The Gist
State Representative, 71st District
Photo of Kanika Brown
Kanika BrownOfficial portrait — North Carolina General Assembly

Kanika Brown

Candidate for State Representative, 71st District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative; community activist and small business owner
Lives in
Winston-Salem
Campaign website
electkanikabrown.com

State representative for District 71 (Forsyth County) since 2023, in her second term. A community activist and small business owner who has worked on HIV/AIDS awareness, as a substitute teacher in Forsyth County schools and running a pet food pantry; ncleg.gov lists her occupation as healthcare habilitation worker.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — North Carolina General Assembly

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Voted against amendment capping income tax rate at 3.5%.In office

    Voted No on third reading of Senate Bill 1080, "Lower Taxes for All NC," on May 20, 2026 (the House passed it 73-46). The bill submits a constitutional amendment to voters on November 3, 2026, providing that the maximum tax rate on incomes cannot exceed 3.5% (the current constitutional limit is 7%).

    Senate Bill 1080 (2025-2026 session), edition 3

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov

    “the maximum tax rate on incomes cannot exceed three and one”
    Representative Kanika Brown: recorded votes, 2025-2026 session

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · Roll call 664, May 20, 2026 · ncleg.gov

    “Lower Taxes for All NC. Third Reading”
    Report

  • Voted for the 2026 state budget.In office

    Voted Aye on July 2, 2026, when the House adopted the conference report on Senate Bill 257, the 2026 Appropriations Act (88-21).

    Representative Kanika Brown: recorded votes, 2025-2026 session

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · Roll call, July 2, 2026 · ncleg.gov

    “2026 Appropriations Act. R3 Ruled Mat'l C RPT Adoption”
    Report

Housing

  • Supports incentives for building affordable housing.

    Platform - Kanika Brown

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Kanika Brown · electkanikabrown.com

    “I'm ready to work with developers and local governments to incentivize the construction of new, affordable housing across North Carolina”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Supports a higher minimum wage and repealing right-to-work.

    Platform - Kanika Brown

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Kanika Brown · electkanikabrown.com

    “It's time that we raise the minimum wage in North Carolina to a livable wage, repeal right-to-work and empower collective bargaining once again”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Sponsored a bill creating a beverage container deposit program.In office

    First-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 344, the Litter Reduction Act of 2025, which would require redemption centers to refund the deposits. Last action: referred to the Agriculture and Environment Committee, March 11, 2025.

    Representative Kanika Brown: primary-sponsored bills, 2025-2026 session

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · HB 344 · ncleg.gov

    “Litter Reduction Act of 2025.”
    House Bill 344 (2025-2026 session), edition 1

    Government record · North Carolina General Assembly · ncleg.gov

    “REQUIRING A DEPOSIT ON BEVERAGE CONTAINERS”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Supports leaving abortion decisions to patients and doctors.

    Platform - Kanika Brown

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Kanika Brown · electkanikabrown.com

    “the right to an abortion is a decision left to a person and their doctor, not the government”
    Report

All sources (10)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.