| NC House of Representatives (District 35 - Wake) |
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Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):
Jennifer Weiss received her Bachelors degree in Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1981. At UNC, she chaired the Student Union Human Relations Committee and later served as President of the Student Union. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Order of the Valkyries.
After working in the Washington, DC area for two years, including a stint on Capitol Hill, she enrolled at the University of Virginia School of Law and was awarded her JD degree in 1986. She practiced corporate and securities law at a Boston firm from 1986 to 1990. When she and her family moved to North Carolina in 1991, she volunteered as a peer counselor at The Women's Center in Raleigh and was later hired as its Legal Services Coordinator. Following the birth of her second child, Jennifer stayed home with both children until 1999. She lives in Cary with her husband, Bruce Hamilton, and their 2 children. Her hobbies include reading, swimming, baking, hiking and attending her children's sporting events.
Jennifer has served in the North Carolina House of Representatives since 1999. She serves on the following standing House committees:
- Finance, Chair
- Judiciary II, Vice-Chair
- Aging
- Environment and Natural Resources
- Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House
She serves on several select committees, interim commissions and task forces, including:
- Joint Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives, Chair
- House Select Committee on Rising Home Foreclosures
- Justus-Warren Stroke and Heart Disease Prevention Task Force
- Governor's Task Force for Healthy Carolinians
- North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force
Jennifer's community activities have included:
- School volunteer
- Summit House board member
- Precinct Chair and Cary Vice Chair, Wake County Democratic Party
- Story Sharer, SAFEchild Motherread program
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| Candidate Statement:
It is an honor to represent the people of Wake County in the North Carolina House. I look forward to continuing to make North Carolina an even more desirable place to live, work, and do business. Your support and vote in the November election will allow me to keep working on these vital issues.
Education is the key to preparing residents for the changing economy. Great schools, community colleges and universities are critical for North Carolina to have a well-educated, highly skilled workforce that can compete in the 21st century. Strategic planning and investment in education will attract business and industry to North Carolina, bringing good jobs to our area. Higher education must be affordable to enable all of our citizens to reach their potential. I will help improve public education, with a focus on:
- Keeping young people in school
- Providing training for displaced workers
- Providing opportunities for people seeking additional professional training and other skills
- Attracting and retaining excellent teachers
Quality health care and support for public health are essential for our state's well-being. In addition to supporting wellness education and disease-prevention initiatives, I will continue to work towards providing North Carolinians with access to:
- Affordable health care and prescription drugs
- Essential services for children, senior citizens and people with disabilities or mental illness
I will keep advocating for consumer protection, corporate responsibility and open government. I will continue to support:
- Clean air and water standards
- Preservation of open space
- Sustainable energy initiatives
- Additions to our state's park land
- Our area's transportation network, including better funding for public transportation, bike paths, and pedestrian safety
- Wise water use, including conservation measures, identifying alternative water supplies, assisting local governments with better water planning and promoting regional cooperation
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