Cynthia Wallace

Cynthia L. Wallace (born July 8, 1971) is an American politician and businesswoman. In 2020, Wallace was the Democratic nominee running to unseat incumbent congressman Dan Bishop in North Carolina's 9th congressional district.[1] Wallace previously served two terms as the first African-American to chair the 9th congressional district of the North Carolina Democratic Party.[2]

Early life and education

Wallace was born in Springfield, Georgia.[3] Her father, the late Homer Lee Wallace, worked in the insurance industry and was a community activist.[4] He founded the Effingham County, Georgia chapter of the NAACP in 1968 and served as the county's first African-American commissioner from 1985-2002.[4] Wallace graduated from Effingham County High School with honors before receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1993 from Spelman College, Cum laude.[5][6]

Career and political involvement

Wallace has worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years for three different Fortune 500 companies, specializing in credit and risk management and regulatory compliance.[7]

In 2008 and 2012, Wallace volunteered for Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, serving as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[8] She began her involvement in North Carolina Democratic politics as a precinct chair in 2009, and she has served as a member of the State Executive Committee of the North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) since 2011.[8]

After serving as first vice chair of the 9th district for the NCDP, Wallace was elected as the first African-American chair of the 9th congressional district in January 2017, a role she held until May 2020.[2] During her tenure, Democrats expanded their presence in all of the 9th district's eight counties, successfully flipping three North Carolina House seats and one NC Senate seat in the 2018 midterm elections.[9] Wallace's time as district chair also included the 2018 congressional race between Democrat Dan McCready and Republican Mark Harris that, after allegations of absentee ballot voter fraud, resulted in the 2019 special election between McCready and the current incumbent Congressman, Dan Bishop.[7]

Wallace appeared at the Rally for Fair Elections after the disputed election in Bladen County.[10]

In December 2019, Wallace filed to run for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina's 9th congressional district.[11][12] On March 3, 2020, Wallace won the Democratic primary with 56% of the vote against three opponents.[13][14] She faced incumbent Dan Bishop in the general election.[15][16][7][17]

On November 4, 2020, she conceded to Bishop.[18][19]

Personal life

Wallace has lived in Charlotte for over fourteen years. Wallace has been active in the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC) for 27 years.[20]

References
  1. "Cynthia Wallace Wins NC 9 Democratic Nominee". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  2. Square, Nyamekye Daniel | The Center. "North Carolina's 9th Congressional District race pits incumbent Bishop against Wallace". The Center Square. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  3. Weinstein, Austin (27 October 2020). "It's Quiet in North Carolina's 9th District. Shifting Sands Could Make Race Close Anyway". Charlotte Observer.
  4. "Obituary for Homer Lee Wallace at SMALLS FUNERAL HOME, INC". www.smallsfuneralhome.com. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  5. "Cynthia Wallace Makes An Impact Through Strategic Leadership". www.spelman.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  6. "10 Black Candidates to Watch in 2020". DSPolitical. 2020-07-23. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  7. Feiner, Lauren (2020-10-29). "Democrats' growing influence in North Carolina meets resistance in this House district". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  8. Beachum, Lateshia. "Black women are running for office in historic numbers. But they aren't getting the financial support they need, records show". www.thelily.com. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  9. "After Two Big Elections And One Scandal, NC's 9th District Is Quieter In 2020". WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News Source. 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  10. Journal, Bladen (2019-02-03). "Rally for Fair Elections fires up Democrats". Bladen Journal. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  11. robesonian (2019-12-19). "Graham gets challenge in District 47". Robesonian. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  12. Journal, Richmond County Daily (2020-02-26). "2020 Democratic candidates make their case". Richmond County Daily Journal. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  13. "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  14. "Cynthia Wallace wins Democratic primary for NC District 9, AP projects". wcnc.com. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  15. "Editorial: Hudson, Wallace Best for Congress". The Pilot Newspaper. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  16. Observer, Brian Murphy The (Raleigh) News &. "Just 6 women have represented NC in the US House. In 2020, that number could soar". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  17. hollymorgan@theej.com, Holly Morgan. "Candidate wants to raise minimum wage in Ninth District". The Enquirer Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  18. "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  19. Robesonian (2020-11-04). "Tuesday's general election spawns many messages". Robesonian. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  20. Kendall, Lewis. "Cynthia Wallace believes she can take down the congressman who sponsored North Carolina's infamous 'Bathroom Bill'". Business Insider. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
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