Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I was born and raised near Asheville, North Carolina.  After graduating from high school, I received a full scholarship to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and enrolled in law school at Campbell University School of Law.  After graduating from law school, I began my job as an Assistant District Attorney in January 1994 representing Johnston, Harnett & Lee Counties. 

I have prosecuted thousands of felony cases.  I received specialized training in the prosecution of vehicular homicide cases, including a national school in Chicago.  I have instructed other Assistant District Attorneys in the prosecution of driving while impaired cases and vehicular homicides.  I served as an instructor for the "Saving Lives, Protecting Futures" program developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  I also served as an instructor for prosecutions standards in driving while impaired cases at the North Carolina District Attorneys' Association Summer Conference. 

I recently was an instructor for prosecutors and law enforcement officers on vehicular homicide cases.  I have prosecuted every vehicular homicide case that involved an impaired driver in Johnston County since 1995.  In addition to all the vehicular homicide cases, I continue to prosecute murders and violent felonies. 

I live in Clayton with my husband, Michael, my son, Ross, my daughter, Katie and my West Highland Terrier, Rocky.  We are members of Horne Memorial United Methodist Church in Clayton. 

I am a current member of the North Carolina State Bar, Executive Committee member and current Vice-President of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, North Carolina Legal Education Assistance Foundation Board of Directors, Eleventh Judicial District Bar Association, Johnston County Bar Association, Johnston County Criminal Justice Partnership Board Member, Johnston County Partnership for Children Board Member, and Powhatan Elementary School Advisory Council Member.

It has been a privilege to serve the citizens of Johnston, Harnett and Lee Counties as the elected District Attorney since 2007.  As a career prosecutor, my passion is to be a voice for victims.  My record speaks for itself.  Since becoming District Attorney, I have more than tripled the driving while impaired conviction rate from 27% to now 85%.  I implemented the first ever "no dismissal policy" for driving while impaired cases.  I was recently named the 2009 North Carolina Prosecutor of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for my efforts in DWI reform. 

After listening to the pleas of citizens and law enforcement officers to remove career criminals from our communities, I stepped into action.  I have doubled the conviction rate for repeat offenders thereby ensuring longer prison terms for these habitual felons.

I assembled an Interagency Gang Task Force that meets on a monthly basis and shares valuable information to help combat the growing gang problem in our communities. 

I also started a worthless check program in all three counties and have been able to recover close to $700,000 in restitution to victims who received bad checks.

The citizens of Johnston, Harnett & Lee Counties deserve an experienced prosecutor who has a proven track record in fighting for victims.  I have made so many positive changes since taking office in 2007.  Let's keep moving forward.  It would be an honor to continue to serve the citizens of Johnston, Harnett & Lee Counties as the District Attorney.  I ask for your support and your vote.