State Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin Announces for 3rd House Term

State Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin (D-Richmond) announced on November 8th her plans to seek re-election next year to the North Carolina General Assembly.

Goodwin’s district includes most of Montgomery County and all of Richmond County.

As she seeks a third term, the lawmaker said, “I have worked to improve education, enhance job growth, and promote families while in office. During the last three and a half years we have had many successes for District 66. One of them is removing Medicaid from our county budgets, thus saving millions of dollars a year for local property owners.”

She added, “I pledge that many more successes are in store down the road for Montgomery and Richmond Counties if the voters choose to re-elect me. You will continue receiving my undivided attention and also my commitment to prompt constituent service. I would be both humbled and honored to continue serving our wonderful community.”

Citing one of the secrets of her quick advancement in the legislature, she said, “It’s simple: My constituents drive my agenda, and not special interests.” Goodwin added, “On measures vital to the 66th House District, I’m not afraid to speak out. I never forget that I answer to you.”

Speaker of the House Joe Hackney of Chatham County praised Rep. Goodwin’s decision to run for a third term. “She is an excellent legislator, a legislator who brings remarkable experience to the General Assembly. Melanie is an attorney, mom, wife and career woman. We do not have a lot of youth in the legislature, but Rep. Goodwin has become a key spokesperson for young families and small businesspersons in rural North Carolina."

According to the Richmond County Daily Journal, "Hackney said the House needs members such as Goodwin who are younger and who know how to manage careers and family. ... She does it with style and gets her work done,” Hackney said. ...
“We need people who know what it's like to drop kids off at daycare,” Hackney said and asked Goodwin and husband Wayne, where daughter Madison was at during the reception. She was at ballet lessons. “Think of what she does to balance everything,” Hackney said.

He added, "Rep. Goodwin has also been a key legislator leading the way for campaign reforms and stronger ethics in government.”

(Hackney joins both Melanie and Wayne in the accompanying photo.)

Joining in the early festivities at the historic Hamlet Train Depot were Speaker Joe Hackney; Insurance Commissioner Jim Long; State Representatives Tricia Cotham, Pryor Gibson, Garland Pierce, and Doug Yongue; State Senators Walter Dalton, Bill Purcell and Janet Cowell; former State Senator Richard Conder; Congressional candidate Larry Kissell; Hampton Dellinger, former chief legal counsel for Gov. Easley; NC Democratic Party chairman Jerry Meek; countless other Statewide and regional candidates, local officials and supporters; and, of course, yours truly, the lesser half and immediate predecessor to Melanie in the legislature.

We were also especially pleased with the strong contingency of Cumberland County Democrats who carpooled together and attended both events. (Kudos to Roberta Waddle and Reva McNair for making the arrangements!)

Out of respect and dedicated support for her, Rep. Goodwin received a standing ovation before she even spoke at that evening's subsequent Morrison-Deane-Goodman Democratic Dinner & Rally. As shown by the accompanying photo, it both moved and surprised her.


Representative Goodwin is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell University School of Law. She is married to Wayne Goodwin, former lawmaker for this area and the Assistant Insurance Commissioner. They have one daughter, Madison. The Goodwin family resides in Rockingham, where they are members of the First United Methodist Church.

# # #

For local press coverage of the reception, go to www.yourdailyjournal.com/articles/2007/11/11/news/news07.txt

(See below for miscellaneous photos from the reception.)

# # #


Insurance Commissioner Jim Long and State Rep. Tricia Cotham grin for the camera.


Janet Cowell, State Treasurer candidate and State Senator, discusses her campaign with Hamlet Mayor-elect Jeff Smart and Hamlet City Councilman-elect Tony Clewis.


Both of them running statewide in 2008, Lt. Governor candidate Walter Dalton greets Treasurer candidate Michael Weisel.


Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin joined Richmond County Clerk of Court Kathy Gainey and Chief District Court Judge Tanya Wallace at the reception.