Ava Edwards

Edwards attended the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and earned a doctor of pharmacy from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in 2008. She was a Melendy Scholarship Recipient and Pre-Doctoral Clinical and Translational Research Program Fellowship Recipient. She created The Orphan Products And Development Database at the FDA through The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education in 2008. She was also a recipient of the Drug Information Association Scholarship in 2010. She won the teacher of the year award from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota College in 2011. Her career experience includes working as a pharmacist.[1]

Edwards has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

National Democratic Party

Hispanic League

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Bold Progressive

No Kid Hungry

UNICEF

Emily's List

World Beyond War

ACLU Guardian of Liberty

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Dr. Ava Edwards, a Progressive Democrat running for U.S. Senate in the Great State of North Carolina 2022. A wife, a mother of 3 beautiful children + cat (Duncan)

UMN Medical School Alumni Member, an honor graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy. Awarded of Melendy Scholarship; Pre-Doctoral Clinical, Translational Research Program Fellowship; Drug Information Association Scholarship.

Helped in developing the Orphan Products and Development Database at the FDA via Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education in 2008. Recipient of the Drug Information Association Scholarship in 2010. Winning the Teacher of the year in the College of Pharmacy, UMN in 2011

I'm talented, empathetic, intuitive, an innovative thinker, a skillful motivator, trustworthy, compassionate, ethical, with a strong moral compass

Unfortunately, was a victim of identity theft & cyber hack which led us to be homeless. Fortunate to have kindest souls who've helped my family get back on our feet

My expertise in leadership, data analysis, a healthcare provider, scientist, researcher, public policy maker, a Regulatory Affair Consultant; I will fight to fix our broken system because I know the root problem lies in systemic corruption.

I stand for unity, we are the United States Of America, not the divided states of America.

Time to put the P in Progressive and Deliver economic equality leveling the playing field regardless of partisanship

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

MEDICARE FOR ALL. I'm an advocate and for deliver, healthcare is a human right. Despite Governor Cooper's best efforts to expand Medicaid in the state of N.C. Both the house and senate have failed to deliver ACCESS to healthcare. North Carolina's uninsured rate of 11.3 percent in 2019 was still well above the national rate of 9.2 percent due to the failure to expand Medicaid in the state. 142,000 children (under 19) are uninsured in North Carolina, a 9 percent increase since 2018. For the first 5 years of the affordable care act, N.C. reps and senators allowed 25 billion to leave the state of N.C. by REFUSING to expand Medicaid costing thousands of jobs. Senior Citizens on social security shouldn't have to choose between food & medicine.A Vision for N.C. Education. I believe the schools are underfunded as only 2.2 cents on the dollar goes towards education nationally. We owe it to our students to care for children with special needs so they may thrive and reach their full potential. In the long run it is more physically responsible for taxpayers to fund our schools. I.E.P & ELC programs are underfunded and I will fight for teachers to strengthen their unions. I worked in the FDA and I jointly implemented the orphan drug products and development database for the FDA. Also implemented a combined database for matching those orphan products with reporting their rare diseases at the National Institute Of Health (NIH). Designated orphan products via reviewing drug applicationInfrastructure & Job Creation: I'm passionate about job creation, I will fight for subsidies equally distributed to small farmers. We should not discriminate and pick winners and losers in the farming sector. Our farmers are an investment for a vibrant economy in N.C. On my youtube channel, I discuss the perils of generic drugs, and the consequences of deregulation. I will fight to create jobs in the FDA to ensure Americans are protected. I will fight to ensure the EPA invests in N.C. to upgrade our water grid. I propose N.C. leads the country in solar panel manufacturing stregnething job security for the great citizens of North Carolina who've been neglected for generations due to gerrymandering

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Dr. Ava Edwards is passionate with strong convictions the citizens of N.C. deserve:

Access to healthcare

Protections for seniors, Medicare

Equal education opportunities on par with the rest of the country

Teachers unions

Clean water

Farming subsidies

FDA protections

Manufacturing in the solar sector

Infrastructure

Improving the Amber alert program

Ensuring taxation with representation ensuring tax dollars are allocated to citizens who need it most.

