Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Representative Fisher is a 5th generation native of Asheville who has served her community in many roles, including as chair of the Asheville City Board of Education, president of the Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters, and as Director of Kids Voting Buncombe County, prior to her appointment to the House seat formerly held by Sen. Martin Nesbitt.  Fisher was elected to her third full term in 2008 representing Buncombe District 114.  Susan is married to John B. Fisher, Jr. and they have two adult children, Jonathan 26 and Alexandra 23.  She is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church where she has served as senior warden of the vestry, choir member, chalicist and lector.

Fisher is a 2007 Flemming Fellow.  This is a bipartisan leadership fellowship awarded to 30 early career legislators from all across the United States through the Washington, D.C. Center for Policy Alternatives.  In the NC House, Fisher serves or has served in many influential roles, including: Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, Chair; Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform; Children, Youth and Families; Education, Vice Chair; Education Subcommittee on Pre-School, Elementary and Secondary Education, Chair; Judiciary III; Energy and Energy Efficiency; House Select Committee on Health Care - subcommittee on Access to Health Care; House Select Committee on Ethics and Government Reform; House Select Committee on Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Joint Committee on Education Oversight; Speaker's Initiative on Dropout and Graduation Rate, Co-chair.

As a fifth generation Buncombe County native, I value our quality of life here in the mountains and I'm working hard for Western North Carolina.  I believe we can build a sustainable economy in our region while at the same time investing in education, health care and the environment.

I believe that education is the key to our economic future. I have stood up for vital, dedicated funding for our community colleges and access to quality education for all North Carolinians.  As a parent of two children, I understand that schools need sufficient resources to provide quality education for all students. I believe that investing in education is the most important thing we can do for our people and our economy.  I have supported education funding, preserved teaching positions, and am working to make sure lottery proceeds are spent on education. As your Representative, I will continue to support quality education for all of our children.

I am also working hard to improve our economy and create well-paying, sustainable jobs in our region.  I believe that we must prioritize clean, sustainable, small, local businesses to strengthen our local economy.

We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and we need to work together to make sure it remains beautiful for generations to come. I have supported the Clean Cars Bill, the Energy Future Bill, and other legislation aimed at cleaning up our environment, decreasing greenhouse gases, and supporting renewable energy.  With your support, I will continue to work to protect and clean up our environment.

My parents and children are part of the heritage and the future of this community, and their interests are no different than yours: our economy, our schools, affordable health care, and a healthy, clean environment.