Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Barbara led the effort to protect and improve public access to NC waters, resulting in a statewide initiative to protect piers, boat ramps, mom and pop marinas, and fish houses. She served a three-term Governor-appointee to the state Marine Fisheries Commission, balancing the protection of fisheries resources with maintaining a healthy commercial and recreational fishing industry. She also served as chair of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP) steering committee, which developed recommendations to better protect coastal fisheries habitats. Barbara holds a Ph.D in cultural anthropology from the University of Virginia. She has taught at East Carolina University and Carteret Community College. Today she is a researcher, writer, and musician. She co-founded the Gloucester Mardi Gras, an annual community festival.

Eastern North Carolina is my home. I have devoted the past twenty years protecting this place we call home - fighting for our way of living and our precious waters, the heart of our economy. I am a mother who understands first hand how hard it is to get affordable health care and how important it is to get quality education for our children. My neighbors are struggling to make ends meet while my opponent is in Raleigh representing special interests, neglecting to protect our public health and failing to protect the environment. We deserve better than this. I want to be a representative who gets things done for all the people of eastern North Carolina. I will fight for decent jobs, accessible health care - including mental health and substance abuse services - and a clean, healthy environment where our children can grow, learn, and prosper.