Name as it appears on the ballot: Dimple Ajmera

Age: 33

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: www.DimpleAjmera.com

Occupation & employer: Charlotte City Councilwoman (city of Charlotte)

Years lived in North Carolina: 10

1) Tell us what in your record as a public official or private citizen demonstrates your ability to be an effective Treasurer? Please be specific.

With my CPA experience, I understand the job of the treasurer – managing the money for North Carolina, serving as the sole trustee for our $100 billion pension fund, managing the $3 billion state employee healthcare plan which serves more than 700,000 people, and overseeing all state and local bonds.

My finance background working for Fortune 100 financial corporations (including Deloitte & Touche and TIAA – Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association) managing multi-million dollar initiatives and as a City Councilwoman (overseeing a 2.4 billion annual city budget as a Budget Committee member) gives me direct hands-on experience to successfully serve as State Treasurer. I am also a hard worker and a fighter for what I believe in (with a record to prove it).

A second-term City Council At Large representative, I ran – and won – my race on a proven record of achievements that include Public Safety, Affordable Housing, the Environment, Women’s Equality, Economic Development, and Infrastructure.

As City Councilwoman, I successfully advocated for passage of a $50 million dollar bond for affordable housing (to be matched by private initiatives) and will continue to support bonds and measures that address this critical need.

I also successfully introduced and passed, with bipartisan support, an initiative to lower health insurance premiums for city workers earning less than $55K per year.

As chair of the Environment Committee, I championed the adoption of the Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP) – the city’s first framework to transition to a low carbon future with bipartisan support.

2) What are the three biggest challenges facing the Treasurer’s office? If elected, how would you propose to address these challenges?

Improve healthcare for all North Carolinians by managing an affordable and accessible State Health Plan and by advocating for Medicaid Expansion.

Protect taxpayers’ money through wise investments in infrastructure and businesses that enhance North Carolina economy, our citizens and environment. I will stop investing in companies that pollute our environment and harm our residents. I will invest in sustainable infrastructure that will prepare us for challenges due to climate change and other threats to prepare for a strong, healthy and resilient future.

Restore respect for our teachers, police and public employees by listening to their concerns, advocating for fair pay, and wisely managing their benefits and pension funds.

3) Last year, Treasurer Dale Folwell sought to move the State Health Plan toward a Clear Pricing Model, in which the state sets a rate with health care providers based on what Medicare pays rather than having each provider negotiate an individual rate for services with the plan’s administrator. The North Carolina Healthcare Association has argued that moving to the CPM could deny members and retirees access to critical services. What are your thoughts on the benefits and potential drawbacks of the Clear Pricing Model?

I agree with my opponent that there should be transparency in healthcare costs.  Unlike my opponent, however, I will sit down with health care providers and negotiate a plan that will protect state funds and employees’ access to affordable care; while at the same time being fair to health care providers. North Carolinians need access to health care services in all parts of the state.

4) Folwell has argued that treatments for gender dysphoria should not be covered under the State Health Plan because they are “elective” procedures. Advocates for the trans community say that these treatments, which include counseling, hormone therapy, and surgical care, are not elective at all—they are medically necessary and can even be life-saving. Do you believe the state plan should cover these procedures? Please explain why or why not.

Treatment for gender dysphoria requires proper preoperative evaluation by experienced professionals, psychologists, and psychiatrists. I believe treatments (counseling, hormone therapy, and surgical care) consistent with best psychiatric and medical practices should be offered through the State Health Plan to provide a path for persons with gender dysphoria to achieve a healthy, happy life.

5) How well do you believe the state’s Pension Fund has been managed over the past four years? In your view, have there been any significant investment-strategy improvements or cost-savings that will make the fund sustainable for the long-term? How would you manage the fund differently, if at all?

The biggest issue the NC Treasurer can affect is effectively managing our $100 billion dollar pension fund and the $3 billion state employee healthcare plan which serves more than 700,000 people. The Treasurer does not answer to a board of trustees and, unfortunately, has not debated policy or investment decisions with a CIO. The Treasurer does answer to voters and voters need to know the incumbent Treasurer has made a 2.6 billion dollar mistake that violated the most elemental principal of investing. The state treasurer should not try to “time the market” but invest with a long term diversified strategy.

We need a Treasurer who has real experience managing the money. We cannot afford to make another 2.6 billion dollar mistake by electing someone without relevant experience. I will protect taxpayers’ money through wise investments in sustainable infrastructure and businesses that enhance North Carolina economy, our citizens and environment.

6) Will you state unequivocally that you would not accept a position on a corporate board while serving as state treasurer? Why or why not?

Yes. As an elected steward of the public’s money, serving on a corporate board would be a conflict of interest or (at the very least) present the appearance of a possible conflict of interest. The State Treasurer’s duty is to be a public servant to the residents of North Carolina and not advise any corporations on financial matters specific to their financial interests.

7) Are there any other issues you would like to address that were not included on this questionnaire?

These are very polarized times. The decisions our State Legislature makes continue to have an impact on our health, pocketbooks, retirements and planet. The middle class is suffering. Opportunities for upward mobility are declining. Our democracy is at risk.

It is important we have a person in the Treasurer’s office with the right experience and the right ethics. Not only do I have experience as a Certified Public Accountant, investment manager and public official, I have been recognized for my professional financial work and my public service.

Awards include:

  • Champion Award from TIAA for Managing Multi-Million Dollar Initiatives
  • One of Longleaf Politics’ 54 Top Young Political Stars in North Carolina
  • One of the 50 most influential women in Mecklenburg County by Mecklenburg Times
  • Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 under 40
  • 2019 Blue Sky award for public policy work by Clean Air Carolina
  • 2018 Global Service Award by Rotary International
  • Community Advocate award by Cafe Mocha Radio
  • 2019 NAACP Excellence in Leadership
  • Many more…