Kanika Shevon Brown

Kanika Shevon Brown is the incumbent Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 71, covering parts of Forsyth County and southern Winston‑Salem. She is on the ballot for re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election, having advanced unopposed from a canceled Democratic primary earlier that year【1†L1-L5】. Brown first won the seat in the 2022 election after defeating former officeholder Evelyn Terry’s husband in the Democratic primary and running unopposed in the general【5†L19-L27】. She was re‑elected in 2024 with 100 % of the vote as the only listed candidate【1†L31-L35】.

Brown was born and raised in Winston‑Salem, North Carolina. While specific degree information is not listed in the available sources, her professional background includes work as a healthcare habilitation worker, a role that involves supporting individuals with disabilities【3†L9-L11】. She has also been a small‑business owner, community activist, and substitute teacher in Forsyth County schools【15†L9-L13】【16†L20-L23】. Her personal experience as the mother of a child with autism informs her focus on early‑childhood programs and education policy【15†L13-L16】.

Before entering the General Assembly, Brown led local civic initiatives, serving as president of the Fuzzy Friends Pet Food Pantry, president of the Morningside‑Reynolds Park Road Neighborhood Association, and a board member of Experiment in Self‑Reliance【16†L20-L23】. She also worked as an assistant to a client with disabilities and has experience as a substitute teacher and teacher’s aide【16†L20-L23】.

In the 2023‑2024 legislative session, Rep. Brown served on the Agriculture, Alcoholic Beverage Control, Appropriations, Appropriations‑General Government, and Commerce committees【1†L12-L18】. She is a member of the Progressive House Caucus and has sponsored bills aimed at empowering local governments, supporting fair electoral maps, bolstering non‑profits, advancing workforce development, and promoting environmental justice【15†L21-L27】. BillTrack50 lists her office location in Raleigh and confirms her start date of January 1, 2023【13†L1-L7】.

Brown’s campaign platform emphasizes expanding healthcare access, including Medicaid expansion and protecting rural hospitals, as well as improving public schools, raising the minimum wage, and supporting working families【9†L1-L7】【16†L27-L30】. She describes herself as “unbossed, unbought, and fighting for you” and highlights her grassroots, progressive values on her campaign website【6†L1-L6】.

Brown’s contact information includes a Raleigh office at 16 W. Jones St., Room 1317, and a campaign office at 1549 Pleasant St., Winston‑Salem, NC 27107【8†L9-L13】. The North Carolina Legislative staff lists a phone number for her office: 919‑733‑5777【13†L13-L15】. No public email address is provided in the sources.

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