To help inform voters in the November 5, 2024 election, this candidate questionnaire may be republished at no cost by local publications in North Carolina. Please consider subscribe to The Charlotte Observer to make this coverage possible.
Name: Krista Bochari
Date of birth (month, day and year): 09/02/1978
Campaign website or social media page: kristabokhari.com
Occupation: Mother
Education: Radford University – BA Marketing
Have you stood for election before? (Provide a list of previous positions sought or held)
No
Please share your highlights of community involvement
Various roles at CMS School PTA over the past 6+ years
Board of the Young Republicans
Various roles in the MPUMC TCC Parent Council from 2016-2022
Promising Pages Book Drive
HOA board member
Champion for the Katie Blessing Center
Assisted with constituent services for residents of Charlotte City Council District 6 for the past 7 years
Front Office support at CMS school for the past 3 years
Supplies collection for CMPD during uptown riots
National Police Week Adopt a Cop coordinator for 4 years
Member of SPAN
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and most cities in the county have agreed to a bill seeking approval from the Legislature for a referendum on sales taxes to pay for mass transit and other transportation. If elected, would you support a bill that would allow 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 get it right. We must deliver on the promises made to the northern cities and ensure that there is proper supervision. I have issues with the bill in its current form and will always be concerned about raising taxes, especially in this economy due to increases by both the city and the county; However, I believe in the need for a transformational transportation investment for Charlotte.
In North Carolina, abortion is prohibited after twelve 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 the legislative issue related to reproductive health?
The voters are being misled. Most Republican lawmakers I’ve spoken to have no plan or desire to bring this to a vote again. I can best summarize my position with the word ‘reasonable’. The majority of North Carolina residents look at twelve weeks, with exceptions, and think this is reasonable legislation. On this issue, I look to my Republican principles of limited government and individual liberty, but this must be reasonable. I want to be clear that I would NOT vote for a six week ban.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing your constituents, and what would you do to address it if elected?
Crime; However, I believe that our education system is a fundamental solution to our crime problems. When I see that our math and reading proficiency is only about 50% and the dropout rate is 16%, then education must 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 teachers through third grade.
While violent crime rates are declining nationally, they are growing in major North Carolina cities like Charlotte and Raleigh. How would you address the problem of rising violent crime rates and what do you see as the role of the legislature when it comes to public safety?
I will focus heavily on policies that get repeat offenders off our streets, fund the reopening of the juvenile detention center, and establish greater oversight of the magistrate system. I believe the role of the legislature when it comes to public safety is to pass legislation that protects our law-abiding citizens.
Although inflation has decreased, rising prices continue to worry North Carolinians. How will you ensure that your constituents can afford basic needs such as healthcare, food and housing?
My plan to focus on creating a safe state with strong schools and infrastructure will make NC attractive so that Charlotte and the EDPNC can recruit and grow businesses. Bringing jobs to NC will provide upward mobility and health care benefits. Preventive access to healthcare is crucial to keep it affordable. We need to work on the shortage of providers.
Are there any policies of your party that you disagree with?
There are constant disagreements within our party about positions and the nuances of how policy is shaped. However, we do have some shared principles that can guide these debates. I believe this is the sign of healthy discourse and represents everyone in our state.
