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Nida Allam Announces Primary Challenge Against Valerie Foushee

Mary Patterson is originally from North Carolina. She earned a bachelor of science in business and human health sciences from North Carolina Central University, a Master of Science in computer science from North Carolina Central University, and completed a certificate in accounting and finance from Durham Technical Community College. Patterson volunteers with the Special Olympics and lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Mary currently works as a substitute teacher for Durham Public Schools. She previously worked as a human resources manager, a financial analyst, and a data analyst. She has also worked in human resources consulting and talent acquisition roles for several staffing and technology companies, and earlier in her career worked as a financial account claims specialist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Mary Patterson's campaign for the U.S. House representing North Carolina's 4th Congressional District is her first entry into politics.

Mary Patterson (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia

8 congressmen, 38 legislators face Super Tuesday challenges

Mary's campaign for the U.S. House representing North Carolina's 4th Congressional District is her first time running for office. 

Advocates for ending North Carolina’s “at-will” employment law and increasing compensation for workers, particularly educators and contract employees.

Supports redirecting government funds toward social programs.

- Advocates for ending North Carolina’s “at-will” employment law and increasing compensation for workers, particularly educators and contract employees.
- Supports redirecting government funds toward social programs.

Economy

Supports reforms to criminal justice and law enforcement accountability.

Supports housing safety standards as a public safety issue.

- Supports reforms to criminal justice and law enforcement accountability.
- Supports housing safety standards as a public safety issue.

Public Safety

Supports maintaining Medicaid funding through budget restructuring.

Supports affordable and accessible healthcare.

- Supports maintaining Medicaid funding through budget restructuring.
- Supports affordable and accessible healthcare.

Healthcare

Supports increased funding and better pay for educators.

Supports student loan relief for educators and stable federal education funding.

- Supports increased funding and better pay for educators.
- Supports student loan relief for educators and stable federal education funding.

Education

Supports stronger disaster relief funding and climate resilience.

Advocates for clean and safe living conditions.

- Supports stronger disaster relief funding and climate resilience.
- Advocates for clean and safe living conditions.

Energy & the Environment

Supports legal immigration with restrictions on public benefits.

- Supports legal immigration with restrictions on public benefits.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports congressional checks on executive power.

- Supports congressional checks on executive power.

Voting & Elections

Mary Patterson

Mary currently works as a substitute teacher for Durham Public Schools. She previously worked as a senior human resources manager and business analyst, a human resources coordinator, a financial analyst, and a data analyst. She has also worked in human resources consulting and talent acquisition roles for several staffing and technology companies, and earlier in her career worked as a financial account claims specialist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Mary's campaign for the U.S. House representing North Carolina's 4th Congressional District is her first entry into politics.

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As of January 2, 2026, Mary Patterson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Rafael Perez

Buket Urgen

Nida is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She attended Needham B. Broughton High School and North Carolina State University. She lives with her husband, Towqir, and their two children, Aaliyah and Abdul, in Durham.

Nida Allam is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She attended North Carolina State University. She lives with her husband, Towqir, and their two children, in Durham.

Nida is a Durham County commissioner. She works at Durham County Government.

Nida works as the North Carolina state director for Care in Action. She previously worked as North Carolina state director for State Innovation Exchange, as vice chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and as organizing director for political campaigns. She has also worked as a project manager at MetLife, director of operations for Our Three Winners Foundation, and in various roles for the Bernie 2016 campaign, including political director, director of operations, and regional field director.

Nida Allam is currently Vice Chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners. She was elected in 2020 and is serving her first term. She previously served as Chair of the County Commission in 2023. Allam previously ran to represent North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District in 2022 and did not win.

From Tragedy to Trailblazer — THE BITTER SOUTHERNER

Nida is currently Vice Chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners. She was elected in 2020 and is serving her second term. She previously served as Chair of the County Commission in 2023. Allam previously ran to represent North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District in 2022 but did not win.

Supports a federal jobs guarantee to address major challenges like climate change, infrastructure repair, and strengthening the care economy.

Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $19 per hour and extending labor protections through the PRO Act.

Supports transitioning to a green energy economy to create millions of good-paying jobs.

Supports transitioning to a sustainable energy economy to "create millions of good-paying jobs."

Supports banning exclusionary zoning, which are policies that prevent the development of affordable housing in wealthier neighborhoods.

Said, "We can also further reduce the barriers to sustainable and affordable growth by banning exclusionary zoning."

Supports expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to encourage developing new affordable housing.

- Supports a federal jobs guarantee to address major challenges like climate change, infrastructure repair, and strengthening the care economy.
- Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $19 per hour and extending labor protections through the PRO Act.
- Supports transitioning to a sustainable energy economy to "create millions of good-paying jobs."
- Said, "We can also further reduce the barriers to sustainable and affordable growth by banning exclusionary zoning."
- Supports expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to encourage developing new affordable housing.

