Valerie Foushee

A devoted community leader

Rep. Valerie Foushee is a lifelong North Carolinian and distinguished leader who ran to represent North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District. Rep. Foushee was born the oldest of six children in a family working to make ends meet. She credits her parents with instilling in her the importance of hard work and service to the community. Rep. Foushee was enrolled in segregated schooling until the sixth grade, and volunteering in her own children’s classrooms after long night shifts made her realize that kids, especially Black and brown kids in her community, needed an advocate. She ran for school board and won, and has since dedicated her career to public service. Over the next 24 years, she became the first African American woman elected to the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and went on to serve in the North Carolina General Assembly. Rep. Foushee is married to her high school sweetheart, Stan, with whom she has two sons and one grandson.

A champion for underrepresented communities

Rep. Foushee has spent her lifetime advocating for equality in education and has championed underrepresented communities throughout her time in public office. In the North Carolina state Senate, she sponsored legislation to remove barriers for people seeking an abortion and to close the health care coverage gap, and supported legislation to raise the minimum wage. She is committed to fighting systemic racism, ensuring workers earn fair wages, promoting equity in education, and advancing climate change solutions. Rep. Foushee is ready to bring her fight for justice to Congress.

An historic victory

Rep. Foushee stepped up to run for the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. David Price, and won, becoming both the first woman and person of color to represent North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District. EMILY’s List showed her our full support and helped elect this champion for North Carolinians to Congress.