Christine Kelly, candidate for NC House District 37
Name: Christine Kelly
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 60
Campaign website: https://www.christinekellyfornc.com
Occupation: Senior Marketing Manager, SAS Institute
Education: Bachelor of Mathematics, Master of Trust and Wealth Management
Have you run for elected office before? I was elected to Holly Springs Town Council 2017-2021. I ran for Holly Springs Mayor 2021, but was not elected.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I’ve had the privilege to give decades of community service to southern Wake County. My involvement ranges from membership in community groups to organizing volunteer support for our community. I am a member of: Holly Springs Rotary; Holly Springs MLK, Jr. Committee; the NC State Oaks Leadership Scholars Program Steering Committee; LWV of Wake County; NAACP Raleigh-Apex Branch; Western Regional Food Security Action Group; NC Moms Demand Action; and NC Free Moms Hugs.
What are the three issues that you see as most important to your district and what will you do to address them?
It’s time to fully fund our public education system to provide every student with an equitable, sound and basic education. We must innovatively address environmental issues to ensure our air, water and land quality is safe into the future. Democracy works when every eligible voter can participate in free and fair elections. We must educate people on how they can vote, protect voters from intimidation at the polls, create an independent redistricting committee and stop suppression initiatives.
At a time when costs are rising, state government has a surplus. How should it be used?
Our state government must ensure that all our schools can provide a quality education for all students. This starts with having excellent schools available across our entire state. As recently as December 2021, the NC Education Lottery announced they will allocate $812 million over the next 2 years to help counties build and repair schools. Federal funding, the issuance of bonds and the current tax rate could help fund additional, much-needed programs for public schools.
Will you vote for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina?
Yes.
What has the legislature gotten right, and what has it gotten wrong, about public education in North Carolina?
The Leandro case determined that every student in North Carolina must be provided with an equitable, sound and basic education. It’s time to fully fund our public education system for students from early childhood education through K-12. Fully-funded schools will: give students the tools and resources they need to succeed, keep and attract well-qualified and diverse teachers in the schools and provide healthcare resources in each school.
Should North Carolina change its abortion laws? How?
There should be no restrictions on abortion.
Please add anything else voters should know about your position on the legality or availability of abortion in North Carolina.
Reproductive rights should be considered healthcare. I oppose legislation that would limit a person’s right to make decisions for their own bodies. I support funding organizations like Planned Parenthood for their reproductive and other healthcare services. I also support a focus on preventing unintended pregnancies, which would reduce the need for abortion. We need to increase access to affordable birth control and to provide comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education in public schools.
Should medical marijuana be legalized in North Carolina?
Yes.
What, if anything, should the legislature do to shape curriculum dealing with topics of race, sexuality and gender?
The legislature should trust that our educators and organizations that support our educators can manage the curricula to ensure our students stay best-in-class. It should not make curriculum-related decisions for them but, rather, find ways to hire, train and retain a diverse staff of teachers that reflects the communities they serve. Diversity, equity and inclusion programs should be a top priority for the legislature.
Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?
Yes.
