Valerie Foushee

Valerie Foushee was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1956.[1][2] She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and Afro and African-American studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2008.[3] Her career experience includes working as an administrator with the Chapel Hill Police Department and in administrative positions with insurance and research companies.[4] Foushee previously served on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City board of education from 1997 to 2004, serving as chair from 2001 to 2003, as a member of the Orange County board of commissioners from 2004 to 2012, serving as chair from 2008 to 2010, as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2013 and a member of the North Carolina Senate from 2013 to 2022.

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Campaign websiteFoushee's campaign website stated the following:Civil RightsValerie believes that women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, immigrants’ rights, are all human rights. In the North Carolina State Senate, she sponsored legislation to prohibit wage discrimination on the basis of sex or gender and to remove barriers for women seeking to obtain an abortion. In Congress, she is working to restore the fundamental right to an abortion and to protect contraceptives and IVF.Valerie supports creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, ending privatized prisons, and reducing funding for ICE detention facilities and enforcement. Valerie has witnessed discrimination against Black and Brown communities, first hand and she’s always stood up to it. In Congress, she is continuing to fight against systemic racism and prioritizing legislation like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and and the Democracy Restoration Act.She is a proud member of the Congressional Equality Caucus and will always support legislation to ensure no one is discriminated against due to sexual orientation or gender identity. She is working on federal protections related to employment, health, housing, education, and credit amidst the rise in discriminatory state laws around the country.Criminal Justice ReformValerie supports a comprehensive reform of our criminal justice system, which would include decriminalizing the possession and use of marijuana for people over 21, ending cash bail, and strengthening anti-discrimination laws in our court systems. She sponsored legislation in the State Senate that aimed to emphasize the importance of law enforcement to keep our communities safe while also holding bad actors accountable.As a former administrator for the Chapel Hill police department, she understands the importance of unity as we work towards creating safer communities and combating violence in our neighborhoods. She is proud to work with both law enforcement and community-based organizations and help improve the relationship between law enforcement and the community. However, Valerie believes reforms are long overdue in our criminal and civil justice systems. In Congress, she supports the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, Ending Qualified Immunity Act, Justice for Incarcerated Moms, and programs that help low-income individuals have access to legal services.Protecting Reproductive FreedomsOur reproductive rights are under attack, and Valerie refuses to let our country continue to take steps backwards. Valerie believes that respecting women’s right to choose is paramount in respecting women. She believes that the federal government must codify Roe v. Wade to stop state legislatures from passing restrictive and archaic abortion laws.In Congress, she is a co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, Right to Contraception Act, and Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. These bills would prohibit governmental restrictions on abortion services, protect an individual's right to access contraceptives, and stop states from creating laws that interfere with a person’s ability to access out-of-state abortion services.Voting Rights and GerrymanderingValerie believes that unfettered access to the ballot box and fair districts are the foundation of our democracy. Gerrymandering and state voting laws that disproportionately suppress turnout and target Black and brown people, young adults, and the elderly are the barriers to ensuring free and fair elections.In the General Assembly, Valerie sponsored legislation that would provide automatic voter registration at drivers license offices, public agencies, community colleges, and colleges and universities of the University of North Carolina system as well as legislation that would make the statewide general Election Day an official paid state holiday for state employees.In Congress, Valerie is a proud co-sponsor of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act that establishes a new criteria for determining states preclearance before changes to voting practices take effect. She is also a strong supporter of the For the People Act and the establishment of an Independent Redistricting Commission to ensure legislative and congressional maps are drawn in an open, transparent, and nonpartisan process.Climate Change SolutionsValerie believes that we must do more to protect our planet for our children and the generations to come. She is a supporter of the Green New Deal and a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition in Congress. She also serves on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and recognizes the urgent need to create a robust, sustainable energy infrastructure nationwide. Valerie is working with her colleagues to help transition the United States away from our dependence on fossil fuels while meeting our climate goals and achieving true energy independence. She also supports increased investments in green transit including utilizing low and no-emission buses, passenger rail, and electric vehicles.In the General Assembly, she sponsored numerous bills that would monitor PFAS in drinking water, clean up coal ash, incentivize clean and renewable energy, and move North Carolina towards a more environmentally friendly future. In Congress, she is focused on strengthening current environmental protection laws and continuing funding for key federal agencies.Valerie has also taken steps towards preventing unnecessary environmental threats in our local community, including leading her colleagues in urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deny an extension of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate project. She will always continue her fight against environmental racism.Public HealthAccess to affordable, quality health care is a right which should be guaranteed to all Americans. At the state-level, Valerie fought to expand Medicaid and at the federal level, she is an original co-sponsor of the Medicare for All Act. She believes that everyone should be able to see a doctor when they are sick. She is pleased that President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, providing meaningful financial relief for millions of people with Medicare by expanding benefits, lowering drug costs, and strengthening Medicare for the next generation.Valerie knows the problems in our healthcare system do not stop with accessibility. She is working at the federal level to address minority health disparities, gaps in mental health treatment, and the social determinants of health that affect our most vulnerable communities. She will continue to fight for accessible, equitable, and robust healthcare for all Americans.Equity in EducationHigher education is a pathway to greater opportunity, opening countless doors for our young people. But today, rising costs are a barrier to many young people’s pursuit of higher education. Valerie is in favor of canceling existing student debt and expanding programs that keep loan payments affordable and income based. In Congress, she is advocating for financial assistance to states and students to ensure that all students can get a debt-free education at all public universities and colleges.EconomyValerie is committed to supporting our working class, small businesses, and lowering costs of families’ everyday expenses. She is a strong supporter of unions and union workers, broadening participation in the workforce, permanently expanding the Child Tax Credit, raising the federal minimum wage, and ensuring easy access to affordable credit for first-time homeowners and small business owners. In Congress, she is working to pass measures that would secure equity in economic development for small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses.Valerie believes that all Americans deserve access to a safe and affordable place to call home. She supports programs that promote affordable housing, homeownership, and community development. She secured over $12.39 million for community projects in NC-04l, which included funds for affordable housing projects in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Burlington.Gun Violence PreventionIn Congress, Valerie is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. She has helped lead the effort to reintroduce the federal assault weapons ban. She has signed discharge petitions to force votes on the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, the Assault Weapons Ban, Ethan’s Law, Closing the Bump Stock Loophold Act, Keep Americans Safe Act, and more.While House Republicans have refused to vote on these measures, these bills are sensible reforms that will dramatically improve the safety of our schools, places of worship, and communities as a whole.Valerie supports local gun buy-back programs, bans on high-capacity magazines, increased funding for mental health services, community violence intervention programs, hunter and gun safety education, and funding for more research.Child CareValerie believes in increased investments in early education to ensure that all children are given the support they need to grow and thrive. In Congress, she is fighting to guarantee free, quality universal pre-K to prepare every child for day one of kindergarten and beyond. She has also introduced the Expanding Child Care Act to help address the child care shortage nationwide. This legislation will provide a refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 to new family child care providers once they receive a state family child license. This will help expand the overall supply of child care and increase choice and flexibility for parents.— Valerie Foushee's campaign website (February 3, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Valerie Foushee did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Valerie Foushee did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Foushee's campaign website stated the following:

