Women's rights
50 years of precedence is gone and federal protection is in the hands of the states. 17 million women in America no longer have control of their reproductive freedom. States are passing laws to restrict access to reproductive care regardless of rape, incest. This is Government Mandated Pregnancies. We are in dark times when an American has been striped of their rights. #maga Republicans in the Senate and House have made it clear, they will pass a Federal Ban on abortion. I will fight to restore the rights of 17 million women and will codify Roe and fight the extremism.
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JOBS, wages, & economic reform
Working families need better paying jobs now. So many people working full-time jobs and/or multiple part-time jobs struggle just to pay their bills and save for retirement. There’s no excuse for our government allowing that.
I will fight to:
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healthcare
No one should go broke just because they’re sick. We must move to a Medicare for All system that guarantees quality healthcare for every American. We must also protect Medicare and Medicaid from reckless, corporate-driven plans to turn them into voucher programs.
I will fight to:
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VOTING RIGHTS & ELECTORAL REFORM
Dark money has reshaped the very nature of our government and damaged our democracy. Politicians have access to unlimited funds. I have pledged to reject corporate PAC money and be transparent of all monies this campaign receives. I will work with End Citizens United to end the unlimited money poisoning politics.
I will fight to:
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Climate change
We can protect our environment while creating quality, well-paying jobs. We must break our addiction to fossil fuels or we'll destroy our planet & children's future. We have the ability to make 80% of our energy use clean within a decade. This means developing more solar & wind power systems, among other infrastructure.
We need leaders who will fight to protect our state, our farmlands, and preserve its natural beauty while guaranteeing clean air and water to every North Carolinian. I will fight to:
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education
I am a product of North Carolina public schools and believe that education is the pathway to opportunity. Every child in NC-08 should be able to go to a great public school no matter where they live.
Here's my plan to make that a reality. I will fight to:
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EQUALITY
The United States has a long history of white supremacy and patriarchy that must be addressed through concrete government action. Groups that have faced and continue to face systemic discrimination must be given the support they deserve. Among these groups are women, people of color, LGBTQ+ Americans, individuals with disabilities, and others.
I will fight to:
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immigration reform
We have wasted enough time ignoring immigration reform. Too many people and families have been hurt by our government's inaction.
I will fight to:
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Veterans' affairs
I'm proud that the Bill Hefner Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center is in my home county here in NC-08. Service to country is rooted in my family history. I served in the U.S. Navy, and my family members have served in Iraq, Vietnam, World Wars I & II, and the Civil War. Combined, we have over 150 years of military experience.
You can count on me to make sure our government treats veterans with the care and respect that they deserve. I will fight to:
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GUN SAFETY
When I attended school, we had fire and tornado drills, not ones for active shooters. We need to do a better by our children.
Schools aren't the only place Americans feel unsafe. Houses of worship, shopping centers, and live performances have become frequent targets for domestic terrorists. Guns are also abused to deadly effect by other violent criminals, such as domestic abusers. People whose lives may otherwise be saved use them to make an irreversible decision. I'm a gun owner who's committed to protecting the rights of all responsible adults to own firearms. As we do this, we must also keep deadly weapons out of the hands of violent people looking to cause folks harm. I will fight to:
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Criminal justice reform
It is past time to legalize marijuana under federal law. If adults have the right to consume alcohol and tobacco, they should have the right to consume cannabis.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is leading on this issue, legalizing medical cannabis in 2021. The federal government can learn from the example of the EBCI and many other state and local governments. Regarding our justice system more broadly, we must address the many inequities that lead to mass incarceration, the victims of which are disproportionately people of color. I will fight to:
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