Meet the Triangle’s candidates for the legislature
All 170 seats in the Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly are on the Nov. 8 ballot. Some races are hotly contested; others are drawn to strongly favor a particular political party, including some with just one candidate. Here’s a rundown of who’s running in the Triangle.
First, the House, where Democrats are targeting Republicans’ veto-proof supermajority.
House District 11
Republican Ray Martin, a former U.S. naval officer, teacher and supervisor in commercial nuclear power generation training centers, is challenging Rep. Duane Hall, a Democrat and attorney, in House District 11, which includes portions of southwestern Raleigh and Cary. Brian Lewis, a libertarian, is also in the race.
Hall was elected in 2012 and is seeking his third term. He previously defeated Martin for the same seat in 2014 with 62 percent of the vote.
Duane Hall
Age: 49
Education: Bachelor of arts from N.C. State and law degree from Florida State University. He also studied comparative law and legal history at Oxford University.
Professional experience: Owns a private law practice in Raleigh, focused primarily on real estate law; former public defender in Florida’s 15th Judicial Circuit.
Political resume: Second term in House; appointed to N.C. Courts Commission
Website: duanehall.org
Brian Lewis
Age: 45
Education: U.S. Navy Advanced Electronics Program graduate; multiple environmental field courses, including a 2015 Certification in Renewable Energy Management from N.C. State.
Professional experience: 17 years as a business data technician for AT&T and former electronic warfare specialist with the U.S. Navy.
Political resume: Former conservation chair for Broward Sierra Club, which included serving on multiple advisory committees; former Broward Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor; chairman of the Wake County Libertarian Party, committee member at-large for the Libertarian Party of North Carolina.
Family: Wife, Michelle, and two children, Kayla and Mathiew
Website: facebook.com/Lewis4NC11
Ray Martin
Age: 63
Education: Bachelor’s degree in occupational education from Southern Illinois University
Professional experience: 41 years of service in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve as a chief petty officer; five years as a teacher and supervisor in commercial nuclear power generation training centers; and 25 years as a teacher in N.C. public schools.
Political resume: Mayor’s educational task force; Cary’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan committee; several local and statewide political campaigns
Family: Wife, Letitia, and two children, Christopher and Natalie
Website: electraymartin.com/bio
House District 26
The seat currently held by Rep. Leo Daughtry will open up for the first time in more than two decades following the longtime Republican legislator’s retirement at the end of the year.
In those 24 years, the political center of the all-Johnston County district has shifted from Smithfield to Clayton, and the two candidates, both born and raised in Clayton, embody that shift. Education is at the heart of this race, pitting Republican Donna White, a 12-year member of the Johnston County Board of Education, against Democrat Rich Nixon, a high school history teacher for 38 years.
Rich Nixon
Age: 61
Education: Attended Wake Forest University on a football scholarship; received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from N.C. State
Professional experience: High school history teacher for 38 years
Political resume: First time seeking public office
Family: Married with two adult sons, two stepchildren and four grandchildren
Website: richnixonfornchouse.com
Donna White
Age: 67
Education: Watts School of Nursing in Durham
Professional experience: Registered nurse, aging specialist with N.C. Division of Aging
Political resume: Johnston County Board of Education member 2004-present
Family: Previously married; two adult children; two grandchildren
Website: donnawhitefornchouse.com
House District 28
This district covers parts of Johnston and Sampson counties. Republican Rep. James H. Langdon has served for six terms and is not seeking re-election.
The district typically votes Republican and is guaranteed a fresh face this election. Former school board member and Republican Larry Strickland and Democratic businesswoman Patricia Oliver now vie for the seat.
Patricia Oliver
Age: 69
Education: Nearly two years of study at Johnston Community College
Professional experience: Licensed general contractor, home inspector, insurance adjuster and commercial contractor; owner of Oliver’s Construction Co., Around the Clock Plumbing and Independent Home Inspections.
Political resume: Several unsuccessful bids for Johnston County and state office including clerk of court and N.C. Senate District 12.
Family: Husband Larry and two adult children
Website: none
Larry Strickland
Age: 61
Education: Associate degree in forestry from Wayne County Community College; bachelor’s degree in business from Atlantic Christian College
Professional experience: Assistant manager of right of way for the N.C. Department of Transportation’s highway division; owner of Strickland Appraisal Services; co-owner of Strickland Brothers Farms LLC.