Civil Rights

Valerie believes that women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrants’ rights, are all human rights. In the North Carolina State Senate, she sponsored legislation to prohibit wage discrimination on the basis of sex or gender1 and to remove barriers for women seeking to obtain an abortion2. Valerie is also in favor of creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, ending privatized prisons, and reducing funding for ICE detention facilities and enforcement. Valerie has witnessed discrimination against Black and Brown communities, first hand and she’s always stood up to it. In Congress, she will continue to fight against systemic racism and to prioritize legislation that brings equity to all communities.

Criminal Justice Reform

Valerie supports a comprehensive reform of our criminal justice system, which would include decriminalizing the possession and use of marijuana3 for people over 21, ending cash bail4, and strengthening anti-discrimination laws in our court systems in an effort to root out systemic racism in our criminal justice system.

She has sponsored legislation5 in the State Senate that aims to emphasize the importance of law enforcement to keep our communities safe while also holding bad actors accountable. She will continue this work in Congress by pushing for the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Voting Rights and Gerrymandering

Valerie has sponsored legislation to automatically register eligible individuals to vote6 and to make Election Day in North Carolina a public holiday7. In Congress, Valerie will join the fight to expand and protect voting rights by pushing for the passage of the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which aim to limit gerrymandering, expand access to the ballot box, and strengthen our Constitutional right to vote.

