Since being appointed and sworn in January, 2009, it has been my privilege to serve as the North Carolina Representative for District 39.  From looking at this site, I hope you will come to a few conclusions about me and what I stand for.  First, my principals and my constituents guide me.  Hopefully, that is obvious from how I have voted on important issues.  Sometimes, I have voted with my party, other times, I have not.  The second conclusion I hope you can see is that I believe that our state government can be a force for good in the lives of the people of this state.  This belief has been formed by my own life experiences.
    
    I wanted to serve in the NC House to work to make our state government better so that its resources are spent wisely to protect and improve the lives of all citizens.  To me, the best way to say "thank you" for all I have been given, is to work in the State House on behalf of everyone of District 39.  As long as I am there, I promise to work to strengthen our public schools, create good-paying jobs for working families, keep our citizens safe, treat our state employees fairly, and to advocate for the local issues brought to me by our local towns and citizens. 

Strengthening our Public Schools

The quality of everyone's life can be improved through education.  Therefore, our public schools are my number one priority.  I was educated in the same eastern Wake public schools that my children now attend.  No matter where you live, a quality education is the key to a better tomorrow.  Our tax dollars should be spent wisely; although all areas were cut in this tough budget year, I voted to prevent such drastic cuts to public education.

My commitment to the public schools in District 39 did not just start upon my appointment.  Instead, for years, I have worked to improve our local public schools as a member of numerous PTA's, a Communities in School mentor for several years at East Wake Middle School, and as a 10 year volunteer with the  East Wake Education Foundation where I have severed as Vice-President for several years.  That involvement is why I was endorsed by the NCAE and Wake NCAE in prior campaigns.  

Criminal Justice 

As an attorney for the last 13 years and now as a legislator, I consider criminal justice one of the most important issues we face as a community.  In the short time I have been in the General Assembly, I have worked to keep our communities safe, while making our criminal justice system responsive, equitable, and effective. 

Working Families

In today's current economic climate, providing relief for working families who are struggling is essential.  I am a small business owner here in the District and know the challenges facing small businesses.  As your State House Representative, I will continue to work to enhance our long-term economic prospects.  In order to do this, we must continue to strengthen our public schools, community colleges, and universities.  We must improve our public transportation system.  We must continue to support small business, especially working to help them maintain health insurance coverage for their employees in light of double-digit health care inflation.

Local Issues

I am proud to have been born and raised in eastern Wake County.  District 39 has always been and will continue to be home.  Because I live here in the district, work in the district, go to church here in the district, and am active in this district, I am dedicated to our community and to being an effective voice in the General Assembly on behalf of all residents of District 39.  To that end, I have worked with the local town elected officials and managers on their requests for local legislation during my first term.

State Employee Issues

District 39 has a very large concentration of state employees due to the affordable housing located in this District and the proximity to the Capital and many state government agencies.  This is why I pursued a leadership position on the State Government/State Personnel Committee and joined SEANC so that I can effectively represent the interests of state employees.

Click here for an entire list of bills Darren has sponsored or co-sponsored.