Valerie Foushee


Valerie Jean Foushee is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 4th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the North Carolina House of Representatives for the 50th district in 2012 and was appointed to represent the 23rd senatorial district in 2013. She is the first African American and the first woman to represent the district in Congress.
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Early life and education

Foushee was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She graduated from Chapel Hill High School in 1974. She later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and African-American studies in 2008.

Early career

In 1987, Foushee began working as an secretary for the Chapel Hill Police Department, a position she held until 2008. While raising her children, she became involved in their education and joined the School Governance Council. In 1997, she was elected to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education, serving until 2004, including a term as chair from 2001 to 2003.
She was subsequently elected to the Orange County Board of Commissioners in 2004 and served until 2012, chairing the board from 2008 to 2010.

State legislature

Foushee was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2012. Local Democrats selected her to fill a vacancy in the North Carolina Senate caused by the resignation of Eleanor Kinnaird in 2013. During the legislative session beginning in 2015, Foushee was one of 12 African Americans serving in the North Carolina Senate.

Committees

During the 2021–22 session, Foushee served on the following Standing and Select Committees:
  • Appropriations on Education/Higher Education
  • Appropriations/Base Budget
  • Commerce and Insurance
  • Education/Higher Education
  • Finance
  • Select Committee on Nominations
  • State and Local Government

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022

Foushee ran for the U.S. House of Representatives for North Carolina's 4th congressional district in 2022. She won the primary against progressive Nida Allam. She received funds and assistance from pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC, DMFI and Sam Bankman-Fried's Protect Our Future PAC, prompting allegations that her campaign had succeeded primarily due to support from dark money as the race became "the most expensive Democratic congressional primary in North Carolina history". On November 8, she defeated Republican nominee Courtney Geels with 67% of the vote to her 33%.

2024

On November 5. 2024, Foushee won reelection to Congress with 74.9% of the vote, defeating Republican Eric Blankenburg, who received 23.61%, and Libertarian Guy Meillur, who earned 1.49%.

2026

On August 5. 2025 Foushee announced she would not accept AIPAC donations for her 2026 reelection campaign.

Committee assignments

For the 119th Congress:

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Healthcare

Foushee supports a Medicare for all plan for healthcare. During her time as a state senator, she sponsored legislation to expand Medicaid coverage.

Foreign affairs

Foushee voted to provide Israel with support following October 7 attacks. In March 2024, she flew to Israel as part of a trip organized by AIPAC to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu. Additionally, AIPAC supported her campaigns for congress. In December, she signed a letter with other congress members urging President Joe Biden to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza to prevent further loss of life and address the humanitarian crisis.

Redistricting reform

In 2023, Foushee co-sponsored the Redistricting Transparency and Accountability Act alongside Representatives Deborah Ross and Wiley Nickel. This legislation aims to increase transparency in the redistricting process to address partisan gerrymandering.

Personal life

Valerie is married to Stan Foushee. They have two sons.