Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Establishing a timely, accurate, and well-planned state budget
2. Providing the resources to fund public schools and school service personnel
3. Preventing the spread of data centers

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. My father was a quadriplegic before I was born. I spent my entire youth assisting in his care and I am well aware of the shortcomings in our society regarding the differently-abled. I am extremely empathetic towards their daily struggle just to survive, and I will never vote for or propose any legislation without keeping this in mind.
2. By focusing on properly funding our public schools I will be able to ensure adequate attention is given to students with special needs. Our federal government has seen fit to reduce this funding so it will be incumbent upon us, as state legislators, to make up the shortfall
3. Because the alternative is directly against their own interests. The NC HB 10 takes $300 million from public schools in favor of private schools. These private schools can discriminate against any student that they choose to. Historically the first students denied are those with disabilities. I am opposed to this. Public schools must, by law, accommodate all students.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Public education
2. Public health
3. Affordability/economic mobility

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I will listen. I believe people with disabilities and their caregivers should have a meaningful voice in the policies that affect their lives.
2. I will fight for rural access. Where you live should not determine your access to healthcare, transportation, education, employment, or other essential services.
3. I will stand up for independence and dignity. Every North Carolinian deserves the opportunity to live, work, participate, and make decisions as independently as possible.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: As a former board member of Transylvania Vocational Services (now Alula), I understand the importance of job-training programs and work for people with developmental disabilities.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: I served over 18 years as the Vice-Chair of the Asheville Regional Housing Coalition. During this time, we worked to make sure that housing opportunities were made available to individuals with developmental disabilities.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: My wife just retired after teaching for 41 years in the public schools and, most recently, as the Director of Teacher Education at Brevard College. I understand the importance of public education and the need to respect all students and their need to have a full life.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

Comment: The challenge that the NC Legislature has is working to prioritize how revenues are spent and who receives the benefits. I firmly believe that we need to be focused on individuals and families.

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Affordability - childcare, housing, and health care.
2. Supporting public education (childhood education, K-12, and higher education).
3. Holding our legislators and state government accountable.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I am a member of the American Planning Association and, more importantly, a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
2. I have been a board member of Transylvania Vocational Services and, from that experience, understand the importance of helping individuals and their families lead fulfilling lives and work experiences.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: Part of the North Carolina State Constitution guarantees a sound basic education and job training and vocational education has to be part of that guarantee.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

Comment: Adding red tape and hoops for folks to jump thru for aid is cruelty in action and a waste of time and resources for both those whom are monitoring and those whom are in need of help.

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Abolish the ABC
2. Eliminate Certificate of Need Laws
3. Fight corruption in politics

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I believe that every resident of North Carolina deserves life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That includes the disabled and their families and caregivers. Life - having the same opportunity to participate and be heard.
2. Liberty - having your rights protected.
3. Pursuit of happiness: providing opportunities to live, thrive and develop.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes, I personally know and have worked with individuals who have disabilities that ranged from PTSD to depression and anxiety to employees with speech and physical disabilities. Oftentimes, these individuals can thrive in work environments and excel with proper care/engagement and support. As a robotics coach, I have directly mentored/coached high school students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPS) and led them to the State Finals in FIRST Robotics.

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: People with developmental disabilities deserve the same right to choose how and where they live as anyone else. I'll support the funding and oversight that make real community-based choice possible.

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. 1. Expanding access to affordable, community-based healthcare and opposing Medicaid cuts that would hit disabled North Carolinians and their families hardest.
   2. Strengthening public education, including real funding for inclusive practices and accommodations so every student graduates ready for a full life.
   3. Fighting rising costs for working families, including protections for caregivers who are often stretched thinnest by both jobs and caregiving responsibilities.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. 1. I have a consistent record of opposing Medicaid cuts and fighting for the healthcare funding that community-based services and HCBS depend on.
   2. My education background means he understands what real accommodation and inclusion require in practice, not just in policy language.
   3. I’m committed to bringing people with disabilities and their families into the policymaking process directly, not treating their input as an afterthought.
2. 1. I have a consistent record of opposing Medicaid cuts and fighting for the healthcare funding that community-based services and HCBS depend on.
   2. My education background means he understands what real accommodation and inclusion require in practice, not just in policy language.
   3. I’m committed to bringing people with disabilities and their families into the policymaking process directly, not treating their input as an afterthought.
3. 1. I have a consistent record of opposing Medicaid cuts and fighting for the healthcare funding that community-based services and HCBS depend on.
   2. My education background means he understands what real accommodation and inclusion require in practice, not just in policy language.
   3. I’m committed to bringing people with disabilities and their families into the policymaking process directly, not treating their input as an afterthought.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: I have been working on a bill pertaining to housing for a the past 2 or so years.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. The right to vote.
2. Assuring a sound, basic and quality education for every child..
3. Healthcare and healthy living environments for all.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I have been conscious of the need for equality and fairness within our communities since I was a child, and have been promoting and advocating for the rights of all people regardless of their abilities, ever since. Being in the NC House allows me to further our work against prejudice, discrimination and stigma at the state level.
2. I have been working with individuals and their families on legislative initiatives and look forward to continuing that work until we, together, achieve our objectives and accomplish our goals.
3. My work in the political realm is tied to my work with communities, so I hold fast to the title of "Representative" and will seek to represent you and your values and interests.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Living Wages
2. Fully Funding Public Schools (this includes necessary funding for EC)
3. Healthcare Access (this includes clearing the innovation waiver waitlist)

