Richard Watkins

Richard Watkins was born in Tyler, Texas. Watkins graduated from Grimsley Senior High School. He earned a B.S. in psychology from Fayetteville State University in 2007 and a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Watkins' career experience includes founding and working as the CEO of the Science Policy Action Network. Watkins has been associated with the Rotary Club of Raleigh and the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chapter of the NAACP.[1][2]

U.S. House

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, and I earned my Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in Microbiology and Immunology with a specialty in Virology. My research focused on the factors that influence disease progression towards AIDS in HIV-infected patients. Prior to attending UNC, I earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Fayetteville State University (FSU). I played varsity football for FSU throughout my entire undergraduate experience.

I am the founder and CEO of The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), formed in 2014 to fill dangerous gaps between scientific advancement and stakeholders. SPAN envisions a scientific enterprise that grows and creates opportunities, binding its success with the prosperity of society as a whole. I used to be the former president of the UNC chapter of Sigma Xi, and I am the current Director of Club Administration for the Rotary Club of Raleigh. I also also serve on both the Religious Affairs Committee and the Health and Wellness Committee for the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chapter of the NAACP.

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?

As a father, I am extraordinarily concerned with the future that my daughter will inherit. For far too long our government and elected leaders have put on the back burner the climate crisis, and in doing so jeopardize our collective futures. I will bring to D.C the passion and the understanding that if we act now, we can create opportunities out of chaos, but if we don’t act now, the consequences will be both severe and unavoidable.I understand that every life has value, and every life is precious regardless of which identity you hold, everyone has an opportunity to safety. An opportunity to live in a healthy society and to be healthy themselves, and to be afforded all of the opportunities available in this country. I come from a people who were slaves, and who still have found themselves in a lurch in so many areas across our country. That’s why in our district, I’m looking forward to being our first African American and millennial representative in a district that is so diverse and young as ours.We are in the Research Triangle Park; the research, scientific, and medical communities represent the very fabric of this district. Our district has one of the highest concentrations of researchers and physicians anywhere in the country. As a scientist, I know that science is our way of taking advantage of so many different opportunities to make people’s lives healthier, to extend people’s lives and to transform the economy in a way that works for everyone. But only if we invest in science, medicine and the infrastructure. This is why at a time where the stakes couldn’t be higher, I am the best person for this job. I am the best person for this district because I am the district and the district is me.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public health, education, and our capacity for innovation. Equity has to always be front in center in public policy.

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

Humility, compassion, and integrity.

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

To represent the interests of your constituency.

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

Out of our three branches of government, the House of Representatives is unique in that the members of Congress are elected by the people. The House and the Senate are direct consequences of direct democracy. The House is the only chamber by the people and for the people.

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

No.

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

The climate crisis. The climate crisis is the greatest single threat to national security, public safety, and the economy. The climate crisis is the greatest single threat to these things, period.

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

I would love to be a member of these committee's: the Science, Space, and Technology Committee; the Appropriations Committee; the Energy and Commerce Committee; the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis; the Select Committee on Fairness and Growth; the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am a supporter of term limits. This is about representation and public service, this is not about being enthroned. We must remove ourselves from the idea that only those who are in power are the only ones who have great ideas. Having incumbents takes away from the idea of public service, and instead creates a culture of who has the most political clout. My proposed term limit for both houses of Congress is 12 years. 12 years in Congress and 12 years in the Senate. 24 years is more than enough time to make an impact. 6 terms in the House, two terms in Senate.

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

As much as I respect what AOC and Cori Bush represent, I want to be my own kind of representative.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

There was a story that I heard from a constituent on how he hated that people were not taking the pandemic seriously. This constituent has a respiratory condition that affects the way his lungs operate. He requires an oxygen tank to breathe, but the pandemic has seriously limited the amount of oxygen tanks that he receives on a periodic basis. It’s a miracle that he’s alive, given the number of oxygen tanks that have been limited due to the pandemic. His story showed me that we must take care of the problems that are currently going on in our society. The pandemic has brought these problems to the forefront, and we must make sure that folks have access to a living wage and affordable healthcare. If we don’t, things are going to get even worse for everyone.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, but not on all things.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

You have to tax equitably across the board. You cannot create revenue without investment, and you cannot create revenue without equitable taxation. We need investments in health, education, healthcare, sciences.

