James Forrester
James Forrester (b. January 8, 1937) is a former Republican member of the North Carolina State Senate.
Forrester was a Commissioner on the Gaston County Board of Commissioners from 1982 to 1990. He then joined the North Carolina State Senate in 1991, representing the 41st District. He became Senate Joint Republican Caucus Leader in 2006. He served in that position until his death on October 31, 2011.[1]
Background
Forrester earned his B.S. from Wake Forest University in 1958. He then received his MD from Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1962. He later earned his Master's in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1978.
Forrester was a Commander in the North Carolina Air National Guard in Vietnam. He is a former Medical Director for Greenfield Manor Nursing Home and Brian Center Nursing Home. He is also a former Medical Consultant for Gaston County Health Department and a former Medical Missioner in Central America. His professional experience includes working as a Family Practice Physician.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Forrester served on these committees:
- Education/Higher Education
- Finance
- Health Care
- Judiciary II
- Mental Health & Youth Services
- Redistricting Committee
- Transportation
- Ways & Means
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Forrester served on these committees:
- Appropriations/Base Budget Committee, North Carolina State Senate
- Commerce Committee, North Carolina State Senate
- Education/Higher Education Committee, North Carolina State Senate
- Health Care Committee, North Carolina State Senate
- Judiciary II Committee, North Carolina State Senate
- Mental Health & Youth Services Committee, North Carolina State Senate
- Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee, North Carolina State Senate
- Ways & Means Committee, North Carolina State Senate
Elections
2010
Forrester won re-election to the North Carolina State Senate District 41 in the Novermber 2 general election. He ran unopposed.[2]
| North Carolina Senate, General Election Results, District 41 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 James Forrester (R)
|
43,461 | 100% | ||
Forrester defeated primary challenger Mark Vanek (R) on May 4, 2010.[3]
2008
On November 4, 2008, Forrester won re-election to the 41st District in the North Carolina State Senate. Forrester had no challenger.[4]
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Forrester has a wife, Mary Frances.
Apologizes for remarks
On February 25, 2010, Forrester apologized for comments he made during a recent Iredell County Young Republicans meeting. He stated that "slick city lawyers and homosexual lobbies and African American lobbies are running Raleigh."
Forrester explained, "I was just expressing my opinion about the leadership in the General Assembly and the bills that are being passed. North Carolina is a conservative state. Most people are conservatives, and the leadership in Raleigh is liberal."[5]
External links
- Official North Carolina State Senate website
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996
- Senator Forrester State Surge
- Senator Forrester's facebook
Footnotes
- ↑ www.gastongazette.com Gaston senator dies at age of 74, October 31, 2011
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, "2010 General Election Results," accessed March 25, 2015
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, "2010 Primary Election Results," accessed August 14, 2014
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, "2008 General Election Results," accessed August 14, 2014
- ↑ Mooresville Tribune, "Forrester apologizes for remarks," February 26, 2010
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
North Carolina State Senate District 41 1991–2011 |
Succeeded by Chris Carney |
