward to getting back to my routines and not just family but friends and my community back in Winston Salem.”
Earlier this year, Folwell ran unsuccessfully for governor. He lost in the Republican primary to Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Democrat Josh Stein won the general election.
Folwell said he will miss working with the many talented people in state government.
“It’s stunning what you can accomplish when you are actually an intentional listener to those who are doing the actual work of keeping us in the check delivery business,” the treasurer said.
After Hurricane Helene, thousands of state retirees were having trouble tracking down their pension checks, Folwell said.
However, Folwell leaves office with a pessimistic view of “the health care cartel in this state,” leaving citizens with massive medical debt and ruined credit ratings, which raise insurance rates and make it difficult to rent apartments.
“I think the boards of trustees of these multi-billion corporations who disguise themselves as nonprofits are responsible for this,” Folwell said.
He said the state and federal governments need to “take a hard look at what a nonprofit really is.”
Folwell’s news conference Tuesday was his 95th consecutive as treasurer. He called the sessions, “Ask Me Anything.”
Before taking office as treasurer in 2017, Folwell served as a state legislator, school board member and state unemployment office chief.