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. Frontline Healthcare Experience Navigating the Broken Care System
   With twenty years of clinical experience as a nurse and nurse practitioner, I have seen firsthand the systemic failures that North Carolinians with disabilities and their families face every day. I know what it looks like when care is fragmented, when critical services are denied, and when families are left to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies without adequate support. In the General Assembly, I will not treat healthcare and disability services as abstract budget line items; I will bring clinical insight and direct patient-advocacy experience to ensure state policies reflect the real, everyday needs of individuals and their caregivers.
2. Commitment to Eliminating Waitlists and Funding the Innovations Waiver
   Tens of thousands of North Carolinians remain trapped on the Innovations Waiver waitlist, often waiting years, or even decades, for essential Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). This delay forces family members into unpaid, unsustainable caregiving roles and leaves individuals without the support required to live independently. I will actively fight to expand recurring state funding for Innovations Waiver slots and strengthen Medicaid infrastructure so that every person with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has access to the community-based care they deserve.
3. Championing Fair Wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Supporting Caregivers
   Community inclusion and independent living are only possible if we have a stable, well-compensated care workforce. Direct Support Professionals do vital, demanding work, yet persistently low Medicaid reimbursement rates have created severe staffing shortages and high turnover. I will champion meaningful, recurring wage increases for DSPs to ensure providers can recruit and retain dedicated caregivers. At the same time, I will advocate for expanded family caregiver respite programs, tax relief, and resources that recognize and protect the well-being of family caregivers across North Carolina.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: UNSURE

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: I feel that everyone need to be careful for. That folks with disabilities need the best care possible

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

Comment: Children need to be most of all need support. To be able to share in all activities. To help enrich their lives

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: I love the fact that there are several businesses near me that support. Hiring folks with disabilities. Down for Donuts in Mooresville NC. Is a place that we frequent often. Just for that reason

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes. Everyone need to have good quality care

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

Comment: We should be allowed to visit a doctor or medical center of our choice

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: Children in NC should have the best schools in the county. But it requires that they have a well funded school budget. To hire the best teachers possible

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

Comment: Every child deserves to be able to go to school and have staff that are qualified to take care of the every need

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

Comment: Absolutely.

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

Comment: If elected. I will make sure everyone has a seat at the table. So their voices are heard

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes. I will work with and talk to everyone. That need to be cared for by state funding. To make their lives better.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

Comment: As a legislators I will make sure that the funding will be sustainable to keep funding HCBS

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

Comment: Making sure that ALL folks have the ability to provide meals for themselves and their families is very near to my heart

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes of course. Every one in this state should be cared for regardless of the financial circumstances

Top Priorities

1. Well funded educational system. Where our students are give the best opportunity to excel
   Buy paying our teacher a fair and reasonable salary. To not give public school funds away
2. To help improve the economy in our state so folks and afford groceries, utilities,gas and Healthcare
3. Stop AI data center growth in NC. So they don’t deplete our water supply. Deforest our state and quit receiving power subsidies. At the working families expense

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I will be a representative for all of NC. Not the few.
2. Being a grandparent of a 7 year old granddaughter since she was 5 months old. Has made me realize what true love and care is required to make her life the best it can possibly be
3. My wife has been in a battle with cancer for almost 6 years now. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and liver cancer. A nine hour surgery and five years of chemotherapy
   Has taught me that taking care of her when she is weak from chemo. Is what is truly meant by IN SICKNESS AND HEALTH means. She is the love of my life.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: Volunteers on my campaign and friends have children with developmental disabilities. My wife works at J Iverson Riddle Developmental Center as a health tech and activities director. She has also been a DSP in the past. I am a 36 year educator retired and I am currently working at a behavioral interventionist in Iredell County Schools, seeing first hand the needs of those with disabilities.

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: The rights and choices of People with Disabilities should always be supported.

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

Comment: HCBS waivers need to be protected and expanded.

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: Everyone including those with disabilities should be afforded the opportunity to work in jobs that fulfill them or own a business in they so desire.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes. I will support policies, funding, and oversight that expand inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes. I support community health care that lets people choose their own providers, catches problems early, and keeps helping over time, not just during a crisis.

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: After 36 years as a public educator, I know firsthand what it takes for every student to succeed. I will protect public education by expanding inclusive practices so students of all abilities learn alongside their peers, respecting students' rights, and genuinely involving parents as partners in their children's education. Every student deserves to graduate with the skills, support, and opportunities they need for a full life.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

Comment: I've seen firsthand how the right accommodations and well-trained staff make the difference between a student who struggles and one who thrives. I will support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, along with training for teachers and staff so they understand available services and supports and can put them into practice in the classroom.

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes. I will defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws, including a person's right to make their own decisions about their own life. These protections exist so people with disabilities are not denied their voice because of a disability. I will oppose efforts to weaken these laws or their enforcement, and support strengthening oversight so the rights on paper are actually honored.

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

Comment: I will work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not consulted after decisions are made, but involved from the start in shaping the policies, programs, and funding that affect their lives.

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

Comment: I will work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not consulted after decisions are made, but involved from the start in shaping the policies, programs, and funding that affect their lives. I would welcome the input of the Disability Action Network.

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

Comment: I will support and fight for real oversight, transparency, and follow-through, along with supporting the state budget funding necessary to make these commitments a reality rather than an unfunded mandate.

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

Comment: I will uphold the right to community-based services, no matter what the federal government does or doesn't enforce. Fortunately the DOJ opinion doesn't change the law itself, it just signals less federal follow-through. That means it's even more important for our state to keep funding and protecting people's right to live in their communities, not institutions.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

Comment: With less federal backing, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. I will continue to support the state funding needed to sustain and expand home and community-based services, so people can keep living in their communities instead of losing that support because of a federal pullback.

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

Comment: I'll support the funding needed to make sure SNAP stays accessible for people with developmental disabilities and their families in North Carolina. Although most people with disabilities are exempt from the new work requirements, the extra paperwork can still cause eligible people to lose benefits by mistake. I'll push for enough staff and support to help people navigate the process so no one loses food assistance over red tape.

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Comment: I'll support state general revenue funding for behavioral health and developmental disability services for people who don't qualify for Medicaid, including those with private insurance. More broadly, I support the principle that everyone deserves access to healthcare, and no one should go without needed services because of how they're insured or what program they qualify for.

