Diamond Staton-Williams, NC House District 73 candidate, answers our questions

Name: Diamond Staton-Williams

Birth date: May 11, 1978

Campaign website or social media page:

Occupation:

Education: Pfeiffer University MHA, Organizational Leadership 2007 - 2010; University of North Carolina at Greensboro BSN, Nursing 2003 - 2006; Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, Diploma, Nursing 2000 - 2003; Garinger High School, High School Diploma

Have you run for elected office before?

Harrisburg Town Council, 2017 and 2021; NC House District 73, 2022

Please list your highlights of civic involvement

I have been proud to be a part of the Adult Care Home Committee as well as helping with the Harrisburg Youth Council. Both of these have ensured some of our most marginalized communities have their needs and voices heard.

Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and most of the county's towns are on board with draft legislation to get permission from the legislature for a sales tax referendum to pay for public transit and other transportation. If elected, would you support a bill that allows the sales tax increase to appear on the ballot? Why or why not?

In general, I support more local control and not less, and would want those closest to the community to make this decision not me.

In North Carolina, abortion is banned after 12 weeks. State politicians, including gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, have said they want to restrict abortion even further. Do you support the state's current abortion restrictions, and what is your approach to legislating issues related to reproductive health?

I was proud to co-sponsor legislation to codify Roe and Casey protections, and I will always fight for healthcare decisions to be made by healthcare providers and their patients.

What would you say is the biggest issue facing your constituents, and what would you do to address it if elected?

I think one of the biggest issues facing our community is healthcare. Healthcare impacts the economy directly because unhealthy people can't work, and folks struggling with massive medical debt can't get ahead financially. Medicaid expansion was a significant first step, but unless we can get more providers, long waiting lists will persist. I have supported bipartisan legislation that would increase access to healthcare providers, and I hope to push this legislation forward in a second term.

While violent crime rates are decreasing nationwide they are growing in large North Carolina cities like Charlotte and Raleigh. How would you tackle the issue of rising violent crime rates and what do you believe is the legislature's role when it comes to public safety?

I am concerned by gun violence and its impact on our youth. I have supported legislation that would improve safe storage. I have also brought home $8m for our local YMCA to invest in research-backed violence prevention. Obviously, these are insufficient, but I will continue to push for more violence prevention efforts, including building an economy where everyone can thrive.

While inflation has slowed, rising prices continue to concern North Carolina residents. How will you ensure your constituents are able to afford basic necessities like health care, food and housing?

I have been fighting for more support for working families through things like the Working Families Act which would, among other things reinstate the Child Tax Credit, expand the homestead exemption, and invest in a homebuyer's assistance program. Additionally, I have been working towards more robust workforce development by investing in our public schools and vocational rehabilitation programs as seen in House Bills 323 and 853.

Is there any policy by your party that you disagree with?

In general, I agree with my party's platform. However, some members of my party have pushed a "defund the police" notion. I absolutely oppose defunding the police and instead want to see more funding for the things that could prevent violence and crime such as social workers.