Ya Liu, candidate for NC House District 21

Name: Ya Liu

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 42

Campaign website: yaliu4nc.com

Occupation: Small business owner

Education: Ph.D in sociology, J.D.

Have you run for elected office before? Yes, Cary Town Council

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have been a strong advocate for the environmental initiatives and policies on the Cary Town Council. I strongly supported and advocated for the installation of solar panels at town facilities in Cary, which has significantly reduced carbon emissions. I championed the creation of the Senior Advisory Board in Cary to address the growing needs of our senior population. I have also been actively involved in many voter registration drives and get-out-the-vote activities as a volunteer and organizer.

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

Economy: We all deserve to have a thriving economy. By advocating for policies that assist small businesses, we will recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and come back stronger than ever.

Health care: Costs have continued to rise at an alarming rate. I will work to provide high-quality/affordable health care to every citizen.

Environment: Protecting the environment should be a priority of every North Carolinian. I will work to secure a sustainable future for my children and all North Carolinians.

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

The logistics of increasing teacher pay are complicated, but also necessary. Teachers spend several hours teaching our children every day of the week. Increasing teacher pay would help to alleviate the shortage of teachers across the state and also improve the overall atmosphere of our public schools. I would also advocate for increased funding to improve our public transit infrastructure.

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 failed to provide our teachers with proper compensation for their roles in our children’s lives. When teachers are worried about finances, they are less likely to positively impact their students and our children. The legislature has waited far too long to increase teacher pay. Additionally, schools are often filled with outdated equipment or technology. We must also be proactive in preparing our children for college. To an extent, the legislature has improved in this area.

Should North Carolina change its abortion laws? How?

There should be fewer restrictions on abortion after 20 weeks.

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

I would work to protect women’s reproductive freedom and contraception access. Abortion should be a decision between a woman and her doctor, and I do not think the government should play a role in what is often one of the most crucial decisions in a woman’s life.

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?

Race, sexuality, and gender are very prevalent concepts that we are always learning more about in our society. Our students should learn and understand the political, economic, and social ramifications of these concepts at an appropriate age. We must work to create an environment that provides students with the information that is necessary to succeed in our society, while also ensuring that all students feel safe and welcome within our schools .

Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?

Yes.