Patsy Keever
Encyclopedia
Patsy Keever is a North Carolina
educator and Democratic politician
.
, Keever received her B.A.
degree from Duke University
and her Masters in Education from Western Carolina University
. Keever was married to John F. Keever Jr. for 34 years prior to his death; she has two daughters and two granddaughters. Patsy has since married Jim Aycock, former publisher of the Black Mountain News
.
, she serves on the boards of a number of community organizations and is a past president of the Asheville/Buncombe League of Women Voters
.
In 2004 she ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives
in North Carolina's 11th congressional district
, losing the hard-fought election by a margin of 55% – 45% to incumbent Republican Charles H. Taylor
. Keever's campaign received strong support from Democrats in the 11th District. She also received significant support from national organizations representing educators
, abortion rights supporters
, police
and firemen
, and environmentalists
. Prior to this election she served three consecutive terms on the Buncombe County board of commissioners, and taught in public schools for over 25 years.
Patsy Keever ran in the 2010 election for the North Carolina House of Representatives
in District 115, with the campaign slogan, “putting people first.” She defeated incumbent D. Bruce Goforth
in the May 4 Democratic primary. After Goforth resigned before the expiration of his term, local Democrats selected Keever to be appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy. She was formally sworn in as a House member on Sept. 15, 2010, although the legislature was not in session at the time. Keever was elected to a two-year term in the November 2010 general election.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
educator and Democratic politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Family and education
Born in Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, Keever received her B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
and her Masters in Education from Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is a coeducational public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, United States. The university is a constituent campus of the University of North Carolina system....
. Keever was married to John F. Keever Jr. for 34 years prior to his death; she has two daughters and two granddaughters. Patsy has since married Jim Aycock, former publisher of the Black Mountain News
Black Mountain News
Black Mountain News is a weekly newspaper based in Black Mountain, North Carolina. The paper was founded in 1945 by a couple from Illinois and was later purchased by Gordon Greenwood....
.
Political career
Keever has been politically active in Asheville and Buncombe County for over 30 years. In addition to service in the legislature and as a county commissionerCommissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
, she serves on the boards of a number of community organizations and is a past president of the Asheville/Buncombe League of Women Voters
League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is an American political organization founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt during the last meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association approximately six months before the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution gave women the right to vote...
.
In 2004 she ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in North Carolina's 11th congressional district
North Carolina's 11th congressional district
The 11th Congressional District encompasses most of Western North Carolina, anchored by Asheville. Starting in the 110th Congress, it is represented by Heath Shuler, a Democrat. Shuler defeated 8-term Republican representative Charles H. Taylor in the 2006 midterm elections.The 11th District is...
, losing the hard-fought election by a margin of 55% – 45% to incumbent Republican Charles H. Taylor
Charles H. Taylor
Charles Hart Taylor is an American politician; a Republican, he represented North Carolina's 11th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He began serving in 1991 and continued through January 3, 2007....
. Keever's campaign received strong support from Democrats in the 11th District. She also received significant support from national organizations representing educators
National Education Association
The National Education Association is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States, representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become...
, abortion rights supporters
EMILY's List
EMILY's List is a political action committee in the United States that aims to help elect female candidates to office. It was founded by Ellen Malcolm in 1984....
, police
International Union of Police Associations
The International Union of Police Associations is a North American trade union chartered for law enforcement, corrections and related support personnel. IUPA is a participant in the AFL-CIO federation of trade unions. I.U.P.A. was originally chartered as the "National Conference of Police...
and firemen
International Association of Fire Fighters
The International Association of Fire Fighters is a labor union representing professional firefighters in the United States and Canada. The IAFF was formed in 1918 and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO in the United States and the Canadian Labour Congress in Canada. The IAFF is headquartered in...
, and environmentalists
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
. Prior to this election she served three consecutive terms on the Buncombe County board of commissioners, and taught in public schools for over 25 years.
Patsy Keever ran in the 2010 election for the North Carolina House of Representatives
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
in District 115, with the campaign slogan, “putting people first.” She defeated incumbent D. Bruce Goforth
D. Bruce Goforth
Daniel Bruce Goforth is a former Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly who represented the state's one hundred fifteenth House district, including constituents in Buncombe County. A contractor from Asheville, North Carolina, Goforth served almost four complete terms in the state...
in the May 4 Democratic primary. After Goforth resigned before the expiration of his term, local Democrats selected Keever to be appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy. She was formally sworn in as a House member on Sept. 15, 2010, although the legislature was not in session at the time. Keever was elected to a two-year term in the November 2010 general election.
External links
- Official site (NC General Assembly)