Diane Wheatley

Diane Wheatley was born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Wheatley graduated from 71st High School. She earned an associate degree in nursing from Fayetteville Technical Community College. Wheatley's career experience includes working as a nurse.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My father was a Command Sergeant Major and original member of the Army’s Special Forces. Growing up in a military family I developed a strong love of country and desire to serve. I attended 71st High School and Fayetteville Technical Community College, graduating with an Degree in Nursing.  That same year I passed the state boards and became a registered nurse.  I worked at both Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and the Fayetteville Children’s Clinic, and served on the Cape Fear Valley Hospital Board of Directors as the Ethics and Compliance Chairman.In 1973, I married Al Wheatley of Fayetteville. We have three children – Arleen, Brian and David.  We were involved in government contract work for over 30 years, specializing in school bus transportation. Our company was recognized as one of the top contractors for quality and efficiency.My political career began in 1994 with a successful run for the Board of Education.  During my first term I was elected Chair and shepherded a crucial $98 million bond issue for school construction.   The next year I was appointed Facilities Chairman and oversaw the construction of 10 school which all came in on time and under budget. 1998 saw my reelection to a second term and as Chair again in 2001.  That year I was awarded the Certificate of Advanced Achievement by the NC School Board Association’s Academy for School Boardsmanship.  In 2002 I was elected for a third term and then in 2004 I was elected as a county commissioner.

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?

Most of my time in office I have been the only Republican on a board. I have learned the art of working with others to accomplish things for the benefit of those who elected me. It has been my experience that conflict usually arises more over methods rather than goals. Remaining civil, being willing to consider others views and a desire to get things done goes a long way. Especially if you are not overly concerned with who gets the credit.I see any office that I have held as both a sacred trust and as a responsibility to the people of Cumberland County. As the representative for the 43rd district, I will work every day to earn that trust and fulfill that responsibility to the best of my ability.I will not be in Raleigh to just take up space. I have the experience and background to hit the ground running and that is what I intend to do. I will be fully engaged and working hard for the folks in the 43rd District beginning the day I take the oath of office.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. Healthcare – I became a Registered Nurse because of my passion for caring for the sick. After I retired from full time nursing, I continued as a volunteer medical missionary in service to some of the poorest areas in the world. I have experienced healthcare from the best to the worst. I have also gained knowledge of the administrative side of medicine while a member of the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Board of Directors. I want with all my heart to help develop a sustainable system that provides health care to all our citizens. I have the knowledge and experience to help guide that process.

2. Education – Along with being on the Cumberland County Board of Education for ten years, my business was support services to school systems. For over three decades I worked daily with students, teachers and administrators. I have an intimate knowledge of the inside workings of the educational system. I also believe that the education of our children is the most important single responsibility of the State and that a free public education is a key element in seeing that all our children have the opportunity to becoming all that God intends them to be.

3. Jobs – The basic common denominator of a healthy economy is jobs. Most of our jobs come from small businesses. As a small business owner I supplied as many as 100 people at a time with good paying jobs. I know what it takes to be successful in that environment. I also know what government can do to facilitate success and what it can do that creates roadblocks to that success. We are likely to be in for some challenges in the coming years. With good fiscal policy and limited regulation, the state can be a partner in restoring us to the kind of financial independence that we all seek.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

First of all, my Dad. He spent 30 years in service to this country and rose to the top of his profession. At the same time he remained loyal to his family. Although in the early part of his career we were quite poor, my brother and I never knew it. We did know that we were loved. Secondly, Ronald Reagan. He came on the scene when American moral and self-image was the worst in my lifetime. Through his unapologetic patriotism, positive attitude, humor and overwhelming belief in the American people he turned the country around.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibility of an officeholder is to speak for and act in the interest of the people that elected them. They should be informed about the issues before them, maintain a high degree of integrity when deciding how to vote, resist any outside pressure to do what is not in the best interest of the people they represent, and be honest and open about the decisions they make.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Primarily, that I had been able to make everyday life better for the people of the 43rd District. I would also like to leave with the seat in the 43rd District seen as one that has influence in the General Assembly. Finally, I would like to leave a legacy of integrity and honesty associated with the office.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

There are 50 members of the senate and 120 members of the house. This means that it takes 61 votes to pass a bill in the house rather than the 26 required in the senate. That makes it more than twice as hard to build a coalition to get legislation through. It's easy to get lost in the crowd.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I think it is absolutely crucial. Politics is something that can only be learned “on the job.” It is best to learn the basic by starting out volunteering on a local board then maybe as a member of the school board or city council. In these smaller settings you get to learn the group dynamics of governmental bodies. You also build credibility with other officeholders and staff. You learn what works and what doesn't when trying to move an agenda item forward. State level politics require a fair amount of experience and statesmanship to be effective. It is not the place to come in as a beginner.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Everything state government does, whether it is healthcare, education, public safety or infrastructure, depends on funding and funding depends on a healthy state economy. We are currently looking at having to recover from an unprecedented reversal of economic fortune both nationally and in North Carolina. Having representatives that have experience and insight in business will be indispensable in attacking the problems we will face as we try to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 and the related close down of our economy.

Wheatley's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[5]

Economic Development

Excerpt: "We need to take a critical look at all state regulations and reporting requirements with the express purpose of eliminating as many as possible within the constraints of the interest of the general population. Additionally, any state bureaucracy tasked with the enforcement of a regulation affecting commercial enterprises should have courtesy inspectors that help businesses understand what is expected of them."

Government for the People

Excerpt: "As a member of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, Diane had to deal with the unfunded mandates that were handed down by federal and state government. She also saw their impact on local budgets."

Education

Excerpt: "As a long time member of the Cumberland County Board of Education and twice its chair, Diane has the experience and insight to bring no nonsense solutions to the educational challenges of the 21st century. She is known for her tireless work for parents and children. She was the first local official to advocate for schools of choice within the Cumberland County Schools."

Quality Job Creation

Excerpt: "To provide the jobs that our citizens need, we must create a business climate that encourages not only new businesses, but the expansion of existing ones. State government must be a partner in encouraging economic growth."