Venus de la Cruz

Venus de la Cruz graduated from Reid Ross High School. Her career experience includes working as a business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

• Owner and manager of Venus Vogue, Inc. and E&V Investments

• Former owner and publisher of a bi-weekly magazine

• Executive spouse of a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel

• Community volunteer and advocate

• Church member, teacher, and volunteer

• Co-founder of a nonprofit organization serving military members and their families

• Political and civic volunteer and activist

My experience as a business owner, military spouse, mother of six, community advocate, and volunteer has given me a broad understanding of the challenges facing working families, small businesses, military families, and our community.

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?

Education is one of my highest priorities. As a mother of six with experience in public, private, and homeschool education, I understand the benefits and challenges of each. I support parents' right to choose the education that best meets their child's needs, including opportunity scholarships. I will advocate for high academic standards, safe classrooms, strong teachers, and transparency with parents about their children's education. Schools should focus on reading, writing, math, science, history, and civics while expanding career and technical education so students can pursue college, trades, military service, or the workforce. Every child deserves the opportunity to excel, not by lowering the bar, but by helping students rise to meet itKeeping our communities safe and strong is a priority. I will support law enforcement and advocate for the resources Cumberland County needs, including among other needs, addressing recruitment and retention challenges in our Sheriff's Office and detention center. I will also stand with our career and volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders and examine where additional state support may be needed. Public safety means ensuring those who protect us have what they need. As your senator, I will make sure the public safety needs of Cumberland County are heard in Raleigh.District 19 deserves a senator who is accessible, accountable, and fair to every citizen. I believe government should serve people without division or favoritism. My principles include constitutional government and individual liberty, equal rights and opportunity without regard to race, strong families and parental rights, school choice and academic achievement, fiscal responsibility and free enterprise, public safety, Second Amendment rights, and national strength and patriotism. I will remain accessible to the people I represent and approach public service with transparency, accountability, and fairness.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

District 19 deserves a senator who is accessible, accountable, and committed to representing every citizen fairly. I believe government should serve people without division or favoritism. I will safeguard taxpayer dollars through transparency and responsible oversight, advocate for clean and protected water sources, and defend the constitutional rights and individual liberties of all constituents. My commitment is to listen, ask the hard questions, demand accountability, and ensure every citizen of District 19 has a voice in Raleigh.