North Carolina's 4th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 17 Democratic primary)

Healthy air and water is directly connected to the health of the people. I stand for environmental sovernighty.

Human bondage and trafficking is the most neglected law enforcement issue in our country and I stand for those victims.

Working class people are the most deprived of quality medical insurance and education, I stand for those who need it the most.

I am not a career politician. I am a fresh candidate with bold energy and big ideas.

I believe politics is about improving people lives, which is why I am running on prioritizing people!

I am running to return the power to the people.

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Ashley Ward (D)

There is no greater threat to the health and wellness of people in the U.S. than climate change. As an expert in this field who has worked at the community level for a decade, I understand what policies are needed to address this issue.

Democracy is eroding. We must secure voting rights. Full stop.

Small businesses are the backbone of communities, particularly rural and small urban communities. We must create a tax structure that supports small businesses, along with other policies, such as affordable healthcare and access to capital, that ensure their success.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a father, I am extraordinarily concerned with the future that my daughter will inherit. For far too long our government and elected leaders have put on the back burner the climate crisis, and in doing so jeopardize our collective futures. I will bring to D.C the passion and the understanding that if we act now, we can create opportunities out of chaos, but if we don’t act now, the consequences will be both severe and unavoidable.

I understand that every life has value, and every life is precious regardless of which identity you hold, everyone has an opportunity to safety. An opportunity to live in a healthy society and to be healthy themselves, and to be afforded all of the opportunities available in this country. I come from a people who were slaves, and who still have found themselves in a lurch in so many areas across our country. That’s why in our district, I’m looking forward to being our first African American and millennial representative in a district that is so diverse and young as ours.

We are in the Research Triangle Park; the research, scientific, and medical communities represent the very fabric of this district. Our district has one of the highest concentrations of researchers and physicians anywhere in the country. As a scientist, I know that science is our way of taking advantage of so many different opportunities to make people’s lives healthier, to extend people’s lives and to transform the economy in a way that works for everyone. But only if we invest in science, medicine and the infrastructure. This is why at a time where the stakes couldn’t be higher, I am the best person for this job. I am the best person for this district because I am the district and the district is me.

Environmental - I am pushing for the Rights of Mother Nature and Grandmother Earth(be it water, land, and air quality) and Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) on indigenous territories. I will support policies that diversify our fuel and energy options, releasing our dependency on an extractive fuel-only model.

National Security - I worked for the US General Services Administration, Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Analysis, and Department of Defense. I sat on many working groups that helped me navigate national and foreign policies shaping and affecting the United States during this time.

Homeless/shelterless Issues - create solutions through a process to ensure gainful employment and community service options are in place to protect.

Mental Illness/Addiction - I will embolden law enforcement agencies to prioritize all human trafficking cases first. I will direct law enforcement agencies to refer mental illness and addictions cases that are currently overtaxing their budgets to the proper medical facilities.

American Indian - I will advocate for stronger protections for Missing Murdered Indigenous Women, children, and two spirits nationwide but especially in my State, which currently collects no data or statistics even for our Federally recognized East Band of Cherokee. I will also advocate for stronger Tribal sovereignty and protection

For the areas of public policy I plan to focus on in Congress please see my website at https://stephenjvalentineforcongress.com

Ashley Ward (D)

There is no greater threat to the health and wellness of people in the U.S. than climate change. Our future depends upon our tackling this issue with smart policies that can be implemented in communities with little burden.

Democracy is eroding. We must stop the wave of anti-voting legislation to ensure equal access to voting for all citizens.

Public officials should not use their positions for personal gain. We've learned that what we thought were laws governing the conduct of public officials are instead norms that are easily broken.

Ensuring affordable healthcare is a must. Failure to do so is a reflection on our values that prioritize corporate profits over the well being of our citizens.

We are seeing a large exodus from trades, leaving a critical shortage in skilled tradespeople at the same time that we face a looming student debt crisis. We must ensure affordable higher education and support the development of vocational programs through the community colleges.

Small businesses are the backbone of communities, particularly rural and small urban communities. However, we've seen the rate of new business creation fall overall in the past years in large part due to: unfair tax structure, lack of access to capital, lack of broadband access, and extreme overhead costs (healthcare for employees, for example). We must support small businesses with policies that address these challenges.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I am passionate about public health, education, and our capacity for innovation. Equity has to always be front in center in public policy.

I look up to Secretary Deb Haaland. She was the first women selected to be Department of Interior Secretary. Sec. Haaland has shattered glass ceilings and has given us American Indian women, something to aspire to.

Representation matters, especially when being able to have a seat at a political table that makes legislation over my American Indian community. She was one of the first two women elected to Congress, along with Congresswoman Sharice Davids.

I would like to follow her example of overcoming adversity, she came from humble beginnings, with a small business, single mom, and marginalization of her cultural identity. When you are forced to work with less and are given the responsibility of more you understand your service to all people.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I look up to my elders who provided an enduring legacy of resiliency and determination.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Kayanerenkó:wa Great Law of Peace

Integrity, Compassion and Courage

The most important characteristic for an elected official is that they say what they mean and mean what they say.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Humility, compassion, and integrity.

