Brian Echevarria

Questionnaire from The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus

Note: The responses below from the candidate have not been edited. 

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

Maybe our stories are alike – there are successes and failures, advantages and disadvantages, right decisions and wrong, and of course, all the sorrows and joys that are part of being on earth. I am 48 years old with business and finance background; international trade, financial advisor; extensive professional training in contracting, leadership, and regulatory compliance Current Occupation: State Representative for District 82; small business owner; management and organizational consultant. My family and I live in Harrisburg.

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

I am running for re-election. I was part of the great teams that passed the REINS Act, which limited the ability to impose regulations that have more than a $1M impact on the state; the amendment to limit property tax increases by local governments, which negatively impacts homeowners, renters, and businesses; and I supported parental rights legislation and worked to ensure schools maintain high standards and transparency. More can be seen on my social media page https://www.facebook.com/BrianEchevarriaNC and legislative page https://ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/828

Tell us about 2-3 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.

Being named a 2025 Jobs Champion by the NC Chamber in my first term recognized my strong voting record and commitment to keeping North Carolina a top state for business. It reflects our shared dedication to creating opportunities, attracting investment, and supporting families and communities across our state.. That was important to me. However, my most important accomplishment so far is the amazing family my wife and I are building. Additionally, I built and sold a business with operations across multiple continents as a business owner. Built and renovated homes and commercial upfits as a contractor. As an advisor, I helped families and businesses reach their potential. Now I am hoping to change the world for realtors and property owners through a blockchain project I am consulting on.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish in the first six months if elected?

Many important things will be done over the first six months of my term. However, the most urgent piece of legislation I am working on is reforming our 100-year-old property tax system, which regularly puts homeowners, renters, and business owners on the losing end. I plan to advance legislation that strengthens parental rights and improves government transparency, ensuring families remain central to decisions affecting their children and that residents know what is happening with the taxpayers' purse.

Cabarrus County’s economy depends on a strong and available workforce, yet employers continue to face challenges related to child care access, education pipelines, and labor shortages. How would you use your role in the General Assembly to support workforce participation and long-term economic competitiveness in our region?

As a jobs champion for the NC Chamber. I will continue to support policies that expand childcare supply, strengthen career‑ready education pathways, and reduce regulatory barriers that limit job growth and investment, as I did with the REINS Act. By partnering with employers and implementing common-sense free-market principles, we can build a culture that makes Cabarrus County more prosperous.

As Cabarrus County grows, continued investment in transportation, water and wastewater systems, and technology infrastructure is critical. What priorities would guide your approach to state infrastructure funding, and how should the state partner with local governments to support growth?

All government money, no matter the source, comes from the people, not a magic funding pot in a D.C., Raleigh, or a municipal committee room. I keep that in mind. Our priorities include transportation improvements, modern water and wastewater systems, and expanded technology infrastructure. As I have encouraged, the state should continue to partner with our community to ensure funding aligns with growth patterns and long‑term community needs.

State policies often have direct impacts on local governments and school systems. How would you approach legislation that places new responsibilities on local entities, particularly when those responsibilities are not accompanied by recurring funding?

I support responsible legislation that respects our community and avoids unfunded mandates. When new responsibilities are necessary, sometimes they must be paired with recurring funding to ensure sustainability and fairness. Like we cut regulations for business, we should consider cutting mandates on local governments. The question I often ask when visited by taxpayer funded government associations and lobbyists is what would your government NOT do if not for the state mandate? The answer to that question may be a good starting place for reduced mandates.

State regulations shape the business environment for employers large and small. How would you evaluate whether regulations are achieving their intended purpose without creating unnecessary costs or barriers for businesses?

I evaluate regulations by determining whether they achieve their intended purpose without burdening businesses. That's what the REIN's Act begins to address. If a rule creates unnecessary cost or complexity, it should be revised or removed. Regulations must protect consumers while allowing employers to grow.

Over the next several years, what state-level policy decisions do you believe will most influence Cabarrus County’s ability to grow, attract investment, and maintain a high quality of life?

Key decisions on education reform, infrastructure investment, public safety policy, and tax and regulatory modernization will affect our families. These areas will determine our ability to attract investment, support families, and maintain a high quality of life. I will make sure they are in our favor.