I believe healthcare is a human right. Unfortunately, far too many people in our state, and country, are effectively left without this fundamental need being met. Even if one has health insurance, premium costs and lackluster coverage stand as barriers to health. No one should be denied care for an illness or chronic condition because of where they live, what they look like, or how much money they have. And yet, every day, millions of North Carolinians make painful decisions between going to a doctor’s appointment or taking an extra shift at work. Filling their prescription or putting food on the table. Getting treated or paying their bills. We must ensure that North Carolinians can get access to preventive care, prescription drugs, nearby hospitals, mental health services, maternal care, and more. I want to tear down the barriers that prevent too many North Carolinians from accessing care so that we can all thrive in a brighter, healthier North Carolina. I will continue to fight until every North Carolinian is covered.

In North Carolina we have a constitutional mandate that our students receive a “sound, basic education (Leandro vs. State of North Carolina)”. We are currently failing to live up to that standard. Significant reforms and investments are needed to elevate our public schools to be a beacon of light for the rest of the country to aspire to. North Carolinians deserve better than a below average education. Our society is only as strong as our education systems allow it to be. We need a well-educated populace for a strong future in our local communities, state, nation, and world. As an educator and product of public schools myself, I value public education and will do everything I can to make a world-class education a reality for all North Carolinians. From pre-k to public higher education, we will build systems that will be the envy of the country. I am the candidate that will champion our public education system in North Carolina and give all our children the very best. That is always my goal, and I will not rest until we reach the summit.

There is no more important right in a democracy than our right to vote. Sadly, the voices of so many in North Carolina have been silenced by voter suppression tactics, gerrymandered districts, and Republican attempts at reversing the will of the people. Voting is our very best tool that we can use to enact change regarding local, state, and federal issues that affect nearly every facet of our lives. Ever-changing election laws, racially discriminatory voting barriers, and the wide spread of unchecked disinformation, though, have created unnecessary challenges for many North Carolina voters. The protection of our democracy should not be a partisan issue. The many decades of racially discriminatory and partisan gerrymandering of our electoral districts must end. It should be significantly easier to vote in this country and state so the people can be heard. More people active in the voting process strengthens our shared representation in Raleigh and beyond. Let us make it so all our voices are heard, not just a powerful few. We need representatives that will make the government work for the average person, not special interests and the extremely wealthy. I believe in a government that can help you when you need it, does not get in the way of your living the life you want, and one that makes sure your tax dollars are spent wisely. We all know the success of our country depends on the success of our people. A fully functioning people-powered government can provide the infrastructure and resources for everyone to be free to thrive. When the basic needs of everyone are met, we grow together. Every North Carolinian, no matter their race, background, or zip code, deserve leaders who will deliver on our shared priorities. I will be one of those leaders.

Everyone deserves the freedom and opportunity to thrive. But too many people in North Carolina are overworked and underpaid. Democrats believe we can change the status quo, so that North Carolina is a place where we can work together to achieve and share in broad prosperity for all. That is why they are working to bring down the costs of basic needs, like childcare, healthcare, education, and energy, and to create even more high-quality, good-paying jobs for hardworking people. It is time we build an economy where prosperity grows from the bottom up, and the middle out so that working families, small businesses, and family farmers have the opportunities and tools they need to build a good life. Everyone deserves to have a job that pays them a living wage and fuels our economic engine. We all need infrastructure improvements to support a booming society. We must strengthen the social safety net, so when someone falls, they can get a helping hand up again. I believe all hardworking people deserve a shot to get ahead. It is time to level the playing field and crack down on greedy, rule-breaking corporate CEOs that hoard wealth by choosing not to pay their workers fairly and refusing to pay their fair share of taxes. It is time to replace the regressive Republicans in the General Assembly that have put their wealthy donors and their insatiable appetite for power ahead of the average North Carolinian.

Democrats know how precious our natural resources and spaces are in North Carolina. We recognize the threat of climate change not only puts our access to clean air and safe drinking water at risk, but also our ability to live, work, and enjoy our lives. I will fight for stronger environmental protections and more investment in high-quality, good paying jobs in clean energy because it is the only way to ensure we can have a safe, healthy future where we can all continue to thrive. Meanwhile, neglectful Republicans continue to act on behalf of their wealthy corporate donors and lobbyists in the oil and gas industry. They deny the effects of climate change we can see with our own eyes, all while pocketing millions of dollars to continue to let industrial polluters and reckless corporations operate unchecked. Their desire to stay in power has meant they have blocked any progress we could make on climate change reversal, putting us all at harm. We must act now to protect our people and our places. This is not a fight we can afford to lose, and I will not back down from this challenge.