Habitat for humanity

Housing for the homeless

A fair just tax code

Prison reform

Working with the police unions

Disability rights

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I am a firm believer in healthcare is a human right.

One of my greatest heroes is Jonas Salks."Father of Biophilosophy"

Without Jonas Salks we would not have the polio vaccine.

Rather than capitalize off his innovation saving millions of lives, Johnas Salks gifted his patent to humanity. He spared millions of lives and is an inspiration for altruism which should motivate people globally to make the world a better place, satisfied with the knowledge they've left a positive imprint for humanity over profit.

Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine, which helped virtually eradicate the disease that paralyzed 13,000 to 20,000 people annually. Although Salk never received a Nobel Prize for his work, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif. has trained five Nobel Laureates.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Johnathan Swift's A Modest Proposal,

America is 5% of the global population. Civilization is fragile. Johnathan Swift touched on multiple issues but they theme while satirical in nature, it came from a place of anger and rage.

Johnathan wrote this book, during a potato famine in which the UK was exporting Ireland's crops. Currently, the world produces enough food to feed 10 billion people, and yet, farmers are PAID to burn crops, crops are rotting, while Americans are going hungry. This has been well studied and is known as artificial scarcity.

The USA has the most armed population on earth, Yemen clocks in as second. The guns in Yemen still did not protect against a civil war.

The USA is moving towards an economic class war with hopelessness featuring in the hearts of millions.

Anger of not being heard, represented, senators like Mitch McConnel having police remove peaceful protesters from his office, all eventually have consequences.

Democrats want to keep the senate in 2022, if Democrats continue to adopt GOP policies, the only ones willing to compromise, given the wealth disparities which are obnoxious I fear America will implode.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe any elected official should view themselves as a civil servant. I do not believe a civil servant should have benefits allocated to them, the taxpayers are denied.

I believe in integrity, this means, no pac money.

Passionate, with convictions.

Informed

A responsible individual which crafts their own bills without the aid of lobbyists. We cannot fix a corrupted system and still accept pac money.

One who can disagree to disagree, compromise across the aisle in order to pass legislation for the good of constituents.

One does not need to agree with another individual to understand where they're coming from.

As honest as a politician can be without giving up sensitive information which could compromise lives.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Persistent, ethical, consistent, determination, perseverance, tenacity, patience, passionate, empathetic, intuitive, go getter, strategic, trustworthy, energetic, responsible, accountable, honest, skillful motivator, ambitious, and ardent advocate

I am passionate about delivering Justice and Equality to ALL People. I want to shield people from the adversities and injustices my family has suffered through. I am genuine and here to make a positive impact for the good of my country and people, the American people

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A senator needs to comprehend the individuals they claim to represent and do the bidding of the will of the masses.

Protect citizens and fight to preserve their lives.

Congress works for the American people, just because citizens united exists does NOT mean we must take their money

What legacy would you like to leave?

Serving the people with Ethical Integrity. I believe in the strength of unification.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

November 9, 1989, I was 13 is the 1st major historical event I recall.

The fall of the Berlin wall signified an end of The Cold War & a new world era.

Communism no longer strangled Eastern Europe.

Fortunately, Christmas day, 1991, marked the final day the Kremlin flew the communist flag.. The USSR dissolved.

Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belorussia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia were finally independent.

Socialism & communism aren't the same. Communism is authoritarian to the core, unelected cronies dictate within communist countries.

In Democratic socialism. workers choose the government, like Norway or Denmark, ax money goes for safety net programs.

During the 2020 Democratic debates, Pete Buttigieg endorsed Denmark as the 'American Dream'

Unlike the GOP, progressives stand for taxation with representation. U.S. taxpayers deserve their tax dollars allocated to safety net programs both statewide and nationally.

If one views the history of the first Libertarians and anarchists, one will learn Libertarianism and anarchy owes its roots to communism and goes against US values.

Libertarianism and anarchy are 'sects' of communism. I do not believe in the mythology of 'The Libertarian Left'.