Yes I have vision, inspiration, strategic & critical thinking, interpersonal communication, authenticity, self-Awareness, open-mindedness creativity, flexibility and integrity.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I have committed by whole life to public service and believe the qualities hard work, selfless-service, and commitment will continue to serve me well as a member of Congress.

You have to represent with you conscience, community and mind. You should represent the district with selflessness, and not just one marginalized community.

The core responsibilities for someone elected to Congress is to active in the legislative committee work, propose legislation, be present for votes, be active back in the district and be responsive to constituent needs and concerns.

What legacy would you like to leave?

To represent the interests of your constituency.

A life that my children, great grandchild, state and country can be proud of. One what shows out of the darkness of oppression into the light of cooperation serving the next seven generations of all our descents to come.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The legacy of service to others.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

On Jan. 28, 1986 I remember being in elementary school watching the space shuttle taking off, and soon after lift off seven astronauts were killed when the Challenger space shuttle exploded shortly after launch. I was 8 years old.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My first job was working in my family's small farm, we grew up helping the community farm. I grew up in my rural area of Pleasant Grove. In high school when I was a senior my first job was working in the shoe department of Sears, Burlington NC. I stayed there until I left for college in August of 1996 at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro,

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Firekeeper's Daughter, It tells the story of an 18-year-old biracial, unenrolled tribal member named Daunis Fontaine who tries to stay true to her Anishinaabe heritage while working undercover in an FBI investigation of a new drug that is harming her Ojibwe community

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger Games Trilogy

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Alexis Raeana- Keep My Memory ft. Charly Lowry

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Poverty that comes come Indigenous invisibility.

I believe the fact that you are elected every two years. The diversity of ideas that you can bring from your state and the responsibility to keep un checked power in balance.

The U.S. House of Representatives is truly the people's house. The lower chamber of congress represents the only branch of government where the members have been elected directly by the people since the founding of the nation.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Out of our three branches of government, the House of Representatives is unique in that the members of Congress are elected by the people. The House and the Senate are direct consequences of direct democracy. The House is the only chamber by the people and for the people.

I actually believe that there should be a non career political population within politics to collaborate with the veteran politicians to have a better understanding of the needs of the people.

No, I do not believe experience in government or politics is a prerequisite to serve as a representative. I believe there are other types of experiences in education, business, and military service that are equally beneficial.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

No.

Courage to diversify energy, courage to eradicate homelessness, courage to bring true reconciliation to the marginalized and courage to be the global example of freedom and justice.

The great experiment with American democracy will the greatest challenge in our nation over the next decade.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

The climate crisis. The climate crisis is the greatest single threat to national security, public safety, and the economy. The climate crisis is the greatest single threat to these things, period.

I would be up for the challenge of all of them wherever I need to serve the people best.

The House Committee on Veterans Affairs, The House Committee on Foreign Relations, and the House Committee on Ways and Means (subcommittee on social security)

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I would love to be a member of these committee's: the Science, Space, and Technology Committee; the Appropriations Committee; the Energy and Commerce Committee; the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis; the Select Committee on Fairness and Growth; the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.

I believe it should be four like the presidents.

Yes, two years is the right term length for representatives.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Yes.

I support term limits for all civil service positions.

I am running on a promise of a three election cycle term limit. I believe imposing term limits prevents whole generations from being denied the opportunity to lead and returns the power to the people.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I am a supporter of term limits. This is about representation and public service, this is not about being enthroned. We must remove ourselves from the idea that only those who are in power are the only ones who have great ideas. Having incumbents takes away from the idea of public service, and instead creates a culture of who has the most political clout. My proposed term limit for both houses of Congress is 12 years. 12 years in Congress and 12 years in the Senate. 24 years is more than enough time to make an impact. 6 terms in the House, two terms in Senate.

I would model myself after John Lewis, Sharice Davids, and former Congresswoman Deb Haaland.

Yes, but I must admit there is a built in bias. I had the honor of serving in the office of the late Congressman Donald Payne of New Jersey, who was the first African-American elected to Congress from New Jersey. He carried himself with great dignity and grace. Also, he worked well with people he disagreed with politically.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

As much as I respect what AOC and Cori Bush represent, I want to be my own kind of representative.

One story that comes to mind is in 2019, the local town of Hillsbrough, NC was threatened by local Ku Klux Klan presence. They started scaring the local people and businesses. It made national news. However the district came together, and brought hundreds of people to stomp out racism, fear and hated.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

There was a story that I heard from a constituent on how he hated that people were not taking the pandemic seriously. This constituent has a respiratory condition that affects the way his lungs operate. He requires an oxygen tank to breathe, but the pandemic has seriously limited the amount of oxygen tanks that he receives on a periodic basis. It’s a miracle that he’s alive, given the number of oxygen tanks that have been limited due to the pandemic. His story showed me that we must take care of the problems that are currently going on in our society. The pandemic has brought these problems to the forefront, and we must make sure that folks have access to a living wage and affordable healthcare. If we don’t, things are going to get even worse for everyone.

Absolutely, it is necessary for policymaking to bring ideas together and compromise for the greater good of the people, as long as the compromise bears solutions.

I believe compromise is desirable in any deliberative body.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

Yes, but not on all things.

I would be able to create bills that diversify our energy sources, and put our unemployed and under employed to work in these new industries, solving multiple challenges at one time. We can even have shelters for the displaced simultaneously.