Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

A.B. Swindell was born in Robeson County, North Carolina, and at the age of three months, his family moved back to the family farm in Hyde County.  His father, Russell, was a dairy farmer, who also served in the North Carolina State Legislature representing Hyde County.

A.B. was educated at Wilson Technical Community College, Sandhills Community College, and North Carolina State University.  He served in the US Army and received an Honorable Discharge.

A.B. began his career as a vocational educator with the Granville County School System in Oxford from 1971 until 1983 and while living in Oxford, he served on the Oxford City Council from 1981-1985.  He was the executive director of the NC Railroads Association from 1977 to 1980.  In 1983, he was named District Administrative Assistant to US Congressman Tim Valentine, 2nd District, and he served in that capacity for 12 years.

Following Congressman Valentine's departure from Congress, A.B. served as director of the NC Education Foundation under then State Superintendent of Public Instruction Bob Etheridge.  Prior to seeking his senate seat, A.B. served as manager of government affairs in North and Sough Carolinas for Browning-Ferris Industries.

A.B. is currently serving his fifth term in the State Senate, representing Nash and Wilson Counties in the 11th District. He was first elected to the Senate in November 2000, representing the 10th District, which prior to redistricting was made up of Nash, Halifax, portions of Edgecombe and Wilson counties.

A.B. serves on the following Senate Standing Committees: Agriculture; Co-Chairman, Appropriations/Base Budget; Education/Higher Education; Finance; Judiciary II; Pensions & Retirement and Aging; Rules & Operations of the Senate; Transportation, and Ways and Means.

In addition to serving on the following boards, A.B. has been named to numerous interim legislative study commissions: NCIOM Access to Care Study Group; SBOE Business and Education Technology Alliance; NC Budget Advisory Commission; Peace College Board of Trustees; and NC Operation Lifesaver to name a few.

A.B. and his wife, Diane reside in Nashville where they are members of  Nashville Methodist Church.  They have three sons and two grandchildren.

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