Political resume: Member of the Johnston County Board of Education since 1998 and chairman since 2008; two terms on the Pine Level Board of Commissioners; lost in a runoff election for Board of Education in 1990.
Family: Daughter Leanna Strickland Williams; son-in-law Kevin Williams; two grandchildren
Website: larrystrickland.org
House District 30
Republican Elissa Fuchs is challenging Rep. Paul Luebke. Luebke, a Democrat, is running for his 14th term in the House. The district encompasses part of Durham County.
Paul Luebke
Age: 70
Education: Bachelor of arts, Valparaiso University in Indiana; doctorate, Columbia University
Professional experience: Sociology professor, UNC-Greensboro
Political resume: 13 terms, N.C. House
Family: Son, Theo; granddaughter, Adele Rose
Elissa Fuchs
Education: Bachelor of arts, psychology, Pace University
Professional experience: Began her career as a registered nurse at a drug-addiction treatment provider
Political resume: Activism, campaigning and lobbying for legislation in Texas, Connecticut, Washington, D.C. and Durham
Family: Married with one daughter
Website: eaf218.wixsite.com/elissafuchs
House District 34
The Democratic-leaning district, which includes portions of downtown Raleigh, West Raleigh and North Raleigh, is represented by Democratic Rep. Grier Martin.
Martin is being challenged by Republican Bill Morris, who has been a member of the General Assembly’s sergeant-at-arms staff for the past two years.
Grier Martin
Age: 47
Education: West Charlotte High School; history degree from Davidson College; graduated from UNC School of Law.
Professional experience: Attorney; U.S. Army Reserve; served a deployment in Afghanistan.
Political resume: Four terms in N.C. House before redistricting put him in the same district as Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross; appointed to House in 2013 after Ross resigned and elected 2014.
Family: Married with a daughter
Website: griermartin.com
Bill Morris
Age: 57
Education: Pender High School in Burgaw. Business-administration degree from the Citadel. Morris also enrolled in divinity and evangelism classes at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest for about two years, but did not get a degree.
Professional experience: Bank marketing analyst; bank branch manager; licensed contractor who built homes in the Triangle and Fayetteville. He was also the pastor of Southeast Raleigh’s Gilbert Street Baptist Church for two years, before it merged with another congregation.
Political resume: First run for office; has worked at the General Assembly for two years as a member of the sergeant-at-arms staff.
Family: Wife; two children; stepson.
Website: facebook.com/billmorris4nchouse
House District 35
Democrat Terence Everitt, a political newcomer, is challenging incumbent Chris Malone in House District 35, which includes portions of Raleigh, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon, mostly in northeast Wake County. Malone, a Republican, is running for his third consecutive term representing the district.
Both candidates live in Wake Forest.
Terence Everitt
Age: 42
Education: Bachelor of arts from Rutgers; law degree from The Catholic University of America
Professional experience: Has practiced law for the last 15 years, the last five at his own practice in Wake Forest.
Political resume: This is his first run for public office, but he has served on the board of directors for the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce and on the Wake County Transit Advisory Committee.
Family: He and wife Jennifer have two children.
Website: terenceeveritt.com
Chris Malone
Age: 59
Education: Bachelor of arts in speech and theater from St. Mary of the Plains College
Professional experience: National program manager for G4S, a security company.
Political resume: Served for three years on the Wake County Board of Education and for four years on the Wake Forest Town Board of Commissioners.
Family: He and his wife, Becky, have three children.
Website: maloneforhouse.com
House District 36
Rep. Nelson Dollar, a Republican, is running for his seventh term in the state House. He’s challenged by Democrat Jennifer Ferrell. A Libertarian on the ballot, Brian Irving, has withdrawn from the race, according to his website.
Dollar spent more than $200,000 to defeat his Republican primary challenger, who ran TV and radio ads that attacked spending Dollar supported as the top House budget writer.
The district stretches across western Wake County, including Cary, Holly Springs, Apex, Fuquay-Varina and Garner.