Campaign website

Watkins' campaign website stated the following:

Safety

Addressing concerns and threats to personal, financial, and environmental security to protect you and your loved ones.

Safety includes:

Addressing the Climate crisis and ending environmental injustice:

Reducing carbon emissions. We need to electrify everything and shift to 100% renewable resources

Increasing carbon capture, this includes investing in capture technologies, preventing deforestation and planting trees

Ensuring that everyone is guaranteed clean air, soil, and water

Full support for the Green New Deal legislation

Full support for the Paris Climate Agreement

Cybersecurity

Currently there is no federal standard for Cyber Security, we need to create one. This is a situation of national security.

Provide incentives and resources to drive and support cybersecurity standards

Create a public education campaign regarding cybersecurity

Personal

End the war on drugs which is a war on poor people.

Eliminate the federal prohibition of both medical and recreational marijuana

Eliminate qualified immunity as a mechanism to allow justice to be sought

Address the over-reliance on law enforcement by shifting resources into public education, mental health services, and personnel, social workers, drug rehabilitation, and public schools

Address gun violence to include Common sense gun reform which includes background checks on all gun sales, waiting periods, deterring illegal gun trafficking, and closing the Charleston loophole and the gun-show loophole.

Holding the gun industry accountable by repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

Financial

Universal Basic Income of at least $2000 per month without cutting any existing social programs

Increase minimum wage to at least $15/hour

Support for a wealth tax, and ensuring tax collection on individuals in the top .01% (~100,000,000/net worth)

Health

I have been studying viruses and creating the next generation of scientists and healthcare workers for a decade. Over the past year, COVID has revealed dangerous shortcomings in our nation’s healthcare system and scientific enterprise.

We need Medicare for ALL and heavy investment in scientific research if we are to save and extend lives.

Research:

Increase federal investment in basic science research

Increase investment in medical research

Create and fund the US Department of Science

Infrastructure:

With a particular focus on rural communities, we must increase federal investments in medical and health care infrastructure

Improved accessibility to healthcare services such as telehealth and mobile primary care providers

Ensure that hospital facilities are equipped with the proper equipment, technologies, and personnel

Workforce:

Providing federal support to dramatically increase both the scientific and medical workforces

Ensure better DEI practices within the medical and scientific workforce

Medicare for all:

A single-payer system that covers everyone, for all medically necessary services which includes dental, vision, hearing aids, mental health, and prescription drugs.

Opportunity

Creating jobs and providing quality education is essential because there is nothing more important than being able to provide for your family. Right now North Carolinians across the state are struggling to survive. I’m running to make sure that all North Carolina families thrive, starting right here in NC-06

I believe in mass investments in public education, increasing classroom resources, continuous education for teacher development. I advocate for:

1) Universal pre-K

2) Universal Community College and Trade Schools

3) Universal Public Colleges and Universities

4) Create a federal standard where all teachers make a minimum of $60,000

I advocate for mass investments in infrastructure which includes high-speed broadband, repairing our roads and bridges, water and sewer, especially for rural communities. I plan to create special incentives for companies to offer high-wage jobs for every North Carolinian.

Housing:

Increased investment in affordable housing

The prevention of gentrification through the protection of historic neighborhoods and communities

Jobs:

Protecting and supporting American manufacturing

Protecting and supporting unions

Increased minimum wage to at least $15.00 per hour

Creating new jobs and supporting new economic engines.

Equity

Eliminating inequities and accepting nothing less than a just society, so that everyone has the right to safety, health, and opportunity. Equity means:

Medicare for All and Universal Basic Income

Ensure that everyone is guaranteed clean air, soil and water

Ensure food equity across this entire state

Tuition-free colleges, and public universities as well as trade schools and Universal Pre-K

Increasing income taxes on anyone earning over $20,000,000

Support for a wealth tax, and ensuring tax collection on individuals in the top .01% (~100,000,000/net worth)

Solutions

A better tomorrow cannot be achieved through conventional leadership. North Carolina Deserves bold action, bold policy, and bold leadership.

It’s not enough to talk about these issues, it’s time for action. My experience as an educator, a scientist, and an entrepreneur makes me the right candidate to push for progressive policies. This includes the proper investments for advancement in the field of science, education, and medical research needed.[3]

—Richard Watkins' campaign website (2022)[4]

U.S. Senate

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