Republican incumbent David Rouzer is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Charles Graham for the U.S. House District 7 seat.
The newly drawn district includes Bladen, Robeson, Columbus, Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, and part of Cumberland County.
Rouzer was first elected to the 7th District in 2014. He previously served two terms in the N.C. state Senate.
Graham, a small business owner, has represented state House District 48 since 2010.
CityView asked the candidates about several issues facing the community. Here are their answers.
Charles Graham
Age: 71
Occupation: Small business owner, retired educator for exceptional children
Elected offices held: N.C. State House of Representatives, District 48 (2010-Present)
In light of recent mass shootings at a Texas elementary school and a Buffalo grocery store, would you support changing gun laws to help limit access to guns for the mentally ill, teenagers and/or people with a criminal past? How specifically would you change gun laws? Would you support new restrictions on access to military-style assault weapons?
I support common-sense legislation that limits bad actors from getting access to weapons. This means better background checks and closing the gun show loophole. I do not believe in infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens.
Inflation has been on the rise from the supermarket to housing. Economists say the reasons include supply-chain disruptions, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and increases in costs for supplies and wages. Others say that big corporations are taking advantage of market conditions while making record profits. How should the federal government address inflation? What can be done to keep costs down for consumers?
Government should take action to prevent corporate price gouging. Additionally, legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (2022) is a great example of legislation that can reduce economic inflation while also protecting consumers. This means making sure that price gouging doesn’t occur on everyday goods, reining in rampant costs of prescription medications and medical care, and working to reduce our nation’s deficit.
Abortion has become an even more divisive topic since the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, allowing many states to put more restrictions on the procedure and prompting legislators on both sides of the issue to move toward federal legislation. Some say abortion should be banned; some say it should be limited; others say it should be a woman’s choice guided by her own convictions and circumstances. Where do you stand on the issue of abortion? Do you support restrictions and, if so, what types of restrictions? Or do you think abortion should be a personal decision?
I respect the privacy of women and their healthcare providers to make their own medical decisions. I believe that abortions should be safe and legal. In Washington, I would never infringe on a woman’s healthcare privacy.
David Rouzer
Age: 50
Occupation: Congressman
Elected offices held: N.C. Senate, 2009-2012; U.S. House District 7
Rouzer did not respond to the questionnaire.
