Eric Terashima, candidate for NC House District 17

Name: Eric Terashima

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 53

Campaign website: https://terashimafornc.com/

Occupation: Colonel, USMCR (retired)

Education: BA psychology, University of Notre Dame; Master of Strategic Studies, Marine Corps War College

Have you run for elected office before? No

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Board of directors, Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity; Adjutant Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12196; Executive Council member, Cape Fear Council Boy Scouts of America; member, American Legion Post 68; and member, Leland Area Rotary Club

What are the three issues that you see as most important to your district and what will you do to address them?

Public education is underfunded. I will start with increasing teachers’ salaries and providing a cost of living adjustment to retirees. Health care access should be increased. I would start with Medicaid access expansion using the federal funds that are available. Availability and affordability of housing needs to be increased for the workforce. I would start by reviving the incentives for developers to build low rent dwellings.

At a time when costs are rising, state government has a surplus. How should it be used?

The surplus should be used to feed children in public schools. The children will be able to learn better when they aren’t hungry. Teachers will benefit by having alert students. And parents will be alleviated of the time and cost to feed their children.

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 legislature has gotten right: vouchers to assist lower income families to attend charter schools. The legislature has gotten wrong: no credits for those who are home schooling their children.

Editor’s note: Vouchers can be used only to attend private schools. Charter schools are publicly funded.

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.

There are a litany of laws that restrict abortion access, and those restrictions need to be removed.

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 ensure that curriculum dealing with the topics of race, sexuality, and gender are openly taught at age-appropriate times.

Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?

Yes.