Why I'm Running

I’m running for the North Carolina House because this community raised my family, and I want to help ensure it remains a place where families can stay, serve, and build meaningful lives. My husband, Gary, and I moved from Avery County to Yancey County and have lived in Burnsville, for more than 23 years, raising our three children here. Like so many families in Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, and McDowell Counties, we’ve relied on great local schools, caring and knowledgeable healthcare providers, and neighbors who show up when it matters. 

I’ve also spent my career listening to people during their most difficult moments—when systems fail them, when care is hard to access, or when recovery feels out of reach. Our family’s path- public service, military service, education, and environmental resilience—has reinforced what I’ve seen throughout my career: when communities invest in people, people give back. 

As a social worker and educator, I’ve listened to families during moments of crisis and transition—when mental health care is hard to access, when schools are under-resourced, or when disaster recovery feels uncertain. As a parent, I understand how deeply these issues affect decisions about where families live, work, and stay rooted.

I’m running because rural communities deserve leadership that understands these challenges firsthand. Families shouldn’t have to leave Western North Carolina to find accessible healthcare and mental health care, affordable housing and childcare, or good-paying jobs. Educators deserve respect and fair pay. Veterans and military families deserve support beyond words. Disaster recovery should be about long-term sustainability, not temporary fixes.

This campaign is about showing up for the communities that have shown up for me and my family —and making sure District 85 has a strong, committed voice in Raleigh that puts people first.