Top Priorities

1. Fully Fund Public Education - Reinstate Leandro

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. A proven record of standing up for inclusion. As a 36-year public educator, I've spent my career making sure every student, regardless of their ability, had what they needed to succeed. I bring that same commitment to policymaking: fighting for inclusive schools, accessible housing, and community-based care instead of institutional settings.
2. A commitment to funding that actually reaches people. I support the state budget investments needed to sustain home and community-based services, non-Medicaid behavioral health and DD services, and SNAP access, and I understand these programs only work if North Carolina backs them with real, adequate funding, not empty promises.
3. A partner, not a gatekeeper. I believe people with disabilities and their families should be full partners in shaping the policies that affect their lives, not an afterthought. I will hold state agencies accountable for putting these principles into practice, and I will defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and Olmstead, regardless of shifting federal enforcement.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: My uncle had severe physical and mental disabilities. My grandmother, Anita Arneson Pressly, started a school for children with disabilities in her basement in Statesville. She was awarded the the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of her work.

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Public Education
2. Affordability
3. Infrastructure

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. My uncle lived with severe mental and physical disabilities. I understand the importance of supporting individuals and families in navigating care and providing individuals with disabilities dignity.
2. I grew up watching my mom help individuals with disabilities navigate the system as a Disability and Social Security attorney. I understand the hurdles already vulnerable people face to get the support they need.
3. I believe every individual deserves to live a full life with dignity and care. I will work to ensure the programs that support families and individuals living with disabilities get the funding they require to serve these populations.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Strong Public Education; Affordable healthcare; Attainable housing
2. Strong Public Education; Affordable healthcare; Attainable housing
3. Strong Public Education; Affordable healthcare; Attainable housing

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. As your representative, I will listen to people with disabilities and their families to remove barriers to make sure their voices are heard in Raleigh. Specifically I believe: (1)People with disabilities should have equal opportunity to work learn and live independently (2) People with disabilities deserve to be gainfully employed to become valuable contributors to the economy (3) I support public education that is designed to help these students reach their potential.
2. As your representative, I will listen to people with disabilities and their families to remove barriers to make sure their voices are heard in Raleigh. Specifically I believe: (1)People with disabilities should have equal opportunity to work learn and live independently (2) People with disabilities deserve to be gainfully employed to become valuable contributors to the economy (3) I support public education that is designed to help these students reach their potential.
3. As your representative, I will listen to people with disabilities and their families to remove barriers to make sure their voices are heard in Raleigh. Specifically I believe: (1)People with disabilities should have equal opportunity to work learn and live independently (2) People with disabilities deserve to be gainfully employed to become valuable contributors to the economy (3) I support public education that is designed to help disability students reach their potential.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: yes

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: Why wouldnt one?

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

Comment: This is basic nuclear support.

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: My ink pen of choice is a Skillcraft! I give them away to people and tell them about the facility.
🙂

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: If you have a job you need a place to stay! (Universal Housing now.!)

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

Comment: Trauma and drama are not the same thing. They need clear demarcation.

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: My Responsibility as an American from North Carolina.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

Comment: This seems a basic necessity?

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

Comment: After fear, hate is mans greatest weakness.

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

Comment: I recommend folks with disabilities Run for Office at every level in '28! If I do not win House Seat 28 I will run again in '28!

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

Comment: Clearly you have my ear.

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

Comment: Love Budgets! They are key to Management!

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

Comment: Authority is currently employed to quell the divergent. It is not leadership, its fear.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

Comment: HR1 is blood money.

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Comment: Universal Healthcare Now! Idk how. But Hillary Clinton can tell ya!

Top Priorities

1. If Elected, #1 serve ALL the voters. (now im gonna be a big disappointment, maybe?)
   Sworn Bathroom Law Enforcement Inspection Officers, Unbalanced Budgets from unbalanced minds, Free guns in the mail but no ballots... Theft from School Budgets by affluent communities? These are a few of my least favorite things... that not to support, dont make me feel bad!
   But, they will have my ear and my time and i will amplify their positives voices. Theys gonna get an ear full of me too!
   🙂
2. If Elected, #2 i will guard the U.S. Constitution and i will not quit my Post until properly relieved, i will obey to the point of resignation but will not take my Office from the Ownership of the Party (we got to listen to GW and dial down the parties),
3. If Elected, #3 i will report any violation of the Local, State and Federal Law to proper Authorities. Im a complete pill. NC WWTP Operator IV. Honor System always works around people with Honor. We have to take Lady Justice by the wrist and hand walk her back to the top of the Rotunda in DC.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. 1# I was in LD in Winston-Salem k-3? You never get completely out from under that label is how i feel today. Fortunately, they know where to cram the label.
   2# My Mother did a "do not resuscitate" because my Dad and Brothers wouldnt let her move in with me.
   3# My baby sister that has cared for my father and mother for many years will go into a home. My Brother will inherit everything and keep it and put my sister in a home and wont let her live with me either. The brother between us, maga block votes with him.
   This should not be normal in the future we can create, with teamwork?
2. Federal, Legislative, Judicial.
3. see above.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: My fundamental goal as a political leader is to make North Carolina a place where everyone can thrive in their local community. People with developmental disabilities should have meaningful control over their own lives, including where they live and the support they receive. I support funding home and community-based services, strengthening the workforce that provides those supports, and oversight to ensure services actually reach the people who need them. People with disabilities must have a meaningful voice in shaping these policies as well.

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes, similar to the above, every child should have opportunities to make friends, explore their interests, and participate in community life. I support funding the services, accommodations, and trained staff that make childcare, after-school programs, parks, and camps accessible for all. Children with disabilities and their families should have a meaningful say in the activities they pursue and the support they need.

