Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

"Forever Young," William Young hopes to bring fresh ideas from a new generation to make positive changes in the North Carolina General Assembly. He is a proud product of Gaston County, going through Gaston County Public Schools K-12, graduating from Ashbrook High School in 2012, and attending First United Methodist Church of Gastonia his whole life. William went on to Lenoir-Rhyne University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Management and Marketing before staying an extra year to earn his MBA with a concentration in Global Business. William has since been working in his beloved hometown and continues to do what he can to keep his county and his state strong and always progressing towards a bright future.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• No matter who you vote for, make sure you vote!
• Stand up for a cleaner and greener future
• Restoring faith and dignity to public education

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about environmental laws and equality issues. My personal passion is campaign reform, and I wish to ensure that candidates are truly working for their constituents and are focusing on governing rather than on attacking their opponents.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I would recommend "All the President's Men." This story helped strengthen my belief that no one is above the law nor above reproach. Not even established leaders or public officials.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should be a servant leader who is rooted in his or her beliefs, but is never afraid to compromise for the sake of the future and the benefit of the people.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am young enough to be firey and passionate about my beliefs, and I am not afraid to fight hard and speak my mind to anyone. However, I am also smart enough to know when it is time to talk, and when it is time to listen, as well as when compromise is what is needed.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibilities of a state senator are to bring the values and voices of his or her constituents to the state capitol and speak them while hearing the voices of other districts. State Senators need this multitude of voices to know what the state and districts need to thrive and grow.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

One of the major defining events in the United States that happened during my lifetime was 9/11. I was 6 years old and saw the second plane hit the Twin Towers on the TV in my first grade classroom.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The last song that got stuck in my head was Soul Man by The Blues Brothers

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

I believe that a governor and state legislature should debate constructively and sometimes fight hard, but overall should have the goal of keeping the state strong and healthy at heart. Both Executive and Legislative should understand compromise and be willing to entertain views from all sides.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, it is beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. Governing is a job that requires relationships, discussion, and exchange of ideas and knowledge. It also requires collaboration and compromise, which can only happen through strong relationships. Building relationships with other legislators allows Senators and Representatives to learn from each other and create ideas that are beneficial for both the state as a whole and the individual communities.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor a redistricting process where an independent third party organization that has nothing to gain or lose politically draws districts and bases its decisions off mathematics and logic, not off race and party lines.