Sam Searcy, candidate for US House of Representatives District 13 in NC

Name: Sam Searcy

Political party: Democratic

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 45

Campaign website: www.samsearcy.com

Occupation: CEO, Clinistart

Education: B.S. Appalachian State University, 2000 J.D. University of Tulsa, 2004

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): Former State Senator, District 17, Elected in 2018 and 2020

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: State Senator, District 17 (Southern Wake) 2018-2020. Member-at-Large North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges, 2020 to present.

What is your plan for limiting the effects of inflation?

I support a suspension of the gas tax, as more oil production is brought online to reduce gasoline prices, allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and stronger enforcement against price gouging.

What is the federal government’s role in controlling or ending the COVID-19 pandemic?

The federal government must continue to support testing, treatment, and vaccination. We must support domestic production of critical health care goods, creating good-paying American jobs. The focus has rightly shifted to preparing against new variants, and research into treatment for “long COVID.”

What is the federal government’s role in combating the effects of climate change?

The world needs American leadership on this issue. That begins with setting and meeting meaningful goals to reduce carbon emissions, and supporting the growth and reducing the cost of clean energy. We must also do more to get other nations, like China and India, to convert to cleaner energy.

What is your plan for reducing violent crime?

I will support law enforcement by supporting commonsense police reform like community policing, banning chokeholds and deploying body cameras, while raising pay and improving training for police. To get better policing, we need more resources in the right things, not less.

What should happen if Roe v. Wade is overturned?

I will always fight to defend the right to privacy and a woman’s right to choose. Action is needed whether or not Roe v. Wade is overturned. In Congress, I will co-sponsor and vote for the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine women’s rights to make their own health care decisions into law.

Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?

I disagree with some in my party on trade. I believe that more should be done to crack down on Chinese currency and trade manipulation, and we need better enforcement of the terms of trade agreements. I also disagree with anyone who believes that “Defunding the Police” will lead to improved safety.

What are your top issues? Pick up to three.

▪ Health care

▪ Economy and jobs

▪ Voting and elections

This story was originally published April 24, 2022 at 8:46 AM.

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan

The News & Observer

919-829-4877

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan is the Capitol Bureau Chief for The News & Observer, leading coverage of the legislative and executive branches in North Carolina with a focus on the governor, General Assembly leadership and state budget. She has received the McClatchy President’s Award, N.C. Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award and several North Carolina Press Association awards, including for politics and investigative reporting.