Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Sandra Spaulding Hughes graduated from A & T State University with a BS Degree in Home Economics. She worked as a teacher and a consumer consultant for CP&L. Ms. Hughes retired from North Carolina Cooperative Extension Services as a family and consumer science educator. She is probably best known for her Family & Consumer Science television program on WECT-TV6.

Ms. Hughes was a member of the Wilmington, North Carolina City Council for four years, 1999 to 2003. On the Council, she distinguished herself as “the people’s representative.” Ms Hughes developed a reputation for tackling tough issues, being an independent and thorough thinker, and looking out for senior and “ordinary” citizens.

On the City Council, Ms. Hughes served on the Council of Governments, the Clean Community Commission, the Film Commission, Vision 20/20, Downtown Area Revitalization Effort (D.A.R.E.), Cape Fear Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Audit Committee. She served on a panel of trainers for the Council of Governments.

Presently she serves on the North Carolina Martin Luther King Jr. Commission as a appointee of Governor Mike Easley.

Ms. Hughes has received numerous awards including the Woman of the Year from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Citizen of the Year from the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. She is the co-founder of the Community Action Group, a citizens group that was awarded Community Organization of the year in 2000 by the New Hanover County Human Relations Commission.

Ms. Hughes has served on various local boards including: the Council on Human Relations, Family Resource Center, YWCA, Wilmington Leadership Foundation, the Commission for Women, and the New Hanover County Prison Board. She is a member of St. Luke A.M.E.Z. Church.

Presently Ms. Hughes, is a retired educator/consultant and co-author of The Young Woman’s Guide for Personal Success, a guidebook of teaching and inspiring young women.

Candidate Statement:

These are critical times for New Hanover and Pender Counties, and indeed for the entire region.

We are faced with great challenges that impact our lives.

But wherever there are challenges, there is also hope and opportunity.

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” However, where there is a vision, the people prosper. We have an opportunity for a New Vision for the 18th District.

This is a new vision based on citizen input, issues, and concerns.

As your State Representative, I will be an Advocate for a New Vision:

• A vision where our economy is strong with good paying jobs and affordable housing.
• A vision where our children receive a quality education and our neighborhoods are safe.
• A vision where taxes are reasonable and our senior citizens and those with disabilities are treated with dignity.
• A vision where each citizen receives quality healthcare and our voices will be heard.
• A vision where growth and development can be balanced with protecting our environment

This May 6th Primary is a critical election that will impact our district for years to come.

Let us together make it a New Day with a New Vision for the 18th District.

I am asking you to vote for me, Sandra Spaulding Hughes for State House of Representatives 18th District in the Democratic Primary on May 6, 2008.