Richard Ojeda
Liberal
Democrat
N/A
North Carolina - District 9
Current Position: Former State Senator WV-7
Running For: House Representative
Policy Positions
Economic Policy
- For higher corporate taxes, particularly on coal and gas corporations
- Against tax breaks for billionaires
- For investing in family farms, trades, and infrastructure to bring good jobs to North Carolina
- For protecting Social Security for current and future generations
- Against raising the retirement age or privatizing the system
- For making billionaires pay their fair share to keep Social Security strong
Business & Labor
- Against right-to-work laws; strongly pro-union
- For raising wages so full-time work means security, not poverty
Health Care
- For medical marijuana legalization; sponsored the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act which was signed into law in 2017
- For expanding VA mental health services, increase access to counseling, and address PTSD and suicide directly
- For expanding Medicaid, keeping rural hospitals open, and stopping politicians from ripping coverage away; Healthcare is a right, not a bargaining chip
- For capping prescription drug costs and hold Big Pharma accountable
Education
- For defending the Department of Education and public schools.
- For passing the Pay Teachers Act that will raise the national pay scale to at least 60k per year
- For securing federal funding for rural schools and educators
- Against politicians who push restrictive ideology into our classrooms
- For strengthening financial aid, expand loan forgiveness for public servants, and crack down on predatory lending
Environment
- For the Green New Deal and sustainable energy
Civil Rights
- For abortion rights; self-identifies as pro-choice and would only nominate judges who support abortion access
- Against the Helms Amendment that limits US assistance to abortion through foreign aid
- For protecting pensions and benefits veterans have already earned
- For prioritizing mental health care for veterans and families
- For expanding VA facilities in North Carolina and hiring more staff
- For strengthening spousal support programs, improve education opportunities, and expand job training for military families
Voting Rights & Democracy
- For requiring body cameras on lobbyists to increase government transparency
- Against corporate campaign donations; pledged not to take corporate donations
- For wealth limits on federal officials; proposed that officials donate net worth exceeding $1 million to charity
Immigration & Foreign Affairs
- For DACA and pathway to citizenship for Dreamers
- Against war with Iran
- Against US support for Saudi Arabia and arms deals with the nation
Public Safety
- For full marijuana legalization and clemency for those incarcerated for possession
- For heavier gun restrictions following 2019 mass shootings; called pro-gun politicians 'spineless pieces of shit'