Building a Fairer Economy

As a former small business owner and an hourly worker, I know the challenges that many in are community our facing. Wages have not kept pace with inflation for decades and corporations are raising prices unjustly. This disproportionately burdens lower income families that are seeing the cost of gasoline and groceries take up more and more of their paychecks. I am committed to:

• Raise the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour for both hourly and tipped workers

• Support small businesses that have struggled during the pandemic

• Expand job and skills training through our community colleges

• Enact paid family and medical leave

Health Care as a Right

I believe quality, affordable health care should be a right for all North Carolinians. I will stand up to Republican attacks on our health care, I will fight to:

• expand Medicaid to over 600,000 uninsured North Carolinians and lower costs for everyone

• Rein in the out of control cost of prescription drugs and end price gouging by drug and insurance companies

• Support our health care workers

• Invest in strengthening maternal and child health

Equitable Public Schools

As a former teacher and Assistant Principal, I’ve seen firsthand how inequitable funding of our public schools sets students up for failure. And as a mom myself, I know the struggles that both students and parents have faced in the past two years. I will work to:

• Equitably fund and support schools in every neighborhood

• Raise teacher pay and fund more support services for students and families, including mental health

• Invest in early childhood and after school programs

• Address the reading crisis and collaborate with parents, teacher, and advocates to help our students succeed

Protecting Voting Rights

The right to vote is sacred and the cornerstone of our democracy. I was proud to sponsor legislation to expand access to voter registration for young people, enact same-day registration, and extend early voting to include Sunday voting when many organizations conduct “Souls to the Polls”. I will continue to oppose attacks on our democracy, preserve fundamental voting rights, and ensure all voices are heard.

Affordable Housing

Stable and affordable housing should be a right, not a privilege for a few. I will work with leaders at all levels of government to make housing more affordable for everyone in our community, including renters and future homeowners. It will take state and local governments working together to create safe, sustainable, and affordable neighborhoods with reliable access to public transportation. 

Equality for All

I have been a champion of LBGTQ+ rights throughout my public service. I was the first House member to stand up in opposition to the radical and hateful HB2 legislation, even when many saw opposing it as a political liability. We have come a long way, but there is still work to do. Right now, LGBTQ+ youth are under attack by Republican state legislatures across the country. I will stand strong against discriminatory legislation and work to pass more protections at the state level.