2011, Ron Paul on stage with the tea party chanting 'let the uninsured die' shows me the United States is on a trajectory towards anarchy if the United States continues towards the dangerous path of communism which is reverting back to what the U.S.S.R stood for rather than improving our great country by ensuring safety programs are in place for citizens.

I am a definition purest. Socialism and communism aren't the same, Democratic socialism and communism aren't the same.

We, the American people, need to invest our time into learning history and after the disaster that is Trump, we need to implement progressive policies by investing in our own country.

Education is liberation.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was in 1995 as a blue collar job at McDonalds. I was 17 years old, I had graduated high school when I was 16. I have always excelled at whatever I put my mind to. I have fond memories of cranking out the 2 for $2 sandwiches. I've always had a great work ethic.

I remained employed by McDonalds for 6 months.

While my parents were going through a divorce, I was working in McDonalds whilst simultaneously, attending Virginia commonwealth university.

I had been accepted into the fast track Medical School.

While I was attending the fast track program, I went to work as a hostess for The Silver Diner. I have nothing but fond memories of interacting with customers and their smiling faces. The staff at the diner were hard working, generous and beyond kind.

Once my parent's divorce was finalized, I was forced to quit the diner which was my sanctuary of peace outside of the school setting and forced into an arranged marriage.

It's due to this, I am fervent about women's rights

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Gutsy" by Hillary Clinton and Chelsea.

Reflection on Strong Women

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Dr. House

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The National Anthem

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Fighting for justice

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Military budget, super powers implode due to poor management

Americans often ask "What is the military fighting for"? With the below acknowledgement(s).

Bloated healthcare costs

Climate change

Rotting crops

Education investment

Car loan bubble

Reuters reported 3,310 municipals have double the lead in the water than Flint.

There is a proven link between lead and autism.

Job creation for qualified individuals, I propose like other countries where students start learning a second language by age 7, we start teaching the future generation by 2024 Spanish from age 7 until high school.

By 2030, 75% of new jobs created will be for Spanish speakers.

Student loan debt crisis.

Homeless crisis leading to TB outbreaks

Foreign relations with China, the USA is a service based economy, China does steal US patents w/ 0 regard of international law.

USA cannot compete with Chinese slave labor out of Dubai (see vice news) -

Trump was capitalizing off slave labor in Dubai.

Overcrowded prison system

Unemployment levels without rescue packages to start creating jobs within the United States

.I have an immigration plan which does uphold the constitution completely different than anything the Dems or GOP has ever presented

Future pandemics like the Nipah virus mentioned by Dr. Kim from the KCDC

Bankruptcies continuing to climb. Currently, 70% of bankruptcies are due to Medical debt which affects an individuals' credit score

An unfair FICO score system

Undermining unions,

Americans become victims of ageism in the workforce, despite, studies do show, diversity of generations improves the work ethic

Food insecurity

Obesity,

Lack of transportation infrastructure cost The US trillions

Decaying suburbs

ISP monopolies

Adequate PPE Rebuild the more than 400 hospitals which have shut down

We cannot afford to subsidize donors

Unregulated Wall St.

Unjust tax code

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The Senate has the sole power to conduct impeachment trials, essentially serving as jury and judge. Since 1789 the Senate has tried 20 federal officials, including three presidents. Congress has conducted investigations of malfeasance in the executive branch—and elsewhere in American society—since 1792.

The Senate has the sole power to confirm those of the President's appointments that require consent, and to provide advice and consent to ratify treaties. There are, however, two exceptions to this rule: the House must also approve appointments to the Vice Presidency and any treaty that involves foreign trade.

The Senate is the side of Congress where every state has the same number of votes (two). ... For each state, this means that after two elections to the Senate, during one election no one will be elected to the Senate. Also, like the House, the Senate can override the president's veto with a ⅔ (67 votes) vote.

Unlike a state's congress, a federal senator represents the entire state.

The initial intent of the senate is for checks and balances.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I do not believe a senator should have previous experience in government. There are 100 senators in congress. As of 2020, there were 12,540 registered lobbyists saturating Washington D.C.

