Representative Kanika Brown is a dedicated advocate for working families, social justice, and community empowerment in North Carolina’s 71st House District. A lifelong resident of Winston-Salem, she brings a deep passion for education, economic opportunity, and equity to her legislative work. With a background in activism and small business, she is committed to ensuring all North Carolinians have a voice in their government.

KANIKA BROWN- HOUSE DISTRICT 71

Issues relating to our children have particularly motivated me throughout my life. As the proud mother of a child with Autism, I know how important it is that we invest early in our children’s futures. From investing in after-school programs to instilling financial literacy in our young adults, our youth will always remain a priority for me.

About

Kanika Brown is a lifelong resident of Winston-Salem. She is the mother of a child with autism.

Kanika Brown- House District 71

Terms in House:

2 ( 0 in Senate )

Occupation:

Healthcare Habilitation Worker

Main Phone:

919-733-5777

Representative Kanika Brown

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I’m unbossed, unbought, and fighting for you.

My name is Kanika Brown. I’m a community activist, a small business owner, and your Representative for North Carolina House District 71. Since winning this seat in 2022, I’ve charted my own path in the General Assembly, fighting for my constituents’ progressive values and delivering for my community in Winston-Salem. Now, I’m running for reelection so we can keep up the work and ensure we’re able to continue fighting for healthcare access, public schools, and working families in North Carolina.

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From the time I was a young adult, I’ve spent my life organizing with progressive causes. From my work regarding HIV and AIDS awareness, serving as a substitute teacher in Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in Forsyth County, to heading up a Pet Food Pantry for needy animals here in Winston-Salem, I’ve dedicated myself to making a better future for those around me.

Kanika currently works as a healthcare habilitation worker and is a small business owner. She previously served as a substitute teacher at elementary, middle, and high schools in Forsyth County.

Representative Kanika Brown - Biography - North Carolina General ...

Kanika Brown (Democratic Party) is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 71. She assumed office on January 1, 2023. Her current term ends on January 1, 2027.

Kanika Brown

Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Terms in House:

2 ( 0 in Senate )

Occupation:

Healthcare Habilitation Worker

General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 71

Kanika Brown won election in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 71 on November 8, 2022.

Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 71

Incumbent Evelyn Terry defeated Kanika Brown in the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives District 71 on March 3, 2020.

Kanika currently serves as the state representative for North Carolina House District 71. She was first elected in 2022 and is serving her second term. Kanika previously ran for North Carolina House District 71 in 2020 but did not win.

Kanika Brown - Ballotpedia

2026 North Carolina General Election

Housing Affordability

As more people move to Forsyth County, it is becoming impossible for working families to buy a house or even rent an apartment here in Winston-Salem. Lifelong residents are being priced out of the homes they grew up in. I’m ready to work with developers and local governments to incentivize the construction of new, affordable housing across North Carolina so that we can continue to grow sustainably.

Campaign platform

Workers’ Rights

I’m proud to be endorsed by the North Carolina AFL-CIO, because I understand how important it is that we protect our workers here in North Carolina. It’s time that we raise the minimum wage in North Carolina to a livable wage, repeal right-to-work and empower collective bargaining once again, and ensure that existing worker protections are actually enforced.

Plans to work with developers and local governments to incentivize new affordable housing construction.

Calls for raising North Carolina's minimum wage to a livable wage.

Calls for repealing right-to-work laws and restoring collective bargaining.

Calls for enforcing existing worker protections.

- Plans to work with developers and local governments to incentivize new affordable housing construction.
- Calls for raising North Carolina's minimum wage to a livable wage.
- Calls for repealing right-to-work laws and restoring collective bargaining.
- Calls for enforcing existing worker protections.

Economy

As of January 5, 2026, Kanika Brown’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare Access

No one should have to choose between buying groceries or their prescription pills, but this is a sad reality for many people in Forsyth County and North Carolina. First and foremost, we must increase healthcare access to hundreds of thousands of North Carolinian families by expanding Medicaid. That is a sensible and fiscally responsible decision that will positively impact our communities. We also must take on the crisis we’re seeing in rural counties where hospitals and birthing centers are closing, leaving tens of thousands of people without critical care. You deserve access to quality healthcare, no matter where you live.

Healthcare Access

No one should have to choose between buying groceries or their prescription pills, but this is a sad reality for many people in Forsyth County and North Carolina. First and foremost, we must increase healthcare access to hundreds of thousands of North Carolinian families by expanding Medicaid. That is a sensible and fiscally responsible decision that will positively impact our communities. We also must take on the crisis we’re seeing in rural counties where hospitals and birthing centers are closing, leaving tens of thousands of people without critical care.

Reproductive Rights

The right-to-choose is under attack here in North Carolina. I am a staunch advocate and believer that the right to an abortion is a decision left to a person and their doctor, not the government.

Calls for addressing rural hospital and birthing-center closures that leave residents without critical care.

Calls for expanding Medicaid to increase healthcare access for North Carolina families.

Supports abortion decisions being made by a person and their doctor rather than by the government.

- Calls for addressing rural hospital and birthing-center closures that leave residents without critical care.
- Calls for expanding Medicaid to increase healthcare access for North Carolina families.
- Supports abortion decisions being made by a person and their doctor rather than by the government.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Supports investing in after-school programs and financial literacy education for young people.

- Supports investing in after-school programs and financial literacy education for young people.

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Twitter

Facebook

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- Calls for expanding Medicaid to increase healthcare access for North Carolina families.
- Supports abortion decisions being made by a person and their doctor rather than by the government.

Kanika is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is the proud mother of a child with autism.

Kanika Brown is currently a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives representing District 71. She was first elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. Brown previously ran for the same seat in the 2020 Democratic primary but did not win.

Supports raising the minimum wage, repealing right-to-work laws, and empowering collective bargaining.

Supports incentivizing developers and local governments to construct new affordable housing.

Supports expanding Medicaid to increase healthcare access for North Carolinians.

Supports investing in after-school programs and financial literacy to prioritize youth.

Believes a child's education should not be determined by their zip code, and supports providing adequate resources and support for public schools and teachers in North Carolina.

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- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 129 members of the North Carolina House of Representatives. The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative 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 Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative 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.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.

Your representative and state lawmaker in North Carolina House of Representatives.