To serve others. I believe that good government solves people’s problems. Great government anticipates and eliminates challenges before they become problems. For seven years, I have worked to make Cabarrus County and North Carolina a great place to live, get a great education, find a great job, and ultimately, a satisfying retirement. We enjoy a “life-cycle” state here in NC, and to advance, we cannot be complacent. We must find innovative ways to help everyone prosper. It is an honor to serve the citizens of Cabarrus County.

1. Keeping you safe. Without public safety, nothing else functions. No mother should fear for her child’s safety on the playground. No business should face the prospect of organized retail theft. No one should fear for their safety in any corner of our great State.

In recognition of my efforts to keep you safe, I was named a Defender of Public Safety by the NC Sheriffs’ Association again in 2023.

2. Setting the stage for you and your family to prosper. I recognize the hardship of rising costs on every family. As a Chair of Senate Finance, I have been effective in reducing your tax burden so you have resources to spend as you see fit. The tax reductions I have helped craft have led to greater state revenue. I have led prudent regulatory reforms to further reduce costs to provide goods and services in our State and authored and passed energy legislation to ensure that North Carolinians pay the lowest possible cost for reliable electricity.

Businesses, jobs and people are moving to NC because we’re getting it right – but there is no finish line, we must keep moving forward.

3. Excellence in education. Every child should have the opportunity to succeed through academic advancement. Studies show that an education is the best way out of poverty. To that end, all our schools must have the resources and support necessary to be effective. We should “major on the majors” – reading, writing and arithmetic, and not be distracted from what’s best for our students.

I have a proven track record of success as an attorney, business leader and have been highly effective as a State Senator.

I graduated from UNC law school and worked in private practice and in-house at Duke Energy, rising to Senior VP and General Counsel of US regulated operations. I retired as the company’s NC State President in 2015. I have served the citizens of Cabarrus County as a State Senator for four terms now, successfully crafting and passing numerous important pieces of legislation. I was voted unanimously by my peers to serve as the NC Senate Majority Leader this biennium.

I have decided to run for office because I believe representation matters and what Cabarrus has right now is not a fair representation of the communities across our county. I want to be a more reflective voice for the people of Senate District 34 and I aim to champion policies and initiatives that will improve housing, strengthen health care, better fund education, and create more economic opportunities for working class people.

My top 3 priorities are to listen to and be a voice for the constituents I serve; while protecting all rights and individual liberties; to promote policies that improve lives and ensure the safety and well being of families across the state, while building a better NC for the working class, rural communities and small business owners; and to improve relations and work more closely with business leaders to promote economic stability within our county.

My life experiences, growing up in public housing, being a first generation college student, working full time while raising a family and being a primary caregiver while dealing with critical illness issues in my family, connects me with many of the challenges individuals and families experience throughout our state everyday. I am strong-willed and a determined faith driven fighter sensitive to the needs of those around me. I am a principled person; I take my commitments seriously and will not forsake my oath of office to serve. I believe government’s primary purpose is to protect its citizens and establish policies that do not infringe upon their rights. As a seasoned community organizer, former classroom teacher and lifelong public health educator, my personal and professional background make me just right for this office. As a state Senator, I will work to ensure that North Carolinians of all walks of life regain trust in their elected representatives and that their voice is heard in the halls of power.

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