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: Public job-training programs should help people with developmental disabilities find and keep meaningful, fairly paid work that reflects their interests and goals, including starting a business. I support funding individualized training, job coaching, and ongoing support when needed, along with partnerships with employers. Oversight should examine whether participants secure lasting employment, earn fair wages, and are satisfied with the opportunities and support they receive.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: People with developmental disabilities should have affordable, accessible housing and meaningful choices about where and with whom they live. I support expanding housing options throughout our communities, alongside the services and transportation that make those options practical. We have tremendous work across the board to do on affordable housing, and our work in that area should be inclusive of people with developmental disabilities.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

Comment: I support affordable, accessible physical and mental health care in the community, with meaningful provider choice and consistent support over time. Early intervention can improve patients’ health and quality of life while preventing avoidable crises and reducing the need for expensive emergency care or hospitalization. Investing in timely care helps keep health care more affordable for everyone. That care should be coordinated and trauma-informed, respecting each person’s experiences, communication needs, and autonomy, with providers they trust.

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: Every student deserves a well-funded public school where they belong and receive the support they need to learn. I support investing in special education teachers, specialists, and classroom supports that make meaningful inclusion possible. Schools must respect students’ rights, follow individualized education plans, and involve students and parents in decisions--and all of that requires adequate funding to make it possible.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes, and please see my answer above.

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

Comment: I believe that rights must be enforcable in practice, meaning that we must defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws. Defending those rights means both funding and enforcement, and they translate to accessible voting, equal access to education and public services, and respect for each person’s autonomy. I support helping people understand their options and make their own decisions, with assistance they choose, while protecting them from abuse, coercion, and discrimination.

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

Comment: People with developmental disabilities and their families should help set priorities, develop proposals, and evaluate whether policies are working. I support meaningful representation on boards and advisory groups across policy areas, accessible meetings and materials, and remote participation so people throughout North Carolina can contribute. In my own work, I will seek input early, listen directly to people with disabilities, and explain how their input shaped the decisions made.

More broadly, public participation is a major goal of mine for legislative work in general. The General Assembly is failing its obligation to involve the public, with rewritten bills dropped on us at the last second and with no public hearings. That's a practice we need to end.

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes, very much so, and please see my answer above.

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

Comment: Accountability includes the General Assembly’s responsibility to fund the services it expects agencies to deliver. Budget cuts have created real challenges for schools, providers, and the people who depend on them. I will work to reverse harmful cuts and secure stable, adequate funding. I also support clear expectations, transparent reporting, and meaningful oversight of DHHS, DPI, and other entities, with people with disabilities and their families helping assess whether services are accessible, effective, and respectful of their rights.

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

Comment: I support Olmstead’s principle that people with disabilities should receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs, regardless of changes in federal enforcement priorities. Implementing that principle requires attention to each person’s choices, individual care needs, and reliable supports. I will evaluate specific proposals carefully, including their funding, workforce requirements, quality safeguards, and effects on people receiving services.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

Comment: I support stable, adequate state funding for home and community-based services so people with disabilities can receive appropriate, reliable support in their communities. I will work to address harmful funding gaps and strengthen the workforce that delivers these services. Specific budget proposals deserve careful review of their costs, sustainability, and effects on access and quality, with input from people who rely on these supports. Sustaining HCBS should remain a priority in North Carolina’s budget.

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

Comment: HR 1 has added harmful barriers to food assistance while shifting more costs onto states and counties. The General Assembly has compounded the problem by failing to adequately fund counties to handle these changes. There is a real risk that eligible people, including people with disabilities and family caregivers, will be wrongly cut off because of paperwork barriers, overlooked exemptions, or processing errors. That is unacceptable. I support state funding for adequate staffing, accessible application assistance, and accurate eligibility reviews, with oversight to prevent wrongful terminations and promptly correct mistakes. Protecting access to food assistance must be a budget priority.

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Comment: I support using state general revenue funds to help close gaps in behavioral health and developmental disability services for people who are ineligible for Medicaid or whose private insurance does not cover needed supports. Specific funding proposals should reflect unmet needs, coordinate with available coverage, and include clear standards for access and quality. I will assess their effectiveness and sustainability, with the goal of helping people receive timely support and participate fully in community life.

Top Priorities

1. To restore North Carolina as a functioning democracy, with fair electoral districts, an independent and nonpartisan judiciary, meaningful checks on legislative power, and a legislative process that guarantees public notice and real opportunities for input before decisions are made.
2. To reverse the harmful cuts to public education and invest in the teachers, staff, and services students need to succeed. North Carolina ranks last in school funding effort—the share of our economy devoted to public schools. Our children’s opportunities and our state’s future prosperity depend on making public education a much higher priority.
3. To return North Carolina to being a state that looks ahead and invests wisely in its people and communities. That means making health care and housing more affordable, strengthening transportation and other essential infrastructure, and supporting access to good jobs and the services people need to live full lives in their communities.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. My background as a federal prosecutor and special deputy attorney general includes standing up for people whose rights have been violated. I bring that commitment to fairness, accountability, and the rule of law to my legislative work.
2. I support a government that listens to the people it serves and explains its decisions. My priorities include fair electoral districts, an independent judiciary, meaningful checks on legislative power, and guaranteed opportunities for public participation.
3. I have worked in a variety of challenging fields, and I know the importance of doing the homework. That means listening to experts and people with lived experience, taking the time to understand a problem and all perspectives on it, and working with them to develop solutions.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. 1. Stop Vouchers for Private School Parents 2. Fully Fund Medicaid 3. Support DEI

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I am a liberal progressive Democrat. Republicans are regressive.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: One of my cousins had brain damage from the use of forceps during a lengthy labor years ago. She passed away from cancer.

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes. Many people with disabilities have the to live independent lives if given the proper training.

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: My cousin I mentioned previously was able to have a job at Goodwill sorting donations. She loved feeling that she was contributing, which she was.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes. Housing is expensive for everyone. There needs to be help for people with physical and mental disabilities.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

Comment: I will fight for Healthcare for all.

