The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House of Representatives consists of 120 members who serve a term of two years. Each member represents an average of 87,116 residents *, as of the 2020 Census . The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the Senate President pro-tem. The Speaker is elected by the members from their membership for a two-year term. The Speaker’s duties include maintaining order in the House and appointing members to the House standing committees.The North Carolina General Assembly, of which the House is a part, is to convene a new regular session every two years, and the dates for these sessions are set by law. The NC legislature makes decisions on the budget: taxes, tax credits, economic development, education funding, Pre-K, the courts, Medicaid, etc. It also passes laws that set environmental standards such as water and air quality, tax rates, tax credits, criminal justice. Legislators in both chambers serve two-year terms without term limits. Sessions begin at noon on the third Wednesday after the second Monday in January.* https://ballotpedia.org/Population_represented_by_state_legislators
Position/philosophy statement
I believe government should listen, solve problems, and put people and results ahead of politics. I will work across party lines to lower costs, strengthen schools, improve healthcare, finish Helene recovery, and protect local control.
Current Occupation
Non Profit Communications Consultant
Age (optional)
55
Campaign Phone
828-435-2523
Campaign Youtube URL
I bring decades of experience helping people, communicating clearly, and getting things done. I have spent much of my career working with nonprofits and causes focused on serving communities, and for 25 years I have run my own small business as a writer and communications professional. That work has taught me how to listen, manage resources, solve problems, and turn complicated issues into clear action. After Hurricane Helene, I became deeply involved in advocating for Western North Carolina’s recovery and helping connect people with critical information. I would bring that same persistence, practical experience, and commitment to service to representing House District 117.
My most important priority will be finishing Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. Too many families, small businesses, farmers, and communities are still living with the storm’s consequences. I will fight for the resources needed to rebuild roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure, including solutions for privately maintained roads and bridges that have left some families unable to fully recover. I will also work to strengthen disaster preparedness so our communities are better protected in the future and make sure Western North Carolina has a stronger voice in Raleigh. Our recovery should be practical, accountable, and built to last.
North Carolina’s future depends on strong public schools. My priority is to invest in the people who make them work: teachers, support staff and school leaders. We should raise teacher pay, reward experience, restore meaningful incentives for advanced degrees and give schools the resources to recruit and retain great educators. We also need smaller classes, strong career and technical education, and adequate support for students with disabilities. Every child, in every ZIP code, deserves a high-quality public education, and our state budget should reflect that commitment.
Tax policy should support a strong economy while keeping North Carolina affordable for families and businesses. I support pausing the 2% local grocery tax for at least one year, with the state fully replacing that revenue so counties and municipalities are not left with a shortfall. We should also protect the resources communities need for strong public schools, infrastructure, public safety, healthcare, and Hurricane Helene recovery. Good tax policy should provide meaningful relief, encourage local economic growth, and give communities the resources and flexibility they need to thrive.
I would focus on practical measures that help prevent harm and give communities the tools to respond when it occurs. That means supporting law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, and 911; expanding mental-health and substance-use crisis services so officers are not the only response; strengthening protections for victims of domestic violence; improving road safety; and investing in disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure. Public safety works best when state law supports local professionals and gives communities flexibility to address their own needs.
My whole career has been about bringing people together, solving problems and helping organizations and communities move forward. I have decades of experience working with nonprofits, businesses and community leaders, and I have built my own small business from the ground up. My work has required me to listen carefully, communicate clearly, manage competing priorities and turn complex challenges into practical action. Since Hurricane Helene, I have also spent significant time listening to families, local leaders and communities across Western North Carolina and working to keep recovery needs visible. I am running for the legislature because I believe that experience matters. I know how to build relationships, ask the right questions, follow through and stay focused on results. My life’s work has prepared me to serve Henderson County with persistence, sound decision-making and a deep understanding of how to get things done.
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