Kate Barr

The Election Hub Questionnaire

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

I am 43 years old and currently live in Davidson, North Carolina. I attended the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and am a two-time graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I earned undergraduate degrees in Biology and Spanish and a Master of Public Health focused on health behavior and education.

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 running for Congress because I think voters should have real choices.

The NC state legislature has so rigged our maps, that most of our districts aren’t competitive. I think that’s BS.

So I’m running to make sure our congressional representative has to work to get elected. And to make sure that the voters in district 14 can hold him accountable for the choices he’s made in Washington.

I have not previously held elected office, but in 2024 I ran for the North Carolina State Senate in District 37 with a campaign called “Kate Barr Can’t Win.” The goal was to tell the truth about our rigged maps and to show up anyway, listen to voters, and treat them like partners rather than numbers.

That campaign helped engage people who had been written off by the system and sparked broader conversations about accountability and fair representation.

Voters should consider my candidacy because I believe voters should be in charge. I’ll go to Washington to fight for my constituents to have their first $100K of earnings tax free. I’ll fight for affordable healthcare and housing. And I’ll vote to ban elected officials from trading stocks.

I’m committed to restoring real competition so elected officials have to earn…and keep…your trust. I will always tell you the truth.

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 have spent more than two decades working as a behavioral scientist, building tools to help people change their behaviors and make tough decisions. I’ve led multidisciplinary teams to translate complex research into clear, practical tools that people can use in real life. That experience has shaped my leadership style: evidence-based, collaborative, and people-first.

I’ve also applied that approach as a founder and executive. As CEO of an award-winning small business, I was responsible for building a mission-driven organization from the ground up. Our products were 100% made in America. I spent every day ensuring that our business model stayed in alignment with our values. I was named to the Forbes Next 1000 list in recognition of my work.

In both settings, my focus has been on listening first, testing ideas, and making adjustments based on what actually works.

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

As a state senate candidate, I was endorsed by EqualityNC, 314ActionFund, and was an Everytown Gun Sense candidate.

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

I have lived in Davidson since 2015. I have only just been added to District 14 as a result of partisan gerrymandering in 2024.

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

I love cozy British mysteries, puzzles, and ridiculously complex board games. I have two kids and have been married for 20 years.

Something I’m very proud of is that In 2025, Charlotte Magazine named me Charlottean of the Year, recognizing my efforts to help voters understand gerrymandering and take action to protect voters’ power. I didn’t set out to become a political figure; I stepped in because it was the most impactful thing I could think of to do in this frightening time.

Questionnaire from the Gaston Business Association

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

I’m a mom, behavioral scientist, and entrepreneur, and a former PTO president with a talent for constructive mischief. I’m the daughter of an activist, and I’ve followed that example by calling my reps, serving on my town planning board, and running for office so voters always have a real choice.

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

I’m a behavioral scientist by training and an entrepreneur by experience, which means I’m professionally curious about how people actually behave and deeply skeptical of systems that only work in theory. I’ve worked inside large institutions, started my own business, and served locally, so I’ve seen firsthand where good ideas get stuck and where power quietly concentrates if no one’s watching.

I first ran for office in 2024 in a deeply gerrymandered state senate district. I was honest from day one that I couldn’t win, and I didn’t. What I learned is that voters respond in a big way when you tell them the truth, even when it’s inconvenient. Because gerrymandering means the real decision in District 14 now happens in the Republican primary, that’s where I’m running. Voters deserve a real choice in the race that actually counts. I’m running with integrity, and I plan to serve the same way.

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?

The biggest issue is that too many working families don’t have enough money left at the end of the month. When people are stretched that thin, local businesses feel it too. I’ll focus on putting more money directly into people’s pockets by eliminating federal income tax on the first $100,000 a family earns and supporting a higher minimum wage, because a strong middle class is what actually drives local economic growth.

I also believe disaster recovery is an economic issue. After the hurricane, the people of District 14 deserved someone knocking on Kristi Noem’s door every single day until the federal funding that was promised was released. Too many small businesses and families are still trying to recover, and I won’t let them be forgotten once the headlines fade. Supporting our local economy means showing up, staying loud, and making sure no one gets left behind.

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?

The most pressing issue is that a lot of people no longer believe Congress is working for them, and it’s hard to blame them. Too often, members show up to vote, raise money, and disappear. I think this job is about showing up, telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable, and delivering basics that people can see and feel, like reliable infrastructure, clean water, and an economy that doesn’t leave working families constantly scrambling. That’s what I’ll focus on every day in the House.

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

I’ve spent time inside big institutions, and I’ve also run my own small business, so I know how differently those worlds work. Most days, though, I’m in the same places everyone else is, at my kids’ public school or wandering our local bookstore. When I visited Chimney Rock, I met small business owners who are still picking up the pieces after the hurricane. What they told me was simple: don’t forget about us. They don’t need speeches, they need people to keep showing up. That’s how I’ll do this job, by listening, being straight about what’s possible, and working with anyone who wants our communities to recover and keep moving forward.