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: I am concerned about how we are taking so much money from public schools for private school vouchers. This makes it hard to hire nurses, teachers who focus on special education, and other programs for all children.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

Comment: No one should suffer discrimination of any kind.

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

Comment: I will work across the aisle to get laws passed that will help the disabled.

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

Comment: I'd be happy to have that conversation.

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

Comment: Your concern is valid. Sometimes we make good laws, but fail to enforce them.

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

Comment: When I'm elected, I welcome face to face meetings to discuss and learn about what is needed.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

Comment: In pains me when I hear Republicans say we can't afford school lunches or make it more difficult to get SNAP benefits, all while lowering taxes for corporations and the wealthy.

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

Comment: It is a shame that some people could lose benefits while the effects of this law are sorted out.

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Comment: I have a Masters in Counseling Psychology, which makes me sensitive to this issue.

Top Priorities

1. Protect Public Education
2. Affordable healthcare
3. Economic Security (protect Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid, SNAP benefits, affordable housing)

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I care about people who didn't get the best start in life, but who will thrive under the proper education and support.
2. I will listen to the needs of the community and will not be a rubber stamp for the cuts to programs for the needy, to satisfy tax cuts for the wealthy.
3. This is my first time running for office. I know there is a lot for me to learn.I will work with my trusted fellow senators and organizations like your own, to sponsor and vote for bills that will improve life in NC for everyone.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: As a public school teacher for 30 years, I taught and worked with students with developmental disabilities and came to know many of their families. That experience taught me how much good schools, dependable services, and respect for each person’s abilities matter.

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: People should have as much choice as possible about where they live, the services they receive, and the direction of their own lives. State policy should help families make that possible instead of creating more barriers.

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

Comment: Children with developmental disabilities should have the same chance to learn, play, participate, and belong in their communities as every other child. Families should have the support needed to make that possible.

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: Job training ought to lead somewhere. I support programs that prepare people for real jobs, competitive employment, apprenticeships, or starting a business according to their abilities and goals.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: Housing is already difficult to afford in many parts of North Carolina. People with developmental disabilities shouldn’t face an additional shortage of safe, accessible, community-based choices.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

Comment: Health care works best when people can get help close to home before a problem becomes a crisis. I support person-centered care, continuity of services, and adequate funding for community providers.

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: I spent 30 years in public education. Public schools have a responsibility to serve every child. That requires qualified staff, proper support, parental involvement, and enough funding to meet students’ individual needs.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

Comment: Teachers and support staff can’t be expected to meet increasingly complex needs without training, adequate staffing, and resources. Special education should never be treated as an unfunded afterthought.

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

Comment: These are basic civil rights. I will defend equal access, reasonable accommodations, voting rights, educational rights, and the right of people with disabilities to have a meaningful say in decisions about their own lives.

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

Comment: People affected by a policy should have a seat at the table while that policy is being written. That includes people with developmental disabilities, family members, caregivers, providers, and advocates.

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes. One of my commitments in this campaign is to listen before making decisions. I would welcome an ongoing working relationship with people with disabilities, families, providers, and organizations such as Disability Action Network NC.

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

Comment: Funding matters, but so does accountability. State agencies and contractors should be expected to show that services are reaching people, wait times are improving, and public money is being used for the purpose intended.

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes. When a person can safely receive services in the community and wants to do so, state policy should support that choice. North Carolina should not wait for Washington to tell us to treat people with dignity and independence.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

Comment: Home and community-based services allow people to remain close to family and participate in their communities. I support protecting those services and addressing the waiting lists that leave families without dependable help.

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

Comment: Eligible people shouldn’t lose food assistance because they couldn’t navigate a complicated form or verification process. I support adequate staffing and state administration that helps people establish eligibility accurately and efficiently.

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Comment: A person shouldn’t fall through the cracks simply because Medicaid isn’t the right funding source for their situation. I support responsible state funding for essential developmental disability and behavioral health services when other coverage is unavailable.

Top Priorities

1. 1. Strengthen our public schools, including special education, support staff, teacher training, and services that prepare every student for life after graduation.
   2. Protect access to affordable health care and home and community-based services so people can live safely and independently in their own communities.
   3. Make everyday life more affordable by addressing housing, child care, jobs, wages, and the basic services working families depend on.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. First, I spent 30 years as a public school teacher and understand that every student deserves the support and opportunity to reach his or her potential.
   
   Second, I believe government should help people live as independently as possible in their own communities, with access to health care, housing, employment, education, and the services they need.
   
   Third, I believe in listening to the people directly affected by public policy. As a senator, I would keep an open door to people with disabilities, families, caregivers, educators, providers, and advocates and make sure their voices are heard before decisions are made.
2. First, I spent 30 years as a public school teacher and understand that every student deserves the support and opportunity to reach his or her potential.
   
   Second, I believe government should help people live as independently as possible in their own communities, with access to health care, housing, employment, education, and the services they need.
   
   Third, I believe in listening to the people directly affected by public policy. As a senator, I would keep an open door to people with disabilities, families, caregivers, educators, providers, and advocates and make sure their voices are heard before decisions are made.
3. First, I spent 30 years as a public school teacher and understand that every student deserves the support and opportunity to reach his or her potential.
   
   Second, I believe government should help people live as independently as possible in their own communities, with access to health care, housing, employment, education, and the services they need.
   
   Third, I believe in listening to the people directly affected by public policy. As a senator, I would keep an open door to people with disabilities, families, caregivers, educators, providers, and advocates and make sure their voices are heard before decisions are made.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: I had an aunt with downs syndrome and a close neighbor growing up with cerebral palsy.

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: I will vote to add waiver slots in every budget, and to raise pay for direct support professionals, which averages under $17 an hour and is a main reason services cannot be provided even after a family is finally approved.