Nelson Dollar
Age: 55
Education: Bachelor of science and master of arts in social sciences from Appalachian State University
Professional experience: Media and public relations consultant at his firm, J.N. Dollar and Associates
Political resume: Six-term representative; senior chairman of the N.C. House appropriations committee
Family: Wife, Lorrie, and son, Ian
Website: nelsondollar.net
Jennifer Ferrell
Age: 38
Education: Bachelor of arts in political science and public administration, Elon University
Professional experience: Former development and community outreach manager, Public Schools First NC
Political resume: Field organizer, Wake County Democratic Party; former candidate for Apex Town Council
Family: Husband, Chris, and 7-year-old twins, Emma and Trey
Website: jenferrellnc36.com
House District 37
Rep. Paul “Skip” Stam, a Republican, will resign the seat he’s held since 2001 at the end of this term, leaving it to be contested by two newcomers.
Linda Hunt Williams, the Republican candidate, has served on the Holly Springs Town Council for 7 years and has a background in education and nonprofit management. Her Democratic opponent is Randy Barrow, a Fuquay-Varina High School social studies teacher who stepped into the race after the presumptive Democratic candidate withdrew from the race earlier this year. Robert Rose, a Libertarian and longtime IBM manager, rounds out the ballot.
House District 37 comprises the southern corner of Wake County, including the towns of Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina.
Randy Barrow
Age: 43
Education: Bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in education from UNC-Greensboro.
Professional experience: High school teacher in N.C. public schools for the past 16 years, including Fuquay-Varina High School for the past 10 years.
Family: Married with two children.
Website: barrowfornc.com
Robert Rose
Age: 60
Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science from Ohio State University; teaching degree from N.C. State University
Professional experience: Worked for IBM for more than 30 years, managing software metrics and process improvement. Now teaches financial literacy classes part-time for Wake County Public Schools and Raleigh-based Consumer Education Services Inc.
Political resume: Volunteered as campaign treasurer for three Libertarian gubernatorial campaigns.
Family: Married with two adult sons.
Website: None
Linda Hunt Williams
Age: 68
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Loyola University; master of public administration from UNC-Charlotte.
Professional experience: Has led and worked for an array of education-oriented nonprofits. Was self-employed as a public-sector consultant. Navy veteran.
Political resume: Holly Springs Town Council since 2009. Represents Holly Springs as a delegate at the Triangle J Council of Governments.
Family: Married with a daughter and two grandchildren, who also live in Holly Springs.
Website: lindahuntwilliams.com
House District 38
Libertarian candidate Olen Watson III is challenging Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley in House District 38, which encompasses some parts of Southeast Raleigh and eastern sections of the city. The district tends to vote Democrat. Holley, a Democrat, is running for a third term.
Yvonne Lewis Holley
Age: 64
Education: Graduate of Enloe High School. Bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Howard University
Professional experience: Served as a senior procurement/contract specialist for the N.C. Department of Administration’s Division of Purchase and Contract.
Political resume: Two terms in House
Family: One daughter, Erica Holley
Website: yvonnelewisholley.com
Olen Watson III
Age: 45
Education: Enloe High School graduate. Bachelor’s degree in Biblical studies from Campbell University. Enrolled in a graduate program in special education at N.C. Central University, but did not finish.
Professional experience: U.S. Marine; computer programmer for Electronic Data Systems, an IT equipment services company founded by Ross Perot that ceased operations in 2009; special education teacher at Millbrook High School for two years; currently works in construction project management
Political resume: None. When asked, Watson said, “I’ve lived under oppressive government regimes for 45 years.”
Family: He and his wife, Laura, have three children and three step-children.
Website: olenfornchouse38.com
House District 40
Republican Rep. Marilyn Avila is seeking a sixth term in the House. Most recently, she won 54 percent to 46 percent over a Democrat in 2014. The district includes northwestern Wake County around Falls Lake and Brier Creek.
Avila, a former chemist and hair salon owner, faces Democrat Joe John, who formerly held statewide office as a N.C. Court of Appeals judge and also was the director of the State Crime Lab. Avila had more money on hand than John as of June 30, but raised less in the second quarter.
