Deborah Ross, candidate for U.S. House District 2 in NC

Name: Deborah K. Ross

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 59

Campaign website: deborahross.com

Occupation: Member of Congress

Education: Brown University (B.A.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D.)

Have you run for elected office before? Yes, I served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2003-2013. I also ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2016.

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Former board member of YMCA Lightner Y Achievers, Brown Alumni Association.

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

1. Reproductive rights: I won’t stop fighting until the protections of Roe v. Wade are enshrined in law.

2. Rising costs: I’m working hard to lower costs for North Carolinians struggling to afford gas, food, housing and other necessities.

3. Protecting our democracy: I believe our democratic system is precious and that Congress has a duty to protect it. I’m fighting to safeguard voting rights and ensure that all Americans can make their voices heard.

What action by Congress would you support to help reduce inflation?

I voted to pass legislation to combat price gouging at the pump, lower the cost of groceries, and cut shipping costs. I was also proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act, which will cap the price of insulin for seniors on Medicare, empower Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and help families afford coverage. In addition, to help people facing the threat of eviction due to rising rents, I secured federal support for the construction of new affordable housing in Wake County.

What federal legislation would you support on abortion?

Codify Roe v. Wade.

Should members of Congress be banned from owning and trading individual stocks?

Yes.

What changes in U.S. immigration enforcement and restrictions would you support?

I support the creation of a pathway to citizenship for hardworking undocumented immigrants who contribute to our communities. I also support allowing young immigrants to stay in the country they love and call home. In fact, I recently passed a measure to protect the children of long-term visa holders from deportation. We need to set partisan differences aside and work together to mold a better immigration system that keeps families together and meets our nation’s economic needs.

What legislation would you support to make Americans safer from crime? What legislation would you support to make mass shootings less likely?

I’m proud to serve on the Judiciary Committee as an advocate for sensible criminal justice reform that will keep our streets safe. I secured funding for Wake County to purchase equipment to analyze crime scene evidence. I also passed legislation to help survivors of child sex abuse seek damages in court. To combat the epidemic of gun violence in America, I voted to approve the most significant gun safety legislation in 30 years and continue to call for a ban on assault weapons.

What, if anything, does Congress need to investigate?

The Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol was a coordinated effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Police officers were beaten and killed, my colleagues’ lives were threatened, and the peaceful transfer of power was imperiled. We owe it to our country and the Constitution to get to the bottom of the events of that dark day. I strongly support the ongoing work of the January 6th Committee and believe all those who played a role in the insurrection must be held accountable.

Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?

Yes.