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

Comment: A family should not need a waiver slot to get to a birthday party, a summer camp, or a Saturday at the beach. Respite care, after-school programs, and childcare that will actually accept a child with a disability should be available to every family. I would fund those policies, and I would expect programs taking state money to be open to every child.

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: Competitive, integrated employment should be the goal from the first day, not something people graduate into after years in a segregated setting. I support funding Vocational Rehabilitation, expanding the community college IDD workforce programs past the handful of campuses running them now, and backing people who want to start their own business.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: A person living on SSI cannot afford a one-bedroom apartment at fair market rent in New Hanover County, and our rents keep climbing. I support funding the NC Housing Trust Fund and the Targeting Program that sets aside accessible units, and I would require accessibility and visitability in developments built with state dollars.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

Comment: Trillium is the LME-MCO for New Hanover County, and network adequacy here is not what it looks like on paper. A directory full of providers who are not taking new patients is not true access. I would fund crisis services and mobile crisis teams so that an emergency room or a jail cell stops being the default, pay behavioral health providers rates that keep them in the network, and protect continuity so people are not started over with a new provider every time a contract turns over.

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: North Carolina caps state special education funding at 13 percent of a district’s enrollment and pays a flat amount per student, roughly $5,300, whether a child needs speech therapy twice a month or a one-on-one aide all day. At the same time, the voucher program sends public money to private schools that are not required to provide what an IEP guarantees. I would lift the cap, fund exceptional children services based on actual need, and stop the diversion.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes, and it has to include the adults. Teachers, teacher assistants, bus drivers, and front-office staff are the people who make an inclusive school work or not, and most of them were never trained for it. I would fund that training, and I would pay EC teachers and assistants enough to keep the ones we have.

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

Comment: These are rights, not programs, and they are not optional. On self-determination specifically, I will fight for supported decision-making as an alternative to full guardianship. Stripping a person of the legal right to decide should be a last resort.

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

Comment: People with developmental disabilities and their families should be in the room while a bill is being drafted, not brought in to react once it is filed.

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes, and I will take Disability ACTION Network NC up on the offer to make those connections. I would rather hear about a bad provision from a parent in Wilmington before I vote than read about it afterward.

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

Comment: Accountability starts with numbers the public can see. Waitlist counts by county, how long it takes from waiver approval to services actually starting, denial and appeal rates, and honest network adequacy, all published in plain language on a set schedule.

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

Comment: I will treat the most integrated setting as the standard in every vote I take, regardless of whatever position Washington adopts.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

Comment: I would fund caseload capacity at county DSS offices, require plain-language notices, and push the state to apply exemptions automatically where a disability is already documented in its own records, instead of making a family navigate a complex web of paperwork.

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Comment: There is a whole group of people caught in between, with too much income for Medicaid and private insurance that will not cover developmental disability services. State single-stream dollars are what covers them, and that funding has been squeezed for years. I would protect it and restore it. The alternative is families paying out of pocket until they cannot, and then a crisis the state ends up paying for anyway.

Top Priorities

1. Fully funded public schools. Stop the increase in public funds diverted to private schools, lift the 13 percent special education funding cap, fund exceptional children services based on what students actually need, and pay teachers and teacher assistants a professional salary.
2. Fully fund Medicaid, add Innovations Waiver slots every budget cycle, raise direct support professional wages, and expand mental health and crisis services so families are not waiting for an emergency to get help.
3. Affordable living for working families. Housing people can afford, utility bills that are not inflated to pay for data center growth, and a tax code that stops shifting the burden onto homeowners and people on fixed incomes.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I have been on the receiving end of these programs. There were stretches when my family relied on food assistance and Medicaid, and I know the difference between a benefit existing and a benefit you can actually get. Administrative burden is not an abstraction to me.
2. I live in a multigenerational household and I run a small business, so caregiving and staffing and the cost of both are part of my daily life, not a briefing topic. My son was born prematurely at three pounds, the day before New Hanover County learned its drinking water was contaminated. I know what it is to need a system to work and find out it did not.
3. I will show up and stay reachable. I am not a career politician and I have no political aspirations beyond representing this district well. That means answering the phone, meeting families where they are, and voting the same way in Raleigh that I talk in Wilmington.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Tackling the affordability crisis.
2. Expanding access to appropriate, trauma-informed healthcare.
3. Equal educational access, regardless of income and disability status.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. As an attorney, I have practiced disability law for many years. I used to serve as the Assistant Regional Counsel for the Social Security Administration, and I currently specialize in disability access law under the ADA. In my current practice, I provide pro bono legal services to people with disabilities. I have a proven track record of disability advocacy and I have the needed specialized knowledge to be an advocate in this space.
2. I have made disability access and expanding healthcare priorities in both my campaign and as a State Senator. I have a proven track record of standing up for disability rights and have stood firm on those issues regardless of party affiliation, including reaching across the aisle on important healthcare issues. I have made it a top legislative priority to expand healthcare, including mental and trauma-informed healthcare, in my district and throughout the state.
3. I deeply care about this issue from firsthand experience, having family members with disabilities who have been in need of care. I understand firsthand the struggle that families in this situation are facing, and I will continue to fight for them.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: I have a family member that struggles academically in school with ADHD.

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: By staying informed about existing legislation and funding related to adult services for developmental disabilities. I will connect with advocacy groups that promote self-directed living and community inclusion. I would push for support for increased funding and oversight that prioritized person-centered approaches, allowing adults to choose the support they want.

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

Comment: Yes, by sharing stories and date about the needs in District 55. Building coalitions with families, professionals, and organizations to strengthening their voice. Seek advice from local advocacy groups with the knowledge to help make the change need in District 55.

