Meet the woman running against Nathan Ramsey: Susan Wilson

When part-time attorney and freelance writer, Susan Wilson realized there were no Democrats running for House District 115, that was when she realized it was the time to step up, file for election and jump into this election.

“Frankly, six months ago I thought that Susan Fisher was my representative. So, when I realized that Nathan Ramsey was the only one running in District 115, I knew this was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” she said.

Wilson ran for Buncombe County district court judge in 2002 and 2006, but did not win. However, Wilson said she considered running for a seat in the House in 2004 before Susan Fisher announced her candidacy. Now, eight years later, Wilson says she’s running in hopes of bringing more minority voices to the N.C. General Assembly.

“Even though it feels like we (women) have made great strides, we really have not gotten to the point that I think we should be in this day and age. We make up 50 percent of the population and we’re just a small percentage — most of the time not even 25 percent — of any government entity,” Wilson said.

Wilson filed for election on Feb. 27 at the same time Rep. Susan Fisher filed for election for House District 114.

Wilson has lived in buncombe county for 21 years. She lives with her partner, Judy Rudolph.

Read the full release from Susan Wilson about why she is running below:

I have wanted to pursue a seat in the House but having one of the best representatives in the State in Susan Fisher, running didn’t make since.  Having lost Susan as my representative, I feel that it is my time to run for this open seat to represent the people of District 115.
We have a Republican majority in the General Assembly that is legislating out of fear, anger and bigotry.  They have cut in half the representation of women and other minorities in the legislature through their redistricting plan.  They are attacking a woman’s right to control her own body by limiting women’s access to healthcare, abortion and contraception. They would like to relegate Gays and Lesbians to second class status with Amendment 1.  We cannot sit back and watch as the rights of our citizens are eroded.  Sexism, racism and homophobia only destroy us.  We need the talents of all of our citizens to be a strong and healthy state.

Their destructive policies are also damaging our educational system and employment prospects.  Teachers and teaching assistants are in the unemployment line instead of in our classrooms.  Legislation has been proposed that will privatize PreK, putting it out of reach for many of our most needy children. What they aren’t looking to privatize, they are looking to starve.  They have reduced the budgets of our state and community colleges while increasing tuition.  We need well educated citizens in order to lure new businesses to our area and ensure the future of our State
Government is supposed to work for all of the people, rich and poor alike.  Currently, that is not what is happening.  We have a Republican General Assembly more interested in enriching themselves and their friends than in looking out for the welfare of our most vulnerable citizens- children, the mentally and physically disabled, and the poor.  By cutting the sales tax by a mere 1%, they lost $1 billion in matching federal funds for Medicaid and Medicare.  That means our most vulnerable citizens will suffer.

Finally, we live in a beautiful part of the State.  We live and work in beautiful mountains; paddle, fish and swim in pristine rivers and lakes; and breath clean air.  If the Republicans currently in control continue giving away our water system and weakening clean air, clean water, and ground use regulations, our area will lose its beauty and the income that we enjoy from recreational visitors and vacationers. 

We need a change in Raleigh and I am qualified and able to provide that change.