Press release from North Carolina Democratic Party House Caucus:
Representative Susan Fisher of Asheville announced today that she will officially retire from her elected office effective December 31, 2021. Representative Fisher has served in the NC House for 18 years, representing NC House District 114.
Representative Susan Fisher has served in the NC General Assembly since 2004 and is currently Minority Whip in the NC House. “It has been the honor of my life to have served the people of District 114,” said Rep. Fisher. “I wanted folks to feel that they were connected to what was happening in Raleigh and the decisions being made. I hope that my constituents felt included and less isolated during my tenure as their House member.”
Constituents and supporters’ express gratitude for Rep. Fisher’s many years of service.
Asheville educator Jamie Ross: “Susan’s journey from volunteer mom to school board chair to North Carolina legislator has been inspiring. The school children of North Carolina have had no better friend than Susan Fisher. She has never compromised the compassion and integrity that I witnessed when I first met her in the 1980s as parents at Vance Elementary. We are fortunate to have had her represent us in Raleigh.”
Asheville attorney Kerry Friedman: “I am so proud that Susan brought strong mountain values to her service as NC State representative, and her experience with League of Women Voters, Asheville City School system and countless other community roles served her, and her constituents, well. Susan has always been a deal maker rather than a deal breaker, while holding true to her progressive and thoughtful positions on the issues of the day. She has done an outstanding job over these 18 eventful years for our state. As a leader in the NCGA House Democratic caucus, Susan’s efforts on so many fronts – education, justice, health care – have made our families, our children, and our communities better off, because she answered the call to service”
Asheville entrepreneur and philanthropist Mack Pearsall: “This state and especially WNC are better for your many years of selfless legislative service to the common good during which Susan listened and led.”
Before being elected to the NC House, Susan served on the Asheville School Board for eight years, as Chair for four of those years, and worked as Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Kids Voting. More about Rep. Susan Fisher’s career as a legislator and personal story can be found atwww.electsusanfisher.org.
During her time in the NCGA, Rep. Fisher says, “I have been a strong voice for women, for increasing the minimum wage, for labor and better conditions for public education. I have been most proud of the fact that I was able to be instrumental in changing the laws of NC around Health Education and Education in general. This is where my focus has been throughout my career.” She adds, “When I arrived in Raleigh 18 years ago, we were known as an ‘abstinence only’ state in terms of what we could teach our students about their sexual health, that is no longer the case. But we should not assume that the state cannot return to such an attitude. Everything we have fought for is at risk without concerted public involvement and progressive leadership.”
“I will be forever grateful to my constituents for allowing me to serve Buncombe County in the North Carolina House. The rewards of helping others are immeasurable. While the decision not to run again has been difficult and in many ways sad, it is comforting to know that there are energetic folks who are ready with their ideas and strong vision, to run for election and serve the people.”
“Thank you to every supporter who donated to my campaign over the years, to all of the volunteers who made phone calls, knocked doors, and stuffed envelopes, and to every voter who placed their trust in me by voting for me. I am humbled and grateful for the trust that our community invested in me over the past 18 years.”
Representative Fisher will be leaving office on December 31, 2021. “My plan for now is to just let life unfold and get back to enjoying time at home in Asheville, and as we come out of the pandemic to see more of my family including my grandchildren in Japan,” she says.
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