Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I am a native of Charlotte, having been born in Good Samaritan Hospital, which was located on the grounds of what is now the Bank of America Stadium. I received my early education in the public schools of Charlotte, having attended Myers Street Elementary, York Road Junior High, Second Ward and West Charlotte High Schools. Having graduated from West Charlotte, I went on to receive my AB in Political Science (1970) and a Masters in Public Administration (1973) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

I have been active in the political life of my community since the age of nine, when my mother, the principal advisor of the Friendship NAACP Junior Youth Council, taught us how to conduct neighborhood voter registration drives. I was active in the campaigns of my uncle, Fredrick Douglass Alexander in his successful races to break the color barrier first on the Charlotte City Council (1965) and later when he was elected to the State Senate representing District 22.

I am a member of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, having joined in 1959; a 32 degree Mason PHFA. I have served my community in various capacities, including the Airport Advisory Committee (Vice Chair), the University Park Neighborhood Association (President), the NAACP (Secretary  & President of the Charlotte Branch, the NC NAACP (President) and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission.

I was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Rep. Pete Cunning in 2008; first elected to a full term in November of 2008 and am currently running for reelection. I serve on a number of important committees in the House including, Public Utilities, Small Business, Energy, Joint Transportation, Finance, Water Resources and Environment. I also serve as a member of the Catawba Wateree BiState Commission (deals with the overall health of this important bistate river basin).

In the legislature, I've been working for you to promote jobs & economic development, by advocating for small business (access to capital, lower tax rate); supporting funding to fully staff, build out & equip the EPIC Center at UNCC; support funding for Central Piedmont Community College to specifically help meet the training needs of our emerging energy/green jobs industries.

I have promoted energy and water conservation by introducing legislation that promotes conservation of our natural resources by rewarding businesses and individuals who adopt conservation measures. My work in this area has been recognized by the Conservation Council of North Carolina, with its prestigious 2010 "Rising Star" Green Tie Award and its endorsement of my reelection.

I have voted for legislation in support to North Carolinas efforts to regain management of the Yadkin River power generation capability; recycle computer equipment and televisions, at no cost to consumers and for legislation to help protect North Carolinas Coastal businesses and ecology from a Gulf Coast type disaster by removing liability limits on companies that cause hazardous chemical or oil spills in our coastal waters.

I have received a "A" rating by the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) on its most recent legislative report card (70% of the rating is based upon legislative floor votes).