Linda Coleman (North Carolina politician)

Linda Coleman
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 39th district
In office January 1, 2005 – January 11, 2009
Preceded by	Sam Ellis
Succeeded by	Darren Jackson
Personal details
Born	(1949-07-12) July 12, 1949 Greenville, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	North Carolina A&T State University (BA) University of Pittsburgh (MPA)

Linda Coleman (born July 12, 1949) is an American politician from the state of North Carolina. Coleman was elected to three terms as a Democratic state representative in the North Carolina General Assembly before being appointed director of the Office of State Personnel by the governor in 2009.

Early life and education

She attended public schools in Greenville and North Carolina A&T University. She later earned a master's degree in public administration. Her first job out of college was as a classroom teacher.

Early political career and state legislature

Before serving in the North Carolina House of Representatives, Coleman was a Wake County Commissioner for four years, and worked as human resources management director at the State Departments of Agriculture and Administration and as personnel director for the Department of Community Colleges.

In the legislature, she represented Eastern Wake County, North Carolina. Coleman was elected for the first time in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 and 2008. In her first term, she served as chair of her freshman class in the North Carolina House Democratic Caucus.

Electoral history

2018 U.S. House election

Main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina § District_2

Coleman was the Democratic nominee for North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in the 2018 general election. She was narrowly defeated by incumbent Republican George Holding.

2016 lieutenant gubernatorial election

Main article: 2016 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election

Coleman ran for lieutenant governor again in 2016. She won the Democratic primary on March 15 with approximately 51 percent of the vote over three challengers. Coleman was defeated again by Forest in the November rematch.

2012 lieutenant gubernatorial election

Main article: 2012 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election

Coleman ran for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in the 2012 election, and had the backing of the State Employees Association of North Carolina. The News and Observer also endorsed Coleman, calling her "the better-qualified and more moderate choice." She lost the general election by a narrow margin to Republican Dan Forest.

2008

North Carolina House of Representatives 39th district general election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Linda Coleman (incumbent)	29,290	64.24%
	Republican	Duane Cutlip	16,306	35.76%
Total votes			45,596	100%
	Democratic hold

2006

North Carolina House of Representatives 39th district general election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Linda Coleman (incumbent)	11,737	58.73%
	Republican	John W. Blackwell	8,246	41.27%
Total votes			19,983	100%
	Democratic hold

2004

North Carolina House of Representatives 39th district Democratic primary election, 2004

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Linda Coleman	2,242	60.43%
	Democratic	Darren Jackson	1,468	39.57%
Total votes			3,710	100%

North Carolina House of Representatives 39th district general election, 2004

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Linda Coleman	18,480	54.40%
	Republican	Sam Ellis (incumbent)	15,488	45.60%
Total votes			33,968	100%
	Democratic gain from Republican

External links

• News & Observer: Perdue appoints Coleman to Personnel
• Campaign site