Alma Shealey Adams

Party:

Democrat

Incumbent:

Yes

Age:

Previous experience in elected office:

U.S. Congresswoman (2014-present); N.C. House member (1994-2014); Greensboro City Council (1987-1994); Greensboro School Board (1984-86)

Occupation:

U.S. Congresswoman

Description:

Adams has been a Congresswoman for the Greensboro and Charlotte regions for 12 years and was a legislator in the N.C. General Assembly for 20 years prior to that. Her priority issues are what she calls 4Hs: housing ("housing is a fundamental human right"), hunger (including legislation to strengthen federal nutrition programs and encourage public-private partnerships.), healthcare (particularly black maternal health), higher education (she says she is known as "the godmother of HBCUs"). Adams is endorsed by the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Other personal:

Adams is a former teacher and art gallery director. She is a mother and grandmother. She attended high school in Newark, N.J. Adams has bachelor's and master's degrees from N.C. A&T State University and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

Candidate Website

The Election Hub Questionnaire

Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).

I received my B.A. and M.A. degrees in Art Education from North Carolina A&T State

University, and earned my Ph.D. degree in Art Education and Multicultural Education

from The Ohio State University. I currently live in Charlotte, and I am 79 years old.

Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share your previous experience in elected office that would be relevant to voters.

I am currently serving my 6th term representing the 12th District of North Carolina in the

U.S. House of Representatives. I began my civic career by becoming the first African

American woman ever elected to the Greensboro City School Board. I then served 9

years on the Greensboro City Council, followed by 10 terms in the N.C. General

Assembly. After winning a special election in 2014, I was sworn in as the 100th woman

elected to the 113th Congress.

For me, there are four necessities that all people require to live a quality life – affordable

and accessible healthcare, access to healthy and nutritious food, fair and affordable

housing, and a quality, first-class education. These essentials, which I call “the 4H’s,”

should not be political issues; they should be rights guaranteed to all people. I believe

this because I know personally how hard it is to survive without them. I’ve never

forgotten where I came from and I’ve always striven to be a Congresswoman who

opens doors of opportunity for all people. I will continue to be a stakeholder

representative who fights to make Congress focus on the issues that matter most to the

people of my district.

I am the only candidate in my primary race who lives and votes in the 12th district. I

have demonstrated the knowledge, skill and ability to do this job and have shown,

through my service, the capability, accountability and success in delivering billions of

dollars in resources and essential legislative wins for the 12th District. I love my work.

My experience, the seniority I’ve gained, and my demonstrated ability will be essential in

winning the House back for Democrats. Restoring the US House back to Democratic

control is essential to save our democracy. Now is not the time for inexperience or “on

the job training.”

Tell us 1-2 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.

As co-founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, along with Rep. Lauren

Underwood, I have led efforts to combat high mortality rates among Black women

during childbirth and pushed for the Momnibus, a package of twelve bills focusing on

better maternal health outcomes and reducing the disparities in women’s health. As co-

founder and chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU caucus, I have led the fight to

keep Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as sustainable options for

low-income, first-generation college students – just like myself. I have been extremely

effective thus far, and have every reason to expect that my work in the next term will

continue to be fruitful.

What endorsements from any notable North Carolina organizations or people have you received?

In past elections I have been honoared to be endorsed by the North Carolina AFL-CIO,

the NAE, Equality NC, NARAL, EMILY's List, Planned Parenthood, the Black Political

Caucus of Charlotte Mecklenburg, the Progressive Caucus of the NC Democratic Party

and many other Unions and local activist groups.

How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office?

I have lived in the 12th District of North Carolina for over a decade.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know.

Over the years, I’ve become well known for my work representing the people of the 12th

district of North Carolina, and also for my hats. For me, hats are about more than just

fashion. Hats speak to the confidence I have in myself, and the self-esteem that I have.

I started wearing hats as a young girl in church and it's a tradition that stuck with me into

adulthood. Now, I never leave my home without one. I made them a part of my daily

wardrobe. Even when I taught for 40 years at Bennett College, I wore berets or tams in

my art studio. When I served on the Greensboro City Council for 9 years and in the

North Carolina House of Representatives for 20 years, I wore a hat every day as an

elected official — even in the House Chamber for votes.