To help inform voters about the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Deborah Ross
District/seat: Congressional District 2
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 61
Campaign website: https://deborahross.com
Current occupation: Member of Congress
Professional experience: Lawyer, private practice; state director, American Civil Liberties Union, 1994-2002; member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, 2003-2013; member of Congress, 2021-present
Education: Brown University (B.A.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D.)
Please list any notable government or civic involvement . I served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2003-2013. I also ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2016 and have represented North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District since 2021. I’m a former advisory member of YMCA Lightner Y Achievers and board member of the Brown Alumni Association.
What would be your top priority if elected?
Wake County is one of the best places in America to call home and we continue to attract new residents and businesses from across the country and around the world. While this growth has largely been positive, we have also seen rising rents and housing costs as well as lagging investment in modern infrastructure to meet our region’s needs. In Congress, I’m committed to securing greater federal resources for affordable housing and transportation for the people of Wake County.
How would you describe the state of the economy and what would you do to improve it?
Under President Biden’s leadership, America has rebounded from the depths of a devastating recession. Our economy is growing, wages for working Americans are rising, and inflation continues to trend in the right direction. We need to build on this progress by making higher education, including community college, more accessible and affordable. We also need to bring down the high cost of housing and health care, especially here in Wake County.
What should Congress do to ensure that it meets its deadline to fund the government?
Ensuring that the federal government remains open and can continue to serve the American people is our most basic responsibility as members of Congress. We should meet that obligation as soon as possible by passing a bipartisan bill to prevent a government shutdown.
Will you certify the results of the presidential election?
Yes.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
In contrast to some in my party, I believe good governance is about the art of the possible and that compromise often produces better results than confrontation. As Democrats, we should always remain faithful to our values but never be afraid to negotiate across the aisle. And unlike some Democrats, I believe it’s important to work with — and listen to — our local business community, especially the small business owners who form the backbone of our local economy.
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