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: First, I would learn about existing public job training programs and their funding structures for people with developmental disabilities. Secondly, I would connect with advocacy groups focused on employment and entrepreneurship for District 55 communities. Followed by encouraging collaborations between government, nonprofits, businesses, and vocational rehab services to build comprehensive program options.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: Making inclusive, affordable housing is a clear priority on my platform. I'm committed to pushing for increased funding specifically earmarked for housing that meets the needs of people with developmental disabilities. I will advocate for policies that ensure strong oversight to maintain quality, accessibility, and community integration.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

Comment: As a candidate, I will champion a trauma-informed healthcare system by promoting policies that train all community health providers-both physical and mental health-in trauma awareness and sensitivity. I would push for expanding access to diverse, culturally competent providers so people have real choices that fit their needs and preferences.

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: I would protect and strengthen public education by expanding inclusive practices that fully respect each student's rights and needs. I would be committed to policies that ensure meaningful parental involvement in decision-making, creating strong partnerships between families, teachers, and schools. Promote resources and support that help every student--regardless of ability-to successfully graduate prepared for the next chapter in life.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

Comment: I would pledge to allocate or increase dedicated resources in school budgets specifically for these services. I would seek grants and state or local funding streams that provide assistive technologies, classroom aides, and individualized learning support. By supporting these accommodations, we help all students succeed and build stronger communities.

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

Comment: Disability rights are civil rights, and every person has the right to make their own decisions, with the support when they need it. I support strong enforcement against disability discrimination in public services, schools, workplaces, housing, transportation, health care, and voting.

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

Comment: By demanding transparent public reporting, meaningful input from people with disabilities and families, independent oversight, timely complaint resolution, and consequences when agencies fail to meet their obligations.

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

Comment: I will uphold the Olmstead principle that people with disabilities should not be unnecessarily segregated in institutions, group settings, schools, or services when they can live, learn, work, and participate in their communities with appropriate support. My policy decisions will protect community inclusion and self-determination, regardless of the federal government's enforcement posture.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

Comment: I will support reliable, recurring state funding for Home-and Community-Based Services so North Carolinians with disabilities and older adults can live work, learn, and participate in their own communities. HCBS is not only the right thing to do, it helps prevent unnecessary institutionalization, supports family caregivers, and strengthens our communities.

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

Comment: No person with a developmental disability or family caregiver should lose access to food because an application is inaccessible, a renewal is confusing, or a county office is understaffed. I will support state funding that makes SNAP easier to access, maintain, and use for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Comment: I would advocate for stable, recurring general fund investments in behavioral-health and developmental disability services for North Carolinians who are uninsured, underinsured, ineligible for Medicaid, or waiting for Medicaid funded support. A person's access to crisis care, counseling, peer support, housing assistance, or community-based disability services should not depend solely on insurance status.

Top Priorities

1. 1. Affordable housing for everyone
   2. Properly fund public schools
   3. Safe communities

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. 1. Increase dedicated funding for accommodations: I would seek to provide stable funding for accessible materials and technology, communication supports, sensory-friendly spaces, classroom aides, transportation, and individualized learning support.
2. 2. Fund training for educators and staff: I would invest in ongoing, paid professional development for teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, bus staff, and school-based health professionals.
3. 3. Improve staffing and retention: I would back competitive pay, manageable caseloads, and recruitment pipelines for special educators, paraprofessionals, school psychologists, therapists, and behavior-support staff.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: My oldest son is autistic.

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Fully funding our public schools and paying teachers to ensure every child no matter where they live can have the same opportunity to learn and grow.
2. To push back against corporations and monopolies that are working to squeeze profits out of North Carolinians and even pushing legislators to pass laws that ensure an incrase in profits at the expense of families.
3. To support the public, which means not only listening to actual voters and not CEOs, but also fighting for public schools, libraries, parks and public health.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I have lived experience as a dad to a child who is autistic so I have seen how difficult it can be to fight for accommodations.
2. I'm well aware that many of us are one illness or accident away from being disabled ourselves, so listening to the disabled community and taking their input into consideration will always be a priority when planning for North Carolina's future.
3. In my day job, I work alongside social workers so I have seen the social safety net be slowly reduced and destroyed by right wing legislators, and I refuse to allow people who need support to be ignored while I am in office.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

Comment: I have a close friend whose son has autism and I was a special education teacher for 8 years working with students with Serious Emotional Disturbance. My wife and I facilitated a weekly art class for adults with developmental disabilities for five years.

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: I will support policies, funding, and oversight as well as be a fierce advocate for everyone with developmental disabilities.

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

Comment: I think that for the school setting Least Restrictive Environment is the key to ensuring that children are in the right environment in the first place so they are able to participate in everyday community activities. The same is true for all other settings.

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: Real, authentic jobs that are in the person's sphere of interest is the key here. The same goals that neurotypical people work to achieve.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: We need to shorten / eliminate the waiting list for affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities. Instead of waiting years it should only be months to wait.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: This area is where the needed changes can have the biggest impact. A required transition plan within the IEP should be developed to bring whatever community resources are needed so that upon graduation the student and their caregivers / family / support people understand exactly what is going to happen so the student can enjoy a fully life just like everyone else.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

Comment: Funding must be available so that IEP teams have what they need instead of developing a plan based upon only what they have. Beyond funding, parents, caregivers, and advocates need a cadre of ombudspeople who can ensure that school districts: follow the law; do what's best for the student; don't stonewall the parents/caregivers; respect the wishes of the student; and conduct the IEP meetings as they are supposed to be conducted -- rather than as an already-decided one-way information-sharing session. (If the general statutes don't get school decision makers attention then perhaps a civi lawsuit will?)