Climate Change Solutions

Valerie believes that we must do more to protect our planet for our children and the generations to come. She supports increased environmental regulations and funding for the EPA and increased investments into green transit. She knows that we must reduce our dependence on coal and oil and prioritize more sustainable alternatives like solar and wind energy. Passing the Green New Deal into law will be one of Valerie’s top priorities in Congress. Valerie will also continue her fight against environmental racism, something she has championed on the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

Public Health

Access to affordable, quality health care is a right which should be guaranteed to all Americans. Valerie is a supporter of a Medicare for All system because she believes that everyone should be able to see a doctor when they are sick. In the State Senate, Valerie sponsored legislation8 to close the Medicaid coverage gap, and she will continue this work in Congress. She will fight to continue to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and advocate for policies that would require pharmaceutical companies to negotiate with the Federal Government to lower prescription drug prices for everyone.

Equity in Education

Higher education is a pathway to greater opportunity, opening countless doors for our young people. But today, rising costs are a barrier to too many young people’s pursuit of higher education. Valerie is in favor of cancelling existing student debt and expanding programs that keep loan payments affordable and income based. She will advocate in Congress for financial assistance to states and students to ensure that all students can get a debt-free education at all public universities and colleges.

Economy

In the North Carolina State Senate, Valerie supported legislation to raise the minimum wage in North Carolina to $15 per hour with yearly adjustments for inflation. In Congress, Valerie will support similar legislation to ensure that everyone earns a fair wage that pays the bills. Valerie is a supporter of unions, will work to expand worker protections, and strengthen organizing, collective bargaining, and the right to strike. She will also advocate to make the Child Tax Credit permanent and push for the passage of the Building Our Opportunities to Survive and Thrive (BOOST) Act to address poverty and provide relief for low- and moderate-income households by introducing a new tax credit.

Childcare

Valerie believes in increased investments in early education to ensure that all children are given the support they need to grow and thrive. She will join the fight in Congress to guarantee free, quality universal pre-K to prepare every child for day one of kindergarten and beyond.

Pandemic Preparedness

The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating across the globe and here at home, in the U.S. We are nearing one million deaths in the U.S. and trillions in economic losses. One thing that’s been made clear is that we were not prepared for the pandemic. Sadly, this will not be the last pandemic we experience, perhaps even in our lifetimes. We must work to ensure that when the next one hits, we’re ready. In Congress, I’ll fight to ensure that our federal agencies have the tools they need to prepare for or prevent another pandemic. That means increasing our investments in research and ensuring we proactively strengthen regulations and protocols to ensure research is done safely.

Notes

1. SB 573 Equal Pay Act

2. SB 167 Remove Barriers/Gain Access to Abortion Act

3. SB 646 Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act

4. SB 486 Reform Courts and Jails

5. SB 565 Supporting Law Enforcement

6. SB 369 Make Election Day a State Holiday

7. SB 364 Automatic Voter Registration

8. SB 402 Close the Medicaid Coverage Gap

9. SB 447 Living Wage for NC Workers[20]

—Valerie Foushee's campaign website (2022)[21]

Valerie Foushee did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Investing in quality public education from universal pre-k, affordable early college programs to our flagship community colleges and university system. Promoting a strong economy by providing affordable and accessible healthcare and job creation. Preserving democracy by ensuring fair voting districts and equal access to the ballot box.[23][20]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

Ensuring equality for every citizen through legislation that promotes fairness, justice and equal protection. All citizens need access to information technology to compete in today's economy for employment and educational opportunities to be successful.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[20]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Valerie P. Foushee answered the following:

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?

The Righteous Mind, Jonathan Haidt[20]

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

Desire to serve others Compassion Integrity Character[20]

What process do you favor for redistricting?

The creation of an Independent Redistricting Commission[20]

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

H. M. "Mickey" Michaux[20]

Foushee's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[24]

Defending Women's Rights

Excerpt: "We need to empower women and their doctors, in consultation with family and faith, making decisions about their health without Republican men getting in the way."

Strengthening Public Education

Excerpt: "In order to be competitive nationally and globally, we must support universal pre-k, our K – 12 programs and strengthen our community colleges and public universities."

Equal Protection and Respect for all

Excerpt: "Amendment 1 must be repealed. Our state suffers every day that this bigoted law is enshrined in our constitution. Members of the LGBTQ community deserve the opportunity to marry, to be protected in their jobs and to be treated equally under the law."

Protecting our Environment

Excerpt: "Hydrolic fracturing, or fracking, represents a serious threat to our drinking water in North Carolina."