As of January 2, 2026, Nida Allam’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports abortion and "reproductive freedom."

Supports abortion access and "reproductive freedom."

Supports the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act, which allows the government to negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare recipients.

- Supports abortion access and "reproductive freedom."
- Supports the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act, which allows the government to negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare recipients.

Supports providing reliable and affordable broadband access for all students and families.

Supports expanding the Full Service Community Schools Program, which provides social services to students and families.

Supports increasing Title I funding for schools in high-poverty areas.

Supports canceling student loan debt and making public colleges and universities tuition-free.

- Supports providing reliable and affordable broadband access for all students and families.
- Supports expanding the Full Service Community Schools Program, which provides social services to students and families.
- Supports increasing Title I funding for schools in high-poverty areas.
- Supports canceling student loan debt and making public colleges and universities tuition-free.

Supports the Green New Deal, believing it will address the climate crisis, facilitate a shift to a green energy economy, and create millions of well-paying jobs.

Supports the Green New Deal, which proposes pivoting the economy from fossil fuels to sustainable energy options. 

Supports funding for rehabilitating and preserving public housing and investing in energy efficiency upgrades.

- Supports the Green New Deal, which proposes pivoting the economy from fossil fuels to sustainable energy options. 
- Supports funding for rehabilitating and preserving public housing and investing in energy efficiency upgrades.

Supports ending weapons supply to genocides and humanitarian crises in Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine.

Said, "I will stand up for the rights of oppressed peoples across the globe, and fight to end the weapons supply to genocides and humanitarian catastrophes abroad, including in Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine."

Supports reducing the defense budget and prioritizing diplomacy, cooperation, and human rights in foreign policy.

- Said, "I will stand up for the rights of oppressed peoples across the globe, and fight to end the weapons supply to genocides and humanitarian catastrophes abroad, including in Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine."
- Supports reducing the defense budget and prioritizing diplomacy, cooperation, and human rights in foreign policy.

Supports passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to guarantee voting rights.

Supports passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would require states with a history of voter suppression to seek federal approval before making changes to voting laws.

Supports reversing the Citizens United ruling so that corporations cannot make political donations.

- Supports passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would require states with a history of voter suppression to seek federal approval before making changes to voting laws.
- Supports reversing the Citizens United ruling so that corporations cannot make political donations.

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Nida Allam

Nida is currently Vice Chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners. She was elected in 2020 and is serving her first term. She previously served as Chair of the County Commission in 2023. Allam previously ran to represent North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District in 2022 but did not win.

Nida is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She attended North Carolina State University. She lives with her husband, Towqir, and their two children, in Durham.

Nida currently serves as Durham County commissioner and works as the North Carolina state director for Care in Action. She previously worked as North Carolina state director for State Innovation Exchange, as vice chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, as organizing director for the Chief Justice Beasley Committee and Judge Lucy Inman for North Carolina Supreme Court campaigns, as project manager at MetLife, as director of operations for Our Three Winners Foundation, and in various roles for the Bernie 2016 campaign including political director, director of operations, and regional field director.

Nida Allam is currently Vice Chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners. She was elected in 2020 and is serving her first term. She previously served as Chair of the County Commission in 2023. Allam previously ran to represent North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District in 2022 but did not win.

- Supports a federal jobs guarantee to address major challenges like climate change, infrastructure repair, and strengthening the care economy.
- Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $19 per hour and extending labor protections through the PRO Act.
- Supports transitioning to a green energy economy to create millions of good-paying jobs.
- Said, "We can also further reduce the barriers to sustainable and affordable growth by banning exclusionary zoning."
- Supports expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to encourage developing new affordable housing.
- Supports funding for rehabilitating and preserving public housing and investing in energy efficiency upgrades.

- Supports passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to guarantee voting rights.

Said, "I did my best to stay above the fray. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t still hurtful."

Valerie P. Foushee was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree in political science and Afro and African-American studies from the University of North Carolina. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Stan. They have two sons and two grandchildren.

Valerie P. Foushee | Archives of Women's Political Communication

Valerie P. Foushee is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree in political science and Afro and African-American studies from the University of North Carolina. She is married to her husband, Stan, and hey have two sons and two grandchildren.

Valerie is a U.S. Representative. She previously served in the North Carolina State Senate from 2013 to 2023 and the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2013. Before taking elected office, she worked as an administrator with the Chapel Hill Police Department and held administrative positions with insurance and research companies.

Valerie previously worked as an administrator with the Chapel Hill Police Department and held administrative positions with insurance and research companies.

