To help inform voters about the November 5, 2024 election, this candidate questionnaire may be republished at no cost by local publications in North Carolina. To help enable this reporting, please consider subscribing to The News & Observer.
Name: Julie von Haefen
District/seat: Huiswijk 36
Province or provinces represented: Wake up
Political party: Democrat
Age as of November 5, 2024: 53
Campaign website: juliefornc.com
Current occupation: State legislator, part-time substitute teacher
Professional experience: I have practiced law for over 10 years in a variety of areas, including criminal law, medical malpractice defense, municipal law, and education law. I was a PTA leader at the school, county and state levels. I served as chairman of the Wake County PTA Council and on the Board of Directors for five years. I served on the North Carolina PTA Board of Directors from 2017 to 2019 and served as State Advocacy Chair and Federal Legislative Chair for NCPTA. I currently work part-time as a substitute teacher.
Education: I received my undergraduate degree from Ohio University and my law degree from Case Western Reserve University.
Please include any notable government or community involvement: In addition to my work with PTA and volunteering with WCPSS, I received my certification as a Guardian ad Litem in Wake County and volunteered with Meals on Wheels.
What would be your top priority if elected?
My top three priorities are increasing education funding so that every child in North Carolina has access to a solid basic education, protecting every North Carolinian's right to reproductive freedom, and passing gun safety legislation.
What percentage increase should state employees, school staff and teachers receive in the next state budget?
School staff and teachers should get at least an 8.5% pay increase in the next state budget. State workers should get at least a 5% pay increase in the next state budget.
What legislation would you support to improve the Triangle's transportation, housing or infrastructure? Please be specific.
I sponsored House Bill 208, which provides tax breaks for low-income housing. I co-sponsored the NC Housing Choice Incentive, which provides $30 million dollars to the NC Housing Choice Grant program to award grants annually to select municipalities. I am a leader on bipartisan clean energy and electric vehicle legislation, including House Bill 296, EV Charging Station/Parking. I support House Bill 582, which invests money to give our communities the resources they need to create sustainable transportation systems.
Do you think the Legislature should fund approximately $500 million for private school vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program? Why or why not?
I strongly oppose the expansion of private school vouchers. The expansion of the voucher program will reduce funding for North Carolina public schools. By using public tax dollars to fund private education, we primarily fund religious organizations and promote exclusion by funneling money to schools that are not legally barred from discriminating against LGBTQ students and parents. Private schools that receive vouchers are not responsible for their academic results.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on this issue?
Normally, I align myself with the North Carolina Democratic Party platform.
