Leigh Coulter
Democrat | North Carolina
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Leigh Coulter
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 69
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, B.A., 1993
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Indivisible District 9, volunteer and postcard project lead, Swing Left
canvassing volunteer, Moms Demand Action, volunteer advocate for gun safety
Democracy Out Loud, volunteer holding elected officials accountable, Neighbors on Call
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Stallings Town Council, 2017
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (1)
Progressive Turnout Project
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Progressive TurnOut Project
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Under whatever circumstances the pregnant person and their medical or support counsel decide.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the US Supreme Court, how far are you willing to go to roll back North Carolina's statutory abortion law that allows abortion up to 20 weeks?
This is not a decision for any state actor. I will do exactly nothing to affect the NC statue.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
Would you support a limitation on chemical abortion that protects women from taking abortion pills without the care and supervision of a qualified physician?
No
ECONOMY
The government should do more to close the gap between the working class and the wealthy.
Strongly Agree
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I am a strong believer in tax fairness. I believe everyone, even corporate actors, should pay their fair share. I am not qualified to discuss specific changes to the tax code.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Agree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
Required by whom? If you are a licensed business operating in a community; I would think all revenue would be received as revenue. If one does not wish to do business in the community they are in, don't start a business.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
If your organization is promulgating violence, then you are no longer a church. I would think it prudent for a civil society to re-examine the definition of "church" in these instances.
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
100% separate A person's spiritual practice or "right of conscience" Is a private and personal matter.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
I am a strong supporter of universal health care. I really admire the program run in Australia where everyone is covered by health insurance and the average family of 4 pays just over $200/month for their coverage. Of course, if you want to add on premium options, that choice is also available to you.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
When public safety is severely compromised.
EDUCATION
States should allow parents to use the Opportunity Scholarship Program to fund private school for their children.
Strongly Disagree
In what situations does a parent not have the right to know what their child is being taught in public school?
It's public school. Parents have always had the right and the opportunity to know what children are being taught in school. The K-12 curriculum is posted on line for all to see. Just call and ask.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
On two occasions: one, when they are not in their home district and two: when they are promulgating violence or being violent.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Disagree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
This is an uninformed blanket statement that serves no purpose.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
No, thank you.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I would like to propose automatic voter registration. Just like they have in most of the developed world. I would also like to make it easier and less confusing for people to find out about their candidates and to cast a ballot. I would also like to see election resources better allocated to serve communities of color where the wait time to vote is so very discriminatory.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Racism and anti-blackness has always been a threat of our domestic security. In my county, we have persistent racial disparities in every single metric. Housing security, food security, health and wellness outcomes, access to health care, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, interactions with law enforcement just to name a few. Racism informs all of these outcomes.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
For 4 decades now, researchers, scientists, economists have been telling us that the cost of moving towards a cleaner, greener economy will be far surpassed by the economic gains of such measures. Jobs in some sectors will be lost, jobs in other sectors will be created. This is a dynamic that happens daily. Climate crisis mitigation is an imperative not a choice.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purpose of government is to " form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty".
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Liberal
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
I can't think of any.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I am proud to have an opportunity to represent working families in my district and in my county. Our general assembly has many attorneys that represent corporate interests and I hope to bring the concerns of my neighbors, family and co-workers to the tables where decisions are being made. I have been working in community advocacy in one form or another for many years. I know for sure that most of us have a live and let live attitude and want practically the same things. We want our schools fully funded and our teachers highly trained, respected, valued and paid appropriately. We want to be able to pay for our prescriptions. We want to be protected from industry pollution of every kind. We want our roads paved and our bridges repaired. We want gun safety measures. And we want everybody to have a fair shot at a great education, good job opportunities and a healthy and prosperous life. In short, we want government to use our collective resources to benefit the collective. All of us.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Agree
It is time to separate public safety from law enforcement. We are imaginative people and we can do this.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
No civilian should own an assault rifle. Period. I am not interested in the ownership of other types of weapons but in the responsibility of the owner. I think weapons should be licensed, inspected, insured and taxed. Just like automobiles. With great power comes great responsibility.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Agree
And I think communities should be able to sue negligent firearms owners. Just like instances when someone drives off the road and into the storefront of someone else's business. Again, ownership brings responsibility.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Would you support legislation that prohibits biological boys from competing on girls sports teams?
Choose not to answer
That's a silly question. We have come far enough in our understanding that it is now reliably quite difficult to define "biological boy". Please do your reading.
