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]
Electoral history
2012
North Carolina House of Representatives 104th district general election, 2012[11]
^ abcMorrill, Jim (17 October 2006). "Fight is on to replace McMahan - in House District 104, Democratic Newcomer Faces Ex-Commissioner". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, North Carolina: McClatchy: 2B.
^Morrill, Jim (15 October 2013). "Ruth Samuelson says she won't run for re-election in 2014". Charlotte, North Carolina: The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. 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.