Open and expand markets for American farm products
“With my background in rural agriculture, I will support things that promote young farmers on the land. Examples are land ownership, right to repair legislation, and facilitating markets for agriculture and timber products.”
“Agriculture is a place where we can find bipartisan solutions to building a better food system that is good for farmers, good for the land, and creates healthy outcomes for our communities. This also includes other land based industries like the timber industry. We need to promote policies that take care of our forest resources and manage them for future generations.”
“I’m running for Congress to ensure our mountains remain a great place to farm, and that someday, I can pass them down to my own kids. I’m thrilled to have the support of many of my colleagues and neighbors in electing someone who will fight for family farms and not big agriculture to Congress.”
Lower insulin costs, such as with a $35 monthly cap
Cap what patients pay for prescription drugs
“I’ll defend Medicare’s power to negotiate drug prices and keep capping insulin and other essentials. Americans shouldn’t be overpaying for prescription drugs.”
Expand Medicare, such as to cover dental, vision and hearing
“I’ll support robust Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security so the folks most at risk in our communities have the support they need. Let’s have robust Medicare services that allow folks to age with dignity — including services such as home and community based care, and dental and vision are covered for Medicare patients.”
“Ager launched his campaign on July 31st, and has focused on tackling increasing costs, fighting damaging cuts to healthcare coverage, and getting Western North Carolina the funds it needs to recover from Hurricane Helene.”
“I’ll support robust Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security so the folks most at risk in our communities have the support they need. Let’s have robust Medicare services that allow folks to age with dignity — including services such as home and community based care, and dental and vision are covered for Medicare patients.”
“And I’ll improve our mental health support system including expanding programs to educate and destigmatize mental health issues, allowing earlier intervention, enhancing in and out patient services, and broadly supporting efforts that improve mental health.”
Help older and disabled people get care at home and in their communities
Cover long-term care through Medicare or Medicare for All
“I’ll support robust Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security so the folks most at risk in our communities have the support they need. Let’s have robust Medicare services that allow folks to age with dignity — including services such as home and community based care, and dental and vision are covered for Medicare patients.”
“We need to do better than a system where folks neglect getting care because they are concerned about going broke due to the cost. And the recent cuts to Medicare and Medicaid by Congress means fewer people, kids especially, will get the care they need.”
“I also believe in transparency, like making sure folks can see clearly where federal dollars go and ensuring every dollar is spent where it’s needed most. And I’ll support stronger ethics and anti-corruption rules in Congress.”
“I also believe in transparency, like making sure folks can see clearly where federal dollars go and ensuring every dollar is spent where it’s needed most. And I’ll support stronger ethics and anti-corruption rules in Congress.”
“Government bureaucracies should function well and be user friendly for everyday people. I’ll support cutting red tape and repealing burdensome laws that make it harder to deliver help to people in need. I’ll focus on making government institutions more customer focused, nimble, and an efficient use of taxpayer dollars.”
“Ager launched his campaign on July 31st, and has focused on tackling increasing costs, fighting damaging cuts to healthcare coverage, and getting Western North Carolina the funds it needs to recover from Hurricane Helene.”
“Operating his family farm, Ager has experienced the impact that reckless tariffs have had on Western North Carolina farmers and the challenges that families are facing right now with increased food costs and damaging cuts to healthcare coverage.”
“We have the two most visited national parks in the country, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, along with several national forests, wilderness areas, and other public lands. These are assets that we must cherish and protect. I’ll never allow them to be sold off.”
Other things the site says about public lands, water and tribal affairs (1)
“Our public lands aren’t just our beautiful backyard — they are our lifeline, a strong economic engine, and long-standing connection to our culture. And they are a resource that we must steward wisely.”
Other things the site says about science, technology and communications (1)
“Social media algorithms and generative artificial intelligence are being designed to put us into silos and keep our attention on confrontation for as long as possible. That confrontation leads to clicks, which leads to dollars for these social media companies. This incentive to divide us is dangerous and I’ll work on solutions to bring us back together.”
“I’ll protect the VA from cuts and closures and push to expand clinics across the district so folks don’t have to drive hours for care. I’ll fight for mobile units to deliver health support and screenings for those who cannot travel. And I’ll support the Fisher House in Asheville so families can stay nearby, free of charge, when their loved one is receiving care.”
Fund police departments and give them the resources they need
Hire and keep more police officers
Improve police officers' pay, benefits and well-being
Invest in better training for police officers
“Our law enforcement and first responders deserve to be well trained, well compensated, and have the equipment they need to navigate the tough terrain here in Western North Carolina. And we need to hire more of them to keep us safe.”
“We have kicked the can down the road too long on comprehensive immigration reform and it’s time we got together and came up with a solution to move our country forward.”
“Our immigration system needs to be clear, fair, and realistic. I support reforms that treat people with dignity and give businesses the workforce they need to grow, all while keeping every community safe.”
Expand small businesses' access to loans, grants and capital
Cut red tape for small businesses
Aid small businesses when disasters and crises hit
Support small businesses
“I’m concerned about big challenges like recovering from Hurricane Helene, affordability for working families, and preserving our environment and culture. I’m also outspoken about the need to support local businesses and putting Western North Carolina first.”
“I’ll take on monopolization — from the food industry to our utilities — so corporations don’t control too much business and the free market can work its magic.”
“I’ll support robust Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security so the folks most at risk in our communities have the support they need. Let’s have robust Medicare services that allow folks to age with dignity — including services such as home and community based care, and dental and vision are covered for Medicare patients.”
Expand and strengthen SNAP, WIC and other food assistance
Make sure everyone has enough to eat
“I’ll work to strengthen the safety net programs that keep people afloat, like SNAP and WIC, so kids don’t go hungry and seniors can afford groceries.”
“I’ll push both parties to reform the tax code so the folks at the top pay their fair share. And I’ll support reforms that help working people, like no tax on tips — real tips, not bonuses for CEOs.”
“I’ll push both parties to reform the tax code so the folks at the top pay their fair share. And I’ll support reforms that help working people, like no tax on tips — real tips, not bonuses for CEOs.”
“Operating his family farm, Ager has experienced the impact that reckless tariffs have had on Western North Carolina farmers and the challenges that families are facing right now with increased food costs and damaging cuts to healthcare coverage.”
Help public servants like teachers and first responders buy homes
Build more homes so buying one costs less
“We need more housing for owners and renters. I’ll support programs for first time home buyers and public service employees like teachers, firefighters, and first responders.”
“We need more housing for owners and renters. I’ll support programs for first time home buyers and public service employees like teachers, firefighters, and first responders.”
“I’ll take on monopolization — from the food industry to our utilities — so corporations don’t control too much business and the free market can work its magic.”
“Rising costs hurt our businesses and our families, Medicaid insures my neighbors and my friends and now it’s being ripped away, and the weather that batters us is only getting worse. Helping the rich get richer on the backs of hardworking Americans isn’t working, and in my humble opinion, it doesn’t have to be this way.”
Prepare communities and infrastructure for extreme weather
“We need more federal funding to improve firefighter pay and our rural fire stations. Hurricane Helene showed us previously unknown devastation, and we must be prepared for similar events in the future.”
“In Congress, my top priority will be delivering recovery funds and pushing to help our region come back even stronger than we were. Let’s cut red tape and get money to where it matters most: on the ground, in the hands of the people and our small businesses.”