5th District Democratic hopefuls clash on health care, wages and election control in Rockingham forum

Kaya Prebmore and Chuck Albert, Democratic contenders for North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, took the stage at a Rockingham County town hall and presented competing plans for health care, wages, rural infrastructure and election protections.

Prebmore told the audience she supports universal health care and described a federal role in funding schools and broadband to reverse rural decline. “Our platform, our pillars are universal health care,” she said, adding she wants teachers fully funded and “making six‑figure salaries.”

Albert agreed on the need for a higher federal minimum wage and stronger rural health services. He said the minimum wage should be raised to at least $17 per hour and suggested broader economic measures to support small business growth. “Let’s raise that minimum wage… Let’s build affordable housing across the country,” Albert said.

On federal involvement in state elections, Albert said he opposed federal takeover and characterized threats to state control as unconstitutional. He called for defending state election systems while arguing Democrats must win at both the congressional and Senate levels to check national abuses. Prebmore said she would support federal laws to expand access and called for strengthening protections where states have used laws to suppress turnout.

Both candidates addressed prescription drug prices: Prebmore advocated Medicare‑for‑all or a public plan to allow government negotiation of drug prices; Albert supported a public choice to lower costs and called for building the legislative majorities needed to implement large reforms.

Why it matters: The 5th District covers parts of Rockingham County and several neighboring counties. Candidate positions on health care, wages and rural infrastructure will be central themes if either wins the Democratic primary and faces incumbent Virginia Fox in November.

What they said: Prebmore framed health care as an equity issue and proposed a 'People's Healthcare Rescue Act' funded in part by taxing high earners and leveraged buyouts. Albert emphasized a stepwise approach to affordability (wage increases, housing, infrastructure) and said rural broadband and roads are bipartisan priorities.

Next steps: Both candidates urged turnout and local volunteer mobilization; organizers reminded attendees that early voting is underway and that precinct meetings are scheduled ahead of the March 3 primary.