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

Comment: I will work as hard as I can to effectuate political change on the national level so that new personnel are working at U.S. DOJ in late January 2029.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: UNSURE

Top Priorities

1. Fully fund our public schools -- no public funding for private schools.
2. Enact a plan to provide affordable housing and workforce housing for everyone.
3. Bring economic development front and center so that ALL residents in Western North Carolina may improve their lives through upward mobility and have options for participating in a growing economy.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I have personal and professional experience with advocating for people with disabilities.
2. I am ready to listen to learn what I need to know.
3. I am not afraid to lead and try to solve difficult situations.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Honesty, integrity, transparency: holding elected officials accountable, and not allow allowing back room deals

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I have worked with people with disabilities since my high school days, and they can count on me to be an advocate

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

Comment: I have passed numerous bills to increase IDD Innovation Waiver slots, Increased funding for direct service providers (DSP), a member of the IDD Caucus, I have been named legislator of the year for MARC, I have also gotten funding for the special Olympics and have gotten the legislator of the year award for the special Olympics.

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

Comment: I participate in and support the Fragile X bowling community. I am very active and hands on with the autism organizations. I also participate in the special Olympics.

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

Comment: I have been a sponsor and a support of Johnston County Industries and has gotten financial resources for them since being in the legislature. I have also worked extensively with the MARC organization. I have also been actively involved with the Division of Vocational Rehab within DHHS. I have also received the Johnston County Industries legislative champion award.

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

Comment: I have been a very strong advocate for the My Forever Home agency and will be participating in their opening dedication for homes in Johnston County and intends to grow that throughout the state. I have also been a strong supporter of the Innovation Waivers and expanding them to cover more people.

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

Comment: I have had several meetings with an organization out of UNC and DHHS to address these issues with the IDD population and am currently working on a bill for this.

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

Comment: As a previous board of education member, I worked with the school system and continue to work with the school system to ensure that people with disabilities have equal rights and get quality education in their schools.

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

Comment: As a former school board member, I was involved with creating the educational program for special needs students.

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

Comment: Absolutely

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

Comment: I meet with the IDD Community in my office on a regular basis with the recipient of services, parents and lobbyists to make sure that they have a seat at the table for policy making.

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

Comment: I not only wait for them to come to me, but I go and attend their events like the special Olympics and community bowling.

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

Comment: We have regular legislative oversight committee meetings for DHHS. We need to intensify our corrective actions when we find problems within the department.

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

Comment: I have been a member of the Olmstead Committee within DHHS for over half my tenure in the House, we have done great work and this federal action is concerning and I will continue to monitor it.

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

Comment: I worked for DHHS prior to coming to the House.

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Expanding the current number of Innovation Waivers.
2. Increasing the pay rate of the direct service providers.
3. Increase the opportunities for the IDD community to have employment through sheltered workshops.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. I have been recognized as the Johnston County Industries Incorporated legislative champion award. I do this not for the awards but to help the community grow and be self-sustaining and will continue to do so if I am reelected.
2. I have been awarded the MARC Directors Award for supporting employment of the IDD Community. I do this not for the awards but to help the community grow and be self-sustaining and will continue to do so if I am reelected.
3. I was awarded the IDD Caucus Advocacy Award. I do this not for the awards but to help the community grow and be self-sustaining and will continue to do so if I am reelected.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Education
   Affordability
   Jobs

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. Champion of workplace safety laws
2. Long-time supporter of Medicaid expansion and disability services
3. Strong advocate for equal access to education and employment

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Expanded access to healthcare, especially in underserved areas with for underserved populations.
2. Growing the healthcare workforce.
3. Repealing antiquated occupational licensure laws that restrict patient access and provider scope of practice.

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. As a nurse practitioner, I treat everyone equally and believe state policies must reflect respect and opportunity for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
2. My voting record shows my support of persons with disabilities.
3. I serve on Health Care, HHS Appropriations, Joint Legislative Oversight for HHS, and Joint Legislative Oversight for Medicaid--all committees that make decisions that affect persons with disabilities and their families.

Survey Responses

1. Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions Lived-Experience Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectr

Answer: YES

2. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

Answer: YES

3. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

Answer: YES

4. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as

Answer: YES

5. Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Answer: YES

6. Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

Answer: YES

7. Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

Answer: YES

8. Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

Answer: YES

9. Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

Answer: YES

10. Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

Answer: YES

11. Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections when

Answer: YES

12. Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

Answer: YES

13. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On J

Answer: YES

14. State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and comm

Answer: YES

15. HB-1 Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qua

Answer: YES

16. State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through

Answer: YES

Top Priorities

1. Affordability, Education, Health care, veterans, safety
2. Affordability, Education, Health care, veterans, safety
3. Affordability, Education, Health care, veterans, safety

Why North Carolinians with disabilities and their families/caregivers should support this candidacy

1. As a disabled Veteran, and as a parent of children who are also disabled, this work means a great deal to me personally. I understand firsthand the importance of making sure every person—regardless of their abilities or challenges—is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
   I am also hearing impaired, so I know how important accessibility, patience, and clear communication can be when people are trying to participate and make their voices heard.
   That is why supporting our veterans, people with disabilities, and every member of our community is not just a campaign message for me—it is personal.
   I will continue to stand up, speak up, and show up for those who deserve to be seen, heard, respected, and supported. 🇺🇸💙
2. As a disabled Veteran, and as a parent of children who are also disabled, this work means a great deal to me personally. I understand firsthand the importance of making sure every person—regardless of their abilities or challenges—is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
   I am also hearing impaired, so I know how important accessibility, patience, and clear communication can be when people are trying to participate and make their voices heard.
   That is why supporting our veterans, people with disabilities, and every member of our community is not just a campaign message for me—it is personal.
   I will continue to stand up, speak up, and show up for those who deserve to be seen, heard, respected, and supported. 🇺🇸💙
3. As a disabled Veteran, and as a parent of children who are also disabled, this work means a great deal to me personally. I understand firsthand the importance of making sure every person—regardless of their abilities or challenges—is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
   I am also hearing impaired, so I know how important accessibility, patience, and clear communication can be when people are trying to participate and make their voices heard.
   That is why supporting our veterans, people with disabilities, and every member of our community is not just a campaign message for me—it is personal.
   I will continue to stand up, speak up, and show up for those who deserve to be seen, heard, respected, and supported. 🇺🇸💙