Marilyn Avila
Age: 67
Education: Bachelor of science, Georgia Southern College
Professional experience: Chemist, HanesBrands; events coordinator, John Locke Foundation; owner, hairstyling salon
Political resume: Five terms in the N.C. House; deputy majority leader; joint caucus leader; chairman, Wake County Republican Party; president, Wake County Republican Women’s Club
Family: Husband Alex, son and daughter
Website: marilynavila.com
Joe John
Age: 76
Education: Bachelor of arts, master of arts and doctorate, UNC-Chapel Hill; attended Sorbonne and Heidelberg University; Prosecuting Attorneys Program, Northwestern School of Law
Professional experience: Lawyer, Greensboro Legal Aid; prosecutor; litigation attorney, Pell, Pell, Weston and John; certified mediator and arbitrator
Political resume: Judge, N.C. Court of Appeals; judge, Guilford County Superior Court; judge, Guilford County District Court; deputy commissioner, N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles; director, State Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory
Family: Wife Evelyn, three children
Website: joejohnnchouse.com
House District 41
Republican Chris Shoffner, a political newcomer, is challenging Rep. Gale Adcock, who is seeking her second term. The district covers much of western Wake County, including portions of Cary and Morrisville.
In 2014, Democrat Adcock defeated two-term Republican incumbent Tom Murry for this seat with 51.3 percent of the vote. This year, Shoffner had raised less than $1,000 by June 30, while Adcock ended the reporting period with $116,000 on hand.
Gale Adcock
Age: 62
Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University; Master’s degree in nursing from UNC-Chapel Hill
Professional experience: Chief health officer at SAS Institute since 1991
Political resume: First term in the N.C. House; former Cary mayor pro-tem and member of the Cary Town Council
Family: Husband, Kevin, and two sons
Website: galeadcock.com
Chris Shoffner
Age: 49
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from N.C. State
Professional experience: Health plan fiduciary and director of public policy for Lake Norman Benefits
Political resume: First-time candidate for political office; Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Health Plan
Family: Two daughters: Lydia, 19, and Celia, 17
Website: citizens4shoffner.com
House District 49
Republican Rep. Gary Pendleton, a retired brigadier general who owns a financial consulting company, is seeking his second full term. He won 52 percent to 48 percent over a Democrat in 2014.
He faces Democrat Cynthia Ball, a certified mediator who’s making her first run for elected office. Pendleton has a cash advantage but raised less in the second quarter. David Ulmer is the Libertarian in the race.
The district stretches from Raleigh’s Five Points up Creedmoor Road toward Falls Lake.
Cynthia Ball
Age: 62
Education: Bachelor of arts, UNC-Greensboro; master of business administration, Virginia Commonwealth University; certified mediator, N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission
Professional experience: Ball Mediation; director of external affairs, N.C. State University; director of development, William Peace University
Political resume: City of Raleigh Civil Service Commission; board member, Carolina Social Justice Project
Family: Husband Dave; stepchildren and grandchildren
Website: cynthiafornc.com
Gary Pendleton
Age: 69
Education: The American College
Professional experience: Retired brigadier general, U.S. Army and N.C. Army National Guard; president, Pendleton Financial Consulting
Political resume: One term, N.C. House; chairman, Wake County Board of Commissioners; chairman, Wake County ABC Commission; State Economic Development Board; State Board of Community Colleges; State Banking Commission
Family: Wife Laura, two children, one grandson
Website: pendletonfornchouse.com
David Ulmer
Age: 44
Education: Bachelor of arts, Wake Forest University; Associate of applied science, Wake Technical Community College
Professional experience: Officer in the U.S. Army; engineer and technician in the information technology sector
Political resume: First time candidate
Family: Wife Yvonne; step-children Dylan and Tori
Website: ulmernc49.com
House District 50
House District 50 covers rural Orange County and extends into northern and eastern Durham County.
Democratic Rep. Graig Meyer was appointed to his seat in 2013, replacing Valerie Foushee when she was appointed to the Senate. Meyer was re-elected in 2014, defeating current Republican opponent Rod Chaney.
Rod Chaney
Age: 55
Education: Danville Christian High School; bachelor’s degree, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; master’s degree, Dallas Theological Seminary.
Professional experience: Pastor at Sunrise Church in Chapel Hill; formerly worked for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, in a textile mill, at Red Food warehouse and Champion International.
Political resume: Ran unsuccessfully for the House District 50 seat in 2012 and 2014.
Family: He and his wife Gayle have five children
Website: rodchaney.com
Graig Meyer
Age: 42
Education: Bachelor’s degree, The College of Wooster; master’s degree, University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration
Professional experience: Co-founder and principal consultant, The Equity Collaborative LLC; former coordinator of the Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate program and director of student equity for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Political resume: Appointed to House in 2013; re-elected in 2014
Family: He and wife Jennifer Meyer have three children
Website: graigmeyer.com
House District 54
Democratic Rep. Robert T. Reives II is wrapping up his first full term representing Chatham County and parts of Lee County. The Sanford defense attorney was appointed to his seat, replacing former Rep. Deb McManus, in 2014 and was elected later that year.
