Graig Meyer, candidate for NC Senate District 23

Name: Graig Meyer

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 48

Campaign website: www.graigmeyer.com

Occupation: Social worker, educational consultant

Education: BA College of Wooster, MSW University of Chicago

Have you run for elected office before? State House member 2013-present

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I worked in North Carolina’s public schools for sixteen years and continue to support them through my professional work. I also serve on the Southern Regional Education Board, and the advisory boards for the NC Public School Forum and Playmakers Repertory Company.

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

Education will always be the issue that I focus on the most. I am also working on several projects that will bring green jobs to my district. And we must keep health care, including women’s reproductive health care, as accessible and affordable as possible.

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

We should use our multi-billion-dollar surplus to make one-time investments that pay big dividends down the road. For instance, I sponsored legislation that would have made energy efficiency repairs to schools, put solar on their rooftops and bought them electric school buses made right here in NC. This would save schools money, create jobs and decrease carbon emissions.

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 only big accomplishment in recent years has been expanding the number of children we serve with early childhood education. On every other front, our educational system — including higher education — seems to be underfunded and falling behind.

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 support legal and safe abortion access.

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?

That is not the role of the legislature. It is the role of the State Board of Education and local boards of education.

Do you accept the results of the 2020 presidential election?

Yes.