Colby Watson is a 37-year-old small business owner in Monroe, where he lives with his wife and two children. According to his campaign website, Watson “never planned on running for Congress” but decided to enter the race after seeing “hardworking families struggle, even when they do everything right.”
Candidate Q&A
Watson did not respond to our questions before the deadline. To provide information to readers, we have included examples from statements he has made on his website and in social media posts.
What do you see as the biggest financial and administrative challenge to implementing the work requirements for Medicaid that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
What would be your plan for ensuring the future security and strength of Social Security and Medicare?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
What would you support in Congress as a plan to help control health care and pharmaceutical costs?
On his campaign website, Watson states that “no American should have to choose between getting necessary care and financial ruin.”
His proposed policies include strengthening antitrust enforcement, stopping anticompetitive mergers, protecting independent physicians and rural hospitals, lowering prescription drug costs and cutting unnecessary administrative costs and bureaucracy.
What steps would you take to improve access to health care in rural areas? How do we make the Rural Health Transformation Program successful in North Carolina?
Watson’s campaign website says he would protect independent physicians, clinics and rural hospitals, and strengthen antitrust enforcement to stop anticompetitive mergers. He also supports expanding access to mental health care and crisis intervention.
His published platform does not specifically address the Rural Health Transformation Program or how its funding should be used in North Carolina.
The rollout of AI is moving fast, including in health care, and leaders in that space are calling for things to slow down. What federal moves should be taken to regulate it, if at all?
On his campaign website, Watson states:
Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than our laws and regulations have been able to keep up. I understand the importance of ensuring America remains a world leader, especially as we compete with countries like China.
But winning the AI race cannot mean abandoning our principles. We still have a responsibility to protect Americans’ privacy, property, jobs, safety, and communities as this technology develops. The goal should be smart, reasonable guardrails that protect the American people as this technology progresses.
Where do you stand on federal vaccine policy? What should be done to prevent future disease outbreaks?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
We’ve had some high-profile food contamination outbreaks, yet the federal government is pulling back on regulation of food, air and water. What level of federal regulation do you support and why?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
PFAS contamination is a nationwide issue; how do you address it while balancing public safety and business interests?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
The building and placement of data centers have become a big issue, particularly in many rural communities. What should be the federal government’s role, if any, in how these are developed?
On his campaign website, Watson states:
I believe communities deserve to know the facts before these projects are approved. Residents should understand how much water and electricity will be required, what infrastructure will need to be built, who will pay for it, who will benefit, and what the long-term impact will be on their community.
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