Now in her ninth term in the North Carolina House of Representatives, Becky Carney continues to work diligently to promote public education, arts education and health issues. Education was the key issue that launched Representative Carney’s political career. She was elected to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners in Charlotte in 1996, and served three consecutive terms. As a County Commissioner, she served on the Smart Start Board, helped establish the Education Budget Advisory Commission, and served as the Education Liaison to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. She also chaired the School Bond Campaign in 1997. As a result of her outstanding service, Representative Carney was named North Carolina’s County Commissioner of the Year in 2000.

 

After suffering sudden cardiac death in 2009, Rep. Carney became passionate about heart health issues in her work at the General Assembly. She works closely with the American Heart Association and received the 2011 Heart of Change Award at the 26th Annual Triangle Heart Ball. She was also the recipient of the 2012 Heart of a Champion Advocacy Award by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

 

Representative Carney believes arts education is key to success in school and life and should be accessible for all students. She has sponsored major legislation concerning Study Committees and the Arts Education Task Force. She sponsored Arts Education As A Graduation Requirement, which passed in the House in 2013, 2015 and 2017. She was presented the North Carolina Art Education Association Friend of the Arts award and the Champion for the Arts; Arts Market Award in 2007 and 2009.

 

Becky and her husband, Gene, are members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte. They have 6 children and 14 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.