Terence Everitt, candidate for NC House District 35

Name: Terence Everitt

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 48

Campaign website: terenceeveritt.com

Occupation: Attorney

Education: The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C.

Have you run for elected office before? Yes, NC House

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Served as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce and served as a member of the Wake County Transit Advisory Committee.

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

Education: NC ranks 43rd in the nation in per-pupil spending, more than $3000 below the national average. We need to meet our constitutional obligation and invest in our children. Infrastructure: Wake Forest and Rolesville are two of the fastest growing communities in NC and need investments in infrastructure that can keep up with our growth. Local control: too many of our local issues are determined by the state legislature. I will continue to advocate for greater local control.

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

It is long past time that we begin to make the requisite investments in education and infrastructure. It is the people’s money and should be used for the people’s benefit.

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’s continued refusal to abide by its constitutional obligation to provide our kids with an opportunity to receive a sound basic public school education is clearly what it has gotten wrong. There is no explanation for its refusal to fund the Leandro Plan except for the desire to dismantle public education. Real “school choice” means fully funding our public schools so that they remain a great option for all NC families. It’s time to start investing in our children.

Should North Carolina change its abortion laws? How?

The current state law banning abortion after 20 weeks should remain.

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

I do not support criminalizing doctors or women who are seeking health care. In the legislature, I will support the codification of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey at the state level, and continue to oppose the implementation of any additional, unnecessary hurdles or obstacles designed merely for political show.

Should medical marijuana be legalized in North Carolina?

Yes.

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

Politicians have no business in determining education curriculum. Topics of race, sexuality and gender are complicated enough without layering over political agendas. Teachers, local school boards and trained professionals should address these issues in factual, honest and age-appropriate ways without the interference of politicians.

Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?

Yes.