Krista Bokhari, Republican NC House District 104 candidate, answers our questions
.jpg "Krista Bokhari is the Republican candidate NC House of Representatives District 104.")
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NC House District 104
Republican Krista Bokhari faces incumbent Democrat Brandon Lofton in NC House District 104, which covers parts of south Charlotte.
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To help inform voters in the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Krista Bokhari
Birth date (month, day and year): 09/02/1978
Campaign website or social media page: kristabokhari.com
Occupation: Mother
Education: Radford University - BA Marketing
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held)
No
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Various roles on CMS School PTA for the last 6+ years
Board of the Young Republicans
Various roles on the MPUMC TCC Parent Council from 2016-2022
Promising Pages Book Drive
HOA Board Member
Champion for The Katie Blessing Center
Helping with Constituent Services for residents of Charlotte City Council District 6 for the last 7 years
Front Office support at CMS school for the last 3 years
Supply collection for CMPD during uptown riots
National Police Week Adopt a Cop coordinator for 4 years
Member of SPAN
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and most of the county’s towns are on board with draft legislation to get permission from the legislature for a sales tax referendum to pay for public transit and other transportation. If elected, would you support a bill that allows the sales tax increase to appear on the ballot? Why or why not?
While I believe we need a comprehensive transportation plan, I want to make sure we are doing it right. We need to fulfill promises made to the northern towns and need to be sure there is well-designed oversight. I have issues with the bill in its current form and will always be concerned about raising taxes especially in this economy on the heels of increases by both the city and county; however, I believe in the need for a transformational transportation investment for Charlotte.
In North Carolina, abortion is banned after 12 weeks. State politicians, including gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, have said they want to restrict abortion even further. Do you support the state’s current abortion restrictions, and what is your approach to legislating issues related to reproductive health?
The voters are being misled. Most Republican legislators I have spoken to have no plan or appetite to bring this to vote again. I can best sum up my position with the word “reasonable,” the majority of North Carolinians look at 12 weeks, with exceptions, and feel like this is reasonable legislation. On this issue, I look to my Republican principles of limited government and individual liberty, but this must be within reason. I want to be clear that I would NOT vote for a 6 week ban.
What would you say is the biggest issue facing your constituents, and what would you do to address it if elected?
Crime; however, I believe our education system is a root cause solution to our crime issues. When I see our math and reading proficiency at only about 50% and drop out rate at 16%, education needs to be a top priority for me. Part of my legislative priorities will be to require and fund Orton-Gillingham training for all NC Pre-K through third-grade teachers.
While violent crime rates are decreasing nationwide they are growing in large North Carolina cities like Charlotte and Raleigh. How would you tackle the issue of rising violent crime rates and what do you believe is the legislature’s role when it comes to public safety?
I will be laser focused on policy that gets repeat offenders off our streets, funds the re-opening of the juvenile detention center and establishes more oversight of the magistrate system. I believe the Legislature’s role when it comes to public safety is to pass legislation that protects our law-abiding citizens.
While inflation has slowed, rising prices continue to concern North Carolina residents. How will you ensure your constituents are able to afford basic necessities like health care, food and housing?
My plan to focus on creating a safe state with strong schools and infrastructure is what will make NC attractive so Charlotte and the EDPNC can recruit and grow companies. Bringing jobs to NC will bring upward mobility and healthcare benefits. Preventive access to healthcare is key to keeping it affordable. We must work on the provider shortage.
Is there any policy by your party that you disagree with?
There are constant disagreements within our party on positions and the nuances of how policy is crafted. We do have a set of shared principles though to guide those debates. I believe this is the sign of healthy discourse and representing everyone in our state.
This story was originally published October 14, 2024 at 4:59 PM.
