Lorenza Wilkins

Families in Nash County are already seeing Duke Energy rate increases on their monthly bills. They shouldn’t have to pay for the power and water demands of large data centers too. My philosophy is simple: growth has to pay for itself. I will support policies that force data centers to pay for all new generation, transmission and water infrastructure they need themselves instead of passing those costs along to residential ratepayers through the rate base. Before any permit is issued communities should get clear public information about projected electricity and water use, effects on local water supplies and how many quality local jobs the project actually creates. I’ll fight for real local input into siting decisions, protections for farmland and wetlands, and community benefit agreements that return value to counties hosting these facilities. I’ll also push data centers to rely on new clean energy and recycling of water rather than drawing down what our families and farms need. Economic development is important but not at the expense of affordable bills, clean water and public health.

Nash County is part of North Carolina’s life sciences story (Pfizer in Rocky Mount). Our kids should be first in line for those jobs. As a lifelong educator I believe that starts with strong K–12 schools: competitive teacher pay to recruit and keep science and math teachers, modern lab equipment and hands-on STEM learning in every school, not just well funded ones. I will support expanding dual enrollment so high school students can get college credit and industry credentials before graduation. Community colleges like Nash Community College are the backbone of this effort and I will fight for stable funding for biotech, advanced manufacturing and lab technician programs built in partnership with local employers. I also want to expand apprenticeships, paid internships and short term credential programs so adults changing careers can get these jobs too. When we educate, empower and elevate our students, rural and small town NC can compete for jobs of the future.

The government has a basic responsibility to keep people safe, including the air they breathe and water they drink. Water pollution is one of the top concerns I hear about in our district. I support enforceable state limits on PFAS and other forever chemicals; polluters being held accountable for cleanup costs; funding to upgrade rural water systems; asbestos and lead testing and abatement in older schools and public buildings. On health access, I will defend Medicaid expansion which brought coverage to hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians; vaccines remain affordable and easy to get through local health departments, pharmacies and schools (strong local health departments are first line of defense against disease prevention and emergency response from hurricanes to outbreaks). Mental health access will also continue to be a priority because community wellbeing is whole person wellbeing.

Trust is built locally through relationships and honesty. As an educator I know people trust information more when it comes from someone they know and is explained simply. Elected officials should bring scientists, doctors and researchers into the policymaking process early on and publicly (hearings, town halls, community forums) so people can see how decisions are made and ask questions directly. We need to be transparent about what science shows us, what’s still uncertain and why recommendations change sometimes as we learn more. I will support partnerships with our universities, community colleges, extension offices and trusted local messengers like pastors, nurses, teachers to share accurate information in our communities. I will call out misinformation when I see it but not talk down to people who have honest questions. Respecting voters means giving them the facts and the reasons behind them.