I was raised in North Carolina public schools. My teachers at Elmhurst Elementary, E.B. Aycock Middle, J.H. Rose High, and UNC shaped me into the person I am today. I’m saddened when I return to these schools and see our students no longer have the support they need to succeed. Our schools have classrooms with pipes leaking through the ceiling, overflowing class sizes, and underpaid teachers. And this year, we also have COVID-19 and distance learning to deal with. I’m proud to be endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Educators.
I believe in health care that doesn’t break the bank. I will advocate for a healthcare system where everyone can afford to see a doctor when they’re sick, get prescriptions for a reasonable price, and have their pre-existing conditions covered. I will fight for funding for a new Brody School of Medicine facility as well as Medicaid Expansion which will cover 13,000 more Pitt County residents and create 500 new local jobs.
We need a tax system that rewards hard work, but also makes sure that everyone’s paying their fair share, including big corporations. I will work to increase local job opportunities by finishing the I-587 spur and expanding rural broadband. I support grant/loan assistance for small businesses hurt by the pandemic, raising the minimum, paid family leave, and tax cuts for low-wage families.
Our justice system is in dire need of reform. I will advocate for sending more youth to diversion programs rather than prison, treating mental health issues as an illness not a crime, and helping formerly incarcerated people re-enter society and gain economic security through good jobs. I believe that black lives matter and there are concrete steps we can take, such as body cameras and independent investigations, to make a fairer justice system.
I strongly believe in standing up for our environment and clean energy opportunities from the mountains to the coast. We need to tackle climate change head-on, transition to a clean energy economy, and protect our communities from the rapidly increasing impacts of hurricanes and floods. I’m proud to be endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters and Sierra Club.
I believe government is at its best when our public officials are responsive to the people – and only the people. Eliminating corruption in elections and in our government is critical, which is why I will fight to end gerrymandering through an independent redistricting commission, close the revolving door of politicians turned lobbyists, get dark money out of politics, and protect everyone’s right to vote. I’m proud to be endorsed by anti-corruption leader former Attorney General Eric Holder.