MaryAnn Black, associate vice president for community relations at the Duke University Health System, will serve as the new representative for North Carolina's House District 29.
The Durham County Democratic Party voted to appoint Black on Monday evening to fill the seat opened by the departure of Democrat Larry Hall, who was appointed as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs by Governor Roy Cooper. District 29 includes much of central Durham County, as well as East Campus.
"MaryAnn Black has give so much to Durham through her service as a County Commissioner and at Duke," wrote Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations, in an email. "She will be an excellent member of the Legislature at a critical time. I am sure that she will effectively represent all her constituents, including Duke."
Black was appointed to her current role as associate vice president in 2002 and was named “Social Worker of the Year” in 1994 by the National Association of Social Workers. She also worked as a clinical social worker at Duke in the department of psychology for 10 years.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Benedict College graduate also served as a Durham County Commissioner from 1990 to 2002 and was chair from 1996 until the end of her time on the Board.
Mike Woodard, Trinity ’81 and senator for North Carolina's 22nd district, congratulated Black on Twitter Monday.
“Congratulations to MaryAnn Black, nominated tonight to serve in House District 29, completing the term of Sec. Larry Hall,” wrote Woodard, who is also a financial administrator for Duke University and DUHS.
Congratulations to MaryAnn Black, nominated tonight to serve in House District 29, completing the term of Sec. Larry Hall. #ncpol pic.twitter.com/lOI7fmYUh3
— Mike Woodard (@MikeWoodard) February 14, 2017
House District 30, which includes much of the rest of Duke's campus, was opened after the death of long-time Rep. Paul Luebke last year. Democratic leaders selected local attorney Phil Lehman as a temporary replacement for the seat until another candidate is selected by the committee.
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