Representative Ruth Samuelson | |
---|---|
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 104th district | |
In office January 1, 2007 – January 1, 2015 | |
Preceded by | Ed McMahan |
Succeeded by | Dan Bishop |
Member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners from the 5th district | |
In office 2000–2004 | |
Preceded by | Tom Cox[1] |
Succeeded by | Dan Bishop[2] |
Personal details | |
Born | Ruth Culbertson November 4, 1959 Charleston, South Carolina |
Died | January 23, 2017 Charlotte, North Carolina | (aged 57)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Ken Samuelson[3] |
Children | Three sons, one daughter[3] |
Alma mater | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill[3] |
Ruth Culbertson Samuelson (November 4, 1959 – January 23, 2017) was a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly, representing the 104th district in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015.[4][5] From 2000 to 2004, Samuelson served as a member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, representing the Fifth District. In 2004, she ran for an At-Large seat on the Board of Commissioners, but lost in a tight general election race.[6]
In November 2006, Samuelson was elected to the North Carolina House succeeding five-term incumbent Ed McMahan. Samuelson was elected with 67% of the vote in the election, beating Democrat Paula McSwain.[7]
She announced on October 15, 2013, that she would not seek re-election for a fifth term and would leave office at the end of her term, after the 2014 elections.[8]
Samuelson revealed in June 2016 that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.[9] Later that year she entered hospice care at home.[10]
Samuelson died on January 23, 2017, at the age of 57.[9] A hiking trail in Mecklenburg County has been named in Samuelson's honor.[10]
Charlotte Republican Rep. Ruth Samuelson, one of North Carolina's highest profile lawmakers and a top contender for House speaker, said Tuesday that she won't run for a fifth term.