Why are you running for office?

The legislature North Carolina is out of touch with the values and needs of North Carolinians. Rural communities, public schools, working families and children are not top priorities. If we are to thrive we need laws and programs that restore dignity and financial stability to working people, we need to re-invest in public schools and teachers and we need to protect women’s ability to make family planning choices without interference from politicians.

If you are elected, what will be your top priority in office?

My top priorities will be public school funding, protecting women’s family planning choices, and revitalizing rural communities.

What is the top challenge facing North Carolina, and how would you address it?

There is a political imbalance in our state. As a result of partisan gerrymandering and stacking the appellate courts, our legislators no longer feel they are accountable to us, the voters. This has resulted in laws that are not fully debated and that are too vague, leading to an atmosphere of fear in public schools and in women’s healthcare. It is critical to balance our legislative and congressional maps through instituting nonpartisan procedures for drawing district lines.

What is an issue in North Carolina you feel not enough people are talking about it? How would you use the power and influence you’d have in this position to address it?

So many of the critical challenges we face are the result of neglecting the needs of working families. Housing, access to quality medical care and child and elder care force too many out of the workforce. A strong economy is built through building up the middle class. All legislation must be considered through the lens of its impact on working families and small businesses.

How do you work with others you don’t agree with?

I always seek common ground and shared values. I take a thoughtful, well-researched people-first approach to solving problems.