Ashley Seshul

With advances in modern medicine and science, a 15 week old child in the womb is undeniable. Children at this stage of life can suck their thumbs, feel pain, and have formed physical features. The unborn child developing in the womb is a person who is entitled to legal protection. I strongly believe in personal freedoms and in this case, there are two lives at stake, not one.

Strongly Agree

Over 75% of Americans support significant limits on abortion and also prefer that the people are in charge of setting abortion policy through their elected leaders, not unelected judges. As an elected leader, I will evaluate current laws and make stronger laws as necessary. I will look at legislative options including government funded programs that promote the health, safety, and well-being of the mother and child such as access to women's health centers, counseling, and housing support.

Disagree

Yes

Strongly Disagree

We must continue to be a tax-friendly state for our businesses and communities to thrive. We need to maintain business friendly policies to boost employment. In addition, continued reduction in personal income tax rates is crucial. I trust the taxpayer to spend their hard earned money more efficiently and more effectively than the government.

Disagree

The majority of people who graduate from high school choose not to go to college. There are many financial aid and scholarship programs already in place. I do not believe taxpayers should be responsible for paying the bill for other people instead of keeping their hard earned money. After high school, taxpayer funded college should not be guaranteed.

Strongly Disagree

We must protect and defend our freedoms, which are the fabric of this great nation. One of those is the freedom of religion. Our religious liberty includes the exercise and expression of faith in public and private, and that should never be taken away just because politicians deem it inappropriate. I trust the people of our state and nation, as well as church leaders, to weigh the situation and determine the best way forward to gather and worship God. The government should not close churches.

The government cannot require people to practice a certain faith. They also should not dictate when and how individuals practice their faith. The US Constitution allows Americans to freely display and practice their religious beliefs publicly. I believe in our freedoms and the government should not burden a person's exercise of religion.

Choice C. Less government is better. Medicaid and Medicare are very important and need adequate funding and support. Free market solutions should be encouraged as the main pathway for healthcare. Attention to fraud, waste, and abuse in both government and private sector healthcare should be a priority.

I believe healthcare decisions should be between the patient and physician/provider, not influenced by politicians. For children under the age of 18, parental consent should be required. Contemplating requiring any vaccine should require that the vaccine prevents the disease and that it is targeted at high risk groups. Great examples of required, but not mandated, vaccines that make sense are measles, mumps, rubella, polio. When there is not enough information about risks and benefits, both short and long term, public discussion and debate should be encouraged, not blunted or censored. There should be freedom in medical decision making without fear of retribution at work or in society.

Strongly Agree

Opportunity Scholarships help greater than 20,000 NC students from low-income families attend over 500 private schools. These scholarships empower parents to decide how and where their child is educated.

Parents are the first and primary educators of their children. Learning does not just happen at school. Parents should have the opportunity for complete access to the topics being covered in class. Discussions at home about various topics taught are rich in real world application of abstract concepts discussed at school. They also allow a differing perspective to be shared about historical events. Transparency fosters public trust. Also, it encourages and reinforces parental/guardian involvement in the educational process. Parental/guardian engagement is a missing key element to helping all students reach their full potential. Parents should have complete access to curriculum, syllabus, and topics covered.

I believe it is crucial to welcome parents' and taxpayers' involvement in our public schools. That includes school board meetings, because constructive dialogue about concerns and both successes and failures helps the educational community thrive. As a resident in a school district that has had limited and restricted public access and public comment in recent past, that decision is authoritarian and destructive to building and retaining trust. All parents who send their children to school deserve to be heard, and there should be a respectful and meaningful response to their concerns. A lack of acknowledgement and meaningful debate of topics raised is a disservice to our community.

Strongly Agree

Parallel with our nation's founding, I respect the right of all religions to peacefully practice their religion. I also know that our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. I am a Christian and believe that Christian religion has been a dominant influence in maintaining morality in Western political, social, and cultural society. People having a moral compass is critical for our nation.

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

I am a Christian. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church in western North Carolina. I believe in God's only son, Jesus Christ, and claim Him as my Savior. His Hands guide my steps and my journey in this effort. I focus on kindness and understanding, and trying to help others.

Strongly Disagree

It is hard to listen to politicians talk to the American people like we are not smart enough to get photo identification. Citizens must show a form of ID in banks, doctor's offices, schools, airports, as well as to receive governmental benefits.. I believe the citizens of this great country are quite capable of making it happen. In addition, it must happen because it ensures the integrity of the voting process.

All parties should have observers with unfettered and unobstructed access to the entire voting process. Initial voting tallies should be completed the day/night of voting, not suspended with private access for a select few. Transparency as well as prohibiting intimidation/interference in a free and fair voting process should be paramount. Many Democrats claimed the election was unfair in 2016. Many Republicans did the same in 2020. Both parties apparently agree that transparency and checks and balances need to improve. The voting process needs to regain the confidence of the American people.

Any ideology or group of people elevating or biasing one ethnicity over another infringes on the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We are a nation of laws and anyone who is in violation of any law should be treated the same. The military, law enforcement, and domestic security agencies are charged with protecting us from any threats, foreign or domestic.

Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. The argument to enact these regulations are based on short term data and hypothetical models that continue to evolve. We currently have the highest gas prices in American history and peoples' pocketbooks are being squeezed. It is not sustainable for the people and businesses of this great nation. Unfortunately, these policies often hurt the economically disadvantaged the most. The infrastructure is not there and the worst part is that we do not hold other nations to the same standard. We disproportionately disadvantage our own economy.

I believe that the government should work to provide basic services and to protect freedom and individual liberty. As the NC Constitution states, we should have life, liberty, enjoyment of the fruits of our own labor, and the pursuit of happiness.

Conservative

I have been a tireless participant at the North Carolina General Assembly, forging constructive relationships with legislators interested in discovering common ground to bring a voice to Wake County and NC. I have also consistently participated in school board and board of commissioner meetings.

No

I will be a breath of fresh air in the General Assembly. As a wife, mother, and speech-language pathologist, I AM dialed in to the everyday struggles we all face. I am NOT a career politician or an attorney with political aspirations. My priorities include addressing the educational, behavioral health, and developmental declines related to the response to Covid 19, safeguarding our freedoms such as speech and religion, prioritizing public safety, and creating business friendly policies that foster their success without unnecessary government overreach and burdensome regulations. I humbly ask for your support to bring common sense conservative principles of leadership to our State government.

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

I am extremely concerned about public safety in our communities as well as behavioral health issues which are often interrelated. However, I do not believe that taking funds away from the police is the answer. The experiment has already happened around our nation, and the verdict has been rendered as states like California quietly decided to RE-FUND the police. Defunding the police is bad policy. A strong police force connected to the community is crucial for public safety.

The second amendment is clear regarding the right to bear arms. Many regulations already exist to protect public safety, and these should be constantly reviewed by the legislature.

Strongly Disagree

Yes