Reives is facing a challenge from Republican Wesley Seawell of Goldston, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst who now teaches history, logic and the Bible at Haw River Christian Academy.
Robert T. Reives II
Age: 47
Education: Bachelor’s degree and law degree, UNC Chapel Hill
Professional experience: Defense attorney and managing partner, Wilson and Reives, Attorneys at Law; assistant district attorney, Lee County District Attorney’s Office
Political resume: One-plus terms, N.C. House; Freshman Caucus co-chair; former vice chairman, Lee County Democratic Party
Family: He and his wife Cynthia have a son and a daughter
Website: reivesforhouse.com
Wesley Seawell
Education: Lee Christian School in Sanford; bachelor’s degree, Campbell University
Professional experience: Former U.S. Army intelligence analyst with two tours of duty in Iraq; former Lee Christian School teacher and boys’ varsity soccer coach; current history, Bible and logic teacher at Haw River Christian Academy, where he also produces and directs the school drama program
Political resume: Chatham County Climate Change Committee member
Website: seawellfornchouse54.wixsite.com/home
And here are the Senate seats up for grabs, in a chamber Republicans control 34-16:
Senate District 11
With three-term Sen. Buck Newton’s bid for N.C. attorney general, the district is assured of sending a fresh face to the legislature. That face will belong to either Republican Rick Horner, a former Nash-Rocky Mount school board member, or Democrat Albert Pacer, a political newcomer.
The district includes quickly-growing northwest Johnston County, as well as the majority of Nash and Wilson counties.
Rick Horner
Age: 59
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from East Carolina University
Professional experience: Currently a commercial insurance agent, previously an international tobacco dealer and stockbroker.
Political resume: 14 years on the Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education
Family: He and his wife Patricia have four children
Website: hornerforncsenate.com
Albert Pacer
Age: 71
Education: Bachelor’s degree in American history from Wilmington College (now UNC-Wilmington); master’s degree in political science from Appalachian State; master’s degree in political science from the State University of New York at Albany
Professional experience: Retired; previously a county planner in Broward County, Florida; budget director for Albany County, New York.
Political resume: First time seeking public office
Family: Previously married
Website: albertpacer.com
Senate District 12
Senate District 12 serves Johnston, Lee and Harnett counties and voters usually elect Republicans. Sen. Ronald Rabin, a Republican, has held the seat since being elected in 2012. Rabin is being challenged by Democrat Susan Byerly, a retired educator.
Ronald Rabin
Age: 84
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Southern Mississippi; master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University; graduate of the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College; graduate of the U.S. Defense Department’s National War College.
Professional experience: Retired U.S. Army colonel with 23 years of service; 25 years of marketing and business development in the defense sector.
Political resume: Two terms in N.C. Senate
Family: Wife, Mona Rabin, and children, Mark, Scott and Rachel
Website: ronaldrabin.com
Susan Byerly
Age: 60
Education: Undergraduate and master’s degrees from Campbell University; education specialist degree from East Carolina University; doctorate in educational leadership from Fayetteville State University.
Professional experience: Senior hospice care consultant and adjunct professor in the Campbell University School of Education; retired Harnett County teacher; former chairwoman of the Military Child Testing Board for Cumberland County Schools; former director of student services in Cumberland County; former director of project planning for Universal Meeting Management Inc.
Political resume: Unsuccessful run for N.C. House District 53 in 2014
Family: Wife of the late Brooks Byerly and mother of Blake and Ben Byerly
Website: susanbyerly.com
Senate District 15
The district stretches from Raleigh’s Five Points north to Falls Lake. Republican Sen. John Alexander is seeking a second term after winning his 2014 election by a narrow margin. He faces Democrat Laurel Deegan-Fricke and Libertarian Brad Hessel in November.
Alexander voted with fellow Republicans to pass HB2 in March but later issued a statement calling its repeal. The issue has been brought up by both opponents who do not support the law.
