Anna Ferguson

Anna Ferguson earned a bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University. Her career experience includes working in construction finance. She has served as a business owner and president. Ferguson has been affiliated with the EBCI Governing Board of Audit and Ethics and the Eastern Band of Cherokees Planning Board.[2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Anna Ferguson was born and raised in the Qualla Community, and is the third generation to live on her family farm. She attended North Carolina State University, and has been a small business owner for over 30 years. She was appointed board chair for the EBCI Internal Audit and Ethics, as well as served on the Cherokee Planning Board, and the North Carolina Community Foundation.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We are seeing more of the states healthcare resources be allocated to high population areas. Reduction in funding of programs in this area means a drastic decline in our services, including the closure of medical facilities. This can often mean a commute of 1-2 hours for adequate medical care. We need to make sure we secure these resources from the state to ensure we receive not just adequate, but excellent heath care in our communities.North Carolina is ranked last in the country for dollars spent per child in public education. When coupled with the higher than average percentages of children with food insecurity in our counties, this is a very sad and dire state to find ourselves. The amount of resources available to public education needs to be increased.North Carolina is currently the only state in the Union to have not passed a budget. In a very short amount of time this will lead to the shut down of government services, as well as vital programs not receiving the state funding needed to continue. Safeguards need to be put in place that will prevent the budget from being used as a bargaining tool resulting in resources being withheld from North Carolina residents.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe economic development in rural Western North Carolina is essential to the success of our communities.