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NH

Deborah

Ross

Democrat
-2
Raleigh, Cary, Apex
Deborah Ross

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Personal Background

Birthdate

6/20/1963 (57)

Race/Ethnicity

Caucasian/White

Gender Identification

F

Religion

Unitarian

Family

Married

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

B.A. in International Relations, Brown University; J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law

KEY HEALTH LINK

Ross made expanding health care access her number one legislative priority.

Political/Professional Background

LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE

North Carolina House of Representatives (34th District), 2013; North Carolina House of Representatives (38th District), 2003-2013

2020 ELECTION CONTEXT

Ross won the 2020 Democratic Primary for North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District in a field with three other candidates. She ran against Republican Alan Swain to succeed Republican George Holding, who chose not to seek re-election in 2020. This district was redrawn after a State Court ruled that the State’s Congressional map was gerrymandered in an unconstitutional manner.

INCUMBENT REPLACED

George Holding (R), retired

MOST RECENT PROFESSION

Counsel at Fox Rothschild LLP

POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY

Ross made her career as a civil liberties lawyer including serving as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) State Director for nearly eight years. She most recently served in a private law firm. Ross first ran for office in 2002 and was elected as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. She served in the North Carolina House through 2013. During this time she sat on the Education, Elections, Finance, Judiciary, Appropriations, Pensions and Retirement and the Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Committees. She also served as Vice Chair of the Ethics Committee. In 2016, Ross ran for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina against incumbent Republican Richard Burr. Ross was defeated in this race.

On The Issues

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Ross has criticized President Trump for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including his not wearing masks. Ross supports the passage of the HEROES Act.

HEALTH COVERAGE

Ross wants to see ACA broadened to include a public option for universal coverage. She would also like for people ages 55 to 65 to be eligible for subsidized Medicare, even at a higher premium.

MARIJUANA

Ross supports the legalization of medical marijuana. She has been given a B rating by NORML, indicating support for medical marijuana as well as decriminalization of possession of marijuana.

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION

While a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, Ross worked to have health care companies cover mental health treatments.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Ross supports allowing Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to lower prices for prescription drugs.

VETERANS HEALTH CARE

No Data

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Ross is pro-choice and often touts her work as a lawyer to maintain access to abortion. She has been endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and EMILY's List.

OTHER HEALTH CARE ISSUES

As a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, Ross worked to require health care companies to cover autism treatments. Ross would like increased paid sick leave and supports raising the cap on payroll taxes for higher earners to pay more into the Social Security and Medicare systems. In the state house, Ross cosponsored a successful bill that expanded pharmacists immunization authority. She also co-sponsored legislation that would provide tax incentives to encourage delivery and availability of nutrient dense food in food desert zones, although it did not pass.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ross was the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) State Director for nearly eight years.