Primary Election Date: 05/08/2012
General Election Date: 11/06/2012

Who Am I?

“Putting people first” is not merely a campaign slogan; for me it’s a way of life.

Born and raised in Charlotte, I graduated from Duke University before moving to Buncombe County, where I have been working to build a stronger community for more than 40 years.

I taught in public schools for 25 years while raising a family that now includes five grandchildren. While still teaching, I was elected to three terms on the Buncombe County Commission and served for 12 years.

After the death of my first husband John, I ran for the U.S. Congress in 2004 against Charles Taylor in NC District 11. My campaign inspired a new level of political participation in the region and an awareness that true power resides in the hands of the citizens.

Shortly thereafter, I married Jim Aycock, retired publisher of The Black Mountain News. Since then I have also participated in a triathlon, delighted in five grandchildren, and planted a vegetable garden.

In 2010, I ran for the NC House of Representatives winning in the Democratic primary. I was elected to the NC House on November 2, 2010, and during my first term I have supported quality education for all children, clean air and water, meaningful work for all who seek it and equal rights for all our citizens.

I am a devoted member of my church, and I am grateful for the teachings that inspire public service and for the ongoing compassion and support of my faith community.

Why Am I Running?

I was first motivated to run for public office while teaching 8th grade social studies. I was trying to teach my students how important it is for everyone to be part of the political process. I was concerned that too many of them had very negative attitudes about politicians and people in public office. I wanted them to understand that elected officials are just every day people like you and me who feel that they can help other people in some way. So I ran for Buncombe County Commissioner and won the privilege of serving my community for 12 years.

In the 2010 primary I took on conservative Democrat State Representative Bruce Goforth in 2010 and won the primary 60% to 40% in a grassroots, citizen-driven campaign. I beat my Republican opponent in the general election by a similar margin.

I am running now to represent all of the people of North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District and to create government that works for all of us. I believe that the current officeholder, Patrick McHenry exemplifies the “inside the Beltway” arrogance exhibited by many of our elected officials in Washington. Senators and Representatives feel they can give lip service to their constituents, while accepting campaign contributions from the rich and powerful and then doing their bidding. If we do not change the current culture in Congress, our democracy is at great risk.

Hold Me Accountable!

There are so many issues I care about. My top two goals are to protect our education system and to create a culture of respect in Congress that works for everyone.

As a former teacher I know how important education is to our future. That is why we must stand up for the Department of Education and for teachers. We must also continue to invest in childhood education, especially early childhood. In Congress, I will be a forceful voice for both educators and our children.

So many people today have given up on our elected officials, believing they don’t really care about ordinary folks. Make no mistake about it: Congress is not working for all of us. I pledge to always be accessible to my constituents no matter what their ideology or beliefs. Furthermore, I will do my best to create an atmosphere of respect for one another in Congress and build bridges across the partisan divide so that real work can be done. While we might not agree on the issues, we can at least listen to one another, endeavor to understand each other’s perspective and work to actually deal with the challenges our citizens are encountering. Congress needs to work for everyone, and I will create an atmosphere where that is possible.

My DFA values:

Throughout my life and career I have championed progressive values and causes. We must always work to create a society and nation that works for everyone.

I have always run inclusive campaigns that were not about me, but that were about us . . . all of us. This campaign will also be oriented toward the building of a stronger and more resilient community, a community in which each of us understands that my well-being relies on your well-being and that of every other community member.

I totally agree with the DFA statement about funding “schools and investment in green jobs over funding bombers and missile defense our military doesn't need or even want.” We must step away from fear-based decision-making and actually put our money where our mouths are when it comes to investing in our children. They are, in fact, where our future lies, and we neglect them at great peril.

Equality must be extended to all Americans, regardless of age, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, or spiritual practice. Furthermore we must all be free from unwarranted surveillance, unreasonable search and unjust imprisonment. The laws of the land should apply to everyone equally and enforced accordingly.

My Campaign is People-Powered!

I have always run grassroots "people-powered" campaigns. In 2004 I ran for congress and had over 10,000 volunteers. This year will be no different. I will rely on small donations from individuals who support my stands on the issues to pay for the bulk of my campaign expenses. I will also run an aggressive grassroots field program, like in 2004, that will inspire volunteers to register new voters, call past supporters, and canvass voters to encourage them to get out and vote for me in the primary and the general election.