Ahmid Kargbo

The Election Hub Questionnaire

Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).

I am 25 years old, live in Huntersville, and have lived in North Carolina my whole life. I have some college education with certifications. I'm currently going back to school after being laid off working in corporate America for three years.

Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share your previous experience in elected office that would be relevant to voters.

I am the only candidate pushing truly progressive policies in this race. No other candidate will sponsor Medicare for All, free public college, or the abolition of ICE. Americans are yearning for leaders who have a bold vision of the future that addresses the root of our major issues. Companies such as Duke Energy should not be regulated monopolies that can charge extra before providing service. We should break up big utility companies like Duke Energy and turn them into a public good to lower the bills of Americans. The Green New Deal is also necessary to transform our country from the oil age to a 100% renewable future. Brent Caldwell doesn't even have the moral clarity to say there is an ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel, funded by our taxpayer dollars. He should be the last choice on anyone's ballot in the primary. This is my first venture into public office.

Tell us 1-2 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.

I completed the Year Up program in 2021. That launched me into corporate America where I worked for three years. I am grateful to them for helping me develop and polish many professional skills I still use today.

What endorsements from any notable North Carolina organizations or people have you received?

None yet

How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office?

I have lived in Huntersville for 16 years.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know.

[Candidate did not respond to this question.]

Questionnaire from the Gaston Business Association

Please provide a short introduction (50 words or less) highlighting your background and achievements.

I am a first generation American who has lived in North Carolina my whole life.

What motivated you to seek this office, and what specific skills, experiences, or perspectives uniquely prepare you to serve effectively in this role?

I am seeking this office because of the dire state of the economy. I didn’t see any one else with a progressive policies like Medicare for All or free public education, and wanted to run on a platform that includes every age group.

From your perspective, what are the top issues impacting Gaston County’s business climate and economic competitiveness? If elected, what specific actions would you support or pursue to strengthen our local economy?

Zoning and the lack of public transportation. Gaston County is suffering from a lack of tax revenue and ways to generate it. Worst of all the infrastructural costs from the mostly single-family zoned county is completely unsustainable.This is nothing unique to most counties in the union unfortunately. Funding for robust public transportation systems to connect Gaston County to its nearby metropolitan areas, would transform Gaston County back to the Main Street, mixed use development zoning it was founded on. Towns like High Shoals used to have rail that connected them to bigger towns. We need to return to the basis of how our towns in NC were built and prioritize transit-oriented design.

Given the office you are seeking (U.S. House, N.C. House, Sheriff, Commissioner, or School Board), what do you believe is the most pressing issue within the scope of that role, and how would you address it?

Healthcare. Politicians like Tim Moore have used their posaition of power to cut the social safety net many Americans rely on with the “Big Beautiful Bill”. Immediate extensions to the ACA tax credits are needed to reduce the death and suffering that will be caused by the lack of insured Americans this year. In the long term shifting to a universal healthcare system like Medicare for All would lower costs for Americans, while removing middlemen like United Healthcare who price gouge working class people.

Effective leadership requires collaboration across sectors. How would you work with local businesses, municipal leaders, and community organizations to advance shared goals?

To prioritize the issues that affect us all. Local business, leaders and organization all want money to fund the necessary services our communities need, and they all agree we need more tax revenue. Relaxing the zoning codes would allow for more types of housing to be built and generate property tax. I understand however many communities don’t want to suffer from unnecessary urban sprawl. So I would work with leaders and organizations to find out the right balance of growth needed for the community.