Valerie is currently a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing North Carolina's 4th Congressional District. She was elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term. Before that, she served in the North Carolina State Senate from 2012 to 2022, in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2013, on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners from 2004 to 2012, and on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education from 1997 to 2004.

Valerie Foushee - Ballotpedia

Supports working class and small businesses, advocates for unions, raising the federal minimum wage, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and ensuring equitable economic development for minority and women-owned businesses.

Supports working class and small businesses, advocates for unions, raising the federal minimum wage, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and supporting development for minority and women-owned businesses.

Supports programs that promote affordable housing, homeownership, and community development, and has secured funding for affordable housing projects in North Carolina.

Supports programs that promote affordable housing, homeownership, and community development.

As a representative, secured over $12.39 million for community projects in NC-04, which included funds for affordable housing projects in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Burlington.

Believes that "all Americans deserve access to a safe and affordable place to call home."

- Supports working class and small businesses, advocates for unions, raising the federal minimum wage, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and supporting development for minority and women-owned businesses.
- Supports programs that promote affordable housing, homeownership, and community development.
- As a representative, secured over $12.39 million for community projects in NC-04, which included funds for affordable housing projects in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Burlington.
- Believes that "all Americans deserve access to a safe and affordable place to call home."

Supports the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, Ending Qualified Immunity Act, Justice for Incarcerated Moms, and programs to provide low-income individuals access to legal services.

Supports gun control measures, including the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, Assault Weapons Ban, and other related legislation.

Supports gun control, including the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, Assault Weapons Ban, and other related legislation.

Supports local gun buy-back programs, bans on high-capacity magazines, increased funding for mental health services, and community violence intervention programs.

- Supports the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, Ending Qualified Immunity Act, Justice for Incarcerated Moms, and programs to provide low-income individuals access to legal services.
- Supports gun control, including the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, Assault Weapons Ban, and other related legislation.
- Supports local gun buy-back programs, bans on high-capacity magazines, increased funding for mental health services, and community violence intervention programs.

Supports access to abortion services, contraception, and opposes governmental restrictions on reproductive healthcare.

Supports abortion access, access to contraception, and opposes governmental restrictions on reproductive healthcare.

Supports expanding Medicaid, endorses the Medicare for All Act, and believes everyone should have access to healthcare.

- Supports abortion access, access to contraception, and opposes governmental restrictions on reproductive healthcare.
- Supports expanding Medicaid, endorses the Medicare for All Act, and believes everyone should have access to healthcare.

Supports increased investments in early education, guarantees free, quality universal pre-K, and introduced the Expanding Child Care Act to address the child care shortage.

Supports canceling existing student debt, expanding affordable loan programs, and advocating for financial assistance to ensure debt-free education at public universities and colleges.

- Supports increased investments in early education, guarantees free, quality universal pre-K, and introduced the Expanding Child Care Act to address the child care shortage.
- Supports canceling existing student debt, expanding affordable loan programs, and advocating for financial assistance to ensure debt-free education at public universities and colleges.

Supports the Green New Deal, advocates for transitioning away from fossil fuels, and emphasizes the need for a sustainable energy infrastructure while investing in green transit options.

Supports monitoring PFAS in drinking water, cleaning up coal ash, incentivizing clean and renewable energy, and strengthening environmental protection laws.

Opposes the extension of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate project and fights against environmental racism.

- Supports the Green New Deal, advocates for transitioning away from fossil fuels, and emphasizes the need for a sustainable energy infrastructure while investing in green transit options.
- Supports monitoring PFAS in drinking water, cleaning up coal ash, incentivizing clean and renewable energy, and strengthening environmental protection laws.
- Opposes the extension of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate project and fights against environmental racism.

Supports creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, ending privatized prisons, and reducing funding for ICE detention facilities and enforcement.

- Supports creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, ending privatized prisons, and reducing funding for ICE detention facilities and enforcement.

Supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the For the People Act, and the establishment of an Independent Redistricting Commission to ensure fair voting practices and transparent redistricting processes.

- Supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the For the People Act, and the establishment of an Independent Redistricting Commission to ensure fair voting practices and transparent redistricting processes.

Valerie P. Foushee

- Supports working class and small businesses, advocates for unions, raising the federal minimum wage, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and supporting development for minority and women-owned businesses.
- As a representative, secured over $12.39 million for community projects in NC-04, which included funds for affordable housing projects in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Burlington.

- Your U.S. representative represents the interests of your district in the U.S. House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. North Carolina currently has 14 U.S. representatives.
- U.S. representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become federal law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain areas of policy, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the speaker of the house or majority/minority leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms and there are no term limits. U.S. representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.
-  Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen for seven years, and an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected. 

North Carolina U.S. Representative, District 4, Democratic Primary

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