John Alexander
Age: 67
Education: Graduate of Raleigh’s Broughton High School; economics degree, N.C. State
Professional experience: Family business, Cardinal International Trucks
Political resume: One term in N.C. Senate; unsuccessful 2008 run for Senate
Family: Wife of 38 years; two daughters; one grandchild
Website: AlexanderNCSenate.com
Laurel Deegan-Fricke
Age: 48
Education: Graduate of Grandview High School in Grandview, Washington; attended Deanza Community College near Cupertino, California; transferred to California State University East Bay and obtained a degree in business administration.
Professional experience: Financial and sales analyst; helped start a software company; founder and CEO of nonprofit National Coalition of Native American College Placement Services helping Native American students get a college education
Political resume: No political experience in North Carolina, but has worked with tribal governments in North Dakota and in other states
Family: Mother of two girls and two boys
Website: Laurel4NC.com
Brad Hessel
Age: 63
Education: Graduate, Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire; history degree, Brown University
Professional experience: Worked at publisher of magazine on role-playing games, in the computer-game industry and at a tech startup; owns a data management consulting business
Political resume: First-time candidate; active in Ron Paul campaigns in 2008 and 2012; treasurer of Wake County Libertarian Party.
Family: Wife; three adult children.
Website: electbradhessel.org
Senate District 16
This district, which includes Cary, Apex, Morrisville and Research Triangle Park, features two relatively young candidates with minimal experience in elected office.
Jay Chaudhuri, a Democrat, was appointed to the state Senate this year to replace Josh Stein, who resigned in March to run for attorney general. Eric Weaver, his Republican opponent, has a background in law enforcement, small business and real estate.
Jay Chaudhuri
Age: 47
Education: Davidson College; Columbia University; North Carolina Central University School of Law
Professional experience: Special counsel to the state treasurer; special counsel to Attorney General Roy Cooper; legislative counsel to N.C. Senate Majority Leader Cooper
Political resume: Appointed to the General Assembly in April
Family: Married with two children
Website: jayfornc.com
Eric Weaver
Age: 46
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Mount Olive; master’s degree in public administration from North Carolina Central University
Professional experience: Owns a real estate and property management business, Reedy Creek Realty; owned a small computer company; involved in law enforcement in various capacities including as police chief
Political resume: Chairman of the N.C. Protective Services Board
Family: Married with four children
Website: ericweaver.info
Senate District 17
The Cary district is one of the fastest growing in the state. It has added about 33,000 registered voters since it was drawn. Susan Evans, a Democrat and Wake County school board member, is challenging Sen. Tamara Barringer, who’s running for a third full term. The area has lost college-sports championships because of the backlash over HB2; Barringer voted for the LGBT bill but called for the law’s repeal in September.
Tamara Barringer
Age: 57
Education: Bachelor of science and law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill
Professional experience: Clinical assistant professor of legal studies in the Kenan-Flagler Business School, UNC-Chapel Hill; attorney in private practice for more than 20 years
Political resume: Two-plus terms in the state Senate
Family: Husband, three children
Website: tamarabarringer.com
Susan Evans
Age: 58
Education: Bachelor of science from UNC-Chapel Hill in business administration with a concentration in accounting
Professional experience: Former certified public accountant and small business owner
Political resume: Member of the Wake County school board
Family: Husband, two adult daughters
Website: susanevansncsenate.com
Susan Hogarth
Age: 49
Education: Bachelor of science in biology from Kansas State University
Professional experience: Research technician for Duke University
Political resume: Has been a candidate for state Senate, state House and Wake County commission seats
Family: Husband
Website: None
Senate District 18
Two-term Republican Sen. Chad Barefoot first won the district covering eastern Wake and Franklin counties in 2012 by ousting incumbent Democratic Sen. Doug Berger. In 2014 he received about 53 percent of the vote against Sarah Crawford. Barefoot is the son-in-law of N.C. Values Coalition leader Tami Fitzgerald.
Democrat Gil Johnson, a former Franklin County Board of Education chairman, has criticized Barefoot’s support for HB2. In the last reporting period, Johnson had about $40,000 on hand. Barefoot had $91,000.