Most senators have held previous positions of office. Many lobbyists were attorneys. Attorneys are all too familiar with the concept of 'conflict of interest'

Common sense dictates, accepting money from lobbyists is a conflict of interest.

A senator who is elected solely on merit, work experience, in the private or public sector rejecting lobbyist funds, is far more qualified than a senator who owes their donors favors rather than allocate tax money for the good of their constituents.

We, the American people cannot change a system by taking pac money.

A bill can be introduced in either chamber of Congress by a senator or representative who sponsors it. ... Then both chambers vote on the same exact bill and, if it passes, they present it to the president. The president then considers the bill.

There are countless examples of lobbyists writing US legislations, Congress from both the house and senate collecting checks from lobbyists at ALEC conventions.

The USA has regressed to developing nation status, congress has an insider trading problem which the stock act has not gone far enough to eradicate full immunity from congress eliminating that privilege.

The American people elect representatives and senators to represent them, not the donors.

A politician is SUPPOSED to be a civil servant. A civil servant SERVES their citizens.

What do you think of the filibuster?

I believe the filibuster should be abolished.

MIT reported the US has regressed to a developing nation for the majority of American citizens.

The filibuster is used far more often by the GOP than the Democrats, and hinders progress.

A majority is a majority.

The GOP does not ask permission or wait for Democrats to agree on legislation.

The Democrats continue to get elected out of congress because the average American doesn't comprehend basic civics enough to know how the filibuster which started with good intent has been weaponized making public policy favorable to citizens less obtainable.

With each election cycle, congress is correctly viewed as being less and less useful.

Trump was a pseudo populist president, compromise has been removed when rendering decisions shaped for the good of taxpayers.

Society is fragile, congress is saturated with dark money, every election cycle becoming increasingly more expensive.

For every Democrat which chooses to break with progressive policies introduced to the house or senate, or vote against the individuals who believed in Democratic leadership, both parties are viewed by the American people as bought by the same lobbyists to do their bidding, not the will of the people.

I fear for 2022. If the Democrats don't comprehend that Joe Biden endorsed Bernie Sanders post Hillary's loss, 2022 will be a repeat of 2010.

The great gerrymander of 2012 showed DESPITE Democrats abandoning universal healthcare in favor of GOP Romney's ACA, they lost any ways and voters rightfully felt betrayed.

We, the progressives can win but we need to hold to our values and learn to do the bidding of those who elect us before citizens erupt.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees?

The constitution as it currently stands is how I would confirm a presidential appointee.

I was furious Mitch McConnel refused to confirm Merrick as the SC justice.

We can no longer afford as a nation to continue to remain centered and conservative and still retain the title progressive.

If Independents were a voting block, it would be the largest voting block, Independents do not fit into the folds of any current party as is due to the fact with each election cycle, congress represents their donors.

60 minutes showed both parties are dialing for dollars essentially becoming telemarketers.

All the censorship in the world isn't going to eradicate the anger building in people.

We need to start representing the people.

From a personal standpoint:

I would reject an appointee who is against Row V Wade

Mandatory draft

However, I am bound to the constitution in it's current state.

If you are not a current senator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

US House Committee on finances.

The Committee on Education and Labor'

U.S. committee for refugees and immigrants

If you are a current senator, why did you join your current committees?

N/A

Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

FDR won election to the New York State Senate in 1910, and then served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson during World War I.

He was so popular, he was elected for 4 terms. We, the American people need to return to an era where politicians serve the people, not their donors.

Tell us your favorite joke.

George Carlin's skit on "Stuff"

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

For more than 60 years, ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary has evaluated the professional qualifications of nominees to the Supreme Court by conducting extensive peer reviews of each nominee's integrity, professional competence, and judicial temperament.

Confirmation by the Senate allows the President to formally appoint the candidate to the court. The Constitution does not set any qualifications for service as a Justice, thus the President may nominate any individual to serve on the Court.

I would take into consideration my fellow progressive's thoughts, but ultimately stand by Biden's pick in the current political climate because a GOP pick which is yet to be determined would lead me to object.

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

I am interested in forming relationships with senators who believe in representing the American people with integrity.

I would like to remove money from elections.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0"); });