Laura is originally from Greensboro and grew up in Pelham. She earned her bachelor's degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Master of Business Administration from Winston Salem State University.

LinkedIn

Laura currently works as an accounts payable specialist for Lee Hecht Harrison LLC.

Ballotpedia, Laura Pichardo

Laura Pichardo previously ran for U.S. Representative for North Carolina House District 6 in 2020 and 2022, but did not win.

Candidate website

Supports advocating for small businesses and addressing economic struggles like inflation and high gas prices.

- Supports advocating for small businesses and addressing economic struggles like inflation and high gas prices.

Economy

Caswell Messenger, Pelham woman to run for NC House seat

Said, "We need to be energy independent and diversified. We need to reduce our reliance on other countries and create higher paying jobs within our district."

- Said, "We need to be energy independent and diversified. We need to reduce our reliance on other countries and create higher paying jobs within our district."

Energy & the Environment

Said, "We need to do more to help our fellow American by providing mental health funding..."

- Said, "We need to do more to help our fellow American by providing mental health funding..."

Healthcare

Facebook

Supports term limits for "federal representatives."

- Supports term limits for "federal representatives."

Voting & Elections

As of June 14, 2024, Laura Pichardo’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Believes in protecting children and allowing them to enjoy their childhood.

Said, "I will advocate to protect children. Let kids be kids."

- Said, "I will advocate to protect children. Let kids be kids."

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Instagram

Laura Pichardo

Graig has a bachelors degree in sociology and anthropology from Wooster College and a masters degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago. He and his partner Kym Hunter live in Orange County with their five young children. He is a member of the Southern Regional Education Board.

Graig is a partner and the chief operating officer of The Equity Collaborative, LLC.  Previously, he worked as the director of student equity and volunteer services for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and a coordinator for the Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate program. 

Graig R. Meyer is currently serving in the North Carolina Senate representing District 23. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term. Previously, he served 5 terms as a North Carolina representative for House District 50 from 2013-2022. Meyer has served as chair of the N.C. House Democratic Caucus Recruitment Committee in 2018 and co-chaired the House Democratic Caucus Campaign Committee in 2020.

Believes in supporting small businesses by addressing unfair tax burdens and providing financial assistance during challenging times. As a legislator, maintained communication with small business owners through local trade associations.

Believes in supporting small businesses by addressing unfair tax burdens and providing financial assistance during challenging times. 

Supports making every wage a living wage, ensuring fair pay for government workers and teachers, and providing adequate health care and paid sick leave for all workers.

Supports living wages, adequate health care, and paid sick leave for all workers.

Supports significant investment in rural broadband and advocates for equitable and rapid deployment through legislation and incentive programs.

Supports significant investment into equitable and rapid deployment of rural broadband.

- Believes in supporting small businesses by addressing unfair tax burdens and providing financial assistance during challenging times. 
- Supports living wages, adequate health care, and paid sick leave for all workers.
- Supports significant investment into equitable and rapid deployment of rural broadband.

Believes the transportation sector is the largest contributor to climate change and supports investing in public transit and infrastructure to reduce emissions.

Supports investing in public transit and infrastructure to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. 

Believes climate action should be central to all government policies. Said, "We have seen up close in North Carolina how the changing climate affects the most vulnerable among us."

Supports prioritizing climate action in all government policies.

- Supports investing in public transit and infrastructure to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. 
- Supports prioritizing climate action in all government policies.

Believes expanding Medicaid is crucial for achieving universal health insurance and reducing premiums. Supports Medicaid expansion to create jobs and boost North Carolina’s economy.

Supports reducing barriers to healthcare in rural areas by allowing qualified nurses to provide basic medical care. As a legislator, supported the SAVE Act and collaborated with rural clinics to connect them with metropolitan hospitals.

Supports reducing barriers to healthcare in rural areas by allowing qualified nurses to provide basic medical care. 

- Supports Medicaid expansion.
- Supports reducing barriers to healthcare in rural areas by allowing qualified nurses to provide basic medical care. 
- Supports abortion access.

Believes North Carolina exemplifies voter disenfranchisement due to Republican-led racial gerrymandering and unconstitutional Voter ID laws. Said, Republicans' Voter ID efforts target black voters with "surgical precision."

Opposes racial gerrymandering and unconstitutional Voter ID laws, believing North Carolina is a leader in voter disenfranchisement. 

Believes in expanding voting rights through universal voter registration, increased mail-in voting opportunities, and non-partisan redistricting. As a legislator, sponsored or co-sponsored related legislation.

Believes in expanding voting rights through universal voter registration, increased mail-in voting opportunities, and non-partisan redistricting. 

Believes in expanding voting accessibility and ensuring election security.

Believes in expanding voting accessibility while ensuring election security.

- Opposes racial gerrymandering and unconstitutional Voter ID laws, believing North Carolina is a leader in voter disenfranchisement. 
- Believes in expanding voting rights through universal voter registration, increased mail-in voting opportunities, and non-partisan redistricting. 
- Believes in expanding voting accessibility while ensuring election security.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA, SENATE BILL 346

Sponsored Senate Bill 346 to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana.

- Sponsored Senate Bill 346 to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana.

Believes educators are crucial for improving education and supports paying them at or above the national average. As a former school social worker, advocated for more student support personnel and introduced legislation for teacher professional development.

Supports paying educators at or above the national average. 

Believes universal, accessible, and affordable broadband is crucial for children's education. Supports improving internet access to enhance educational opportunities and access to tele-medicine for families.

- Supports paying educators at or above the national average. 
- Believes universal, accessible, and affordable broadband is crucial for children's education. Supports improving internet access to enhance educational opportunities and access to tele-medicine for families.

As of June 14, 2024, Graig R. Meyer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Twitter

Graig R. Meyer

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the North Carolina Senate. The North Carolina Senate is the upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- The State Senator is elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.