Chad Barefoot
Age: 33
Education: Master of arts in Christian ethics, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest; bachelor’s of science, Appalachian State University
Professional experience: Vice president of institutional advancement at Louisburg College
Political resume: In his second N.C. Senate term
Family: Married with three children
Website: new.chadbarefoot.com
Gil Johnson
Age: 54
Education: UNC-Chapel Hilll; air traffic control training, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City
Professional experience: Retired air-traffic controller; textile industry
Political resume: Franklin County Board of Education member since 2005
Family: Married with three children and six grandchildren
Website: giljohnsonsenate.org
Senate District 20
Libertarian candidate Barbara Howe is challenging Sen. Floyd McKissick Jr., a Democrat who has been in the Senate since 2007. The district encompasses Granville County and part of Durham County.
Barbara Howe
Age: 63
Education: Bachelor of arts in English and psychology from Pfeiffer College
Professional experience: Full-time homemaker
Political resume: Candidate for U.S. Senate in 1998, for governor in 2000, 2004 and 2012 and for N.C. House in 2002, 2006 and 2010; Libertarian Party of North Carolina Executive Committee, including four terms as chair
Family: She and husband Tom Howe have three children
Website barbarahowe.net
Floyd McKissick Jr.
Age: 63
Education: Law degree, Duke University’s School of Law; master of public administration, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; master of regional planning, School of City and Regional Planning at UNC Chapel Hill; bachelor of arts in geography, Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts
Professional experience: Operates a law practice in Durham, McKissick and McKissick; was associate with Dickstein, Shapiro and Morin in Washington, D.C. and with Faison, Brown, Fletcher and Brough in Durham; was management consultant with Washington D.C. office of Peat, Marwick, and Mitchell; co-authored a guidebook, Attracting Foreign Direct Investment to the United States, among other studies and reports; was director of planning for The Soul City Company; author of several published articles
Political resume: N.C. Senate since 2007; senior deputy Democratic leader in Senate; former chairman of N.C. Legislative Black Caucus; former chairman of Durham County Democratic Party; former member of Durham City Council; former member of Durham’s Board of Adjustment and of the Durham Planning Commission; numerous positions with the N.C. Democratic Party
Family: Three children; three grandchildren.
Website: mckissickforsenate.com
Senate District 22
Republican T. Greg Doucette is challenging Sen. Mike Woodard in Senate District 22. Woodard, a Democrat, is running for his third term in the Senate. The district encompasses Caswell and Person counties and part of Durham County.
T. Greg Doucette
Age: 35
Education: Bachelor of science in computer science with minors in political science and in economics, N.C. State; N.C. Central University’s School of Law
Professional experience: Managing attorney, Law Offices of T. Greg Doucette PLLC; worked in legal, government relations, and information technology industries; board of directors, Achievement Academy of Durham, the Durham Jaycees, the Salvation Army of Durham Boys & Girls Club, the NCCU Eagle Club, the NCCU School of Law Alumni Association, and the NC State Friends of the Library; chairman, Solo, Small Firm, and General Practice Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.
Political resume: Former member, UNC system’s Board of Governors
Family: One son, Alex.
Website: VoteTGreg.com
Mike Woodard
Age: 57
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Duke University; certificate in nonprofit management
Professional experience: Financial services administrator, Duke University
Political resume: Two terms in N.C. Senate; member, Durham city council.
Family: Married to the Rev. Sarah Woodard
Website: mikewoodard.com
Senate District 23
State Sen. Valerie Foushee was appointed to represent District 23, which covers Orange and Chatham counties, when former state Sen. Ellie Kinnaird resigned in 2013. Foushee won re-election after defeating her current opponent, Mary Lopez Carter, in the 2014 election.
Valerie Foushee
Age: 59
Education: Bachelor’s degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill
Professional experience: Retired administrator, Chapel Hill Police Department.
Political resume: N.C. Senate; former member and chair, Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board; former member and chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Family: She and husband Stan Foushee have two sons
Website: fousheefornc.com
Mary Lopez Carter
Age: 51
Education: Some college
Professional experience: Owner, iDesign Media Solutions, iDeas Consulting and other small businesses; real estate agent with Fathom Realty; was CEO of Industrial Meter and Equipment Co. in Texas.
Political resume: Adviser to the governor on the Domestic Violence Commission; former adviser to the governor on the Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs; former state treasurer and chair for Republican National Hispanic Assembly; ran unsuccessfully for Orange County Board of Commissioners in 2012 and state Senate in 2014
Family: She has three sons, and her husband Dave Carter has two sons
Website: marylopezcarter.com
This story was originally published October 19, 2016 at 8:50 PM with the headline "Meet the Triangle’s candidates for the legislature."