Name: Laura Pichardo
Age: 34
Party affiliation: Republican
Campaign website: https://pichardonc.com/
Occupation & employer: Accounts Payable Business Analyst-LHH/Adecco Staffing
Years lived in the area: 34
1. What in your background qualifies you to represent the people of your North Carolina district effectively? What would you cite as your three biggest career accomplishments?
As an Accounts Payable Business Analyst, I have managed complex financial information, found ways to reduce costs, and helped organizations improve how they operate. That experience would help me examine state budgets, ask careful questions, and follow through on the needs of people in Caswell, Person, and Orange counties. As an Accounts Payable Business Analyst, I am able to collaborate with a range of stakeholders, troubleshoot the bottleneck, and implement updates to the system after receiving approval from the business managers. My second greatest accomplishment is being an impactful Sunday School Catholic Teacher to students that are bilingual in English and Spanish. My third greatest accomplishment was advocating for broadband expansion in Caswell County during 2021. We now have reliable Wi-Fi in Caswell County.
2. What do you believe to be the three most pressing issues facing the next General Assembly? What steps do you believe the state should take to address them?
Keeping Medicaid fully funded, requesting funds for public schools, and advocating for small businesses owners all while keeping the cost of living affordable for our constitutes. The state should meet its Medicaid obligations in the budget for eligible residents can continue to access care. We need to continuously investments in public schools in Caswell, Person, and overall Orange County. I would request funds for competitive teacher pay classroom resources, school safety, and support staff. We need to advocate for policies that address affordability for small business owners and consumers.
3. Federal cuts to Medicaid are expected to cost the state $50 billion over the next decade, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. How would you address Medicaid funding to maintain coverage for the millions of North Carolinians enrolled?
We need to work with our fellow legislatures, medical providers, and stakeholders in the community. We need to address preventative care to cut down on the risks of people’s illnesses from escalating. For example, diabetics, should be able to qualify for free supplies as a part of monitoring and maintaining their blood sugar levels. We would have to main the NC income tax rate at the level it currently is at 3.99%. We need to try to work within our budget, respect the taxpayer by maintaining the current tax rate.
4. The General Assembly has voted to put a constitutional amendment on ballots that, if passed, would put a cap on property tax increases. Do you support the amendment? Why or why not?
I am leaving the vote up to the voter. We all have to pay property taxes. The current rate of property taxes varies from county to county. Voters should decide whether they want to have a cap on property taxes based on their current living conditions.
5. How would you address the rising costs of housing, childcare, and basic necessities facing North Carolina families?
We need to prevent investment companies from buying large amounts of single-family homes. Investment companies should have a cap placed by the state legislature that limits how many single-family homes they are allowed to purchase and at what rates they charge rent on their tenants. We need to come together as a committee in the legislature to review the cost of childcare so that we can create an updated policy.
6. Climate disasters are intensifying: Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina in 2024, Tropical Storm Chantal flooded the Triangle in 2025, and coastal erosion threatens the Outer Banks. With much affordable housing located in flood-prone areas and FEMA resources stretched thin, what is your plan for climate resilience and disaster relief?
I believe in preventative measures in order to help prevent flooding in affordable housing areas. We need to improve stormwater infrastructure management. We need to improve current mitigation plans and improving current infrastructures.
7. The General Assembly recently passed a new congressional redistricting map. This marks the state’s seventh congressional map since 2016. How do you view the most recent redistricting? And do you support independent redistricting processes, or do you believe the legislature should retain this power?
The State legislature should draw maps that represent people based on their economic region and zip code.
8. North Carolina ranks near the bottom nationally in teacher pay. How would you address teacher compensation, and what will you do to ensure a budget passes that adequately funds education?
I would need a data report to understand at what rate the teachers of NC should be paid. After reviewing the data, we could address the wages on a biannual basis. I will work with people across party lines to ensure children have a high-quality education and that teachers are being paid appropriately.
9. North Carolina currently has a 12-week abortion ban with certain exceptions. Some legislators have proposed further restrictions. Do you support the current law, believe access should be expanded, or would you support further restrictions?
I support keeping the current restrictions on abortion introduced by the Republican Majority in the North Carolina state legislature in 2023, which limit the procedure to 12 weeks. These laws represent a thoughtful balance between valuing life and allowing for necessary exceptions, such as in cases of rape, incest, and saving the life of the mother. As we address these critical issues, we must also show compassion by investing in programs like WIC, daycare, and Medicaid.
10. Federal legislation will ban most hemp-derived THC products, like Delta-8, by December 2026, threatening North Carolina’s hemp industry. Meanwhile, recreational marijuana remains illegal and medical marijuana bills have stalled. What is your position on hemp regulation and would you address the upcoming federal ban, if at all?
I support a balance report and regulation for HEMP Products. We would need to review data regarding hemp production and regulations. We need labels for products, reports that the products were tested.
11. Iryna’s Law eliminates cashless bail, requires mental health evaluations for certain defendants, and attempts to restart the death penalty by requiring alternative execution methods if lethal injection is unavailable. The law also accelerates death penalty appeals. Where do you stand on the death penalty and these criminal justice reforms?
I am uncomfortable with the death penalty. We need to support our Sheriff’s office by investing in their equipment, adding funding to the biannual budget for mental health services for people in prisons. We need to respect the victims, and maintaining the community’s trust and support for our Sheriff’s office.
12. Tech companies are investing heavily in North Carolina data centers, bringing tax revenue but also consuming significant electricity and water resources. How should the state balance data center investment with environmental protection and community concerns?
We need for tech companies to pay their share of water and electricity usage. The tech companies will need to build a separate category so that the local residents aren’t burden with the bills of the data center.
13. Give an example of an opinion, policy, vote or action you changed based on constituent feedback. If you have not yet held elected office, describe a time when you changed your position on an issue after listening to those affected by it.
I changed my position on funding Medicaid because as a human being I can see how my parents and the elders around me are aging. When we are young, we think that we are indestructible. As we age and we watch our parents age, we see why we need to invest in Medicaid. People with Diabetes and high blood pressure need to go to the doctor on a regular basis for checkups to spot changes in the patients’ health. Sometimes people avoid going to the doctor because they are scared of the medical bill. We can avoid escalations by implementing investing in Medicaid for those who are eligible.
14. Are there any issues this questionnaire has not addressed that you would like to address?
I will advocate for infrastructure projects in Caswell, Person, and Orange counties to help with job creation.
