Karen Kozel, candidate for NC Senate District 5

Name: Karen Kozel

Political party: Republican

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 57

Campaign website: Karenkozel.com

Occupation: Former public school teacher. Homeschool teacher and community speaker

Education: UNC-Chapel Hill Bachelor’s degree in education in science and history

Have you run for elected office before? I ran for the NC Senate in 2020. Appointed to fill a vacancy in NC House District 10 in 2012.

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have been involved in Pro-Life groups. I have worked at the voting polls. I have worked in many campaigns. I have been a part of our church. I directed Eastern Carolina Homeschool Organization, 2003-2014.

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

Safety: I see crime rates rising as the police forces are losing officers. States need to maintain a substantial number of officers. Inflation: I feel we need to finish building the wall. We should reopen the Keystone pipeline. I support lowering taxes, leaving a healthier cash flow in our communities. Education: Teachers should teach subjects only. We need to bring back vocation education. We need to welcome parent involvement in curriculum development.

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

Maintaining a surplus is wise. It is smart to have money for emergencies, for both local and statewide.

Will you vote for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina?

No.

What has the legislature gotten right, and what has it gotten wrong, about public education in North Carolina?

I believe the raises, albeit small, were a wise decision. As a former public school teacher, I recall the time and energy this career requires. I am seriously disheartened by the grossly explicit sexual books found in the school libraries.

Should North Carolina change its abortion laws? How?

There should be a ban on abortion, with no exceptions.

Please add anything else voters should know about your position on the legality or availability of abortion in North Carolina.

I feel a baby is a person at conception. Using ultrasound for a visual of a baby is effective in seeing this reality early on in the pregnancy.

Should medical marijuana be legalized in North Carolina?

Undecided.

What, if anything, should the legislature to do shape curriculum dealing with topics of race, sexuality and gender?

Those topics are not appropriate for schools to teach. These topics are for parents and school counselors to cover.

Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?

No.